There’s no denying that Michelle Obama wowed viewers when she appeared at the Democratic National Convention earlier this week. The former First Lady delivered a pointed and compelling speech about the future of our country and the importance of voting and did so while donning perhaps one of the chicest outfits of the decade paired with hoop earrings and a sweet necklace that spelled out the word “VOTE.”

While there’s a lot to take away from Obama’s message, particularly because our lives literally depend on it, fans haven’t been able to keep their eyes off of Obama’s “vote” necklace.

Obama’s necklace was designed by Chari Cuthbert for her line BYCHARI as part of her boutique jewelry line which is based in Los Angeles.

View this post on Instagram

You all know me by now. You know that I tell you exactly what I’m feeling, and that I’m no fan of politics. But you also know how much I love this country and how much I care about all our children. And right now, I’m deeply troubled by what our kids are witnessing—a nation that’s underperforming not just on matters of policy, but on matters of character. In our hearts, we know that so much of what’s happening is just not right. It’s not who we want to be. And if we want any chance to end the chaos, the division, and the nastiness; if we want to keep alive the possibility of progress on the issues we hold dear, we’ve got to elect @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris like our lives depend on it. Joe Biden is a profoundly decent man, guided by his faith. He knows what it takes to rescue an economy, beat back a pandemic, and lead a country. Kamala Harris is a dedicated public servant who has committed her life to fighting for those who can use a hand up. Together, they will listen. They will tell the truth and trust science. And they will make smart plans and manage a good team. Because Joe Biden has served this nation without ever losing sight of who he is, but even more than that, he’s never lost sight of who we are—all of us. And he will channel that same grit and compassion to pick us up, help us heal, and guide us forward. To everyone who has given so much this summer to awaken our consciences and shout out for justice—I could not be more proud of you. Keep it up. Because progress isn’t an either/or proposition. If we want to move forward, we’ve got to march. We’ve got to kneel. We’ve got to protest. And we’ve got to vote—and make sure everyone we know does, too. So vote early, in-person if you can. Request your mail-in ballots right now—tonight—and send them back immediately, and follow up to make sure they were received. And when Election Day comes, get prepared to wait in line overnight if you have to. Because if we want to be able to look our children in the eye after this election, if we want to realize the progress that we seek, we’ve got to do everything we can to elect Joe Biden as the next President of the United States.

A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Aug 17, 2020 at 8:21pm PDT

The Black designer has produced and designed custom pieces since 2012 and sold her designs via her website, word of mouth, social media, and a few influencers. According to Cuthbert, her business was already doing well pretty recently but sales for her designs skyrocketed this week thanks to a visual endorsement from Obama at the Democratic Convention. Cuthbert told CNN that 12 hours after Obama’s address on Monday night, almost 2,000 orders for her VOTE necklace came rolling in.

The necklace sells for $295.

“I was at my office, and I just sat there as my phone was going crazy, and I started to cry,” Cuthbert told CNN.

Obama’s stylist has said that the vote necklace inspired the writer’s entire look for the evening.

View this post on Instagram

Michelle Obama is one of the most impactful women on the planet—not to mention a style icon! To say we’re inspired by her dedication to helping others and lifting up women and minorities would be an understatement. We are so honored that she chose to wear our VOTE necklace at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Thank you to @michelleobama her stylist incredible stylist @meredithkoop for this once in a lifetime opportunity! We hope that everyone lets their voice be heard this November by voting. #vote #michelleobama #dnc #votenecklace

A post shared by BYCHARI (@bychari) on Aug 18, 2020 at 7:16pm PDT

Meredith Koop who has worked as a stylist for Obama for the last decade told CNN, “I built all of the outfit options I offered to Obama around the necklace. When I commissioned it, I knew it had to be the centerpiece When the speech started, you had to squint a little to read it. I love that. It pulled the viewer in.”

The VOTE necklace was crafted for Obama earlier this summer in July when Koop messaged Cuthbert on Instagram. The designer and stylist had never met or worked with Koop but found herself impressed by Cuthbert’s designs on social platforms like Instagram. Of course, this isn’t the first time Cuthbert has created the VOTE necklace. In 2016, she made a small supply of the necklaces for herself and friends. In 2018 she promoted the necklaces once again to raise awareness about the primaries.

