Former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick is taking on a new gig, and will join the board of directors of the Obama Foundation, the organization announced Tuesday.

“Barack Obama will be remembered as a president who led us well through turbulent times with wisdom, equanimity, and grace,’’ Patrick said Tuesday in a statement. “I am honored to be part of the foundation that will continue that legacy.’’

The foundation, a nonprofit established in 2014, is overseeing the design and construction of the “Obama Presidential Center,’’ which is being built in the president’s hometown of Chicago. The center will host public resources, presidential archives, and a museum, as the foundation aims to promote and advance the president’s legacy long after he leaves the White House in January.

Patrick, the state’s first African-American governor, is from Chicago. A Democrat, he served as governor for eight years, and is currently a managing director at the Boston investing giant Bain Capital.

Obama and Patrick remained close throughout the president’s two terms in office. Patrick stumped for the president during his 2012 reelection campaign.

In 2014, during Patrick’s last appearance on his monthly Boston radio show segment, he received a surprise phone call from the president.

“Deval, you done good, man,’’ Obama said during the call, lauding Patrick’s accomplishments. “Now, you started with an outstanding state. But you’ve burnished it and polished it and, most importantly, you’ve got people involved and made people believe in civic engagement.’’

There are now 12 people on the volunteer board, including Patrick, according to the foundation’s website. A picture and description of Patrick’s accomplishments appeared online Tuesday when the announcement was made.

Patrick said, as a former “South Sider,’’ a term used by people who lived in Chicago’s South Side, he’s thrilled to participate in the foundation’s development and the building’s construction “in his old neighborhood.’’

Steve Annear can be reached at steve.annear@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @steveannear.