The Philadelphia Citizen’s 5th annual Ideas We Should Steal Festival ® took place on December 14 and 15, 2022. We scoured the country for the ideas, changemakers, and innovators who are transforming cities. Check back soon for videos of the panels and talks.
THE PROGRAM
You’ll hear incredible panels and speakers from across the country talk about:
Truth and the Media, Post-Midterms brought to you by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism
New York Times Magazine writer Emily Bazelon, former New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson, The 19th’s Errin Haines and Spotlight PA’s Chris Baxter, in conversation with MSNBC anchor Ali Velshi.
How Finding One’s Voice Can Change The World
Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, of the Roots, in conversation with Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Jane Golden. Moderated by Larry Platt.
How to Solve a Murder Epidemic
Chester DA Jack Stollsteimer, Police Chief Steven Gretzky, Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland on how a concerted, collaborative effort hasbrought murders down 38 percent since November 2020. Moderated by Roxanne Patel Shepelavy.
The Fight for Democracy
Former presidential and New York mayoral candidate Andrew Yang, co-founder of Forward Party; Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin; former RNC Chair Michael Steele. In conversation with Citizen board member and MSNBC host Ali Velshi.
The Tragedy of — and Antidote to — America’s Criminal Justice System
Marc Howard, founding director of Georgetown’s Prisons and Justice Initiative; Cherri Gregg, co-founder of the Law and Justice Journalism Project; in conversation with New York Times Magazine award-winning criminal justice reporter Emily Bazelon.
Faith, Jobs and Radical Kinship
Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest and most successful gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program, and author of The Whole Language:The Power of Extravagant Tenderness, in conversation with Rev. Bill Golderer. Moderated by Penn Chaplain Chaz Howard.
How Unreasonable Hospitality Can Save The City
Will Guidara, co-founder of New York’s Eleven Madison Park, rated the “best restaurant in the world” by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and co-author of Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More than They Expect, in conversation with Wharton’s Senior Advisor to the Dean for the Coalition for Equity & Opportunity Kenneth Shropshire.
Building a Diverse Tech Pipeline
Tech entrepreneur Michael Ellison, CEO/founder of CodePath.org, a nonprofit transforming computer science education for underrepresented minorities at over 50 colleges and universities. Moderated by NBC10 Investigative Reporter Claudia Vargas.
The Case for Housing Reparations
Mayor Daniel Biss of Evanston, IL, the first city in the nation to launch a housing reparations program, in conversation with former Mayor Michael Nutter.
How Fire Pits and S’mores Brought a Diverse Community Together
Carol Coletta, the CEO of Memphis River Parks Partnership, on how intentional riverfront development has bridged the gap between haves and have-nots in Memphis.
How To Decarbonize A City
Ian Harris, of BlocPower, on working with Ithaca, New York, to become the first city in the nation to fully decarbonize its buildings by 2030.
Arts Everywhere
Erin Harkey, Chicago’s arts commissioner, on the city’s Arts 77 program, which uses the collective resources and responsibilities of departments throughout city government to push arts and culture into all its neighborhoods.