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Kennedy Institute Newsletter | FALL 2022
FROM THE NEW CEO, ADAM HINDS
Hello friends,

I’m profoundly honored and excited to have been appointed as the new CEO of the Kennedy Institute — and I am truly looking forward to getting to know more and more of you as I get started on our important work promoting civil discourse, strengthening our democracy, and continuing our award-winning K-12 civic education.

I come to the Kennedy Institute after serving three terms as the state Senator from the westernmost Senate district in Massachusetts and from nearly a decade working as a negotiator for the United Nations in the Middle East. These are critical times for our country, and the Kennedy Institute is uniquely positioned to play a important role for our country. We have no other choice.

For the first 33 years of my life, Senator Edward Kennedy was one of the two senators representing me in Washington, and I can’t begin to describe what a profound honor it is to be entrusted with carrying forward his legacy and his vision for this extraordinary Institute that bears his name. When I remember Senator Kennedy, I remember a statesman who stood strong for his principles, but also recognized the opportunity to and importance of working with others to achieve them. That’s an especially important message in today’s polarized times.

As a state Senator, I know how much great work the Kennedy Institute has done in promoting civil discourse. Something that really caught my attention and sparked my interest in pursuing this position was everything the Kennedy Institute has done since January 6, 2021 — the day of the insurrection and attack on the United States Capitol — to promote and defend our democracy and to try to reinvigorate, through efforts like The Senate Project, the search for common ground and dialogue and convening leaders to seek and achieve legislative solutions to major problems facing all Americans.

I see the stakes as unprecedented: As we approach the mid-term elections and the 2024 elections, we face the risk of nothing less than a crisis of American democracy. This is a key moment for the Kennedy Institute to help lead the national conversation to defuse and avert such a crisis. I couldn’t be more honored and energized to join with our Board, staff, and with you to take up this urgent work.

Sincerely,

Adam Hinds
CEO
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
RECENT NEWS | stay informed
More from our official announcement of Adam's appointment


The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate has selected Adam G. Hinds, a Massachusetts State Senator and former United Nations negotiator based in the Middle East, as its new chief executive officer. Hinds resigned his seat from the state Senate on September 25 before joining the Kennedy Institute Monday, Sept. 26. We are thrilled to have him leading our organization.

Hinds since 2017 has represented the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden District in the state Senate. A former aide to U.S. Representative John W. Olver and leader of two Berkshire County social service organizations, Hinds also served with the United Nations for nearly 10 years, based in Baghdad working to resolve territory disputes, in Jerusalem as part of the Middle East Peace Process, and to remove Syria’s chemical weapons program.

Bruce A. Percelay, chairman of the Kennedy Institute Board of Directors, said, “As the Kennedy Institute moves to a new level of national reach and impact in promoting a renewed search for bipartisan common ground in the Senate and stronger civic engagement among all Americans, Adam’s government, political, and nonprofit experience here and abroad made him an ideal candidate for CEO. Among the 160 candidates we considered, Adam stood out as exceptionally qualified, connected, and committed to the Kennedy Institute’s mission.”

Read more the full announcement on our website: Edward M. Kennedy Institute names Adam Hinds as its new CEO ([link removed])

News coverage:
* Berkshire Eagle [Editorial]: Our Opinion: Adam Hinds' record makes him a capable leader for Kennedy Institute's critical civic mission ([link removed])
* Dorchester Reporter: State Sen. Hinds to lead EMK Institute ([link removed])
* Boston Globe: Imagining a new role for the Kennedy compound ([link removed])

UPCOMING EVENTS | join us
MAAH Stone Book Award (October 13)
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The Kennedy Institute is proud to be a supporter of the MAAH Stone Book Award ([link removed]) , an annual prize that encourages scholarship and writing within the field of African American history and culture. The event will feature this year's $50,000 award winner Howard W. French for his book, Born in Blackness, in conversation with award-winning journalist Callie Crossley, as well as remarks by the $10,000 finalists Jarvis Givens and Tiya Miles, and commentary by the 2022 jurors Dana Williams, William Sturkey, Charles McKinney, Courtney Baker and Jesse McCarthy.
Register Here ([link removed])
Getting to the Point: Cody Keenan and his new book "GRACE: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America" (October 26)

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Join Edward M. Kennedy Institute Board member and presidential speechwriter, Cody Keenan, for a fascinating conversation about Keenan’s latest book, “Grace: President Obama and Ten Days in the Battle for America.” Cody Keenan partnered with President Barack Obama as his speechwriter for 14 years and shares an intimate glimpse into how he and President Obama co-created language to address some of the most challenging instances of recent American history. In one of the most intense periods of Obama’s presidency he helped a nation through the murders of nine Black worshippers in Charleston, South Carolina and Supreme Court rulings deciding the rights of Americans to healthcare and marriage equality.

