American Identity in Crisis weaves together three remarkable stories: the making of an activist in the wake of the 2016 presidential election; the fight against the onerous rules that are being used to keep vulnerable and targeted populations from participating in all facets of American life -from obtaining jobs and housing to going to the polls- and how we can solve a problem that impacts millions of American adults.
Kat Calvin ties all of these threads together in profound ways. In American Identity in Crisis, she takes us on a cross-country tour as she and her team uncover one of the biggest secrets in America and learn how to solve it. We meet veterans, the unhoused, and senior citizens, and learn the story of the fierce advocate who insists on recognizing their humanity and seeing them as souls who are resilient and striving for change.
Told in a voice that is strong and vulnerable; funny and fearless, confident and self-deprecating, American Identity in Crisis is a defense of human dignity and everyone’s right to have access to the pursuit of happiness.
Kat Calvin is the Founder and Executive Director of Spread The Vote + Project ID and the Co-Founder and CEO of the Project ID Action Fund. A lawyer, activist, and social entrepreneur, Kat’s main goal is to help Americans obtain the IDs they need for jobs, housing, and life and that also allows them to go to the polls and is working towards the passage of the IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act which she is currently working on now.
She is also one of the TIME Magazine 16 People and Groups Fighting for a More Equal America, 2018 Fast Company 100 Most Creative People in Business, and has been a Business Insider 30 Under 30, The Grio 100, and more. Kat has been featured in the New York Times, LA Times, Washington Post, Atlantic, Essence, Glamour, NPR, PBS, BET, Marie Claire and many more print and digital outlets. She has been a guest commentator on MSNBC, CNN, Headline News, Sirius XM, and more. She is a frequent keynote speaker and a sought after voice for her expertise and opinions on politics, voting, ID related issues, and more.
Calvin will be in conversation with Representative Sean Casten. As a scientist, clean energy entrepreneur and CEO, and now as a Member of Congress, Representative Sean Casten has dedicated his life to fighting climate change. In Congress, Casten draws on his two decades of experience as a business leader to reduce emissions while creating jobs, lowering energy costs for Americans, and spurring economic growth.
Casten serves on the House Financial Services Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) and is a Co-Chair of the Sustainable Investment Caucus.While working diligently in Washington on behalf of Illinois’ 6th Congressional District, Rep. Casten is also committed to keeping in close contact with his constituents. He lives in Downers Grove, Illinois with his family.
This event is free with first come, first served seating.
