Presented by The Chicago Community Trust
Spoken Word by Patricia Frazier
Patricia Frazier performs her spoken word piece between speakers at “State of Our Union.”
More Videos From This Event
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Arthur C. Brooks on How to Effectively Talk Politics with Loved OnesArthur Brooks
How You Can Personally Help RefugeesDavid Miliband
Dance Performance by Deeply Rooted Dance Theater -
Make Peace Through Music
Why We Need a New Civil Rights MovementAdam Foss
How to Come Together to Make a Difference in ChicagoAnna Valencia, Elizabeth Dozier, Bridget Gainer -
Spoken Word by Patricia Frazier
How To Make An Impact
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Your impact checklist
Here are a list of things you can do before and after the event to join the conversation.
- Read how what it means to be American depends on your politics.
- Follow @HumansofNewYork on social media for a peek into who makes up your city, country, and world.
- Follow NPR’s “This American Life” podcast series.
- Volunteers are the backbone of Chicago Ideas Week. Part of our Community of Curiosity, they help with everything from scanning tickets to staffing an activity station. To help out, visit chicagoideas.com/volunteer
Talk
The State of Our Union
What does it mean to be American today?
David Miliband
President & CEO, International Rescue Committee; Former UK Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Elizabeth Dozier
Founder & Managing Director, Chicago Beyond
Arthur Brooks
President & CEO, American Enterprise Institute
Adam Foss
Co-Founder, Prosecutor Impact
Anna Valencia
City Clerk, City of Chicago
Bridget Gainer
Cook County Commissioner, Chicago’s 10th District
Let’s not mince words—America's differences are real. It can be easy to to become disheartened and frustrated, but instead of dwelling on everything that is wrong, Chicago Ideas is turning to experts and thought leaders who are pushing for progress.
Our opening night program will lift up the voices of impactful civic-minded leaders who, through their work, are searching for shared truths and defining what it means to be American—what binds us together, what divides us and what the future holds for our nation.
