The diversity of voices and strategies that shape the United States are an essential piece of our democracy. With grand dreams and flawed foundations, our democratic nation gets better each time we refresh it—through protest, voting, running for office, and active engagement. Hear from a series of community members as they step onto our virtual soapbox and share their vision for a better democracy. Generous support provided by Amazon.

Our two-party system has long been an imperfect tool for representation. Parties and elections are under increasing strain from money in elections, the corrosive effects of corporate lobbying, systemic racism and voter suppression.

Our great American experiment declared the ideal of equality for all, yet the global pandemic has exposed long simmering economic and racial inequities in our society. What is the role of democracy in responding to our current crises? How can the present moment be leveraged to make lasting change?

Seattle's Latino community successfully founded El Centro de la Raza, the Center for People of all Races, after a 3-month occupation of the old Beacon Hill School in 1972. With the support of a broad multi-racial coalition, today El Centro de la Raza provides important and comprehensive services bringing together communities to organize for lasting social change. Hear from founders and community members on lessons learned from the occupation and how these inform current struggles for racial justice.

Learn about our region's rich history of protest art, while producing your own artistic call-to-action in this digital hands-on workshop. Generous support provided by 4Culture and RealNetworks Foundation. Artist Shemona Morena will share information about 350 Seattle's artful activism and guide workshop participants through their own art project.

From the Black Power Movement to the Black Lives Matter Movement, revolutionaries and activists fight for a racially-just society, each generation using different tactics to pursue change. Join former Black Panther and current diversity consultant Elmer Dixon, and educator and activist Allani Seals for an inter-generational conversation exploring their shared commitments to justice and unique approaches to activism.