Democracy in Action: Civic Engagement in the 21st Century  

How does political engagement differ across nations and generations? Panelists will explore divergent models of political identity and feelings of belonging in France and the U.S., addressing the popularity of civic engagement among young people in both countries—from performative social media posts to protesting and volunteering—and how this engagement correlates with the critical act of voting. The event will additionally explore the causes, forms, and scales of civic engagement in the 21st century.

Join us for a youth-oriented evening that brings together the voices of French and American politicians, think tank representatives, activists, and students.

Democracy in an Age of Uncertainty, a series from Villa Albertine exploring challenges to liberal democracies in France, the United States, and around the world, launched at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in September 2024. Stay tuned as the series continues with more events in 2025, including the DC edition of Villa Albertine’s landmark Night of Ideas in April and a special event at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. 

Panelists

Stacey Abrams, Ronald W. Walters Endowed Chair for Race and Black Politics, Howard University 

Stacey Abrams is an American politician, lawyer, activist, and writer, widely recognized for her advocacy of voting rights and accessibility. As the first Black woman to secure a major party’s gubernatorial nomination in Georgia, Abrams gained national prominence during her 2018 and 2022 runs for governor.

Abrams extensive career in law and public service includes serving in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017, where she was the Minority Leader and a trailblazer in securing policy advancements related to healthcare, economic development, and education. Abrams has additionally written several books, including a best-selling novel and political analysis works. Beyond politics, she remains a vocal advocate for social justice and continues to shape the political landscape through both direct action and thought leadership.

Rama Yade, Senior Director, Africa Center & Senior Fellow, Europe Center, the Atlantic Council

Ambassador Rama Yade is Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center and Senior Fellow for the Europe Center. A professor of African affairs at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco and at Sciences Po Paris, Yada was born in Senegal and is a French citizen. Prior to joining the Council, she was a consultant for the World Bank and gained strong experience in the private sector as an editor in London and as director of development at a French consulting firm in corporate and social responsibility. 

Ambassador Yade has over a decade of experience working in French, European, and international politics. At the age of thirty, she was appointed as the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights of the Republic of France, the first ever French minister for human rights and the first woman of African descent to become a member of the French cabinet. She was subsequently appointed to the positions of Deputy Minister of Sports and Ambassador of France to UNESCO.  Ambassador Yade started her professional career as a parliamentary high civil servant at the French Senate and director of communications at the TV network of the Parliament. 

Tara Murray, Senior Vice President of Policy and Advocacy & Executive Director, National Urban League Washington Bureau

Tara Murray is a distinguished civil and human rights attorney and advocate, currently serving as the Executive Director of the National Urban League’s Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy. With a rich background in law and social justice, she holds degrees from Howard University, Harvard Law School, and Georgetown University Law Center.

Tara’s career encompasses significant roles, including time spent as a public defender, law instructor, legal director of an international human rights NGO, and most recently a tenure in the Biden-Harris Administration as a White House Fellow and later as Special Assistant to President Biden and Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. Her work is marked by a steadfast commitment to racial justice, equity, and civil rights, both domestically and internationally. As a mother of three, she integrates her professional expertise with personal values, making her a dynamic leader and a passionate advocate for underserved communities.

Moderators

Grace B. Kalere is a globally-minded first-year student and emerging leader pursuing a B.A. in International Affairs at Howard University. With a strong foundation in leadership, he has served as the President and/or Captain of several organizations, groups, and teams. Driven by curiosity and a passion for international relations, Grace is committed to bridging cultural divides. He has lived in multiple countries and is always looking to learn a new language. He aims to work internationally in diplomacy, law, or business to contribute to a globally connected society. 

Maven McGann is a junior international affairs major and a French minor. She is a lifelong lover of Francophone language and culture. As a child she stayed with host families and studied French in Quebec City, Canada and Antibes, France. Currently Maven is a student fellow at Moorland-Spingarn Research center, where she has worked on digitizing black newspapers. She recently finished working as a student liaison for British designer Grace Wales Bonner. She additionally finished archival research for the exhibition 1924, a project about the legacy of Howard’s homecoming. She is the digital editor for the traditional arts DC magazine, Global Lens Edition. She traveled to Ivory Coast for the launch of Africa Foto Fair, where she worked with photographers from 80 countries from around the world. 

Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Anthony Wutoh will provide remarks at the beginning of the program.