“I try to keep politics and business separate,” Cuthbert told CNN, “But in these times, with what’s happening in the world, I felt like I needed to use my platform. So when Meredith reached out we knew how important it was to do this, and do it now.”

Cuthbert is a Black business owner who has been waiting for a break for her small business for some time.

Like millions of small business owners and entrepreneurs, she’s worked hard to pursue her dreams.

“I reached out to friends in the jewelry industry last night and this morning and have just said, ‘Um, I’m going to need some help,’ in the best possible sense,” Cuthbert explains. “This is it. This is the dream come true.”

Notice any needed corrections? Please email us at corrections@wearemitu.com

President Obama has become a strong and lasting pop culture figure. He is often referenced in tv shows. movies, late-night talk shows, and a myriad of other moments. He has even become a tastemaker in some pop culture rounds. Namely, Obama releases an annual list of favorite things in entertainment and pop culture. It is a list that people have come to expect and look forward to as Obama has often highlighted the most influential people of the year. This year’s list is no different and there were some notable Latino additions to the list that people definitely paid attention to.

Former President Barack Obama released his culture list of 2019, and he included some of our favorite Latino creatives. 

Credit: @barackobama / Twitter

Obama’s recommendation lists have been a part of our lives since he began his presidency. Every year, he releases a list of his favorite books, music, and movies, and we’re always so excited because he typically is into things that we’re into as well. Not just that, but he also turns us onto new creatives because if he’s into it, we know for a fact it’s good. 

Oh, the music front, Obama did not disappoint. His favorite music of 2019 surprised many because while we know he has impeccable taste, we didn’t realize he could get down like that. 

For starters, in 2019, Obama listened to “Baila Baila Baila” by Ozuna featuring Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Farruko, Anuel AA. 

We need a second to absorb this awesomeness. Not only does Obama give a list of entertainment to make your year better, he included one of the Latin music’s biggest bops of the year.

People could not get over the fact that Obama gets down to Ozuna just like we do. 

Credit: @bianncaaaa_ / Twitter

We truly want to know who put Obama onto Ozuna. Was it his kids? Was it a friend? Maybe it was Michelle! We know she does love to dance. Way to go, Obama.

We see Obama in a whole new light now. 

He was cool before, but now it’s on another level. We really love seeing the things that Obama enjoys.

Obama also listened to Angelica Garcia’s “Jícama”

The bilingual singer who’s based in Richmond, Virginia but was born in Cali and is of Mexican and Salvadoran descent got the break of a lifetime by getting a shoutout by the former president.

For those of you who don’t know her, now you know. 

Credit: @als_baretoes / Twitter

Garcia tweeted, “I am tearing up right now. My grandma has kept your picture on her piano for 5 years. Thank you for listening @BarackObama.” We’re tearing up now too!

Like the rest of the world, Obama could not resist Rosalía’s “Con Altura.”

Rosalía was undeniable on the culture hit list for 2019 and there’s no way Obama could avoid her. She was everywhere with her new music this year.

Obama surprised many with his choices this year, but his Latin music artist picks blew us away. 

Credit: @nathalyHenriq11 / Twitter

We stan Obama for life!

Now, on the movie front, Obama didn’t choose any Latin films. We know there were slim pickings, but we guess he didn’t watch “Knock Down the House” — the documentary about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s rise to Congress. Or “The Infiltrators” another powerful documentary about what it’s like to be detained by ICE. Perhaps that last film hits too close to home for the former president. 

As for books, Obama chose some incredible reads, including Valeria Luiselli’s “Lost Children Archive.”

Credit: @crimmigration / Twitter

The Mexican writer tweeted that she was speechless over being on Obama’s list. She tweeted, “Happy, though of course bewildered, that @BarackObama read Lost Children Archive. Curious about what, in those pages, spoke to him, and wondering what thoughts left an echo.” She also added that she wants Rep. Ocasio-Cortez to read her next book! “And now here’s a wish for 2020: that @AOC reads Tell Me How It Ends and pushes for some major reforms!” It’s all about envisioning to bring it to light!

Okay, now that we know Obama gets down as we do, we’re going to play some Ozuna now. 

Thanks, Mr. Obama for reminding us why we love you and more importantly why we miss you even more!

READ: More Than 360,000 People Have Signed A Petition Calling For Trump Tower’s Address To Be ‘President Barack H. Obama Avenue’

Notice any needed corrections? Please email us at corrections@wearemitu.com