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The Stone Social Impact Forum is an annual series that features bold civic change agents who demonstrate various pathways to tackle inequality, advance social change, and inspire all people to be civically active. The Forum is a joint initiative of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation made possible through the generous support of the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation.

Stone Social Impact Forum

RSVP: Stone Social Impact Forum Featuring Tracy Palandjian

Join the Stone Social Impact Forum on Monday, February 23 at 5:30pm ET for a timely conversation with Tracy Palandjian, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Finance, on the role of finance in expanding economic opportunity and building pathways to upward mobility. The discussion will be moderated by David M. Rubenstein—investor, philanthropist, author and Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group. To attend in person, register here. To attend virtually, register here.

Mississippi’s Journey from Last in the Nation to a Leader Educational Improvement

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation hosted award-winning educator Dr. Carey Wright for the 2024 Stone Social Impact Forum. The conversation was be moderated by NBC News’ Education Correspondent, Rehema Ellis.  Click on the image to watch the video.

Stone Social Impact Forum featuring Catherine Coleman Flowers

Catherine Coleman Flowers, founding director of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice, shares her journey in environmental activism and how she broadens the scope of environmental justice to include issues specific to disenfranchised rural communities. Click the image to watch the video.

Stone Social Impact Forum featuring Nicholas Kristof

On Tuesday, December 13, 2021, the Kennedy Institute hosted Nicholas Kristof, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist and world-renowned journalist. Known for his reporting on human rights and giving a voice to the voiceless around the world, Mr. Kristof shared his experiences and discussed his most recent publication, “Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope” (2020). Click the image to watch the video.

Stone Social Impact Forum featuring Geoffrey Canada

Geoffrey Canada shared the journey of Harlem Children’s Zone and discussed how equal access to a quality education is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Canada also participated in a conversation around his theory of change, the importance of youth engagement, and his vision for how each person can positively contribute to their communities and civic life. Click the image to watch the video.