Night of Ideas, Washington, DC
In collaboration with the Karsh Institute of Democracy and DESA, Villa Albertine Washington, D.C. presents the 2025 edition of Night of Ideas under the theme “Youth in Action,” continuing reflections about democracy by bringing together speakers to discuss current and pressing topics while offering impactful artistic actions and experiences.
The goal of this afternoon and evening is to foster multicultural and interdisciplinary dialogue by giving a voice to specialists from complementary fields. Panels open to a wide audience will be accompanied by intimate workshops and book signing sessions. High school students will also participate through theatrical and musical performances and live acts, while exploring the theme of democracy from a youth perspective.
This event is free and open to the public.
Mark your calendar for Night of Ideas on April 5, 2025, and visit nightofideas.org for the latest news and programming announcements.
Panelists:
- Isabelle Boni-Claverie, Author, Filmmaker and Director
- Laurent Dubois, Karsh Institute of Democracy, Professor of the History & Principles of Democracy and Professor of History, University of Virginia
- Juncal Faus Figuerido, Student, Georgetown University
- Lynda Frenois, Cultural Attaché, French Embassy, and Villa Albertine Director for the Washington, DC Office
- CR Gibbs, Historian, Author, and Lecturer, recognized for his work on African and African American history, with appearances on PBS, the History Channel, and international media
- Eva Rota Graziosi, Student at Sciences Po and Georgetown University
- Julien Jaubert, Independent Music Publisher and Producer
- Amber Mackey, Karsh Institute of Democracy, specialized in black political participation, including social movements, and their impact on legislation and representation, University of Virginia
- Nina Maturu, White House Presidential Innovation Fellow to Innovation Strategist & Futurist
- Lual Mayen, CEO, Junub Games & Founder Lual Mayen Foundation.
- Ayanna Muhammad, Curator of the National Hip-Hop Museum, Educator, and Historian.
- Aaron Myers, Executive Director of the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, Jazz Musician.
- Jenaro Olwak Aken, Financial Professional, Lawyer and Founder of Shufto Soccer Initiative, Inc.
- Rama Yade, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center and Senior Fellow for the Europe Center
Co-presented by Villa Albertine Washington, DC, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and the Karsh Institute of Democracy.
Night of Ideas 2025 is presented by Villa Albertine and Albertine Foundation thanks to the leadership support of the Judy & Peter Blum Kovler Foundation, and with the support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. It is coordinated worldwide by the Institut Français.