The Jefferson Educational Society's Global Summit XV

Contributed photos

The 15th annual Global Summit presented by the Jefferson Educational Society will cover a wide breadth of topics with a diverse slate of speakers scheduled from Oct. 23 to Nov. 13. They are as follows [left to right, top to bottom], Peter Baker, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Brian Freedman, Richard Florida with Bruce Katz, Matt Weidinger, David Urban, Richard Lesser, Richard Reeves, Della Clark, Tom Nichols, Robert Garland, Major General Edward L. Bolton, Karen Tumulty, Laura Coates, and Lisa Adams, Val Demmings and Michael Steele. Contributed

Worldwide issues take stage locally during the upcoming Jefferson Educational Society's (JES) Global Summit, the 15th of its kind. This year, the slate of speakers is dense — 18 individual speakers within 14 total events spread over only three weeks time, and those organizing the event are more excited than ever to bring these global issues to our local population.

While the quality and caliber of the speakers remains consistent with past schedules, Ben Speggen, vice president of the JES, is looking forward to a new local partnership that will change the landscape of the Summit, "This year we are partnering with Gannon University for the institution's 'Gannon Reads' event and including it in the Summit lineup. This inclusion strengthens an already strong partnership between the college and the think tank, and continues to help promote the intergenerational learning opportunity the Summit has become known for — as it brings students, seniors, and learners of all ages into one room to learn shoulder to shoulder."

Speggen continues, "The benefit of the Summit is that we strive to offer a well-rounded lineup of speakers covering a wide range of topics. Our goal is not just to have 'something for everyone' but to excite everyone about something." This year's subject matter spectrum promises to do just that — covering everything from U.S. foreign policy, climate change, artificial intelligence (AI), racial and economic equity, and ancient history, while featuring guest speakers from fields ranging from politics to public health specialists. There truly is an event within the Summit that will energize the intellect of any attendee.

The JES strives to figure out how these huge global issues relate locally, and the organization continues to help make the conversation relevant to Erie. Issues like climate change, AI, and racial inequalities are all at play here in Erie on some level and our involvement, challenges, and solutions all contribute to the international conversation regarding these issues.

Speggen relates everything back to the JES's motto for the Global Summit, which is "Think Globally, Learn Locally" — "We need our work in Erie to be informed by the best and brightest, and through our platform to create civic dialogue, we can come together as a community — stakeholders and residents alike — to become better informed so that actions our community takes have the benefit of stemming from the mind, not the gut. The community needs a space where ideas can be discussed and vetted. A space where dialogue is a two-way street, not a one-lane alley."

Global Summit XV is that space.

The Summit will take place between Monday, Oct. 23 and Monday, Nov. 13 and with events at either The Jefferson Educational Society (3207 State St.), the Warner Theatre (811 State St.) or Gannon University. Some events are free and open to the public, other ticket prices are $25 (early bird) or $35 (regular) for general admission. Preferred seating is available for $50 (early bird) or $60 (regular). Visit jeserie.org for tickets and info.

Monday, Oct. 23

Peter Baker Speaks on U.S. Foreign Policy, Russia-Ukraine, Putin, and Campaign 2024

The Chief White House Correspondent for the New York Times makes a stop in Erie to kick off the 15th Annual Global Summit. Baker has been covering POTUS since the Clinton administration (when he was with the Washington Post) and has worked with all of the presidents since then including George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. His topic of discussion, which will take place at Gannon University, is U.S. foreign policy, specifically focusing on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the effect of those foreign policies on the upcoming presidential campaign of 2024.

7:30 p.m. // Yehl Ballroom in Waldron Campus Center, Gannon University, 124 W. 7th St.

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Gannon READS Speaker: Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha

Gannon READS (which stands for Reading to Enhance Awareness of a Diverse Society) is partnering with the JES to highlight their regular public reading series with relevant global topics for the Summit.

This event will feature Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, an associate dean for public health and C. S. Mott Endowed Professor of Public Health at Michigan State University (MSU) College of Human Medicine. Dr. Hanna-Attisha is also the founding director of the Pediatric Public Health Initiative, an innovative partnership between MSU and Hurley Children's Hospital in Flint, Michigan. She will be reading from and discussing her recent book What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City, which tells the story of the Flint water crisis as told by herself, the tenacious physician who stood up to those in power on behalf of the residents of Flint.

7 p.m. // Warner Theatre, 811 State St. // FREE (advanced registration required)

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Crushed: How a Changing Climate is Altering the Way We Drink — and Eat

Brian Freedman, who is the author of the book bearing the same title as the discussion topic — is a wine, spirits, travel, and food writer, restaurant and beverage consultant, drinks educator, event host, and speaker. His book deals with the way climate change has already affected the way we grow our ingredients, specifically in the wine industry, and how those changes will alter the way we eat and drink in the future. Speggen comments on the relationship of this topic to us locally, "Here in Erie, we know we are blessed to have an abundance of agriculture — including the miles of vineyards from North East to Lake City and beyond. So when it comes to looking at a topic like climate change, why not find a way to make that local? Brian Freedman's book approaches climate change through the lens of what we drink and how that is being impacted."

