While avoiding the orange-colored elephant in the room, Barack Obama’s first speaking engagement since leaving office was a success. Surrounded by six local students, he spoke on his role in helping prepare the next generation of leaders for what will come.

“The single most important thing I can do,” Obama said, is to “help in any way I can prepare the next generation of leadership to take up the baton and to take their own crack at changing the world.”

Watch the full segment below.