HUMANITIES TEACHER, AUTHOR OF TEACHING FOR A LIVING DEMOCRACY

Joshua Block has been an educator in urban public schools for 25 years. He integrates inquiry, project-based learning, student performance, and public art into his work with students at Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia. He is a National Board Certified Teacher, the recipient of a Fulbright Distinguished Teacher award and facilitated numerous collaborative, community projects. He is a teacher educator and has written extensively about his work with students. His book Teaching for a Living Democracy was published by Teachers College Press.

HOST, SENIOR EDITOR

Since 2017, Civics 101 has made hundreds of podcasts explaining the basics of how our democracy works. They won the ABA Silver Gavel award for their series on landmark Supreme Court cases. The show has been used in classrooms across the country, is designed to be as approachable as possible to listeners of all ages, and has been downloaded over 30 million times. In 2022, Civics 101 received the ABA Silver Gavel award for their series on landmark Supreme Court cases. Hannah and Nick are also the co-authors of A User’s Guide to Democracy: How America Works.

Before Civics 101, Nick worked in the Education Department at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, where he developed interactives, wrote tour content, and trained educators on facilitated storytelling

HOST, SENIOR EDITOR

Since 2017, Civics 101 has made hundreds of podcasts explaining the basics of how our democracy works. They won the ABA Silver Gavel award for their series on landmark Supreme Court cases. The show has been used in classrooms across the country, is designed to be as approachable as possible to listeners of all ages, and has been downloaded over 30 million times. In 2022, Civics 101 received the ABA Silver Gavel award for their series on landmark Supreme Court cases. Hannah and Nick are also the co-authors of A User’s Guide to Democracy: How America Works.

Prior to her time at Civics 101, Hannah worked as a politics reporter covering New Hampshire’s State House, a community reporter in New York and arts and culture reporter in Massachusetts.

FOUNDER OF CIVIC COURAGE, AUTHOR OF RECLAIMING OUR DEMOCRACY

Sam Daley-Harris founded the anti-poverty lobby RESULTS in 1980, co-founded the Microcredit Summit Campaign in 1995, and founded Civic Courage in 2012. The paperback edition of his book Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy (Rivertowns Books 2025 paperback) was named an editor’s pick by Publisher’s Weekly BookLife. Kirkus Reviews wrote: "Overall, [the author's] analysis of effective action is as persuasive as it is accessible, and his call to democratic participation is inspiring." Daley-Harris began his career as a high school teacher. His journey as a democracy activist began after reading calls for the “political will” to end world hunger. In 1978-79 he spoke to 7,000 high school students and asked them to name their U.S. Representative. Fewer than 3 percent could answer correctly.

SENIOR JUDGE OF THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT

Judge Marjorie Rendell received her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and her Juris Doctor degree from the Villanova University School of Law. Upon graduation from law school, she joined the law firm of Duane, Morris & Heckscher, where she subsequently became the firm’s second woman partner. Judge Rendell was inducted as a judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in March of 1994 and was elevated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in November of 1997. Judge Rendell took Senior Status on July 1, 2015.

In 2004, Judge Rendell was awarded the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Sandra Day O’Connor Award, given annually to a woman attorney whose career in the legal profession has demonstrated her superior legal talent and significant achievements within the legal community, and her support for women in the profession. As First Lady of Pennsylvania from January of 2003 through January 2011, Judge Rendell’s primary initiative focused on imparting civic responsibility to Pennsylvania’s children through civic learning. In 2014 she co-founded the Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement, a nonprofit corporation that focuses on educating students, especially at the elementary level, regarding the principles and disciplines of democracy. Judge Rendell has served her community as Chairman of the Board of the Avenue of the Arts, Inc., a member of the Board of Directors of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania.

CO-WRITER/BASS, CO-FOUNDER OF THE SLANTS FOUNDATION

The Slants, an American dance-rock band formed in 2006 by Simon Tam in Portland, Oregon, are known for their energetic performances and civil rights advocacy. They blend 80s synth-pop and dance rock into a unique style called “Chinatown Dance Rock.” As one of the first all-Asian American dance-rock bands, they challenge stereotypes and empower their community, gaining recognition on platforms like Conan O'Brien and Rolling Stone. The band's name was central to the landmark Supreme Court case Matal v. Tam, which redefined free speech and trademark rights. They have performed worldwide, headlining festivals and supporting social justice initiatives.

Simon Tam, an author and activist, is best known for founding The Slants and winning a landmark Supreme Court case to expand civil liberties for marginalized groups. His work has been featured in over 3,000 media outlets worldwide.

GUITARIST, CO-FOUNDER OF THE SLANTS FOUNDATION

The Slants, an American dance-rock band formed in 2006 by Simon Tam in Portland, Oregon, are known for their energetic performances and civil rights advocacy. They blend 80s synth-pop and dance rock into a unique style called “Chinatown Dance Rock.” As one of the first all-Asian American dance-rock bands, they challenge stereotypes and empower their community, gaining recognition on platforms like Conan O'Brien and Rolling Stone. The band's name was central to the landmark Supreme Court case Matal v. Tam, which redefined free speech and trademark rights. They have performed worldwide, headlining festivals and supporting social justice initiatives.

Joe X Jiang is a multifaceted artist—musician, filmmaker, and activist—who has produced multiple albums, directed music videos, and his films have been showcased at international festivals. He is also Co-Chair of the Slants Foundation.