Day 1 highlighted the power of collaboration—from participatory music and community dialogue to higher education partnerships advancing democracy nationwide.

“Though we hold a wide range of perspectives and political affiliations, we are united by a shared belief in democracy’s promise,” UVA Interim President Paul Mahoney told a packed house at The Paramount Theater on the first evening of Democracy360.

That sentiment carried throughout Wednesday’s events, as people from across disciplines, communities, and points of view came together to think deeply and creatively about the next 250 years of American democracy. Sessions on the first day invited participants to imagine new ways of strengthening civic life by making it more inclusive, participatory, and accessible to all.

The day opened with “Join the Conversation: Democracy in Action,” where Karsh Institute Practitioner Fellows joined nearly 100 students and community members to explore practical ways to strengthen civic trust and participation, from innovations at the voting booth such as ranked-choice ballots to neighborhood gatherings that bring people together in conversation and purpose.

During “Join the Conversation: Common Ground, Common Sound,” participants turned music into a shared civic act. Students, artists, and community members played maracas, triangles, and makeshift drums alongside professional musicians who set the beat. The session demonstrated how collective sound can foster connection and embody democracy’s rhythm—diverse voices working in concert.

At the Higher Education Democracy Exchange (HEDx) working session, more than 40 thought leaders, practitioners, and scholars from across the country convened for a working session focused on advancing democracy across higher education. Participants shared strategies to expand civic learning, aggregate civic data from colleges and universities, and build a national network of experts committed to strengthening democratic culture on campuses nationwide.

The evening concluded with “Becoming America: Past, Promise, and the Path Ahead at 250,” featuring an advance screening of Ken Burns’ forthcoming documentary, The American Revolution. A panel of leading historians and civic voices, some of whom appear in the film, reflected on the nation’s founding ideals and what they demand of us today.

“Despair is easy,” said Monticello President Jane Kamensky. “Democracy is hard.” Her words underscored the day’s central theme: Sustaining democracy requires both imagination and effort, and every participant has a role to play.

Democracy360 continues through Friday, with more opportunities to explore, question, and build together toward a stronger, more vibrant democratic future.