City leaders from throughout the western hemisphere gathered in Denver last week to discuss challenges and make commitments regarding democracy, racism and climate change. As the city host, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock proclaimed that “cities are where the work happens” and heralded the event for helping to “make connections across the Americas.” Read more

What is a Civic Infrastructure Scan and Why Do One?

Get to Know Your 2023 AAC Finalists! 

Lessons Learned Through Vaccine Distribution 

A common narrative heard today is that American democracy is in a state of decline. There is a tendency to focus strictly on hyper-partisanship, polarization and attacks on the foundations of democratic institutions. But an important contributor to democratic disrepair is that much of our civic infrastructure has not been designed with residents in mind.

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This year's All-America City Finalists have strong civic capital and are authentically involving youth in projects from voter engagement, public safety, and mental health to career readiness and more. Finalist communities represent 12 states and range in size from 4,700 residents to over 8 million. Learn more about each community and the efforts that led them to being named a 2023 finalist. Read more.

With the COVID pandemic approaching a pivotal point, it is important to recognize lessons learned through education, implementation, and distribution of COVID vaccines.

Millions of people in the United States have been hospitalized with COVID, and more than a million people have died from COVID. Communities of color have been particularly affected.

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The League Welcomes New Board Member

Join us in Denver for the All-America City Award Event 

City Inclusion Work: People with Disabilities

Public and private sector advocate, Carolyn Coleman joins the National Civic League board. Carolyn Coleman brings over 25 years of experience as a leader and an advocate in the public and private sectors. Carolyn was elected to a three-year term during March’s board meeting. The National Civic League board of directors is made up of 24 civic leaders from around the U.S. and meets three times each year to help lead the 127-year-old organization.

Meet Carolyn

Join us for the AAC event in Denver, CO, June 9-11. The experience is one of the most uplifting and patriotic activities in America and consistently serves as a hopeful reminder of the complex issues communities can solve when they come together. The event includes workshops, panel discussions, keynote speeches, peer learning opportunities, and community presentations around the year’s theme, “Creating Thriving Communities through Youth Engagement.” Register.

One aspect to inclusiveness in Evesham Township, NJ, is to better accommodate people with disabilities. Beginning this work in 2019, the township of 45,000 people is now using a recent grant to build on their earlier commitment. Denver, CO, has made a similar commitment, and both cities have fully engaged the disabilities community in their efforts. Evesham’s Township Council adopted a measure in 2019 to create the Division of Community Affairs and Senior & Disability Services. Read more.