2025 National
Change Lab
Baltimore, MD
October 14–16
Now more than ever, we need one another to tackle the isolation and disillusionment in our nation. Together, we will continue our work to reinvent civic life for a new generation. Every community across the country faces unique challenges and demands solutions tailored to local needs. In the face of national division and local disconnection, Change Collective Members shine brightly as they combat political polarization, bridge divides, and address the pressing issues in their communities.
At the 2025 National Change Lab in Baltimore, we honored and uplifted the remarkable work happening in communities nationwide. We did a dive deeper into community work and leadership by analyzing, identifying, and sharing key trends and best practices to create lasting change and better manage the friction between difference and change.
Keynote Speakers
Fagan Harris,
President & CEO of the Abell Foundation; former Chief of Staff to Governor Wes Moore
Brooke Lierman,
Comptroller of Maryland
Catie Griggs,
President of Business Operations, the Baltimore Orioles
Sashi Brown,
President,
the Baltimore Ravens
Hahrie Han,
Inaugural Director, SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University; Change Collective Advisory Council Member
Xavier de Souza Briggs,
Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution; Change Collective Advisory Council Member
Chief Executive Officer, Digital Harbor Foundation
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Parity Homes
Brittany Young,
Founder & CEO, B-360
Program Highlights
LIGHTNING TALKS ⚡
Change Collective Members Parker Dixon (San Antonio), Chinasa Imo (Chicago), and TJ Mayfield (Jackson) shared their Civic Action Plans, change work, and vision for change.
SPORTS AS AN AVENUE TO BUILD CIVIC TRUST
In this panel, we discussed the role that professional sports teams play as civic and social institutions in local communities with Catie Griggs, President of Business Operations, The Baltimore Orioles and Sashi Brown, President, Baltimore Ravens.
Catie Griggs, President of Business Operations | The Baltimore Orioles
Sashi Brown, President of the Baltimore Ravens | Baltimore Ravens
STATE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN ADVANCING LOCAL LEADERSHIP, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND IMPACT
At Lexington Market, we were joined by Brooke Lierman, Comptroller of Maryland and Fagan Harris, Senior Advisor to Governor Wes Moore to delve into the critical role of state government in fostering local leadership, strengthening infrastructure, and creating lasting impact.
Brooke Lierman, Comptroller of Maryland
Fagan Harris, Senior Advisor | Governor Wes Moore
AMERICA 2050: MEETING THE CURRENT MOMENT AND BUILDING RESILIENCE FOR THE FUTURE
In conversation with Xavier de Souza Briggs, The Brookings Institution, and Hahrie Han, SNF Agora Institute Johns Hopkins University, (both from our Advisory Council) we explored case studies and strategies from communities and organizations to navigate current political and social landscapes, while also discussing the hard work ahead.
Hahrie Han, Inaugural Director, SNF Agora Institute | Johns Hopkins University
Xavier de Souza Briggs, Senior Fellow | Brookings Institution
LOCAL INNOVATION: BALTIMORE
In this panel, we discussed the critical role of resilience in driving community improvement, the current landscape of civic participation, and successful strategies for mobilizing community members. Our panelists shared insights on embracing innovation, navigating setbacks, and bridging divides to foster meaningful local change across a range of vital issues.
Brittany Young, Founder & CEO | B-360
Bree Jones, Founder & Chief Executive Officer | Parity Homes
Andrew Coy, Chief Executive Officer | Digital Harbor Foundation
CIVIC BREAKOUTS
In Civic Round 1: Managing Friction & Leading in Uncertain Times, expert trainers worked to equip changemakers to thrive amidst ambiguity and uncertainty. The sessions offered actionable frameworks for anticipating potential shifts, discerning reasonable risks, and adapting in real-time, thereby working on the practice of acting decisively rather than merely reacting to changing conditions. A core component involved practical methods for collaborative negotiation, focusing on soliciting early stakeholder buy-in, managing inherent tensions between personal interests and professional relationships, and turning potential dissidents into supportive allies to ensure that initiatives persist and succeed even when key future puzzle pieces remain unclear.
The trainings in Civic Round 2: Deep Dive: Case Studies in Community Work offered members a comprehensive exploration of collaborative change-making, systemic transformation, and managing inherent differences. Sessions focused on practical application, moving from analyzing compelling case studies of successful grassroots initiatives (like food waste diversion and peace-building) to building a shared framework for understanding and enacting pluralism through storytelling and conscious relationship development. The session focused on guiding members to identify strategic stakeholders and to navigate differences within their own communities.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
To make sure we are truly exploring Baltimore we put together a menu of options for this time: a guided tour at Baltimore Museum of Art, Historic Ships of Baltimore: Black Sailors in Navy Blue, and historic guided walking tour of Baltimore.