State of America Summit: New Ideas in Civic Life

The 92nd Street Y’s fifth State of America Summit delves into the crucial political topics that are shaping the nation’s discourse. It casts a spotlight on developments unfolding across states and communities, underscoring their far-reaching national significance. As the 2024 election cycle looms, the summit will navigate the broader issues that the electorate – and our candidates – will tackle, and will discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of the American Republic.

Panels:

12:10 pm ET: Gen-Z Rising: What Our Youngest Leaders Can Teach Us
Amanda Litman, John Della Volpe, Cameron Kasky, Nabeela Syed and Victor Shi

Over the past five years, some of the most prominent and loudest voices in our political discourse arose from Gen Z. Whether it be gun control reform, climate change activism, or increasing participation in politics overall, Gen Z has impacted both national and international politics. We’ll discuss the significance of electing Gen Z representatives at both state and national levels, and delve into the challenges that Gen Z is taking head on.

12:40 pm ET: Combating Threats to Democracy
David Pepper and Anne Applebaum

From disinformation campaigns and dark money to voter suppression and gerrymandering, modern democracy faces an array of daunting challenges. How do we rebuild trust with the American public and encourage civic engagement? Join this panel as experts explore the pathways toward revitalizing civic participation and fostering inclusive representation for a stronger democratic future for the United States.

1:10 pm ET: Understanding The Urban-Rural Political Divide
Manuel Pastor, Katherine Cramer, Christina Baal-Owens and Henry Olsen

With the urban-rural divide widening in America, is this split becoming just as divisive as red vs. blue? We unpack the past, present, and future of the political dichotomy of how where we live impacts our votes, and look into the policy legacies that it may leave behind.

1:40 pm ET: Breaking Down the Latine Vote
Geraldo Cadava, Chuck Rocha and Madi Bolanos

With the electoral impact of Latine voters continuing to grow and poised to transform the American electorate, this panel previews the 2024 presidential election and delves into the many ways demographic shifts could change the balance of political power and the future of democracy.

2:10 pm ET: America’s Choice: The Battle for Reproductive Healthcare Access
Busy Philipps, JaTaune Bosby Gilchrist and Jacqueline Ayers

Draconian abortion bans have been passed across the country, with a majority of states jumping on the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision and significantly reducing access to reproductive healthcare. What can national and grassroots groups do to combat continued bans and how can they work together to support impacted populations?