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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260901T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260901T130000
DTSTAMP:20260922T160347Z
CREATED:20260819T001656Z
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UID:67508-1788264000-1788267600@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Beyond Trumpism: America at a Crossroads
DESCRIPTION:How did we get here—and what can we do about it? \nOn Tuesday\, September 1\, in a wide-ranging conversation\, Anthony Scaramucci\, author of “All the Wrong Moves: How Three Catastrophic Decisions Led to the Rise of Trump\,” and Reed Galen\, President of The Union and co-founder of The Lincoln Project\, examined the economic and political forces they believe have reshaped American politics\, from globalization and tax policy to the financial crisis\, rising inequality\, and the growing influence of money in politics. Scaramucci argued that economic insecurity has fueled populism across the political spectrum\, while both speakers emphasized the need to rebuild opportunity and strengthen the middle class. \nThe conversation also tackled the future of work and AI\, with Scaramucci highlighting the technology’s potential to increase productivity while calling for policies that ensure its benefits are broadly shared. They discussed the costs of war\, fiscal responsibility\, environmental challenges\, and the need to strengthen democratic institutions. \nThe takeaway was clear: solving today’s challenges requires looking beyond partisan divides—and taking action in our communities\, at the ballot box\, and through reforms that encourage broader participation. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nAnthony Scaramucci is an American investor and entrepreneur. He is the founder and managing partner of SkyBridge Capital\, a global alternative investment firm\, and the founder and chairman of SALT\, a global thought leadership forum and investment platform. \nScaramucci co-hosts two podcasts — “The Rest Is Politics US” and “Open Book” — and has authored nine books covering finance and geopolitics\, including “All The Wrong Moves\,” due out in September 2026. \nIn 2016\, Scaramucci served on President Donald J. Trump’s Presidential Transition Team Executive Committee before a brief tenure as White House Communications Director. \nReed Galen is an independent political strategist\, co-founder of The Lincoln Project\, and currently serves as the President of The Union\, a nationwide coalition working to rebuild American democracy from the ground up. The Union brings together volunteers\, organizers\, and local leaders to support decent\, competent candidates at every level of government. Under Reed’s leadership\, The Union is building the infrastructure needed to show up in all 50 states and strengthen civic engagement nationwide.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/beyond-trumpism-2/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Recap_Anthony-Scaramucci_Reed-Galen.webp
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260910T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260910T130000
DTSTAMP:20260915T223909Z
CREATED:20260909T004436Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T223909Z
UID:67783-1789041600-1789045200@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Your Ballot\, Your Voice: Showing Up For Democracy
DESCRIPTION:Democracy starts with showing up—and it starts with being vote ready. \nWith Election Day just weeks away\, BigTentUSA welcomed Chyann Sapp organizer of National Voter Registration Day on September 10\, for a timely conversation on turning voter registration into meaningful civic action. Chyann highlighted the importance of not only registering for the first time\, but checking and updating registration—especially as voting rules and deadlines vary widely by state. \nThe message was clear: know your community\, know the rules\, and use the tools already available. From state-specific voter guides and social media toolkits to local voter registration drives\, there are plenty of ways to get involved without reinventing the wheel. \nAnd the work doesn’t stop on National Voter Registration Day. Voter education\, early voting\, absentee ballots\, sample ballots\, and getting people to the polls all matter. Whether you’re organizing a drive\, helping a college student navigate registration\, or simply reminding a neighbor to check their status\, every action counts. Let’s get America vote ready. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKER: \nChyann Sapp brings a wealth of strategic planning experience across diverse sectors\, including government\, nonprofit\, advertising\, and real estate sales and development. In 2011\, Chyann made history by becoming the first Youth Voter Coordinator for the City of New York\, where she led youth programming including the NYC Youth Poet Laureate program and Student Voter Registration Day\, which was inspired by her participation in National Voter Registration Day. She also served as the Associate Director of a tech-focused nonprofit\, where she led East Coast business development and established relationships with government and nonprofit partners to advance 2020 Census outreach efforts.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/showing-up-for-democracy/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:Tent Talks,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Recap_NVRD_Chyann-Sapp.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260917T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260917T200000
DTSTAMP:20260925T185112Z
CREATED:20260901T201728Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T185112Z
UID:67699-1789671600-1789675200@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:The Next 250: Why Civic Education Matters
DESCRIPTION:Civics is not a spectator sport—it is the operating system of democracy. \nIn a timely Big Tent USA conversation held on September 17\, moderator John Avlon joined iCivics CEO Louise Dubé and Citizen University CEO Eric Liu to make the case for rebuilding civic learning as a source of democratic resilience. They defined civics as more than memorizing branches of government: it combines knowledge\, practical skills\, and the confidence to exercise civic power. The panelists urged educators to connect lessons to real-world problems\, local decision-making\, civil dialogue\, and hands-on experiences—from interactive games to student-led community projects. They also emphasized supporting teachers amid political pressure\, teaching history and civics together\, and helping young people understand both their rights and responsibilities. On AI\, they argued for human-centered learning\, with technology serving as a carefully governed supplement—not a substitute for relationships and judgment. \nThe call to action was clear: learn the system\, engage locally\, and put civic power to work. