The Civic Spark: Lighting the Future

Help light The Civic Spark and join our campaign to empower young students to understand and participate in democracy!

We’re calling our seasonal gathering The Civic Spark: Lighting the Future, because in dark times it’s always our students who inspire hope with their civic songs, poems and stories.

Our honored guest will be MICHELE WAXMAN JOHNSON, who serves in Governor Wes Moore’s administration as Executive Director of the Maryland 250 Commission. An educator, scholar and community leader, Johnson is leading our state’s celebration in 2026 of the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding (the Semiquincencennial), and will help us shed light on the urgency of this civic moment.

We’ll also have civic songs with wonderful children’s entertainer Nick Newlin, delicious food and drink, and creative activities where you will be invited to reflect on why it is essential to live in a democracy, and what peace means to you.

We extend big gratitude to our co-hosts Jeffrey Slavin and Margo Reid, the Civic Circle Board, and Arts on the Block for inviting us to gather in their beautiful headquarters on the ground floor of the Silver Spring Library.

If you would like to support our arts-based program to advance civic learning as a Host Committee member, volunteer or sponsor, please contact [email protected].

Unable to join? You can still support The Civic Circle by clicking HERE. Thank you!

HOST COMMITTEE

Jeffrey Slavin | Margo Reid | Eliza Newlin Carney | Rick Cohen | Manuela Ekowo | Ann Levin | Vanesa Pinto | Trevor Schmutz | Catherine Sheehy | Ericka N. Stevens

Host or Publisher The Civic Circle