Shaping the Story of America: Us@250 Fellow Caroline Klibanoff on Civic Season and the Future of Democracy

Each summer, as fireworks fill the sky and flags line the streets, Americans prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July—a holiday steeped in tradition and national pride. But between Juneteenth and Independence Day lies a lesser-known but increasingly vital and growing tradition called Civic Season: a two-week invitation for Americans to explore what it truly means to participate in a democracy, reflect on our shared history, and imagine a more inclusive future.

Spearheaded by Made By Us, a coalition of hundreds of museums and cultural institutions, Civic Season encourages younger generations—especially Gen Z—to connect with the past and shape the future. At the center of this effort is Caroline Klibanoff, Executive Director of Made By Us. Her work through initiatives like Civic Season and Youth250 creates bold new spaces for youth voice, storytelling, and public engagement as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026.

Klibanoff is also a senior fellow with New America’s Us@250 initiative, a national storytelling initiative supporting diverse creators as they reimagine the American narrative through themes of pride, reckoning, and aspiration.

In this Q&A, she discusses the roots of Civic Season, what patriotism looks like today, and how stories will be essential to shaping the next chapter of our national identity.

Tell us about yourself. What brought you to this work and sparked the idea for Civic Season?

I’m a public historian and the Executive Director of Made By Us, a collaborative network of hundreds of cultural institutions—including museums, historic sites, and libraries—working to inform and inspire the civic participation of young adults. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, I’ve been working with these institutions to deliver timely, relevant stories of our history to engage young adult audiences in owning and shaping the future of America. Cultural institutions have a unique role to play in our democracy ecosystem, as pivotal “third spaces” and some of the last trusted institutions we have left in America.

To date, our most successful and best-known program has been Civic Season, a national tradition held from Juneteenth to the Fourth of July. Civic Season harnesses the collective power of local and national organizations across sectors to host events and share resources to help young people “school up” on our past and “skill up” to shape our future.

Civic Season emerged in the summer of 2020, a turning point for youth activism. Amid a pandemic, a divisive election, and nationwide protests for racial justice, young people were urgently questioning what America stood for—and what it could become. As Independence Day approached and Juneteenth gained overdue national attention, they were asking whether these holidays could offer something deeper than just a parade or flag-waving. Through intentional conversations, we discovered young people weren’t necessarily saying “cancel July Fourth”—they wanted more: more opportunities for meaningful moments of connection with the country’s story that could guide their action for the year ahead. From these conversations, we co-designed Civic Season to foster learning, local connection, a sense of belonging, and civic engagement. 

Since 2021, Civic Season has reached more than 50 million Americans, and 700 organizations are participating this summer in all 50 states. Each year, we iterate thoughtfully, drawing on learning from the previous season. In this way, Civic Season has been a “test kitchen” for America’s 250th celebration—a coordinated national tradition that is adaptable to local needs. It has become an elastic, responsive tradition, taking a different shape whether you are in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Washington, DC; or Madison, Wisconsin—all jurisdictions whose elected leaders have issued formal proclamations of Civic Season taking place from Juneteenth to July Fourth.

How did you discover New America’s Us@250 initiative? What drew you to apply as a fellow?

Several years ago, there were very few people already thinking about the 250th anniversary of the U.S.  as a moment of opportunity—but I was, and [lead of the Us@250 initiative at New America] Ted Johnson was. I appreciate Ted’s thoughtful leadership around the 250th and what it could mean for America’s future, exemplified by the initiative’s focus on pride, reckoning, and aspiration.

We cultivate both pride and reckoning during Civic Season. It’s the collective spread of events that ensure there’s something for everyone, but the aspiration component especially appealed to me because of my work with the next generation. I see daily how young people’s hope and vision for the future determines how they take civic action today. If people do not believe in America’s future or have a vision for it, they will not take part in shaping it, today or tomorrow.

The fellowship provides not just funding and resources, but a community of storytellers who also want to develop ways to help people prepare to imagine what could be, even in challenging times. It has been a great network to be a part of, and learn from others doing exceptional work, from comedy to documentary film to civic dialogue.

Why is it important now, in 2025, to reflect on our shared and complicated history? What do you hope it could achieve for the U.S. as a nation and for us as Americans?

History helps you find a love for country—not a blind love, but a deeper knowledge and connection that appreciates our differences, celebrates the challenges we've overcome, and recognizes the ways we can make a more perfect union every day through our actions. When you understand the full story of how we got here, you develop an appreciation for the ongoing work of democracy. Democracy isn't a noun—it's a verb. It requires active participation: It’s something we do, not something we have.