7:30 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 124 W. 7th St.

Thursday, Oct. 26

The Future of the American City

Richard Florida is a professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management and School of Cities. He is also a visiting fellow at New York University's Schack Institute of Real Estate and has published extensively on the topics of inequality, segregation, and the urban crisis. His most recent publications include: The Rise of the Creative Class and The New Urban Crisis: How Cities Are Increasing Inequality, Deepening Segregation, and Failing the Middle Class-and What to Do About It. Florida's books largely assert that cities with high concentrations of tech workers, artists, musicians, LGBTQIA+ populations, and "high bohemians" exhibit a higher level of economic development.

Joining to moderate the conversation is renowned urbanist Bruce Katz, who's no stranger to Erie. The co-founder and inaugural director of the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University, Katz made his first trip to Erie for 2014's Global Summit to present on his critically acclaimed book, The Metropolitan Revolution: How Cities and Metros Are Fixing Our Broken Politics and Fragile Economy. He's returned multiple times, most recently working with civic and community leaders to develop the investment playbook stewarded by Infinity Erie.

1 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 124 W. 7th St.

Friday, Oct. 27

Poverty in America: Measurement, Politics, and Progress

Speaking on the topic of poverty in the United States is senior fellow and Rowe Scholar in Opportunity and Mobility Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, Matt Weidinger. In addition to his scholarly work, Weidinger also served as the deputy staff director of the House Committee on Ways and Means and as the longtime staff director of its Subcommittee on Human Resources. His talk for the Global Summit will focus on safety net policies like cash welfare, child welfare, disability benefits, and unemployment insurance. Drawing on data while examining how government programs aim to reduce poverty in America, and how poverty statistics are measured, Weidinger will discuss what is working, how, and look at ways to improve outcomes.

7:30 p.m. // Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St.

Speakers for the JES Global Summit XV from Oct. 23-Oct. 27 are (from left to right): Peter Baker, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Brian Freedman, Richard Florida with Bruce Katz, and Matt Weidinger. (Contributed photos)

Sunday, Oct. 29

2024: Politics, Pennsylvania, the Status of the GOP, and "The Race​"

David Urban, a lobbyist and political commentator for CNN, will address the upcoming 2024 election, specifically in Pennsylvania, through his presentation at Gannon University. He is currently the managing director for BGR Group (formerly Barbour, Griffith & Rogers) which is a lobbying and communications firm based in Washington D.C. Prior to joining BGR, Urban, a West Point graduate and Army veteran of the Persian Gulf War during Operation Desert Storm (for which he was awarded a Bronze Star), was executive vice president of North American corporate affairs for ByteDance (which is the parent company of TikTok). Urban also served as the president of ACG (another lobbying firm), was chief of staff to former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, and was chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

Urban served as a senior advisor to the 2016 Trump presidential campaign and helped organize the 2016 Republican National Convention in an effort to win Pennsylvania, which was successful.

7:30 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 124 W. 7th St.

Monday, Oct. 30

Artificial Intelligence, the Environment, and Resiliency: Focus and Priorities for Leadership Today, Tomorrow

Rich Lesser, global chair of Boston Consulting Group (BCG), will speak on the effects of artificial intelligence at Gannon University during the Global Summit. Within his work with BCG he engages with CEOs, boards of directors, and senior leaders internationally regarding topics including climate, sustainability, resilience, and purpose.

Speggen comments on the greater emergence of artificial intelligence, "AI will affect humanity in ways big and small — it already has. What does that mean for us now? For us in the near-range and long-term future? We can't afford to delay learning about it and understanding its impact locally and globally." Within his lecture for the Summit, Lesser will touch on these impacts of AI, and how leadership in Erie can effectively handle the ramifications of the technology and ideally, use it to our advantage.

7:30 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 124 W. 7th St.

Tuesday, Oct. 31

Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What To Do About It

Richard V. Reeves, the author of the book which is also his lecture's title, is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in Economic Studies, where he holds the John C. and Nancy D. Whitehead Chair and leads the Boys and Men Project. He has published four books, Of Boys and Men being his most recent, and he is a contributing writer to a number of publications including The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, and The Observer. He is also a regular contributor to the online Think Tank section of The Wall Street Journal, which makes him well-suited to contribute to our local think tank in the JES.

His most recent book focuses on the societal shift away from "traditional" male roles and the changing workforce which "values cognitive skills over physical strength." He looks at this issue through multiple lenses: academic decline of young boys, divorce rates, survey data, incarceration rates, racial inequalities, and gender equality.

7:30 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 124 W. 7th St.

