JES Announces First Events of 18th Annual Global Summit Lineup

JES

The first round of events slated for the 18th annual Jefferson Educational Society's Global Summit were announced Thursday. These events, which have been expanded to include more partnerships and public-participation opportunities include speakers like Tom Ridge, author Simran Jett Singh, and Terry Bradshaw, with more speakers yet to be announced.

The Jefferson Educational Society is announcing what it says is a landmark lineup fit for a landmark year. On Thursday, June 25, JES President Dr. Ferki Ferati introduced 18 events that will be among the 18th Global Summit speaker series beginning in September this year, with more to be announced later.

The lineup this year includes more partnerships and an opportunity for the public to get involved. After more than 16,000 people attended last year's events, Ferati said the Summit has largely grown through its supporters, and continues to grow as a result of the area's intellectual appetite.

"The Global Summit continues to embrace the opportunity to learn from the world's leading thinkers, researchers, and practitioners, raising the bar once again with an exceptional lineup of speakers," Ferati said. "We're proud to bring these voices to Erie, which is made possible by community support and our partners and sponsors who work to create unparalleled opportunities for lifelong learning."

The series kicks off on Sept. 22 with "President Trump, the MAGA Movement and 2028: What's Next for the GOP?" featuring Hugh Hewitt, nationally syndicated radio host, constitutional law professor, and political commentator.

Citing a Global Summit fit for America's 250th birthday, there are multiple events aimed at history and democracy, including a deep dive into the U.S. Constitution with Jeffrey Rosen, CEO Emeritus at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia; a history of the battles that have shaped America with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson, in partnership with Hagen History Center; and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley will present on America's greatest challenges at home and abroad.

Turning attention overseas, there will be conversations about Ukraine's children and Europe's next generation with transatlantic scholars and strategists Sally Painter and Mariam Labert, in addition to a discussion about how Erie is shaping Ukraine's future between Logistics Plus CEO Jim Berlin and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, William B. Taylor.

Marking the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, Erie's own Gov. Tom Ridge, who was the first president of Homeland Security, will join former secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, and former Homeland Security adviser Fran Townsend, to discuss national security, terrorism, and the enduring lessons of Sept. 11.

For book lovers, Anne Applebaum, the author of Autocracy Inc. will speak about how dictators are working together to run the world; while Nikole Hannah Jones of the 1619 Project will discuss the origins of American slavery 400 years later, in partnership with GECAC; and graphic storytelling and the fight for democracy will be the focus for Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell, the creative team behind March, the groundbreaking graphic memoir trilogy that chronicles the Civil Rights Movement and the late U.S. Congressman Jon Lewis' journey from the rural south to the hall of Congress.

The JES again will partner with Gannon University for its Dr. David and MaryAnne Kozak Gannon READS event. The event will feature author Simran Jett Singh, who will focus on his book, "The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life."

In a partnership with Film Erie, the team behind Ken Burns' PBS documentary series, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, will be talking about the critically acclaimed series.

Following Jim Kelly and Adrian "Woj" Wojnarowski last year, Super Bowl winning NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw of the Pittsburgh Steelers will be bringing the black and gold to Erie on Sept. 24.

The Thomas B. Hagen Dignitas Award, a long-standing tradition of recognizing an Erie native for outstanding achievements in their field and significant contributions to society, this year will honor Bishop Sean W. Rowe, 28th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church.

Looking ahead to the future, the "Godfather of AI" Geoffrey Hinton will present on the new frontier of technology as his research has formed the backbone of nearly all modern artificial intelligence systems.

With sights set on the future in Erie, Erie Insurance CEO Tim NeCastro will join Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation CEO Steve Leeper and a panel of local civic developers to examine Erie's economic development and look at plans like those of Infinite Erie and the City of Erie.

Another new addition is the Lake Erie Launchpad, an opportunity to the public in which entrepreneurs can pitch their business presentations to a panel of sharks and angel investors, Shark Tank style, to get funding in real time. The event is a collaboration with the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners.

LECOM Health and Erie Insurance are once again sponsors and partners of the Summit, too, allowing prices to start at $25.

Details for events, including dates and how to register, can be found on the JES's website, JESErie.org. As in previous years, all students will be admitted free with pre-registration and proof of enrollment through the JES.

Chloe Forbes is a local journalist and Assistant Director of Publications at the Jefferson Educational Society. Reach her at chloeforbes14@gmail.com