What would a historically aware nation look like? We would be doing long-term thinking. We would understand that history class and futures class are essentially the same thing. Understanding the patterns and forces that got us here gives us the tools to consciously shape what comes next.

For those Americans who might not be feeling patriotic or who struggle to see themselves included in the national conversation, how can they find meaningful ways to engage? What advice do you have for people feeling apathetic or disengaged right now?

Patriotism isn’t a requirement of being an American—that’s our freedom. But my hope is that throughout one’s lifetime as an American, your own actions help you love your country because we live in a place where you have the power to make a difference.

Civic engagement isn’t just about flags or pledges—it can look like volunteering at a community garden, speaking up at town halls, or sharing your family’s story at a local museum. These small acts of participation help build the social fabric that makes democracy possible.

History offers comfort here, too. Every generation has included people who felt excluded from the American promise, yet their struggles and contributions have continually redefined what it means to be American. One of our Gen Z Civic Season Design Fellows, Trey Delida, put it perfectly when he said civic engagement really comes down to, “if you could make your country better, wouldn’t you?” That simple question cuts through all the noise and gets to the heart of what civic participation is about: not grand gestures or political theater, but the basic human—and I would say especially American—impulse to contribute.

“Civic engagement isn’t just about flags or pledges—it can look like volunteering at a community garden, speaking up at town halls, or sharing your family’s story at a local museum.”

What’s a lesser-known chapter or perspective in the American narrative you feel deserves more attention?

I’m continually amazed that so many of America’s established institutions were not part of the founding vision of this country, but were created over time by people like you and me to solve a problem. Take the countless local civic associations that sprang up in the early 1900s—many of which are celebrating their centennials this year. From rotary clubs to immigrant organizations to local historical societies, these institutions were built by ordinary people who saw a need and decided to act.

This pattern repeats throughout our history: It takes people stepping up to make change happen, and it rarely happens in moments when “everything is great.” Most of our civic innovations have emerged from times of great need, injustice, crisis, or war. In a way, that’s reassuring. It means that periods of challenge aren't permanent—they're often the crucible for the next wave of American ingenuity and care.

Who or what inspires you to stay civically engaged?

I’m moved by the ways that Civic Season has resonated in so many different kinds of communities, and the creativity that has emerged from host sites. This year, more than 50 historic sites will host “Slice of History” pizza parties to invite younger audiences in. We are holding pop-up art installations to capture people’s wishes for the future of America in 10, 50, or even 100 years—in-person at more than 20 museums and also online at OnOur250th.org. These are centrally coordinated programs, but each organization makes them their own, pairing pizza with a unique walking tour or film screening, or hosting themed “wish walls.”

If you need to feel hopeful about America’s future, go to your local historical society, where they are keeping the records of the place that you call home—specifically for future generations to use. These places are the hinge between past and future, they are responding to community needs and shifting political headwinds, and they are essential, vibrant hubs that carry our stories forward. 

What books or movies would you recommend for people yearning to feel a sense of pride around our country’s progress today or hope for the future?

When I began this work, I spent a lot of time with an outstanding speech given by Robert Penn Warren at Auburn University in 1973, a few years ahead of America’s bicentennial. “The Use of the Past” is a winding, critical, and allusion-filled argument for the value of history as an essential process we must undergo to become ourselves and establish our story. I go back to this essay all the time for its heartfelt, philosophical wrestling. 

As you mentioned, next year marks our nation's 250th anniversary. What’s your wish for the U.S. on this milestone birthday?

Specifically, I hope we can emerge from this anniversary with stronger civic institutions, more engaged citizens, and a shared understanding that democracy requires active participation from every generation. I want young Americans to see themselves as inheritors of an unfinished project that needs their energy, creativity, and commitment.

Finally, what guidance would you offer to aspiring activists or changemakers who want to make a difference in their communities?

Learn history. Not your favorite stories, but ones that challenge you, that let you knit together new ideas with the other things you know and love. Get a feeling for the medium, as Robert Penn Warren says in his essay. Go to a museum, interview an elder, get outside your bubble. 

Think about what you love most in the world and work on that, not for clout or credit but because no one else can do what you can do, with your brain and experiences. America runs on doers and squeaky wheels. We need people who start things, build together, repair systems, raise a flag when things aren’t working—those who invite others in, who connect the dots. A great place to start is Civic Season’s “Civic Superpowers Quiz,” which will identify your unique strengths and offer some historical inspo and activities to start learning.

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