CIVIC RENEWAL for America’s Next 250
OCTOBER 05-07, 2026
CAPITAL TURNAROUND
WASHINGTON, DC
Why Attend?
Come explore how we can draw on Christian resources to imagine a healthier political life—one that promotes care for our neighbors, the pursuit of justice, and genuine service for the common good—and then build it together. At the summit you’ll find community and new connections as you engage in meaningful dialogue about the pressing issues in our public life today. Together we’ll discover practical tools, perspectives, and renewed hope for our shared future.
What to Expect
Over our three days together, you can expect to:
Gain new insights and fresh inspiration from prominent civic leaders who demonstrate what a better story looks like in practice
Be personally encouraged in ways that will sustain and strengthen you for the long work of leadership
Leave intellectually and relationally equipped with new tools, fresh perspectives, and renewed confidence to contribute to public life
Build and deepen relationships with fellow practitioners who share your convictions, opening doors to new collaboration
The Summit Doesn't End on Tuesday
On Wednesday morning, immerse yourself in experiences that take the summit’s big ideas one step further. Visit the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art, the Museum of African American History and Culture, or the Franciscan Monastery Garden. Or take part in thoughtful conversations about key issues, such as the future of US foreign assistance and the relationship between artificial intelligence and human agency.
We hope you’ll join us. The story we tell together matters.
2026 Civic Renewal Award
The Civic Renewal Award honors leaders who have made exemplary contributions to the health and well- being of their communities and nation. Join us on Monday evening, October 5, for a special ceremony recognizing the extraordinary life’s work of John Carr and Bishop Claude Alexander Jr. Nationally recognized comedian Dustin Nickerson will provide the evening’s entertainment.
If you can only make it for one evening, we don’t want you to miss out. We are extending an opportunity to attend only the Civic Renewal Award ceremony ($20 per person). You can get your ticket for the full summit or just the Civic Renewal Award ceremony below.
Bishop Claude Alexander Jr.
Honoree
John Carr
Honoree
Dustin Nickerson
Performer
Experience the Summit
Annual Summit Recap 2025
We are inviting civic leaders into a better story.
October 05-07
Washington D.C.
More than ever, Christians have a powerful opportunity to counter the cynicism of our moment and to tell our own story of public contribution, rather than letting today's divisive political landscape tell it for us. There is a vision for a healthier politics available to us, one that Christian resources can help us imagine and nourish: care for neighbors, the pursuit of justice, and genuine service to the common good.
Our annual summit, For the Good of the Public, is where that story gets told — and lived.
Join us in D.C. on October 5-7, 2026, for Civic Renewal for America's Next 250.
This year, as our nation marks its 250th year, we're bringing together elected officials and policymakers, journalists, nonprofit leaders, clergy, and leaders in business, philanthropy, and the arts to ask together: How can Christian resources contribute to the renewal of our national life — and help shape a more hopeful American future for everyone?
Danny Avula
Mayor of Richmond, Virginia
Patrick J. Schiltz
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
Jennifer A. Herdt
Professor of Christian Ethics at Yale University Divinity School
Russell Moore
Editor-at-Large and Columnist at Christianity Today
Vince Bacote
Professor of Theology and Director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College
Matthew Kaemingk
Public theologian, Christian ethicist, and co-director of the Faith and Future of Democracy Initiative at Georgetown University
Jeffrey Rosen
American legal scholar, journalist, and author
Leah Libresco Sargeant
Author and Policy Expert
Kelly Born
Director of the Democracy, Rights, and Governance initiative at the Packard Foundation
David Bailey
Founder and Chief Vision Officer, Arrabon
Emma Green
Staff writer at
The New Yorker
Nazanin Ash
Founding CEO of Welcome.US
Dustin Nickerson
Comedian
Cherie Harder
President,
The Trinity Forum
Shadi Hamid
Columnist at The Washington Post and co-director at the Faith and Future of Democracy Initiative at Georgetown University
Jane Kamensky
President and CEO of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and Trumbull Professor of American History emerita at Harvard University
Jason Garrett
Senior Vice President of Faith, Bridging, and Belonging at Freedom Together Foundation
Rachel Cohen Booth
Senior policy correspondent at Vox and author of the forthcoming book, You're Not Powerless: The Crisis of Agency and How We Reclaim It Together
Ruth Braunstein
Director of the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University
Tara McGuinness
Executive Director of the New Practice Lab And Coauthor of Power to the Public: The Promise of Public Interest Technology
Event Schedule
Monday, October 5, 2026
12:00 p.m.
Doors Open
1:00 p.m.
Session One
2:45 p.m.
Break
3:15 p.m.
Session Two
5:00 p.m.
Dinner
6:30 p.m.
Civic Renewal Awards Ceremony With Comedian Dustin Nickerson
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
9:00 a.m.
Doors Open
10:00 a.m.
Session Three
12:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:30 p.m.
Session Four
3:30 p.m.
Break & Book Signing
4:00 p.m.
Session Five
5:00 p.m.
Evening Reception Offsite
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Curated Experiences Across DC
Register Today
FAQS
-
Limited street parking and pay-to-park lots are available. We recommend the metro or a ride share. Both the Navy Yard-Ballpark (Green) & Eastern Market (Blue, Orange or Silver) stops are a 10-minute walk.
-
There are several hotels in walking distance from the Capital Turnaround. We suggest the Hampton Inn and Suites - Washington DC Navy Yard and the AC HOTEL - Washington D.C. Capitol Hill Navy Yard.
-
The closest airport is Ronald Reagan International Airport (DCA), which is about 15 minutes away from event and hotel sites. Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are two other airports that are 40-60 minutes away.
-
Yes. Our summit is dependent on a group of volunteers who are most interested in serving alongside the CCPL team in order to make the gathering a reality and as excellent as possible. If volunteering interests you, please fill out this form.
-
Don't hestiate to reach out to our team at info@ccpubliclife.org!