“American values over autocracy. Benevolence over bigotry.” So began the rousing finale of the first official speech Congressman Hakeem Jeffries made to Congress on January 7, 2023, upon his historic elevation as House Democratic Leader when he was unanimously elected by his colleagues. Equal parts inspiring and urgent, his speech affirmed the values of our country one letter of the alphabet at a time, and provided a timeless reminder of what will keep the U.S. the greatest democracy in the history of the world.  

The ABCs of Democracy brings Rep. Jeffries’ speech to life, including vibrant and colorful illustrations for each letter by Shaniya Carrington. In clever and memorable turns of phrase, he paints an alphabetic road map for a brighter American future with equal opportunities for all and warns of the perils of taking a different path.  

Rep. Jeffries will be in conversation with Liz Cheney, who served as a member of Congress from 2017 to 2023 and as Chair of the House Republican Conference and the Co-Chair of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. Cheney is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning.

This program will be ASL-interpreted for the in-person audience. To sit in the interpreted section or to access the interpreted feed virtually, contact Amanda.

Hosted by Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I St., NW, Washington, DC. Learn more here.