Scenes from the innaugrual Airplane Mode event in Washington D.C.
"Turn neighbors into friends."
That simple idea powers Airplane Mode, the newest project from the Center for Rising Generations (CRG). With Airplane Mode, CRG is inviting young people back into “third spaces” and aims to generate civic engagement by offering them a way to build connection and find commonality through community.
Airplane Mode meets monthly at venues across D.C., offering a chance to put down phones, tap into creativity, and make friends while engaging in everything from letter writing to enjoying the Sunday paper over a cup of coffee (or tea!), and join conversations that spark new perspectives. The first session,
hosted August 24 at The LINE Hotel DC, combined hands-on art with a thoughtful panel on the role of third spaces in civic life. Next up: a rooftop gathering at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Library on September 14. Registration is now open.
CRG’s work doesn’t stop there. This summer, in partnership with New Voters, it launchedCRG New Researchers, a free eight-week virtual program that empowers high school students to sharpen their research skills and design original proposals on youth civic engagement. The program ends with a competition where participants present their ideas — showcasing the creativity and leadership of the next generation.
The renowned educator Kaya Henderson understands the power of listening to—and learning from—young leaders. When the Aspen Institute received an investment from the Bezos Family Foundation to establish the Center for Rising Generations in August 2024, Henderson stepped in as its founding executive director.
In this episode of In Session, she reflects on a career devoted to supporting and elevating young people, sharing the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Upcoming Events
Economic Opportunity The Future of Equal Opportunity
September 4, 2025
Virtual
Join the Economic Opportunities Program (EOP), the Honorable Stacey Abrams, and Dr. Manuel Pastor for a discussion on the future of equal opportunity. After opening remarks by Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Kalpana Kotagal, a discussion moderated by EOP Senior Fellow Natalie Foster will allow Abrams and Pastor to explore the current landscape, emerging challenges, and strategies need to protect and strengthen equal opportunity in the American workplace.
Culture Aspen Literary Festival Presented by Book of the Month
September 26-28, 2025
Aspen, CO
Calling all bibliophiles! Join Aspen Words for the first-ever Aspen Literary Festival, a three-day celebration of books, writing, and the creatives who shape culture. Throughout the last weekend of September, the town of Aspen will come alive with various activities to celebrate the power of words, including a Family Friendly Fun event at the Pitkin County Library and talks by bestselling authors, including Michael Lewis, Jasmine Guillory, and Nathan Hill.
Anchoring critical conversations about the global economy in real places, real people, and real dialogue. Aspen Ideas: Economy will give participants the chance to interact, learn, and collaborate with leaders and innovators whose ideas and decisions are critical to shaping a flourishing economic future.
Rising Generations How Young People Are Powering Our Future
“When people ask what gives me hope right now, I have a three-word answer: young people leading.” — Kaya Henderson, Executive Vice President and Executive Director, Center for Rising Generations
Rising Generations Healing from Trauma: Unlocking Somalia’s Potential
We are thrilled to announce the launch of two new digital audio guides
for the Aspen Institute campus: the Aspen Meadows Campus Art Guide and the Aspen Meadows Campus History Tour. Thanks to a generous grant from the City of Aspen, the Bayer Center and the Aspen Institute partnered with Bloomberg Connects to create these free and accessible guides to the art, architecture, and sculpture on campus.
Rising Generations What If Disagreement Didn’t Mean Disconnection?
The Aspen Institute Socrates Program invited college interns and recent graduates in D.C. to a seminar on disagreement, cancel culture, and holding space for complexity on campuses. Read Executive Director Danny Harris’s reflections on the seminar and creating spaces where disagreement isn’t dangerous, but a bridge.
Economic Opportunity The Hillpublished an op-ed by Director of Job Quality and Worker Well-Being, Economic Opportunities Program Matt Helmer on the price children pay when adults can't make ends meet.
Culture NPR is rolling out all Aspen: Ideas Festival Field Recordings this week, including this unforgettable performance of Lucius performing inside Smugger Mine.
