Guest Commentary

How to Politically Engage when You Feel Like Shutting Down

Can “transformational advocacy” transform our politics — and ourselves? A longtime democracy activist lays out what’s needed

By Sam Daley-Harris
Guest Commentary

Run To Run Your Election!

Think you have what it takes to make democracy work? Committee of Seventy’s CEO on how and why you should become one of 5,100 elected poll workers this year.

By Lauren Cristella

Hey, Philly! It’s Time to Review Mayor Cherelle Parker

In 2023, we asked citizens to play the role of employer ahead of the mayoral primary. Now, it’s time for our 100th mayor’s one-year review.

By Courtney DuChene
Guest Commentary

Why I Won’t Celebrate MLK on January 20

A Kensington community leader refuses to share the Civil Rights icon’s celebration with an inauguration that validates the January 6, 2021 insurrection

By Dr. Bill McKinney
Guest Commentary

Citizens, Your Local Government Needs You!

15 ways to engage constructively and make an impact in 2025 from a former city manager working to build better democracy through civility

By Diane Kalen-Sukra

How to Help Communities Affected by Hurricane Helene

Can you fly a plane? Decipher a home insurance policy? Donate a couple of bucks? Eight ways Philadelphians 600 miles away from storm-impacted North Carolina can offer effective aid

By Courtney DuChene
Listen

Ali Velshi Reminds Us True Citizenship is a Muscle

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member says it's never too late to celebrate Citizenship Day, honoring those who have made the conscious choice to become American citizens

By Ali Velshi

How to Embrace Your Political Enemy

Penn students traveled all over Pennsylvania this summer to prove political empathy isn’t dead. (And find out what they learned at a Citizen event on September 17.)

By Natalie Pompilio
How To Really Run A City

A Special Episode on Citizenship

In the latest episode our podcast, former mayors Michael Nutter of Philadelphia and Kasim Reed of Atlanta revisit past guests for a reminder about what really matters in America today

Ideas We Should Steal

College Credit for Campaign Work

L.A.’s Occidental College offers a “campaign semester” for students who do election work full time. A longtime university president urges local colleges to do the same

By Elaine Maimon