Recent Stories
It Is Time to Redraw the Revolution, Again
This Fourth of July, historian and civil rights leader Ben Jealous urges Americans to reclaim the full story of the Revolution by restoring Black patriots, women, Native Americans, and working-class heroes to the nation's founding narrative.
Hey, Cousin - What I Saw on Juneteenth at Andre Jackson's Plantation – FINAL
On Juneteenth at The Hermitage, descendants of enslaved families gathered to honor Black history, confront the legacy of slavery, and explore the complex family ties that connect Americans across race and generations.
Turn a Wall on Its Side, and It Becomes a Table
A powerful argument for an America that welcomes newcomers, drawing on the words of Alec Baldwin, the vision of Frederick Douglass, and the enduring symbolism of the Statue of Liberty to show why inclusion makes the nation stronger.
Reconciling Jackson and Jackson
Former NAACP president Ben Jealous argues that Democrats should reject most of Andrew Jackson's legacy while reclaiming his commitment to fighting for working people and challenging concentrated economic power.
On Juneteenth, I’ll Celebrate Black Music at Andrew Jackson’s Plantation
As he prepares to celebrate Juneteenth at The Hermitage, Ben Jealous reflects on his family's ties to both enslaved people and enslavers, exploring the complicated legacy of freedom, memory, and American identity
The Shackles Our Founders Warned Us About
A journey through one family’s history reveals that America’s founding contradictions and unfinished fight over freedom still shape the nation today.
The Color of Trust By Ben Jealous
Fear made Willie Horton famous. Redemption made Chris Wilson unforgettable.
A “Main Street” Bank Bill That Would Really Hurt Main Street
A bill that promises help for small business would mostly hand the gains to the biggest banks. The cost would fall on the people already shut out of loans
Ben Jealous argues that the Main Street Depositor Protection Act would primarily benefit wealthy corporate depositors and large banks—not small businesses—while potentially reducing lending access for Black, Hispanic, and underserved entrepreneurs.
Student Debt Is Failing Millions. Apprenticeships Offer a Better Way.
The U.S. student debt crisis—now affecting more than 42 million borrowers owing over $1.6 trillion—has exposed the limits of a system that too often leaves graduates struggling to repay loans that didn’t translate into stable, well-paying jobs, prompting growing calls to expand apprenticeship programs that allow people to earn while they learn and build direct pathways into in-demand careers without taking on crushing debt.
Could 2028 Be the Year the People Finally Pick the President?
On America’s 250th anniversary, advancing the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact honors the Revolution’s promise of one person, one vote, and ensures every American’s vote truly counts.
