We Need a New Declaration.

One that sets forth a revolution of values if we are to survive as a democracy and as a species. Imagine a Declaration of Interdependence that lays out the values we need to guide our society for the next 250 years. The Declaration of Interdependence will:

Let’s Make History!

Let’s Shift Culture

Let’s retell US history from the perspectives and contributions of women of color and other marginalized identities, and developing tools and media to popularize new ways of seeing our present and future.

Let’s Shape the Narrative

Let’s declare and demonstrate our shared values through a process that centers a new Declaration of Interdependence.

Let’s Build Power

Let’s create a narrative frame to aggregate the power of our social movement sectors fighting for universally popular issues, allowing us to enact concrete policy change.

Let’s Mobilize Our Communities

Let’s mobilize ‘we the people’ for one of the nation’s largest gatherings to demonstrate our shared values and solidarity.

#Next250 is a multi-year, multi-sectoral initiative leveraging the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States’ Declaration of Independence to unite and mobilize millions of Americans around a shared set of values, articulated in a new Declaration of Interdependence.

Over the past year, we have collaborated with over 40 base-building organizations, conducting listening sessions with over 2,500 people from impacted communities to inform this Declaration. The Declaration of Interdependence will serve as the foundation for a national movement.

Next250 is an idea that was developed by members of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Solidarity Council on Racial Equity (SCORE).

Hear Our Voices!

“What excites me about the Next250 is the opportunity to take advantage of a key historic moment – not just a particular anniversary but more importantly the profound rethinking about race, inequality, and climate that seems to be occurring in the U.S. – to fashion a vision that offers both a critique of the past and hope for our shared future. Fashioned in love, tempered by honesty, forged in solidarity, we can set a course to live up to the promise of liberty, justice, and community.”

“The concept of Interdependence makes me want to smile and jump head first into the Next250 project. It shifts what we conceive as power and also resistance to power. It makes me want to act instead of react and construct a system of alliances and belonging , expression and creativity instead of wanting to stop destructive forces. Next250 Project is a powerful call to action to create the kind of world where art, identity, community, justice and healing  are centered to imagine the kind world we all want to live in.”

“Our planet is dying. Our hope is dwindling. We need to recharge our spirits and set a new path forward that includes all of us and centers the most heartbroken and forgotten amongst us. That path is the Next 250. I am excited about the endless limits of the power we can build together when we work across communities and sectors.”

“In envisioning the next 250 years, let us recognize our country as truly inclusive, upholding the liberties expressed in the constitution. Together, we can ensure that every child lives in a safe environment, free from discrimination and gun violence. By forging a future where equity reigns supreme, we create a society where everyone can thrive and prosper, united in diversity.”

“I’m so excited about the potential for all of us, from different organizations, backgrounds, issues, and sectors, to be able to use the 250th Anniversary of the United States as a moment to unite our efforts and demonstrate our collective power to win the transformative change we all need.”

“The world is at a place where we need transformation. For this transformation to take place we need a collective embracing of Truthtelling, Healing and Committment. Next250 gives us a pathway to sharing the Truth of our past and present blessings and trangressions; a process to Heal and reconcile form the personal, systemic and societal wounds: and an opportunity to make a collective Committment  to do the work at all levels of society for a tomorrow that is based on the sacredness of all people and the universe.”

Call for Artists

The Next 250 Initiative is seeking visionary artists, creatives, and storytellers to help shape the future of America through art.