Years of gridlock have left Washington in a state of inaction, and questions remain about whether our nation can come together to find solutions for the most pressing issues of our time. But around the country local leaders are doing just that. Renewal is happening from the inside out, from city halls and local community organizations to innovators and businesses who are making a difference in their hometowns, not waiting for Washington.
For the past two years, The Atlantic has been engaged in a nationwide conversation to identify the local innovators and entrepreneurs who are tackling the nation's biggest challenges. We brought the Renewal Series to Washington to host the second annual Renewal Awards. We recognized grassroots innovators who are improving their communities from the ground up, and discussed what Washington can learn from progress made at the local level.
Watch full session videos
To view photos from this event, please visit our Facebook page
Presented by
Speakers
-
![Kate Barnhart]()
Kate Barnhart Executive Director New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth -
![Ron Brownstein]()
Ron Brownstein Senior Editor The Atlantic -
![Steve Clemons]()
Steve Clemons Washington Editor at Large The Atlantic -
![Gillian White]()
Gillian White Senior Associate Editor The Atlantic -
![Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY)]()
Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) -
![Mike Curtin]()
Mike Curtin CEO DC Central Kitchen -
![Mayor Buddy Dyer]()
Mayor Buddy Dyer City of Orlando -
![Sister Tesa Fitzgerald]()
Sister Tesa Fitzgerald Founder and Executive Director Hour Children -
![Senator John Hoeven (R-ND)]()
Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) -
![Scott Kratz]()
Scott Kratz Director 11th Street Bridge Park -
![Tara Libert]()
Tara Libert Co-Founder and Executive Director Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop -
![Mayor Catherine Pugh]()
Mayor Catherine Pugh City of Baltimore -
![Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)]()
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) -
![Chelina Odbert]()
Chelina Odbert Co-Founder and Executive Director Kounkuey Design Initiative -
![Andy Shallal]()
Andy Shallal Founder and CEO Busboys and Poets -
![LaVonte Stewart]()
LaVonte Stewart Executive Director Lost Boyz Inc.
Agenda
Note: all times are ET
- Thursday, March 30
- 9:15 a.m.WelcomeBob Cohn, President, The Atlantic
- 9:20 a.m.From the State Capitol to the Senate FloorSenator John Hoeven (R-ND)
Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)
With Ron Brownstein, Senior Editor, The Atlantic - 9:50 a.m.A Message of Renewal from Allstate*Dave Prendergast, President, Eastern Territory, Allstate
- 10:00 a.m.Mayors on the FrontlinesMayor Buddy Dyer, City of Orlando
Mayor Catherine Pugh, City of Baltimore
With Ron Brownstein, The Atlantic - 10:30 a.m.Meet the Renewal Award WinnersSister Tesa Fitzgerald, Founder and Executive Director, Hour Children
Tara Libert, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop
LaVonte Stewart, Executive Director, Lost Boyz Inc.
Chelina Odbert, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Kounkuey Design Initiative
Kate Barnhart, Executive Director, New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth
With Ron Brownstein, The Atlantic - 11:10 a.m.In Our Own BackyardMike Curtin, CEO, DC Central Kitchen
Scott Kratz, Director, 11th Street Bridge Park
Andy Shallal, Founder and CEO, Busboys and Poets
With Gillian White, Senior Associate Editor, The Atlantic - 11:35 a.m.From Queens to the Bronx: The New York ExperienceRepresentative Joe Crowley (D-NY)
With Steve Clemons, Washington Editor at Large, The Atlantic - 11:55 a.m.Closing ThoughtsBob Cohn, The Atlantic
