Past National Agenda Events

“Be comfortable with who you are and own it confidently. It is not a sign of weakness to listen to other people’s viewpoints,” said Geston Pierre on September 22, 2021, when he joined the second event of the University of Delaware’s National Agenda 2021 speaker series. Hosted by the Center for Political Communication, the virtual program drew viewers from 10 states – including Florida, Massachusetts, and Missouri. Pierre, alongside childhood best friend Berny Jacques, offered practical tips on how to discuss divisive issues through civil dialogue.

Artist Nikkolas Smith brings attention to real-life superheroes, past and present. “I do a lot of portraits and I want them to be looking at you directly in the face so that you can see their humanity. So that you can see, for a second, just to put you in their shoes,” said Smith. The University of Delaware welcomed the illustrator and self-proclaimed “artivist” to the historic Mitchell Hall Theatre on Nov. 17. Smith said he wants his portraits to kickstart important conversations about social justice in today’s world, and to inspire meaningful change. “These are humans, these are people who are struggling with very real issues. Why can’t we all just understand that in some way we’re all the same, and that we should all really be rooting for each other rather than tearing each other apart?”