In 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, our monthly series will take on the question:
How can I be part of making the United States just and peaceful for EVERYONE
- without exception - in our next 250 years?
In January, Cristin Brawner, Executive Director of the National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI), introduced "America’s Next 250," a nationwide initiative designed to turn conversation into action where they live, work, and learn.
In February, Steven Olikara, President of Bridge Entertainment Labs, shared how film and storytelling can strengthen civic engagement, elevate pluralistic narratives, and spark meaningful dialogue across differences.
In March, we explored with Malka Kopell and Palma Strand, co-founders of Civity, how intentional relationship-building - what Civity calls civity practice - strengthens community resilience and civic engagement.
In April (on Arbor Day!), we went outside our usual focus on civic strategy and heard from Dr. Christal Mischelle Omni, founder of the OMNI Institute of Well-Being, about the importance of reconnecting internally.
In May, Melody Mohebi, Program Director of Imagining 2076 at Democracy 2076, shared how entertainment media shapes how we understand government - and how we can tell better stories about democracy.
In June, on National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Sara Isaac, Chief Strategist, Marketing for Change Co. shared insights on why using facts to counter feelings backfires - and what to do instead.
In July, days before the 4th of July holiday, the team at the U.S. Baha'i Office of Public Affairs shared inspiring insights from their Narratives of America project.
In August, we heard from Arizona State University's Consortium for Science, Policy, and Outcomes about bringing community members directly into conversations about science, technology, and public policy.
On Friday, September 11, Rev. Terry Kyllo, Executive Director of Paths to Understanding shared a deeply inspiring vision of a shared future where everyone belongs and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Join us Friday, October 23, 2026, to appreciate all that unfolded in Minnesota earlier this year as Nathan Stock of CRD Connect shares civic engagement lessons to draw across the country.
Join us Friday, November 13, 2026, to hear from delegates of the Brazilian Blueprint. They'll share what they learned through our cross-cultural exchange with Brazilian democracy advocates, and what those insights might mean for the United States, Mexico, and the world.
Join us Friday, December 4, 2026, to ask "What if one reason hunger persists is that we have been telling the wrong story about it?" Suleiman Amanzad, Director of Strategic Communications at Oregon Food Bank, will share the Rethink Hunger initiative and explore how research, lived experience and storytelling can shift the way people understand why hunger happens and what can be done about it.
We offer the series free to everyone who wants to make a difference in their
neighborhoods, communities, and country, regardless of field, background, or level of income.
