Kettering Foundation

Name it whatever you want – DEI, civil rights, equality. These long-standing core values of the United States are under attack. As a wave of executive orders attempts to reshape or dismantle our democracy, a diverse coalition is fighting back. In this new episode of #TheStakes podcast with Brad Rourke, Skye Perryman (she/her), president and CEO of Democracy Forward, reveals how legal battles are unfolding in real time to challenge government overreach. From attacks on diversity and civil rights to the fight for civil service independence, these lawsuits could define the future of American governance.

History warns us that when identities are erased, democracy is at risk. Erin Reed draws chilling parallels between Nazi book burnings and today's digital erasure of trans identities. What can we learn from the past to fight for a fair future for all? Check out the latest in #FromManyWe: https://bit.ly/4kuy5Wr

The government has issued an ultimatum: erase diversity, equity, and inclusion or lose funding. Colleges and universities are being forced to choose between academic freedom and financial ruin. This isn’t just about funding. It’s about who controls what can and cannot be taught in America. Democracy Forward is leading the fight to stop this attack on education and democracy. Skye Perryman joins Brad Rourke to discuss what’s at stake and why this could set a dangerous precedent for the future on #TheStakes: https://lnkd.in/gJuMPm8x

The Kettering Foundation is proud to cosponsor the 2025 Imagining Community Symposium: Creating Brave Spaces for Civic Engagement on April 3–4 at The Hub Powered by PNC in downtown Dayton, Ohio. This annual gathering brings together community members, nonprofit leaders, students, and educators for dynamic discussions, artistic expressions, and workshops on a topic chosen by the community. Register today: https://lnkd.in/gRpnWR_Z

Africa’s Gen Z isn’t just raising their voices. They’re reshaping democracy. From protests to policy reforms, young leaders are pushing for change that goes beyond elections. Tendai Murisa explains how they’re driving the fight for accountability and justice in a new blog for #FromManyWe: https://lnkd.in/edV4NM8z

Looming mass deportations dominate the headlines, but there’s another story happening that you don’t hear as much about: resistance. While policies tighten, communities are organizing to protect immigrant rights. Adam Goodman (Princeton University Press) joins #TheContext to shine a light on what’s being done to push the US to be a better version of itself when it comes to defending our inclusive ideals: https://lnkd.in/g3zSBXsZ

Just announced: Sarah Longwell joins the Kettering Foundation as a senior fellow. As publisher of The Bulwark and host of The Focus Group podcast, she has spent years analyzing voter behavior and the shifting landscape of American democracy. Through hundreds of focus groups, she has examined what moves voters, how they engage with information, and the forces shaping our political future. Her insights have appeared on PBS NewsHour, CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, and The Atlantic. Now, she brings her expertise to the Kettering Foundation, adding her voice to our ongoing efforts to strengthen democracy. More info: https://lnkd.in/gAAXpr5q

We were proud to sponsor this weeks Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Meeting, where community pillars like the Dayton Unit NAACP, Dayton Public School District, Miami Valley Urban League, and East End Community Services came together to build a better future for Dayton. Former US ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison delivered a powerful keynote on NATO's role in global security. Her message was a timely reminder as Dayton prepares to host the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in May. When we connect, we create change and a stronger democracy!

Democracy isn’t always neat, but that’s what makes it powerful. Like a Parliament Funkadelic jam, it’s unpredictable, full of flavor, and better when everyone plays a part. #OneNationUnderAGroove Discover what Funkadelic’s grooves can teach us about keeping democracy alive in the latest post in #FromManyWe: https://lnkd.in/gGJMvizt ??

It’s easy to talk about mass deportation in numbers and policies, but what happens when it reaches your own community? Author and Historian Adam Goodman breaks down how these policies play out in real life—beyond the headlines and polls—in the newest podcast episode of #TheContext: https://lnkd.in/gWgNzxyE