America @250: What Kind of America Do You Want?

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was issued, and it contains the DNA of the future United States of America. At the heart of this remarkable document that sought to overthrow existing governmental institutions is the profound statement that echoes through the ages. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter, or abolish it, and to establish a new Government . . . as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” As we celebrate 250 years since this document was created, we will ask the question: What kind of America do you want? This is at a time of great social disruption, with many people believing that their life, liberty and happiness are under daily threat. This discussion will focus on where we go from here. July 8, 2026 Speakers Deacon Larry Chatmon Permanente Deacon, Archdiocese of San Francisco Joseph E. Marshall Ph.D., Co-Founder and Executive Director, Alive & Free/Omega Boys Club Moderator: Robert Lee Kilpatrick Ph.D.; Chair, Health & Medicine Member-led Forum, Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California Photo's courtesy of the speakers Commonwealth Club World Affairs is a public forum. Any views expressed in our programs are those of the speakers and not of Commonwealth Club World Affairs.