Events
250 & Beyond: Our American Story Symposium
A nationwide celebration of service.
Join us for a live broadcast from anywhere in the country for a landmark hybrid symposium, a nationwide celebration of service. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, 250 & Beyond: Our American Story Symposium serves as the culminating celebration of a movement launched in 2024 to honor and inspire the American spirit of service.
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By bringing together thousands of Americans—including students, educators, nonprofit leaders, public servants, and community members—we will reflect on our past, highlight incredible acts of service happening today, and inspire the next 250 years of American service.
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Who Should Attend?
This celebration is for everyone! Whether you are a K-12 or higher education student, an educator, a volunteer, a philanthropic partner, or a civic leader, this event is designed for those committed to civic engagement, education, and community impact.
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Check out 2024's event to get a taste of what's in store for 2026. https://www.nmcfs.org/symposium
Speakers
Brian Baird
Founder, National Museum and Center for Service
Nathan Dietz
Director, Do Good Lab
Jeffrey Moore
Chief Strategy Officer, Independent Sector
Dr. Akilah Watkins
President & CEO, Independent Sector
Upcoming events
Speaker Requests
Looking for an inspirational speaker for your next event? The National Museum and Center for Service and our partners Independent Sector are happy to discuss options for keynotes and interactive workshops.
Our 250 & Beyond interactive workshops engage participants in a collaborative ideation process of how they can commemorate the upcoming semiquincentennial and bring their community together by celebrating service in ALL its forms. Participants will leave the workshop with an action plan and knowledge of the tools and resources available to bring exhibits of service to life in their campus and community.
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Congressman
Brian Baird
Founder & Chair, National Museum and Center for Service
Brian N. Baird Ph.D., is the founder of the National Museum and Center for Service, a clinical psychologist and President of 4πR2 Communication. He is a retired six-term Member of Congress (WA 3rd), former President of Antioch University’s Seattle campus. Dr. Baird is an award-winning instructor and was named the funniest celebrity in Washington DC for his stand-up comedy performances.​
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Brian highlights the importance of the spirit of service, not only to the American character, but as a fundamental part of democracy. That, just as we find it appropriate, even necessary, to honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in the military, we should also find a way, and have places, to honor those who serve without uniforms or weapons.
Themes: Democracy, service, 250 & Beyond, semiquincentennial
Dr. Akilah Watkins
President & CEO, Independent Sector
Dr. Akilah Watkins is president and CEO of Independent Sector. A 25-year national thought leader, conference speaker, and nonprofit executive, Dr. Watkins’ work began at the age of 14 when she led efforts to convert a vacant lot and abandoned home into a community center in Roosevelt, NY. Since then, she’s served as an executive leader for nonprofits and community development initiatives which includes work with the Obama administration, Center for Community Progress, NeighborWorks America, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Center for the Study of Social Policy. Dr. Watkins is an alumna of the University of Illinois at Chicago where she received her Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology. Dr. Watkins serves on multiple national boards of directors with Grounded Solutions Network, Up for Growth Action, National Housing Conference, and Common Future.