America's Future Now!
America's Future Now is the new name for Take Back America which is the annual conference of Campaign for America's Future.
America's Future Now is the name of the annual conference which has been run by Campaign for America's Future since 2009. The conference is well-attended by leftist speakers and delegates and was previously known as "Take Back America", running from 2003 to 2008 under this name.
Prominent speakers at the conferences over the past eight years include:
References
The 2010 America's Future Now Conference was hosted by Campaign for America's Future and held from June 7 - 9 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert Street, Washington D.C.[1]
About
The conference was promoted as follows:
- "WE ARE THE CHANGE! Hundreds of the top progressive leaders and activists from across the country gathered at the 2010 America’s Future Now! conference to take the next steps of a reform agenda for America."[2]
March On The Treasury
On 9 June, 2010, delegates and speakers at the 2010 America's Future Now conference took part in a "March On The Treasury" entitled "We Want Our Money Back" which was organized by Campaign for America's Future.[3]
Speakers
The following is a list of the 148 speakers who spoke at the 2010 America's Future Now Conference.[4]
- Steve Abrecht
- Alexandra Acker Lyons
- Stewart Acuff
- Gar Alperovitz
- Nancy J. Altman
- John Amato
- John Atlas
- Sarah Anderson
- Tom Andrews
- Phil Angelides
- Diane Archer
- Nan Aron
- Peter Bahouth
- Marge Baker
- Robert Biko Baker
- Andrea Batista Schlesinger
- Carmen Berkley
- Jared Bernstein
- Deepak Bhargava
- Jennie Blackton
- Angela Glover Blackwell
- John Bonifaz
- Heather Booth
- Robert L. Borosage
- Andrew Boyd
- Diallo Brooks
- Darcy Burner
- Eric Burns
- Lee Camp
- Denise Cardinal
- Rea Carey
- Zach Carter
- Marco Ceglie
- Gregory A. Cendana
- Toby Chaudhuri
- Juan Cole
- Robert Creamer
- Gov. Howard Dean, MD
- Karen DeYoung
- Digby
- Gail Dratch
- Sen. Dick Durbin
- Rep. Donna Edwards
- Ross Eisenbrey
- Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins
- Rep. Keith Ellison
- Richard RJ Eskow
- Lee Farris
- Negin Farsad
- Matthew F. Filner
- Joan Fitzgerald
- Joel Foster
- Judith Freeman
- Maria P. Freese
- Karen Friedman
- Kari Fulton
- Page S. Gardner
- Leo W. Gerard
- Lisa Gilbert
- Garlin Gilchrist II
- George Goehl
- Laurence E. Gold
- Danny Goldberg
- Gabe Gonzalez
- Scott Goodstein
- Kate Gordon
- Marissa Graciosa
- Rep. Alan Grayson
- Katie Halper
- Terrance Heath
- Bob Herbert
- Maren Hesla
- Roger Hickey
- Chloe A. Hilliard
- Ilyse Hogue
- Heather Holdridge
- Arlene Holt Baker
- Jeannette Huezo
- Arianna Huffington
- Rev. Jesse L. Jackson
- Benjamin Todd Jealous
- Alan Jenkins
- Dave Johnson
- Kierra Johnson
- Robert Johnson
- Simon Johnson
- Van Jones
- Kweli Kitwana
- Robert Kuttner
- Gordon Lafer
- Celinda Lake
- Emily Lamia
- Mike Lapham
- Rep. Barbara Lee
- William S. Lerach
- Rudy Lopez
- Adam Luna
- Stephanie Lurz
- Heather McGhee
- Alexis McGill Johnson
- William McNary
- Mark Mellman
- Elizabeth Méndez Berry
- Ellen Miller
- Markos Moulitsas
- Janet Murguía
- Jorge Mursuli
- Jennifer Ng'andu
- Dean M. Nielsen
- Karen Nussbaum
- Michael O'Hanlon
- Scott Paul
- Speaker Nancy Pelosi
- Clyde Prestowitz
- Kelley Robinson
- Sara Robinson
- Ethan Rome
- Anthony D. Romero
- Simon Rosenberg
- Tarik Ross
- James Rucker
- Ron Ruggiero
- Carlos Saavedra
- Yosi Sergant
- Susan Shaer
- Brandon Silverman
- Frank Smith
- Seaton Smith
- Andy Stern
- Tracy Sturdivant
- Gerald L. Taylor
- Stephanie Taylor
- Gloria A. Totten
- Richard L. Trumka
- Sen. Tom Udall
- Cenk Uygur
- Erin Vilardi
- David Waldman
- Scott Wallace
- Robert Weissman
- Drew Westen
- Elon James White
- Maya Wiley
- Calvin Williams
- Roger Wilkins
- Lizz Winstead
- Alexander Zaitchik
- Deanna Zandt
Sponsors & Partners
The following organizations were sponsors or partners of the conference:[5]
Sponsors
- National Education Association
- Progressive Book Club
- Alliance for American Manufacturing
- Living Liberally
Partners
Gala Awards Dinner
The following people and organizations assisted with the Gala Awards Dinner:[6]
Awards Gala Co-Chairs
- Alliance for American Manufacturing
- Thomas Buffenbarger, International Association of Machinists
- Marcy Carsey, Carsey Werner Productions
- Larry Cohen, Communications Workers of America
- Leo W. Gerard, United Steelworkers of America Mary
- Kay Henry, Service Employees International Union
- Joseph T. Hansen, United Food and Commercial Workers
- Norman Lear and Lyn Lear
- Gerald W. McEntee, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
- Bernard Rapoport and Audre Rapoport
- Charles Rodgers and Fran Rodgers
- Roger Smith, American Income Life Insurance Company
- Richard L. Trumka, AFL-CIO
- Scott Wallace and Christy Wallace
Awards Gala Host Committee
- Baye Adofo-Wilson
- Alliance for Justice
- American Rights at Work
- The Arca Foundation
- Diane Archer and Stephen Presser
- The Atlantic Philanthropies
- Nancy Bagley and Soroush Richard Shehabi
- Anne Bartley
- Patricia Bauman
- Daniel Berger
- Lara Bergthold
- Jules Bernstein and Linda Lipsett
- Susan Bianchi and Robert Savelson
- James Boland, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
- Robert Bowditch
- Robert Brandon
- Julie Burton
- Center for American Progress
- Center for Community Change
- Thomas Congdon and Noel Congdon
- Harriet Crosby
- Quinn Delaney and Wayne Jordan
- Demos
- David desJardins
- Rob Dugger and Joan Huffer
- Dwoskin Family Foundation
- Robert Estrin and Mary Lloyd Estrin
- John Gage, American Federation of Government Employees
- Ron A. Gettelfinger, United Auto Workers Union
- Peter Gottesman, CresaPartners
- Beth Grupp
- Anne H. Hess and Craig Kaplan
- Lawrence Hess and Suzanne Hess
- James P. Hoffa, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
- James & Hoffman, P.C.
- Cathy Hurwit
- Rochelle S. Kaplan and Arthur D. Lipson
- Micheline Klagsbrun and Ken Grossinger
- Kovler Fund, Peter Kovler and Judy Kovler
- Howard Lerner
- Peter B. Lewis
- Conrad Martin, Stewart R. Mott Charitable Trust
- Vincent McGee
- Media Matters for America
- MoveOn.org
- The Nation
- NCHC Action Fund
- Terence O’Sullivan, Laborers' International Union of North America
- People For the American Way
- Steve Phillips and Susan Sandler
- Cecil E. Roberts, United Mine Workers of America
- Rockefeller Family Fund
- Marsha Rosenbaum
- Ed Rothschild
- Miles Rubin and Nancy Rubin
- Cynthia Ryan, The Schooner Foundation
- Hilary O. Shelton
- Stephen Silberstein
- Michael J. Sullivan, Sheet Metal Workers International Association
- S. Donald Sussman
- Mary Swig and Steven Swig
- Margery Tabankin and Earl Katz
- Gloria Totten, Progressive Majority
- Roy Ulrich
- Dennis Van Roekel, National Education Association
- Philippe Villers and Katherine Villers
- Marvin F. Weissberg
- Wellstone Action
- Roger Wilkins and Patricia King
- Women’s Voices. Women Vote Action Fund
Sessions
The following is a list of the sessions and events which were held at the conference:[3]
America's Future Now: We Are the Change
On June 7, 2010, Robert L. Borosage, Andy Stern, Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins and Arianna Huffington spoke in the opening plenary entitled "America's Future Now: We Are the Change".
The Great Debate: Progressive Strategy in the Obama Era
On June 7, 2010, Roger Hickey, Darcy Burner and Deepak Bhargava spoke in a plenary entitled "The Great Debate: Progressive Strategy in the Obama Era".
Progressive Strategy in the Obama Era
On June 7, 2010, Gloria A. Totten spoke in a plenary entitled "Progressive Strategy in the Obama Era".
Driving Reform; Defeating Resistance
On June 7, 2010, Gloria A. Totten, Ilyse Hogue and Markos Moulitsas spoke in a plenary entitled "Driving Reform; Defeating Resistance".
Curbing Wall Street: Strategies Going Forward
On June 7, 2010, Heather McGhee, Heather Booth, Gerald L. Taylor and Robert Johnson spoke in a plenary entitled "Curbing Wall Street: Strategies Going Forward".
Health Care: Lessons Learned and Next Fights
On June 7, 2010, Roger Hickey, Diane Archer, Jennifer Ng'andu and Ethan Rome spoke in a plenary entitled "Health Care: Lessons Learned and Next Fights".
Working Class Anger: Does it go Right or Left?
On June 7, 2010, Arlene Holt Baker, Karen Nussbaum, Celinda Lake, Drew Westen and Jorge Mursuli spoke in a plenary entitled "Working Class Anger: Does it go Right or Left?".
Politics Beyond the Beltway: What Youth Are Talking On The Block
On June 7, 2010, Rob Biko Baker, Tarik Ross, Chloe A. Hilliard and Elizabeth Méndez Berry spoke in a plenary entitled "Politics Beyond the Beltway: What Youth Are Talking On The Block".
Immigration Reform: Our Movement’s Response
On June 7, 2010, Marissa Graciosa and Kweli Kitwana spoke in a plenary entitled "Immigration Reform: Our Movement’s Response".
Winning Down Ballot
On June 7, 2010, Gloria A. Totten and Matthew F. Filner spoke in a plenary entitled "Winning Down Ballot".
Challenging Money Politics
On June 7, 2010, Scott Wallace, Rep. Donna Edwards, Sen. Dick Durbin and Rev. Jesse L. Jackson spoke in a plenary entitled "Challenging Money Politics".
Laughing Liberally Comedy Hour
On June 7, 2010, Lee Camp, Negin Farsad, Katie Halper, Seaton Smith and Elon James White led an event entitled "Laughing Liberally Comedy Hour".
Next Generation's Progressive Party
On June 7, 2010, Generational Alliance, Voto Latino, Choice USA, Bus Federation, Black Youth Vote, Campus Camp Wellstone, Campus Progress, Drum Major Institute, Democracia USA, Center for Progressive Leadership, Generation Change (a program of Center for Community Change), NAACP Youth & College Division, The Gathering For Justice, The League of Young Voters Education Fund, Young People For (a program of [[People For the American Way Foundation) and The United States Students Association Foundation sponsored an event entitled "Next Generation's Progressive Party".
Breakfast and Big Banks
On June 8, 2010, Robert Johnson and Simon Johnson spoke in a plenary entitled "Breakfast and Big Banks".
Making Change
On June 8, 2010, Roger Wilkins and Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke in a plenary entitled "Making Change".
Holding Congress Accountable
On June 8, 2010, Darcy Burner, Cenk Uygur, Stephanie Taylor and Jim Dean spoke in a plenary entitled "Holding Congress Accountable".
Social Networking Jeopardy: Tactics, Strategy and FUN
On June 8, 2010, Toby Chaudhuri, Garlin Gilchrist, Scott Goodstein, Heather Holdridge, Lizz Winstead and Deanna Zandt spoke in a plenary entitled "Social Networking Jeopardy: Tactics, Strategy and FUN".
Making it in America: A Progressive Global Strategy
On June 8, 2010, Scott N. Paul, Mark Mellman, Kate Gordon and Clyde Prestowitz spoke in a plenary entitled "Making it in America: A Progressive Global Strategy".
Tea Parties, Beck, Bachmann and Blarney
On June 8, 2010, Eric Burns, John Atlas, Alex Zaitchik, John Amato, Digby and James Rucker spoke in a plenary entitled "Tea Parties, Beck, Bachmann and Blarney".
You Should Run: What You Need to Know to Run for Office
On June 8, 2010, Matt Filner, Erin Vilardi, Rudy Lopez and Tracy Sturdivant spoke in a plenary entitled "You Should Run: What You Need to Know to Run for Office".
The Emerging Progressive Majority
On June 8, 2010, Carmen Berkley, Simon Rosenberg and Gov. Howard Dean spoke in a plenary entitled "The Emerging Progressive Majority".
Progressives: Organizing Winning Issues in an Election Year
On June 8, 2010, Robert Creamer, Denise Cardinal, William McNary, Karen Nussbaum and Gabe Gonzalez spoke in a plenary entitled "Progressives: Organizing Winning Issues in an Election Year".
Wedge This: Race and the 2010 Political Debate
On June 8, 2010, Alexis McGill Johnson, Maya Wiley and Celinda Lake spoke in a plenary entitled "Wedge This: Race and the 2010 Political Debate".
The New Economy: Demanding Jobs and Justice
On June 8, 2010, Angela Glover Blackwell, Richard L. Trumka, Jared Bernstein and Bob Herbert spoke in a plenary entitled "The New Economy: Demanding Jobs and Justice".
The Next Agenda
On June 8, 2010, Alan Jenkins, Phil Angelides, Benjamin Todd Jealous, Leo W. Gerard, Janet Murguia and Carlos Saavedra spoke in a plenary entitled "The Next Agenda".
Afghanistan: Good War or Wrong Way?
On June 8, 2010, Karen DeYoung, Michael O'Hanlon and Juan Cole spoke in a plenary entitled "Afghanistan: Good War or Wrong Way?".
Fixing Citizens United and Changing the Supreme Court
On June 8, 2010, Marge Baker, Robert Weissman, Lisa Gilbert and John Bonifaz spoke in a plenary entitled "Fixing Citizens United and Changing the Supreme Court".
The Big Fix: Progressive Path to Growth Out of Deficits
On June 8, 2010, Roger Hickey, Robert Kuttner, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Susan Shaer and Nancy J. Altman spoke in a plenary entitled "The Big Fix: Progressive Path to Growth Out of Deficits".
Green Jobs and Reversing Climate Change
On June 8, 2010, Stewart Acuff, Ron Ruggiero, Peter Bahouth, Kari Fulton spoke in a plenary entitled "Green Jobs and Reversing Climate Change".
Taking the Initiative: The Role of Ballot Initiatives in Shaping a Movement
On June 8, 2010, Joel Foster and Dean M. Nielson spoke in a plenary entitled "Taking the Initiative: The Role of Ballot Initiatives in Shaping a Movement".
Fundraising 101: The Basics of Fundraising for Candidates, Managers and Staff
On June 8, 2010, Stephanie Lurz and Matt Filner spoke in a plenary entitled "Fundraising 101: The Basics of Fundraising for Candidates, Managers and Staff".
Art + Advocacy
On June 8, 2010, Alexis McGill Johnson, Danny Goldberg, Paola Mendoza, Yosi Sergant and Elon James White spoke in a plenary entitled "ART + ADVOCACY: How music, film, comedy, and pop culture are rocking the progressive movement". The plenary was organized by Air Traffic Control and Work in Progress.
It's Meme Warfare: Using Humor & Creative Media to Move Your Message
On June 8, 2010, Andrew Boyd and Marco Ceglie spoke in a plenary entitled "It's Meme Warfare: Using Humor & Creative Media to Move Your Message". The plenary was organized by Billionaires for Wealthcare.
Can Bloggers Bring Populism To The Potomac?
On June 8, 2010, Zach Carter, Digby, Richard R. J. Eskow, Terrance Heath, Dave Johnson and Sara Robinson spoke in a plenary entitled "Can Bloggers Bring Populism To The Potomac?". The plenary was organized by the bloggers of Campaign for America's Future.
Retirement Insecurity: The Next Big Issue
On June 8, 2010, Steve Abrecht, Gail Dratch, Ross Eisenbrey, Maria P. Freese and Karen Friedman spoke in a plenary entitled "Retirement Insecurity: The Next Big Issue". The plenary was organized by Pension Rights Center and Economic Policy Institute.
Stemming the 2010 Drop-Off Vote
On June 8, 2010, Page S. Gardner, Celinda Lake, Maren Hesla and Frank Smith spoke in a plenary entitled "Stemming the 2010 Drop-Off Vote". The plenary was organized by Women's Voices. Women Vote.
2010 Youth Resurgence: Engaging on Youth issues
On June 8, 2010, Calvin Wiliams, Robert Biko Baker, Carlos Saavedra, Gregory A. Cendana and Kelley Robinson spoke in a plenary entitled "2010 Youth Resurgence: Engaging on Youth issues". The plenary was organized by Generational Alliance.
Fair Taxes for All
On June 8, 2010, Lee Farris, Jeannette Huezo and Mike Lapham spoke in a plenary entitled "Fair Taxes for All". The plenary was organized by United for a Fair Economy.
Movement Building: From Election to Advocacy
On June 8, 2010, Diallo Brooks, Erin Vilardi, Page S. Gardner and Kweli Kitwana spoke in a plenary entitled "Movement Building: From Election to Advocacy".
Landing Your Perfect Political Job: Resume and Job Search
On June 8, 2010, Alexandra Acker Lyons, Emily Lamia and Matt Filner spoke in a plenary entitled "Landing Your Perfect Political Job: Resume and Job Search".
Gala Awards Dinner
On June 8, 2010, the Honorable Donna Edwards, 4th District, Maryland was presented with the 2010 America's Future Progressive Champion Award by the Honorable Xavier Becerra; James Rucker, Co-Founder, ColorofChange.org was presented with the 2010 Paul Wellstone Citizen Leadership Award by Van Jones, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress; and Peter Lewis, Chairman of the Board, Progressive Insurance Company was presented with the America's Future Lifetime Leadership Award by Anthony Romero, ACLU at the Gala Awards Dinner. Lizz Winstead was the Master of Ceremonies for the event.[7]
Speaking Frankly
On June 9, 2010, Hilary O. Shelton and Rep. Alan Grayson spoke in a plenary entitled "Speaking Frankly".
The Congressional Fix: Can Congress Work in Polarized Age?
On June 9, 2010, David Waldman, Laurence E. Gold, Ellen Miller and Sen. Tom Udall spoke in a plenary entitled "The Congressional Fix: Can Congress Work in Polarized Age?".
Remaking America from the Bottom Up
On June 9, 2010, Andrea Batista Schlesinger, Angela Glover Blackwell, Joan Fitzgerald and Gar Alperovitz spoke in a plenary entitled "Remaking America from the Bottom Up".
Securing America: Progressive Perspectives
On June 9, 2010, Tom Andrews, Rep. Keith Ellison and Sarah Anderson spoke in a plenary entitled "Securing America: Progressive Perspectives".
Where Rights went Wrong: What Happened to the Rights Revolution?
On June 9, 2010, Nan Aron, Rea Carey, Adam Luna, Anthony D. Romero and Kierra Johnson spoke in a plenary entitled "Where Rights went Wrong: What Happened to the Rights Revolution?".
New Media Organizing: Using Cutting-Edge Online Advocacy Techniques
On June 9, 2010, Judith Freeman and Brandon Silverman spoke in a plenary entitled "New Media Organizing: Using Cutting-Edge Online Advocacy Techniques ".
We Are The Change
On June 9, 2010, Robert L. Borosage, Gregory A. Cendana, Rep. Barbara Lee and Van Jones spoke in the closing plenary entitled "We Are The Change". The 2010 Maria Leavey Tribute Award Presentation also took place during this plenary.
References
- ↑ Our Future website: Take Back America 2010 Registration (accessed on July 12, 2010)
- ↑ CAF website: home page (accessed on 13 July, 2010)
- ↑ Jump up to: 3.0 3.1 Campaign for America's Future website: America's Future Now 2010 - Agenda (accessed on July 12, 2010)
- ↑ Our Future website: Take Back America 2010 Speakers (accessed on July 12, 2010)
- ↑ Our Future website: America's Future Now 2010 Sponsors & Partners (accessed on July 12, 2010)
- ↑ Our Future website: America's Future Now 2010 Host Committee (accessed on July 12, 2010)
- ↑ Campaign for America's Future website: America's Future Now 2010 - Gala (accessed on July 12, 2010)