Hope is more than optimism. It’s also the demanding work of building relationships across lines of difference, widening participation, and resisting approaches that treat some groups as valuable and others as disposable. This plenary explores ways to expand civic space, strengthen coalitions, and pursue a more just and inclusive democracy that people can see themselves in.

Featuring Charles F. Kettering Foundation fellows:

• Erica Frantz, Associate Professor of Political Science at Michigan State University and Kettering Research Fellow
• Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign, Kettering Foundation Board Member and Emeritus Senior Fellow
• Deva Woodly, Professor of Political Science at Brown University and Kettering Research Fellow
• Moderator: Brad Rourke, Chief External Affairs Officer and Director of DC Operations, Charles F. Kettering Foundation

Tuesday’s general session will open with a reflection from Richard Guarasci, President Emeritus of Wagner College. We will also present the Ernest A. Lynton Award for the Scholarship of Engagement to Martha Carvour and the Thomas Ehrlich Civically Engaged Faculty Award to Julie Grossman. We will also recognize the recipients of the Excellence in Civic and Community Engagement Programming and the Excellence in Community-Engaged Partnerships Awards.