As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the National Parent Leadership Institute joined civic education leaders from across the country in Philadelphia for the Civic Learning Week National Forum.
Held March 9–10 as part of Civic Learning Week 2026, the forum brought together educators, researchers, community leaders, and organizations working to strengthen civic learning and participation. This year’s theme, “Liberty and Learning: Civic Education at 250,” invited participants to reflect on the role civic learning has played in our nation’s history and what it will take to strengthen democracy for the next 250 years.
NPLI brought family and parent leadership directly into that national conversation.
During the forum, Zulema Gomez, NPLI’s Director of Implementation, led a roundtable discussion, Building Power Together: How Family Civics Strengthens Democracy Across Generations. The conversation explored how the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) and Children’s Leadership Training Institute (CLTI) create opportunities for parents and children to build civic knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills together.
Research was also front and center. Joanna Geller, PhD, Director of Policy, Research, and Evaluation at NYU Metro Center, presented findings from a multi-year study of PLTI and CLTI. Her research examines how intergenerational civic learning can strengthen family relationships, civic confidence, knowledge, and long-term participation.
One of the highlights for the NPLI team was also meeting Cherelle Parker, Philadelphia’s 100th mayor and the first woman to hold the office. We had the opportunity to share more about PLTI, NPLI’s work across the country, and what we continue to learn about the role families can play in strengthening civic life.
Outside the formal sessions, our time in Philadelphia gave the NPLI team a chance to reconnect, plan together, and reflect on the city’s deep connection to the nation’s history. Being there during a year centered on America’s 250th anniversary offered a meaningful reminder of why civic participation, shared leadership, and strong communities matter.
We also recorded a new episode of The Bold & The Brave: A Parent Leader Podcast during the week. In “The Ongoing Democracy Experiment: Civic Learning, Dialogue, and Family Voice,” we continued the conversation about democracy, civic learning, and the role families play in shaping their communities.
At NPLI, we remain committed to supporting parents and local leaders as they build the skills, relationships, and confidence to participate in civic life and help create stronger communities for children and families.
