SUMMIT
HIGHLIGHTS
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Monday, June 13
The Intersection of Sports & Democracy
From the Screen to the Streets: What Drives Gen Z to Action
How the Criminal Justice System Disenfranchises Voters
Entertainment & Social Impact — Changing the Narrative
Workers Rights & Democracy
The State of Reproductive Rights
The Disinformation Crisis Attacking our Democracy
Threats and Opportunities in Protecting our Democracy: Research Presentations
The History of Democracy and Voter Suppression in America
The Intersection of Sports & Democracy
The Intersection of Sports & Democracy
This discussion focuses on the role athletes and leagues play in moving our society forward, as well as the critical role voting and civic education plays in the fight for social justice. The conversation is co-presented with the NBA Social Justice Initiative.
- Introduction: Chris Paul, When We All Vote Co-Chair
- Moderator: Cari Champion, Broadcast Journalist and former ESPN Anchor
- Doc Rivers, Head Coach of the Philadelphia 76ers
- CJ McCollum, New Orleans Pelicans
- Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA LA Sparks
From the Screen to the Streets: What Drives Gen Z to Action
From the Screen to the Streets to the Polls: What Drives Gen Z to Action
Today’s young people are the most connected generation to date, and efforts to inform, organize and galvanize them demand an overhaul of traditional communications and outreach efforts. Youth voters had a record turnout of 50% during the 2020 presidential election, but these strong numbers don’t translate to local elections, especially during off years. This panel discusses what inspires young people to action and how to continue building momentum in their movements.- Moderator: Judith Nwandu, Reporter of The Shade Room
- Anto Chávez, Video Producer/Journalist United We Dream
- Deja Foxx, Founder of Gen Z Girl Gang
- Chelsea Miller, Co-Founder of Freedom March NYC
How the Criminal Justice System Disenfranchises Voters
How the Criminal Justice System Disenfranchises Voters
Disenfranchising voters with felony convictions is a long-standing voter suppression tactic. In 21 states, inmates lose their voting rights while incarcerated. From bail reform and ending mass incarceration to decriminalizing marijuana and police reform, so many issues impact who can and can’t vote.
- Moderator: Tiffany Cross, Host of The Cross Connection on MSNBC
- Daryl Atkinson, Co-Director of Forward Justice
- Gicola Lane, Advocate at Campaign Legal Center and Restore Your Vote
- Louis L. Reed, Senior Advisor at the REFORM Alliance
- Maya Wiley, President & CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Entertainment & Social Impact — Changing the Narrative
Entertainment & Social Impact — Changing the Narrative
The entertainment industry has a huge influence on how people view themselves and the world they live in. In this talk, creators, actors, and industry leaders discuss how we can create more impactful and balanced depictions of civic engagement in media and entertainment to promote a healthier democracy.
- Moderator Adam Conover, Comedian and Host of Higher Ground’s “The G Word” on Netflix
- Scott Budnick, Film producer, Founder of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), and CEO of One Community, LLC
- Charles D. King, Founder & CEO of MACRO
- Wanda Sykes, Emmy-winning writer, comedian, actor, producer
Workers Rights & Democracy
Workers’ Rights & Democracy
This panel is a conversation on how workers can become conscious of their unique situation and effectively organize to demand necessary conditions and benefits.- Mary Kay Henry, International President of SEIU
- Jeannie Mai Jenkins, Emmy Award-Winning Producer and Host
The State of Reproductive Rights
The State of Reproductive Rights
Voter suppression and anti-reproductive laws both disproportionately impact POC, the LGBTQ community, and people with low incomes. So what does the Supreme Court decision mean for these vulnerable communities, and is there still room for hope? [Filmed pre-Casey decision]- Introduction: Jordan Brooks, Executive Director of The United State of Women
- Alexis McGill Johnson, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund
- Alencia Johnson, Founder & CIO of 1063 West Broad & Leading
The Disinformation Crisis Attacking our Democracy
The Disinformation Crisis Attacking our Democracy
The spread of disinformation to deliberately mislead voters, particularly those of color, represents an immense threat to our democracy. Experts and researchers in disinformation discuss how technology and media are used to spread disinformation, the role of culture, and solutions beyond mainstream news.- Moderator: Wesley Lowery, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist
- Graham Brookie, Senior Director of Atlantic Council Digital Forensic Research Lab
- Sonja Diaz, Founding Director of UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Initiative
- Jacquelyn Mason, Director of Programs of Media Democracy Fund & Disinfo Defense League
Threats and Opportunities in Protecting our Democracy: Research Presentations
Threats and Opportunities in Protecting our Democracy: Research Presentations
In this presentation, three experts review what sorts of programs, resources, and grassroots efforts are necessary to preserve and improve voter rights and election accessibility.
- Christina Baal-Owens, Executive Director of Public Wise
- Jessie Kalbfeld, PhD, Research Director of Public Wise
- Ian Bassin, Executive Director of Protect Democracy
- Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, Newhouse Director of CIRCLE
The History of Democracy and Voter Suppression in America
The History of Democracy and Voter Suppression in America
“Let us march on ballot boxes, until somehow we will be able to develop that day when men will have food and material necessities for their bodies, freedom and dignity for their spirits, education and culture for their minds.”
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This conversation reflects on the history of democracy in the United States and its parallels to what’s happening today.
- Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and creator of the landmark 1619 Project, Historian on American democracy, and Staff Writer at The New York Times Magazine
- Mara Brock Akil, TV & Film Creator, Director, and Showrunner
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
Friday, June 10
Map it Out: Gerrymandering’s Stronghold on Democracy
The Power of the Pen: Music and Art’s Influence on Change
Faith-led Change: How the Spiritual Community Inspires Movements
From the Screen to the Streets to the Polls: What Drives Gen Z to Action
The State of Environmental Justice
The State of Reproductive Rights
State of our Democracy: What’s Happening on the Ground
State of our Democracy: Where Are We Now?
Map it Out: Gerrymandering’s Stronghold on Democracy
Map it Out: Gerrymandering’s Stronghold on Democracy
Gerrymandering is a consistent threat to Democracy. District lines are often drawn to favor politicians, not communities, and this practice has a disproportionately negative impact on BIPOC. This conversation breaks down how gerrymandering contributes to the polarization and dysfunction in our political system, and steps to take to end map manipulation and achieve fair districts.- Introduction: Kerry Washington, When We All Vote Co-Chair
- Moderator: Ana Navarro, Political Strategist and Commentator
- Eric Holder, 82nd Attorney General of the United States and Chairman of All on the Line
The Power of the Pen: Music and Art’s Influence on Change
The Power of the Pen: Music and Art’s Influence on Change
Music has played a key role in social and political movements throughout history, and this conversation focuses on how artists, producers, and music industry executives leverage their impact to support lasting change.- Introduction: Common, Academy Award, Emmy and Grammy-winning artist, actor, author, and activist
- Moderator: Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Co-President of The Recording Academy
- Towalame Austin, Executive Vice President of Philanthropy and Social Impact at Sony Music Group
- DJ D-Nice
- Shawn Gee, President of Live Nation Urban
Faith-led Change: How the Spiritual Community Inspires Movements
Faith-led Change: How the Spiritual Community Inspires Movements
In this conversation, participants discuss the critical role faith leaders have played in their communities to organize and get voters to the polls, and the deep history the spiritual community has had in leading seismic social movements.- Introduction: Yvette Nicole Brown, Emmy-nominated actress, host, writer and producer who has publicly promoted civic engagement
- Moderator: LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter and award-winning organizer
- Reverend William J. Barber II, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign
- Bishop Reginald Jackson, Social Action Commission, African Methodist Episcopal Church
- Ilyasah Shabazz, Award-winning Author, Professor, and daughter of Malcolm X
From the Screen to the Streets to the Polls: What Drives Gen Z to Action
From the Screen to the Streets to the Polls: What Drives Gen Z to Action
Today’s young people are the most connected generation to date, and efforts to inform, organize and galvanize them demand an overhaul of traditional communications and outreach efforts. Youth voters had a record turnout of 50% during the 2020 presidential election, but these strong numbers don’t translate to local elections, especially during off years. This panel discusses what inspires young people to action and how to continue building momentum in their movements.- Introduction: Bretman Rock, WWAV Co-Chair and one of Time magazine’s 30 Most Influential Teens
- Moderator: Judith Nwandu, Senior Associate Producer and Political Reporter at The Shade Room
- Anto Chávez, Video Producer/Journalist United We Dream
- Deja Foxx, Founder of Gen Z Girl Gang
- David Hogg, Co-Founder & Board Member of March for Our Lives
- Chelsea Miller, Co-Founder of Freedom March NYC
The State of Environmental Justice
The State of Environmental Justice
From climate catastrophes to polluted air and toxic water, current and future generations are on the verge of experiencing irreversible environmental catastrophe. Climate change also has an especially disproportionate impact on people of color and other vulnerable communities.This panel covers the state of environmental justice in America, particularly as it pertains to Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.- Introduction: Liza Koshy, When We All Vote Co-Chair
- Moderator: Nikhil Swaminathan, Editor in Chief & Interim CEO of Grist, a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future
- Dr. Mustafa Ali, Vice President of Environmental Justice, Climate, and Community Revitalization at the National Wildlife Federation
- Leah Thomas, Environmental Activist and Author
- Allie Young, Founder of Protect the Sacred
The State of Reproductive Rights
The State of Reproductive Rights
Voter suppression and anti-reproductive laws both disproportionately impact POC, the LGBTQ community, and people with low incomes. So what is the state of reproductive rights in towns and cities across America? [Filmed pre-Casey decision]- Moderator: Jada Gomez, Executive Editor at POPSUGAR
- Michelle Colon, Founder of SHEro Mississippi
- Christina Soliz, Political Director of COLOR Colorado
- Mini Timmaraju, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America
State of our Democracy: What’s Happening on the Ground
State of our Democracy: What’s Happening on the Ground
State groups are at the forefront in the fight for democracy. In this discussion, local leaders cover what’s happening on the ground for voting rights in states experiencing some of the worst voter suppression.- Introduction: Jay Ellis, Actor
- Moderator: Ari Berman, Award-winning Journalist and Senior Reporter for Mother Jones, Author of Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America (2015) and the first national reporter to cover voter suppression during the 2012 election
- Tameika Atkins, Executive Director of ProGeorgia
- Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project
- Juanica Fernandes, Executive Director of State Voices Florida
- Judith LeBlanc, Director of Native Organizers Arizona
State of our Democracy: Where Are We Now?
State of our Democracy: Where Are We Now?
More than 500 bills that would restrict voter access or election administration have been introduced or passed since 2020. Nationwide, only 27% of eligible voters vote in the typical municipal election, but 99% of all elected positions are state and local. This conversation discusses the national landscape for voting and voting rights.- Moderator: Astead Herndon, National Politics Reporter at the New York Times and CNN Political Analyst
- Marc Elias, Founder of Democracy Docket
- Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel Emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund