Clinton Foundation to host summit for the future of national service in LR

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by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) October 11, 2023 6:56 pm 769 views 

Former President Bill Clinton on May 15 speaks during the graduation ceremony at the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock.

On October 26, former President Bill Clinton will convene a diverse group of leaders from the AmeriCorps network, as well as public and private partners, at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock for a Summit for the future of national service.

The convening, “AmeriCorps: 30 Years Forward,” will mark the 30th anniversary of Clinton signing the National and Community Trust Act of 1993. The law established the Corporation for National and Community Service and created AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism.

Since the first class of AmeriCorps members in 1994, more than 1.25 million Americans have served. Today, 200,000 AmeriCorps members currently serve in nearly 40,000 locations across all U.S. states and territories. Participants have earned more than $4 billion in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards to help them pay for college or pay back student loans.

“AmeriCorps was created 30 years ago with the goal of giving every American who wants to serve the opportunity to do so. Since then, AmeriCorps members have served billions of hours in communities across the country.” said Stephanie S. Streett, executive director of the Clinton Foundation. “At this Summit we will look ahead to the next 30 years of AmeriCorps and explore ways for more people to serve.”

Speakers and panel participants at the event include:

  • Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO, With Honor;
  • AnnMaura Connolly, President, Voices for National Service;
  • Kaira Esgate, CEO, America’s Service Commissions;
  • Mark Gearan, President, Hobart and William Smith Colleges;
  • Julie Gehrki, Vice President, Philanthropy, Walmart;
  • Fagan Harris, Chief of Staff, Office of Maryland Governor Wes Moore;
  • Alan Khazei, Co-Chair, More Perfect and Co-Founder, City Year;
  • Kyle Kimball; Vice President of Government Relations and Community Engagement, New York University;
  • Secretary John King, Chancellor, State University of New York;
  • Alice Kwan, Principal, Deloitte Consulting;
  • Leroy “J.R.” La Plante, Associate Vice President, Wokini Initiative, South Dakota State University;
  • Rebecca Lange, US Air Force Veteran; Domingo Morales, Founder, Compost Power;
  • Mayor Derrick Rainey, City of Wrightsville, Arkansas;
  • Flor Romero, Associate Director of Career Pathway Connections, LA Promise Fund;
  • Shirley Sagawa, Board Member, AmeriCorps,
  • Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps;
  • Dr. Victoria DeFrancesco Soto, Dean, UA Clinton School of Public Service;
  • Amy Sovocool, CEO, Conservation Legacy;
  • Stefanie Vestal, AmeriCorps Alumna and Clinton School of Public Service Student;
  • Nyjeer Wesley, Program Liaison, Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
  • Jada Zuniga, AmeriCorps Alumna.

The Summit program will include President Clinton in conversation with AmeriCorps alumni who will share their perspectives on the role that the program has played in strengthening communities, developing leaders and building a stronger democracy over the last 30 years.

The Summit will be streamed live and participants can register at www.clintonfoundation.org/americorps30.

Following the Summit, on October 27 the Clinton Presidential Center and Engage Arkansas will convene attendees and volunteers for a Day of Action in Little Rock’s 12th Street Corridor.

“AmeriCorps: 30 Years Forward” is presented by the Clinton Foundation in partnership with AmeriCorps, More Perfect, Voices for National Service and With Honor Action.