
Source: Robert Gauthier / Getty
As Michelle Obama took center stage in her former hometown of Chicago at the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) on the evening of Tuesday, August 20, 2024, she knew the stakes were high, but she was more than ready. Her speech was initially intended as a warm-up for her husband’s keynote, former president Barack Obama. However, even the former president couldn’t help but acknowledge her powerful presence with a touch of humor, remarking, “I am the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama!” This was more than just a joke—it highlighted the elegance, eloquence, and expressive prowess she possessed and paid tribute to the influence she gracefully commanded.
Michelle’s 2024 DNC speech was starkly different from her 2016 appearance when she coined the now-iconic phrase, “When they go low, we go high.” This sentiment was not just a call for grace under fire—it was a reflection of the careful balancing act she had to perform as the first Black First Lady. Back then, every detail, from her head to her shoes, was scrutinized, including her choice of a polished, royal blue, short-sleeved dress and her loosely curled, shoulder-length hair. She knew that any mishap could not only affect her husband’s presidency but could also reinforce typical stereotypes about Black women.
However, in 2024, Michelle Obama showed up unapologetically herself, with her full Black womanhood on explicit display. She returned to the DNC stage as a woman transformed. This time, she was no longer confined by the pressures of yesteryear to conform or to protect anyone’s image but her own. Her hair, braided and pulled back in a waist-length ponytail, and her sleeveless navy pantsuit, which showcased her fit figure, were very deliberate choices. Her facial expressions were no longer the demure, soft gazes of 2016; instead, she fully embraced her Black girl magic with raised eyebrows and strategically placed pauses, revealing an evolved former First Lady with nothing to lose.

Source: Tom Williams / Getty
When Michelle spoke this time, she fully rested in her Black womanhood. She directly called out Donald Trump, addressing the harm he had caused the nation with a clarity and directness that left no room for misinterpretation. The gloves were off, and it was evident that Michelle Obama wasn’t here to “play-play”—she was here to stand firm in her truth as a Black woman and to defend the values of integrity, high moral ground, and truth that she holds dear.
Social media quickly reacted, with memes celebrating this newly revealed Michelle Obama. While her endorsement of Kamala Harris was powerful, it was her direct critique of Donald Trump that truly resonated with the crowd. Addressing his racially charged rhetoric head-on, Michelle delivered a sharp, memorable line: “Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?” The audience erupted in laughter and applause, but beneath the humor was a serious critique of Trump’s divisive approach to race.
Michelle didn’t stop there. Her speech was filled with other memorable critiques, including a pointed comment on Trump’s generational wealth and numerous business failures—a far cry from her ‘take-the-high-road’ stance at the 2016 DNC. “We will never benefit from the affirmative action of generational wealth. If we bankrupt a business or choke in a crisis, we don’t get a second, third, or fourth chance. If things don’t go our way, we don’t have the luxury of whining or cheating others to get further ahead. We don’t get to change the rules so we always win.”
This year’s DNC felt different because it was different. The grace was still there, but so was the fire. Michelle Obama was no longer the woman who had to worry about every move being dissected by the media. She had earned the right to speak her mind, to show up fully as the Black woman she is, without apology. The braids, the pantsuit, the pointed critiques, the facial expressions —they were all part of a powerful declaration: This is who I unapologetically am.

Source: Tom Williams / Getty
Michelle Obama’s evolution from 2016 to 2024 is a powerful reminder of the journey many Black women navigate in their own lives. Often told to shrink themselves to fit into spaces that weren’t made for them, they learn, over time, the importance of reclaiming their full selves. Michelle’s transformation on the DNC stage wasn’t just about politics—it was about self-acceptance, about showing the world that Black women don’t have to choose between being strong and being authentic. They can, and should, be both.

Source: Anadolu / Getty
As Michelle Obama stood there, fully herself, she wasn’t just endorsing Kamala Harris; she was giving a masterclass in the power of being unapologetically you. She reminded us all that Black women are complex, multifaceted, eloquent, mindful and deserving of every space they occupy. Her message was clear: Our voices matter, our stories matter, and we deserve to be seen and heard in all our fullness.
After Michelle left the stage, her lasting impression was undeniable. Through her speech, she demonstrated what true leadership looks like: bold, courageous, unapologetic, and always striving to “go high.”
Editors Note: All direct quotes were cited from ‘This Is Our Time’: Read Michelle Obama’s Full DNC Speech from NewsOne