Wednesday, Nov. 1

Promoting Racial and Economic Equity: Ways to Lead Community Relations

Della Clark, the president of the nonprofit organization Enterprise Center in Philadelphia, will present on the topic of racial and economic equity as experienced through her leadership in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The Enterprise Center is an organization at the forefront of Philadelphia's entrepreneurial ecosystem, and their mission is to cultivate and invest in minority entrepreneurs to inspire economic growth in communities.

The center's goal, which Clark helps them achieve through her work within the organization, is revitalization, but done in a way which honors the diversity of the communities and aims to connect small businesses and neighborhoods with opportunities for growth and success, "We invest in people and projects in the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to own and build wealth for themselves, their families, and their communities."

7:30 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 124 W. 7th St.

Thursday, Nov. 2

Insights on the Decline of Democracy and the Rise of Illiberalism

Tom Nichols, a five time Jeopardy! champion, will be speaking at Gannon University on topics he has specialized in during his tenure in academia. Nichols was a professor of international relations and government at Georgetown University and Dartmouth College, and served as a fellow at the Naval War College. His studies, writing, and professorships often focus on Russian studies, nuclear weapons, and national security issues.

Nichols is a contributing writer for Atlantic magazine and Professor Emeritus of national security affairs at the Naval War College. He also worked in government and public policy in the Massachusetts House and in the U.S. Senate. He is a prolific author, having penned eight books over the past 30 years. His most cited work is 2017's The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why It Matters.

7:30 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 124 W. 7th St.

Wednesday, Nov. 8

The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World

Ancient civilizations expert Robert S.J. Garland will bring his vast knowledge of ancient Greece to Erie. For those curious about what day-to-day life was like thousands of years ago, Garland will shed a light. Garland has written a vast number of books on the topic — 14 to be exact — including (but not limited to): The Greek Way of Death, The Eye of the Beholder: Deformity and Disability in the Graeco-Roman World, and Athens Burning: The Persian Invasion of Greece and the Evacuation of Attica. The British classical philologist and historian is currently the Roy D. and Margaret B. Wooster Professor of the Classics at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York.

7:30 p.m. // The Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State St.

Speakers for the JES Global Summit XV from Oct. 29 - Nov. 8 are (from left to right): David Urban, Richard Lesser, Richard Reeves, Della Clark, Tom Nichols, and Robert Garland. (Contributed photos)

Friday, Nov. 10

From Erie to the White House and Beyond

Edward L. Bolton Jr., who is the recipient of this year's Thomas B. Hagan Dignitas Award, is a retired United States Air Force Major General, who also served as a senior executive at the Federal Aviation Administration and as a senior vice president in the space/defense industry.

Bolton was born in Erie, and will speak on his experiences of growing up in our city, and how that shaped the trajectory of his career, which has taken him from being a chief at a ballistic missile office in California to being responsible for the management of the Air Force's $110 billion budget. He is highly decorated and experienced, through his many appointments within the Air Force and has earned multiple badges including Presidential Service Badge, Master Space Badge, and Senior Cyber Badge.

7:30 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 124 W. 7th St.

Sunday, Nov. 12

The Road to the White House 2024 and the State of Media

Karen Tumulty, Laura Coates, and Lisa Adams will address the upcoming election and how the media plays into the distribution of information for this political moment, in conversation with Global Summit Chair Steve Scully. Tumulty is a deputy opinion editor and columnist for The Washington Post. She was previously the national political correspondent for the same publication, and during her tenure in that position she earned the Toner Prize for Excellence in Political Reporting. Coates is a CNN anchor and chief legal analyst, as well as a SiriusXM talk show host for her program The Laura Coates Show on the POTUS channel, which airs weekdays at 7 a.m. Lisa Adams is a veteran reporter and anchor for Erie News Now, and hosts the weekly public affairs program The Insider. While she's covered news and politics at the state and national levels, here she'll offer local-level insight from Erie — a political bellwether county in a political bellwether state.

The three cover a wide variety of media outlets from print to television and radio, and are particularly qualified to speak on the current state of the media's ability to report accurate information to the public.

7:30 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 124 W. 7th St.

Monday, Nov. 13

The State of American Politics: A Conversation with Val Demings and Michael Steele

Closing out the 15th Global Summit is another political duo of speakers addressing the current political state in America. Val Demings is an American politician and was the first female chief of the Orlando police department, who served as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Florida's 10th congressional district (which encapsulates the greater Orlando area) from 2017 to 2023. She is a member of the New Democrat Coalition and the Congressional Black Caucus.

Michael Steele was elected lieutenant governor of Maryland in 2003 and made history as the first African American elected to statewide office in Maryland. He was also the first African American chairman of the Republican National Committee, to which he was elected in 2009. He has served as a political analyst for MSNBC, a columnist for the Washington Post subsidiary The Root, and was named a faculty fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs.

7:30 p.m. // Gannon University's Yehl Ballroom, 124 W. 7th St.

Speakers for the JES Global Summit XV from Nov. 10-13 are (from left to right): Major General Edward L. Bolton, Karen Tumulty, Laura Coates, and Lisa Adams, Val Demmings, and Michael Steele.