2019 Annual Conference on Citizenship

 “Bright Spots: Local Leaders Inspiring Hope in America”

For attendees of the Conference, download the Whova App for more details on the agenda, programming, and speakers.


October 29

8:00 am – 4:30 pm – Bridge Alliance Summit Pre-Conference events. Please contact Cheryl Hughes at [email protected] for more information.

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm -Convenings with Democracy Entrepreneurs, Civic Health Index Partners, and local leaders. These events are invite only, if you are interested in these events or would like more information, please contact [email protected].

5:00 – 6:00 PM Opening Reception 

  • Welcome: Nicco Mele, NCoC
  • Artist performance by Regie Gibson

Dinner 6:00 – 8:00 pm

6:00 – 6:40 pm – Welcome

  • Eric Luedtke and Jheanelle Wilkins, Delegates of the Maryland General Assembly
  • Performance by Julie Yeeun Kim

6:55 – 7:15 – HOOAH Award Induction

  • Introduction: Michael Weisher, NCoC Board
  • Recipient: Mike Washington, Seattle Firefighter and Marine Corps Veteran

7:15 – 7:30 – Break

7:30 – 8:05 – Panel: “How Democracy Entrepreneurs Support Local Leaders” 

8:05 – 8:20 Closing

  • Performance by Yosimar Reyes

October 30: Celebrating Bright Spots and Taking Action in 2020

7:00 – 8:30 Breakfast 

8:30 – 8:45 Welcome

  • Introduction: Robert Orr, Dean of University of Maryland School of Public Policy
  • Performance by Regie Gibson

8:45 – 9:15 Spark Talks: Challenges of 2020

  • The 2020 Election and the Movement for Full Participation (Sam Novey)
  • Ensuring a Complete Count in the 2020 Census (Austin Davis) 
  • Facebook’s Civic Agenda (Crystal Patterson) 
  • ThinkTN Mayor’s Initiative
  • Facing History and Ourselves (Steve Becton) 

9:15 – 9:45 Transition and Musical Performance 

  • Alex Wong & Jesse Terry

9:45 – 10:45 PLENARY: What can YOUR community do to advance full participation in 2020 and beyond? 

  • Introduction: Jennifer King Rice, Dean and Professor, College of Education, University of Maryland
  • “Fireside chat” 
    • Moderator – Emma Vadehra, Executive Director of Next 100
    • Respondent – John King, former U.S. Secretary of Education
  • Response: Karen Nussle 

10:45 – 11:00  Coffee Break & Transition 

11:00 – 12:15 Sector-Based Action Planning Workshops

  • Higher Education – led by Jen Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge
  • K-12 Education – led by Abby Kiesa, Director of Impact, Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement
  • Nonprofits – led by Jeff Coates, Research Director, NCoC
  • Municipal Government Leadership and Corporate Civic Engagement
  • Facing History – Steve Becton, Director of Urban Education, Facing History and Ourselves

12:15 – 12:30 Networking & Transition to Lunch

12:30 – 1:30 Lunch & Awards

  • Performance from Terra Naomi
  • Civvy Awards presented by Caroline Klibanoff and Brian Clancy
  • Performance by Jay Nash and Chris Pierce 

1:30 – 1:50 Networking and Coffee Break

1:50 – 3:00 Deep Dive Workshops

  • Community Response to Misinformation 
  • Census Prototyping Session 
  • Facing Race and History 
  • Future of National Service
  • Local Leadership Simulation 
  • Facebook and Google’s Plans for 2020

3:00 – 3:30 Transition & Performance

  • Najya Williams

3:30 – 4:25 Growing Voters Beyond the 2020 Election

  • Presentation: Abby Kiesa (CIRCLE) on the Paradigm shift to “Growing Voters” 
  • Panel: “The Spectrum of Voter Engagement” lead Clarissa Unger (Young Invincibles) elevating local leaders from across the country

4:25 – 4:55 Performances

  • Terra Naomi
  • Dwayne Betts

4:55 – 5:10 Citizen of the Year Award Introduction

  • Awardee: Desmond Meade, President of Florida Rights Restoration Coalition

5:10 – 5:20 Citizenship Oath

  • Introduction of Citizen Recommitment by Barbara Stewart, CNCS 
  • Pledge of Allegiance led by Rev. Ryan Eller, Define American

5:30 – 7:00 Closing Reception & Party

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