Civic Nation Ushers in a New Era of Social Change with New Leadership and Initiatives

Two generation-defining initiatives join Civic Nation as the organization welcomes Valerie Jarrett, Tina Tchen, Cecilia Muñoz, Pete Rouse and more to the Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Civic Nation announced When We All Vote and End Rape on Campus will join the organization’s existing network of initiatives focused on creating a more inclusive, equitable America. In addition to these new programmatic initiatives, Valerie Jarrett, president of the Obama Foundation, will become chair of the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization’s Board of Directors.

Civic Nation started in the final years of the Obama-Biden Administration and became a nonprofit home for several of the Administration’s education, gender equity, and civic participation initiatives. Today’s announcement regarding the new initiatives joining Civic Nation marks a milestone in the organization’s commitment to addressing the issues that define this generation and expand the overall mission to drive real, meaningful change by shifting culture, systems, and policy. Ms. Jarrett will be joined by Tina Tchen, Cecilia Muñoz, Pete Rouse and Joe Paulsen, on the Board of Directors and Kyle Lierman was named CEO. The new members will join the existing board which includes Sam Brown and Jason Waskey.

Civic Nation is home to a total of six initiatives seeking to drive change in America through education, conversation and action. These initiatives include It’s On Us, When We All Vote, ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, The United State of Women, Creative Alliance, and End Rape on Campus. Civic Nation brings together these changemakers to reach their common goal of creating a more equitable America.

“Change often seems impossible until we, the people, make it inevitable. Civic Nation is home to the next generation of changemakers ready to take on our biggest challenges including strengthening our democracy, fostering civic engagement, advancing social justice, increasing voter participation, addressing public health crises, fighting for gender equity and more. I’m proud to join Civic Nation in its effort to drive culture, systems and policy change. I know we will continue to drive change and inspire people to take action wherever they are,” said Board Chair Valerie Jarrett.   

“Civic Nation builds movements and drives change. We organize at every level and serve as a connector — of public and private partners, activists and philanthropists and leaders and the people they represent.  We have a lot of work to do, but with our initiatives, partners and the changemakers who are a part of the Civic Nation community, we can continue to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our country,” said Kyle Lierman, CEO of Civic Nation.

When We All Vote is a nonprofit organization launched by Michelle Obama to increase voter education and participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age voting gap. Led by new Executive Director, Stephanie L. Young, When We All Vote brings together individuals, institutions, brands and organizations to advance civic education, understanding and engagement and empower all eligible voters to take action through voting and advocating for their rights. Michelle Obama is joined by fellow Co-Chairs Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, Chris Paul, Faith Hill, Selena Gomez, Liza Koshy, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson.

“I am excited to lead When We All Vote into its next chapter as we work to fulfill our mission to change the culture around voting and increase participation in each and every election. I am so proud that we are a leading voice in the fight for expanded voting rights and we remain committed to protect the incredible gains we saw in 2020 with voter participation and turn out. It’s not time to let up, but rather it’s time to lean in, register, organize and educate as many Americans as we can through civic education, engagement, experiences and events,” said Stephanie L. Young, Executive Director of When We All Vote.

End Rape on Campus (EROC) works to end college campus sexual violence through three pillars: direct support services for survivors and their communities, prevention through education and policy reform on the campus, local, state and federal levels. In addition, EROC aims to focus and center historically marginalized communities and attend to the unique needs of marginalized survivors.

“EROC is excited to expand our learning, impact and work across intersectional movements as a part of Civic Nation. We remain fully committed to pursuing our work until everyone has an educational experience free from violence and with Civic Nation, our partners and the student survivors we fight for in this movement, together we can create an even more powerful, collective force,” said Kenyora Parham, Executive Director of End Rape On Campus.

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ABOUT CIVIC NATION

Civic Nation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit home for changemakers who inspire, educate, and activate people around the issues that will define this generation. Civic Nation drives real, meaningful change by shifting culture, systems, and policy to reach our goal of empowering individuals, companies, institutions, and organizations to create a more inclusive, equitable America.