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nJohn Avlon is an award-winning journalist\, author\, news anchor\, and media executive. A former CNN senior political analyst and anchor\, editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast\, and the 2024 Democratic congressional nominee in New York’s First District\, he hosted “How to Fix It” on The Bulwark and serves as Chairman of Citizens Union. Avlon has authored six books\, including “Lincoln and the Fight for Peace” and “Washington’s Farewell“. A Yale University and Columbia Business School graduate\, he advocates for building a vital center in American politics. \nLouise Dubé serves as CEO of iCivics\, the nation’s largest provider of civic learning\, which champions and re-imagines history and civic education. Previously\, she served as Managing Director of Digital Learning at WGBH\, where she helped launch PBS LearningMedia\, a platform reaching 1.5 million educators. Before WGBH\, Louise built a successful career in K-12 educational technology. She has received numerous awards\, including the 2017 People’s Voice Award\, the 2018 Civvys Civic Collaboration National Award\, and recognition as a 2019 Donaldson Fellow by Yale SOM. Louise began her career as an attorney in Montreal and holds a law degree from McGill University and an MBA from Yale University. \nEric Liu is the co-founder and CEO of Citizen University. He is the author of numerous acclaimed books\, including most recently “Become America: Civic Sermons on Love\, Responsibility\, and Democracy” — a New York Times New & Notable Book — and “Live Like a Citizen: 8 Ways to Change Your Mindset and Our Country“\, to be published in October 2026. Liu served as a White House speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and as the President’s deputy domestic policy adviser. He was later appointed by President Barack Obama to the board of the Corporation for National and Community Service. A graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School\, Liu was elected in 2020 to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and co-chairs its Our Common Purpose commission. He lives in Seattle\, where he has served on the boards of the Seattle Public Library and the Washington State Board of Education.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/why-civic-education-matters/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Recap_Louise-Dube_Eric-Liu_John-Avlon.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260930T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260930T200000
DTSTAMP:20261021T174956Z
CREATED:20260921T172520Z
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UID:67812-1790794800-1790798400@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:From Service to Congress: Veterans Shaping the Future
DESCRIPTION:Service doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off. \nAt BigTentUSA’s September 30 conversation with women veterans running for Congress\, Rebecca Bennett\, Cait Conley\, and Nancy Lacore joined moderator Janessa Goldbeck of VoteVets to make the case for leadership grounded in duty\, accountability\, and country over party. \nDrawing on their military careers\, the candidates emphasized decisive leadership\, teamwork across differences\, and rebuilding trust with voters. They outlined priorities including lowering living costs\, confronting corruption\, restoring congressional oversight\, and protecting military readiness. They warned that removing experienced military leaders threatens national security. \nWinning competitive districts\, they argued\, requires reaching beyond party loyalists: meeting families where they are\, listening to independents and Republicans\, and connecting shared values to practical solutions. On election security\, Conley expressed confidence in local officials while warning about efforts to discredit results. \nTheir challenge: turn concern into action. Knock doors\, make calls\, become a poll worker—and show up to vote. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nRebecca Bennett is a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot\, officer in the Air National Guard\, business leader in healthcare\, and mom of two. Rebecca served in the Navy for over a decade as a helicopter pilot and aircraft commander. After serving her country for over fifteen years in the military and making waves in healthcare innovation\, Rebecca is running for Congress to build a better future for our community. As a mom to two young girls\, Rebecca understands first-hand the challenges of balancing work & family while navigating inflation and the rising cost of living. \nCait Conley is a fourth-generation Hudson Valley native\, the daughter of a postal worker and a construction worker. She applied to West Point the day after 9/11 and went on to serve in the Army\, first as a military police officer and then in special operations leadership\, deploying six times and earning three Bronze Stars. She concluded her active-duty career as Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council\, where Russia sanctioned her for her work\, and then served as a senior executive at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency\, protecting critical infrastructure and the systems that run our elections. She put her life on the line to serve this country\, not any person or political party\, and especially not corporate special interests \nNancy Lacore served our nation for 35 years in the Navy\, a career that began as a helicopter pilot and culminated as a three star admiral and the Chief of Navy Reserve where she was entrusted to lead more than 60\,000 sailors. Nancy’s career took her around the world\, but it was always anchored by family and a deep love of country. In Nancy’s family\, service runs deep. Following in her dad’s footsteps\, Nancy accepted a ROTC scholarship to the College of the Holy Cross\, and was commissioned into the Navy after graduation. \nJanessa Goldbeck is the Senior Advisor to VoteVets\, an organization dedicated to lifting up the voices of veterans on matters of national security\, veterans’ care\, and everyday issues that affect the lives of those who served\, and their families. As a Marine Corps Combat Engineer Officer\, Janessa led missions overseas and served as a Uniformed Victim Advocate\, supporting fellow service members through some of their toughest moments. While on active duty\, in addition to her assigned duties\, Janessa worked to reform the military’s broken sexual assault reporting process and played a role in overturning the discriminatory Combat Exclusion policy. Janessa holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and a Master’s in Public Leadership from the University of San Francisco. She currently serves as a Senior Advisor to VoteVets and on the California Governor’s Veterans Board.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/veterans-shaping-the-future/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Recap_Bennett_Lacore_Conley.webp
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