8:30 a.m.

Networking Breakfast

9:20 a.m.

Opening Poem & Welcome with Zbey tha Poet

9:30 a.m.

Opening Keynote with Dr. Sesha Joi Moon

10:15 a.m.

Breakout Session 1

How to Advocate: Virginia Legislative Session 101
Engaging in Virginia’s legislative and budget process can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to. Come learn about the basics of the process, ways to advocate, and how you can make a difference.

From Reports to Results: Advancing Equity & Adequacy in School Funding
Saw the JLARC K-12 report? We’ll break down the new school funding report by the official state research organization, JLARC, on Virginia’s funding formula, what it could mean for Virginia’s students, and what Fund Our Schools is advocating for this upcoming session.

Virginia Immigrants Get The Job Done: Advancing Immigrant Justice Policy
Our immigrant neighbors are vital to our communities, yet they face many barriers to fully participating in those same communities and accessing critical resources to thrive. Community leaders will discuss continued needs in immigrant communities and areas of opportunities to make Virginia a more welcoming state for immigrant families.

11:15 a.m.

Fireside Chat: Get to know some of the newest members of the House of Delegates!
Hear from three Delegate-elects — Phil Hernandez, Rae Cousins, and Destiny Levere-Bolling — about their path to the General Assembly, how advocates can best engage now that there are many new faces in the legislature, and what they are looking forward to in the upcoming 2024 legislative session.

12:00 p.m.

Lunch

12:30 p.m.

Breakout Session 2

Tax Policies for Families, Not Corporations
Big corporations and the wealthy already don’t pay their fair share in taxes. Now some lawmakers want to give them more tax breaks, which would drain state resources that should go to underfunded services like public schools and housing. It’s time to champion tax policies that lift up families and make sure millionaires and corporations pay their fair share to fund a brighter future for Virginia.

An Economy for All of Us: Why the Southern Model Has Failed and How We Can Take the High Road
The Southern economic model, which prioritizes business interests and the wealthy over ordinary citizens and is rooted in a racist agenda, has had devastating consequences for working people. Hear from the author of a recent report by Economic Policy Institute on how this model has harmed working people. Plus, we’ll take a deeper dive into Collective Agenda and the ideas that communities across Virginia have for how we can build an economy that works for all of us.

After Saving Virginia Billions, Time to Invest in Medicaid/State Health Coverage
Federal COVID-related funding to state Medicaid agencies led to billions of dollars in state savings in Virginia. Hear from health policy leaders on opportunities to invest in the health and well-being of our friends and neighbors and ensure more families can access affordable health coverage.

1:30 p.m.

Dreams to an Agenda: Update from Collective Work
Get updates from Collective Workers. What have they been up to on the ground this past year individually, and what has been done collectively.

2:30 p.m.

Breakout Session 3

Youth Behavioral Health: Meeting The Needs of The Next Generation of Leaders
Virginia’s young people are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, which impacts our communities, schools, homes, and families. Hear from leading behavioral health advocates while they discuss recent progress, remaining barriers, and promising policy solutions.

Escaping the Cycle of Court-Imposed Fines & Fees
Court-imposed fines and fees often keep people with limited financial resources tethered to the criminal legal system and push them further into poverty. We’ll look at the work advocates have been doing to make meaningful reforms and opportunities to make further progress this year.

Skill-Building Sessions
Interested in sharpening a specific skill ahead of session or a fresh way to address a challenge? Sign up for time with a thought partner during our skill-building session. Sessions will cover communications strategy, HR and operations, advocacy tactics, and an opportunity for folks who lead grassroots organizations to work with our grants manager to look for grant opportunities. Sign up for a slot when you check in at the summit.

3:30 p.m.

“I Am Because We Are, A Focus on Culture as We Depart” w/ Ẹlẹgba Folklore Society

3:45 p.m.

Networking Happy Hour