- By NIcole Harterink
- Posted Friday, July 24, 2026
Engage in civic imagination and renewal at Malloy/Jordan's America Shall Be Project Aug. 28-29
Much of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations centered around freedom, fireworks, and flags. For some, however, taking stock of 250 years echoed from the words of "Let America Be America Again" by Langston Hughes: "America never was America to me, and yet I swear this oath–America will be!"*
Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center's America Shall Be Project is two-day event that examines the gap between America's ideals and realities and envisions an equitable and inclusive future for our country.
"The grounding intention for America Shall Be is the tension between promises and practice and founding and becoming," said program organizer and Wake Forest University Assistant Professor Claire Crawford. "We want this to be a weekend of dignity, imagination, and belonging."
Friday evening's The Resonance Line will trace the diverse sonic landscapes of America through live music, storytelling, and vocal performances.
Attendees at Saturday's Reckoning Retreat will examine the last 250 years and imagine what the next 250 years could be through fellowship, a community roundtable, and two sets of concurrent group discussions.
"We hope the community will experience conversations that foster empathy, critical thinking, and community connection," said Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center Supervisor Herbert Nyakudya. "Everyone has something to learn, and everyone can be a teacher."
America Shall Be is free to attend and is recommended for adults and teens 14 and up. Registration is required for Saturday's Reckoning Retreat because lunch will be served.
America Shall Be Project- Friday, Aug. 28 from 5:30-8 p.m. at Annex 1 Auditorium (725 N. Highland Ave.)
- Saturday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center (1110 E. Seventh St.)