We, at the Institute for Common Power, recognize that the yearlong celebrations of America’s 250 years since inception will be wrought with multiple false narratives from the federal government and multiple municipalities that will attempt to erase the histories and contributions of marginalized groups as they work to promote information defined by white supremacist ideologies. We will strive to present TRUTH
The Institute for Common Power strives to facilitate the creation of a just and inclusive Democracy while working to eliminate racial and social inequity. Education can and must lead to action. To this end, the Institute’s “America at 250” series for 2026 provides clear, comprehensive, and truthful examinations of multiple topics related to race, culture, and politics in America. You cannot understand our modern existence without exploring the historical processes that have worked to create both tragedy and triumph. Register for courses, workshops, and vision conversations that help to historicize our modern world. You will come away inspired to create change!
America at 250 Offerings
Institute Courses: We offer a series of courses taught by award-winning scholars who are widely recognized experts in their fields of study. Each course is three to four lectures, with one lecture occurring per week. You will receive a course syllabus for guided historical investigation. You will also be able to interact with the professor teaching the course. The courses provide comprehensive examinations of multiple topics related to race, culture, and politics in America. Each course will be recorded and available for one month following the final lecture.
Vision Conversations: We seek to put you in contact with visionary change makers who work to create a just and inclusive democracy. These conversations will leave you inspired to create change. The audience is encouraged to interact with the speaker through questions and comments. We have welcomed past changemakers such as Nikole Hannah-Jones, Dr. Clint Smith, and Dr. Harry Edwards.
Banned Book Club: The Banned Books Club meets monthly to discuss banned or challenged literature–from modern works like How the Word is Passed to classics such as The House on Mango Street. The Banned Books Club events are facilitated by the Educators for Democracy team.
Educators for Democracy Quarterly Teach-Ins: We feature five educators from across the country each quarter who will deliver thirty-minute lectures on some aspect of American democracy. Each educator is an Institute for Common Power Educator Ambassador, which means they have traveled with us on a Truth & Purpose Leaning Tour. The lectures will have a heavy focus on history and work to connect the past to the present as they encourage people to engage in work that focuses on social and voting justice.
Truth and Purpose Learning Experience: Our Truth & Purpose Learning Tours are profound, guided experiences through the South that will imbue you with a heightened level of compassion and respect for history makers and inspire you to help create a future defined by integrity, equity, and democracy.
Diversity Series with University of Washington Department of Medicine: We are pleased and excited to partner with the UW Department of Medicine to bring a lecture series, free to the public, that features medical professionals and others who are working to disrupt, expose, and dismantle racial bias in medicine.
January - June 2026
INSTITUTE EDUCATOR AMBASSADORS
“Reclaiming Patriotism: With Liberty and Justice for All”
February 15 3 pm - 6 pm PST / 6 pm - 9 pm ESTV
We will feature five educators from across the country each quarter who will deliver thirty-minute talks on some aspect of American democracy. Each educator is an Institute for Common Power Educator Ambassador, which means they have traveled with us on a Truth & Purpose Leaning Tour. They are part of our community and understand the power of how education leads to action. The lectures will have a heavy focus on history and will work to connect the past to the present as they encourage people to engage in work that focuses on social and voting justice.
Our February event will be in honor of the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month, and features educators discussing the teaching of Black history and identity.
DR. TERRY ANNE SCOTT
“Reclaiming Democracy: The History of Voter Suppression and the Future of Voter Empowerment”
Feb. 4 & 11 5 pm - 6:30 pm PST / 8 pm - 9:30 pm EST
Join Dr. Terry Anne Scott, award-winning historian and writer, as she teaches about race and the history of voter suppression as well as the future of voter empowerment. Why was the 1965 Voting Rights Act necessary? How did people come together to secure voting rights for all? What did voter empowerment look like in the decades following the passage of the Act? What rights are challenged today and how do we create a just and inclusive society where voting is accessible and not suppressed? Dr. Scott will answer these questions and more. Join her for what is sure to be an informative, dynamic, and inspring lecture series!
Director, Institute for Common Power
DR. TERRY ANNE SCOTT, DR. YOHURU WILLIAMS, DR. DAVID DOMKE
“The Return of ‘Slave Catchers’": A Teach-In on ICE and How We Win 2026”
Feb. 1 10 am - 2 pm PST / 1 pm - 4 pm EST
February 2026 is the 100th Black History Week/Month in America. In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded this annual highlighting of the lives and work of Black Americans. The Institute for Common Power marks this 100-year anniversary on February 1, 2026, with a National Teach-In for Truth and Democracy, titled “New ‘Slave-Catchers’: A Teach-In from Minneapolis on ICE + How We Win 2026.” We will teach live from the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, where ICE is based in their Minnesota work, and other key sites of resistance. We will talk about the fight against terrorist “slave-catchers” in America in the past and the 2026 version of them, Immigration Control and Enforcement. We will include teachers who are fighting to both teach truth and protect their students. And we will conclude with specific, 100%-concrete action steps for the 2026 elections for everyone standing for freedom and democracy. This is an event that honors all who have fought to bend the arc of human dignity and freedom, and carries forward a commitment to a more just and inclusive American democracy.
Learning Tour
TRUTH + PURPOSE LEARNING TOUR FOR EDUCATORS
Dr. Terry Anne Scott and Dr. David Domke
February 4-9, 2027
Join Institute Director Dr. Terry Anne Scott, CP senior leader and Professor David Domke, and other CP staff for a Truth and Purpose Learning Tour to Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham AL. These are not vacations; they are challenging, growing, intentional deep dives into historical and contemporary realities of race and voting justice, realities that are foundational to the work of the Institute for Common Power. The goal, always, is to move from education to action. The places we visit will allow us to examine the long history of people of African descent in this country, with specific emphasis on the modern American Civil Rights Movement.
Those selected will receive full scholarships.
TRUTH + PURPOSE LEARNING TOUR
Dr. Terry Anne Scott and Dr. David Domke
November 12-17, 2026
For Medical Professionals and Students
Join Institute Director Dr. Terry Anne Scott, CP senior leader and Professor David Domke, and other CP staff in an investment in CP's foundational principles of mindset, mojo, mobilization with a trip to Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham AL. These are not vacations; they are challenging, growing, intentional deep dives into historical and contemporary realities of race and voting justice, realities that are foundational to the work of Common Power. The goal, always, is to move from education to action. The places we visit will allow us to examine the long history of people of African descent in this country, with specific emphasis on the modern American Civil Rights Movement.
Those selected will receive full scholarships.
Learning Tour