Horizons 2024 - Day 1 Recap

We shared an electrifying first day at Horizons 2024! From exciting announcements about groundbreaking partnerships to dozens of thought-provoking discussions, Day 1 set the stage for a summit that truly reflects “The Power of Us” to shape the future of education and work.

Highlights

There’s so much happening at Horizons, it’s impossible to catch it all. Here’s a quick recap of some of the day's most inspiring moments:

A Bold New Partnership

JFF President & CEO Maria Flynn kicked off the day with a challenge to be "bold and brave to drive change." Her words set the tone, culminating in the announcement of the ASA Center for Career Navigation at JFF—a collaboration between American Student Assistance and Jobs for the Future (JFF) that promises to transform career guidance for 16- to 24-year-olds. "AI will change everything in our collective wheelhouse," Flynn said, “and this partnership is a brave step toward exploring and embracing that change.”

Redefining Pathways to Success

Gov. Wes Moore , Governor of Maryland and Randall Lane , Editor and Chief Content Officer, Forbes underscored the importance of embracing nontraditional pathways to career success. "We are going to end this myth that every single one of our students has to attend a four-year college to be economically successful,” Moore said in a powerful statement that resonated throughout the hall.

A.C. Fowlkes' Impactful Book Break

Transgender Inclusion: All the Things You Want to Ask Your Transgender Coworker but Shouldn’t?shed light on the complex, too-often difficult experiences of trans individuals in the workplace. The discussion explored medical, social, and legal transitions, and Fowlkes illuminated paths to genuine inclusion—fostering more welcoming work environments, where all employees can flourish.Make sure you pick up Fowlkes’ thought-provoking gem!

Financial Inclusion Takes Center Stage

The Horizons Podcast Stage sizzled as Emerge Everywhere's live recording featured Matthew Bahl of the Financial Health Network Network and @HappYness CEO Chris Gardner in an incisive debate on systemic financial health solutions. They dissected wealth gaps, proposed policy reforms, and outlined innovative financial literacy programs targeting underserved communities.

Innovation on Display

The Horizons 2024 Pitch Competition wowed with startups poised to revolutionize economic opportunities for all learners and workers. Stay tuned for tomorrow's reveal of the big winner on LinkedIn!

Connections and Celebrations

We closed Day 1 on a high note with the Horizons Reception, sponsored by ASA and JFF, where the Horizons community came together to kick back, network, share ideas, and enjoy the rhythm of local DC favorite, Live From the Front Porch. It was the perfect cap to an inspiring day.

As we look ahead to Day 2, we'll continue to push boundaries, explore cutting-edge innovations, and reimagine the future of work and education.

And remember, today is just the beginning. The spirit of Horizons is about turning inspiration into action. Let's carry the energy into tomorrow and beyond, as we work together to create a more equitable and innovative future for all.