Keenan takes us through the process of finding words to console, elevate, and contextualize these events, and shines light on his unique relationship with our 44th President, including what it’s like to be edited by Obama—a relentless perfectionist–during a late-night, one-on-one writing session in the First Family’s private residence.

This is a free program; tickets are available in advance by registering.
Register Here ([link removed])
Save the Date: Annual Dinner honoring Dr. Anthony Fauci, the late Bill Russell (December 13)

Join us on December 13 to celebrate the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate as we present Anthony S. Fauci, MD and Bill Russell (posthumously) with the Edward M. Kennedy Award for Inspired Leadership. Their leadership and civic mindfulness bring to life the values of the Senator & the Kennedy Institute.

We are thrilled to celebrate these honorees and hope you will be able to join us. Please visit our sponsorship opportunities ([link removed]) to learn more about how you can support this event - and stay tuned for a more formal announcement in the coming days.
OTHER NEWS | learn more
School Programs open for 2022 - 2023 school year

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The Kennedy Institute is proud to offer engaging and immersive educational programs, facilitated by Kennedy Institute staff, for the 2022-23 school year. Whether you visit us in-person at the Kennedy Institute on Columbia Point in Boston or join us online, your students will work together to examine and discuss important national issues – including many programs that engage students as “U.S. Senators for a Day” researching, debating, and compromising on legislation to address the major challenges now facing our country. Learn more at emkinstitute.org/education ([link removed]) .

The Kennedy Institute education team will be present at the 102nd National Council for the Social Studies Conference, happening December 2 - 4 in Philadelphia. If you are also attending, come by our booth and say hello!
PAST EVENTS | in case you missed it
60th Anniversary: Working Across the Aisle

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On Tuesday, September 13th, 2022, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate hosted a virtual conversation highlighting Senator Kennedy’s unique approaches to serving his constituents and his nation with the help of bipartisanship and consensus building.

The panel for "Working Across the Aisle" was moderated by Bob Shrum, Director of the USC Center for the Political Future and Carmen H. and Louis Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics ([link removed]) who served as Senator Kennedy’s speechwriter, press secretary, and political strategist, and included Melody Barnes, Executive Director of the UVA Karsh Center of Democracy and Senator Kennedy’s former chief counsel on Judiciary Committee; Patricia Knight, Owner of Knight Capitol Consultants and former Chief of Staff to Senator Orrin Hatch; Michael Myers, former Managing Director of Policy, the Rockefeller Foundation and Senator Kennedy’s former chief counsel and staff director; and Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY).

You can read additional details of the conversation on our website ([link removed]) and watch the full program on the Kennedy Institute's YouTube channel ([link removed]) .
60th Anniversary: Balancing Powers

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In continuation of the 60^th Anniversary celebration, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate hosted a virtual conversation on Tuesday, September 20, with former staffers and colleagues of the Senator in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the beginning of Ted Kennedy’s long and impactful career.

Moderated by Kimberly Atkin Stohr, Balancing Powers examined how Senator Kennedy drew upon his influence and collaborations with 10 presidential administrations to achieve great policy strides, and his work on the Senate Judiciary Committee to help shape the U.S. Courts. The panel included Jeff Blattner, Special Assistant Attorney General, Colorado Dept. of Justice and former chief counsel on Judiciary Committee; Judge Patti Saris, US District Court Judge, and former Staff Counsel on the Senate Judiciary Committee; and Secretary Margaret Spellings, President & CEO of Texas 2036; former Secretary of Education under President Bush.

You can read additional details of the conversation
on our website ([link removed]) and watch the full program on the Kennedy Institute's YouTube channel ([link removed]) .
YOUR SUPPORT | make a difference
We want to thank our readers for their continued support of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate. Perhaps you joined us during a free public program such as our “Getting To The Point” or “Across the Aisle” series. Or perhaps you are a teacher involved with our educational offerings on civic education and participatory democracy. Whatever originally brought you into the Kennedy Institute, we want to encourage you to take the next step and become a Member of the Kennedy Institute ([link removed]) .

To better connect our member community and maximize the benefits of membership, the Kennedy Institute will be hosting a program exclusively for our members, "Real Life Civics: Elections and Voting Rights," on October 14, 2022. During this program, we will explore the history and current state of gerrymandering, court cases, legislative action and inaction, state and federal cooperation and conflict, as well as fascinating electoral innovations in towns and cities across the country. As we approach the 2022 midterm elections, this timely program promises to be a substantive and fascinating exploration of policy, history, and current events all wrapped into one. Become a member today and join us for this unique program hosted by our Kennedy Institute education team.
Become a Member Today ([link removed])

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