Millions of Jobs: How Progressives are Taking Back the Populist Narrative and Going On Offense on Infrastructure
Session Type(s): Panel
Starts: Saturday, Aug. 12 1:30 PM (Eastern)
Ends: Saturday, Aug. 12 2:45 PM (Eastern)
Progressives are taking back the populist narrative and going on offense against Republicans with a plan to rebuild America—and create millions of new jobs in the process. Hear the inside story of how this campaign came together and where we go from here—to 2018, 2020 and beyond.
Moderator
Sarah Badawi
Sarah leads the Progressive Change Campaign Committee’s (BoldProgressives.org) legislative outreach effort to build support for PCCC policy initiatives, working closely with congressional allies and their staff to incorporate bold progressive ideas into their legislative priorities. Most recently, Sarah helped lead the effort to build broad support for the Big Idea of debt-free college on the Hill resulting in a joint resolution introduced in the U.S. House and Senate. Prior to joining our Hill team, Sarah was a key member of PCCC’s electoral team working with endorsed candidates on building strong fundraising programs in a competitive cycle. Sarah received her B.A. in political science from the University of Florida and her J.D. from George Washington University.
Other sessions: Making Congress Listen: How to Transform Trump Anger and Movement Energy into Victories on Capitol Hill
Panelists
Keith Ellison
Currently serving as Minnesota’s 30th Attorney General, Keith Ellison is the first African American and first Muslim American to be elected to statewide office in Minnesota. Before becoming AG, Ellison represented Minnesota’s 5th District in Congress where he focused on consumer, worker, environmental, civil- and human-rights protections for Minnesotans. As Minnesota’s AG, Ellison has championed affordable health care, a fair economy, and equal opportunity for all. Ellison has opposed a new rule revoking legal status for immigrants accessing public assistance, created a unit within the office of the Attorney General that focuses on investigating and prosecuting abuse of workers and wage theft, as well as filing lawsuits against opioid manufacturers. Following the killing of George Floyd, Governor Walz appointed AG Ellison to prosecute the case.
Other sessions: Trumped Up Trade: Retaking the Working Class on Trade and the Economy, Running from Trump, Running for the People, From Demonstration to Legislation: How Organizing Will Win Back Progressive Power, Friday Morning Plenary
Adam Green
Adam Green is Co-Founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, a grassroots organization with a million members that engages in electoral and issue advocacy work — with a focus on economic populism and democracy issues. For four years, he worked as Director of Strategic Campaigns and Civic Communications Director for MoveOn.org. Previously, Adam served as the Democratic National Committee’s press secretary in Oregon for the 2004 presidential campaign, communications director for the New Jersey Democratic Party in 2003, and press secretary for the top winning Democratic U.S. Senate race of 2002 in South Dakota. He has a B.A. from George Washington University and a law degree from University of Virginia — and is a frequent guest on MSNBC, C-SPAN, and other media outlets.
Bishop Dwayne Royster
Bishop Dwayne D. Royster, a leading voice in modern faith-based activism, wants to change the world. Whether he is serving as a pastor, challenging the status quo as a political activist, educating and empowering communities as a radio show host, or encouraging and inspiring audiences around the country as a writer and public speaker, Bishop Royster’s work is fueled by deep faith and passionate commitment to bringing about social justice.
Bishop Royster has served in pastoral ministry for the past 30 years in a variety of positions and denominations. Driven by his deep commitment to the four biblical principles of redemption, restoration, renewal and refreshment, Bishop Royster works diligently to meet people where they are and instill in the congregation a need to be like Christ: slow to judge always ready to offer grace and mercy.
Bishop Royster serves as the Executive Director of POWER Interfaith, the State of Pennsylvania’s largest Faith Based Organizing Movement, part of the Faith in Action Network (formerly the PICO National Network), the nation’s largest faith-based organizing movement committed to racial and economic justice with 40+ federations in 26 States and 4 countries.
Bishop Royster also serves as Senior Pastor of Faith United Church of Christ in the North Michigan Park Section of Washington, DC. Bishop Royster is an advocate for preparing congregations for the ministry of availability. Prior to his current role as Senior Pastor, Bishop Royster has had the honor of presiding over the Living Water United Church of Christ (Founder and Senior Pastor); Mid-Town Parish UMC (Pastor); Way of Life Ministries Mennonite Church (Church Planter and Pastor); Harold O. Davis Memorial Baptist Church (Staff Minister) and Camphor Memorial UMC (Associate Pastor). Bishop Royster has also served the United Church of Christ in the following capacities: United Church of Christ Board of Directors (2013-2017); UCC Executive Committee (2016-2017); Penn Southeast Conference Consistory (2008-2012); Philadelphia Association Executive Committee (2008-2012); Philadelphia Association Committee on Ministry (2010-2014) and Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice Board (2010-2014).
Bishop is a graduate of Geneva College’s Center for Urban Theological Studies (BS in Urban Ministry Management), a graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary In Philadelphia (M.A. in Religion Degree- African American Church specialization), and has studied at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Bishop Royster has extensive organizing, advocacy, political and faith leadership experience. He believes that it is imperative that a prophetic faith voice is heard in the halls of power calling for equity and respect for the moral value of every human life.
Bishop Royster serves as the Founder of the Society for Faith and Justice, an ecumenical religious order committed to a charism of social justice as a spiritual discipline and spiritual practice. Bishop is also the former Political Director of Faith in Action and a former councilman-at-large for the Municipality of Norristown.
Bishop Royster’s work and ministry have been featured in the Philadelphia Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Time Magazine, Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Magazine, New York Times, RT Today, Fox News, Religion and Ethics Weekly (PBS), ThinkProgress, Huffington Post, Fresh Air (PBS), Voice of America, Washington Post, The Washington Informer and many other outlets.
Bishop Dwayne D. Royster is married to the lovely Suzette Royster and together they are the parents of two beautiful daughters.