DeMario Phipps-Smith

A headshot of a Black man with curly, short hair. He wears a blue polka-dot collared shirt under a gray suit jacket. Behind him is the outside of a modern building with rows of windows.

Senior Manager of Community Learning at News Literacy Project.

DeMario joined NLP in September 2022 after more than six years of working as a digital media professional. He began his career at one his hometown newspapers, The Chicago Sun-Times in 2015. Since then, he has worked in various roles that include stints in marketing, communications, and content production as a freelancer. DeMario is passionate about using his experiences to better serve marginalized communities and amplify their voices in the media space.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in radio, television, and digital media from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a master’s degree in media innovation and content strategy from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

Meet our 2023 Democracy Forum Speakers

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Baratunde Thurston

Democracy Forum Host
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Wemimo Abbey

Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Esusu
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Peter Adams

Senior Vice President of Research and Design of the News Literacy Project
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Aleena Agrawal

Director of Talent Solutions at P33
Ellen Alberding

Ellen Alberding

President and CEO, The Joyce Foundation
Ian Bassin Headshot

Ian Bassin

Co-founder and Executive Director of Protect Democracy
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Brian Deese

MIT Innovation Fellow
Hany Farid Headshot (Weighing AI and Human Progress)

Hany Farid

Professor at the University of California, Berkeley
Nancy Gibbs Headshot (Democracy-s Immune System)

Nancy Gibbs

Edward R. Murrow Professor of Practice and Director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School
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Emma Grede

Entrepreneur & Chairwoman of The Fifteen Percent Pledge and the CEO and Co-Founder of Good American
Regina Hall

Regina Hall

Award-winning actress and producer
Mary Kay Henry (Fair Economies and the Future of Work)

Mary Kay Henry

International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Darryl Holliday Headshot

Darryl Holliday

Journalist, civic strategist, and media organizer
Valerie Jarrett Headshot

Valerie Jarrett

Chief Executive Officer
Major Brandon Johnson

Mayor Brandon Johnson

Mayor of Chicago
Terah Lyons Headshot (Weighing AI and Human Progress)

Terah Lyons

Founding Executive Director of the Partnership on AI
Anna Makanju Headshot (Weighing AI and Human Progress)

Anna Makanju

OpenAI's Vice President of Global Affairs
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Governor Wes Moore

Governor of the state of Maryland
Alondra Nelson Headshot (Weighing AI and Human Progress)

Alondra Nelson

Harold F. Linder Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study
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Suzanne Nossel

CEO, PEN America
Chiedo Nwankwor

Chiedo Nwankwor

Vice Dean for Education and Academic Affairs, Interim Director of SAIS Europe, Senior Lecturer, and Director of SAIS Women Lead
President Obama Headshot (Economic Inclusion) (Photo by Pari Dukovic courtesy of Penguin Random House)

President Obama

44th president of the United States
John Palfrey Headshot (Democracy-s Immune System)

John Palfrey

President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Sonal Shah Headshot (Democracy-s Immune System)

Sonal Shah

Chief Executive Officer at The Texas Tribune
Alex Smith Headshot (Finding Meaningful Connections in a Digital World)

Alex Smith

Founder of The Cares Family
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Betsey Stevenson

Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the University of Michigan
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Mandy Teefey

Co-Founder and CEO of Wondermind
Shani Tran Headshot

Shani Tran

Licensed therapist and author
Raquel Vazquez Llorente Headshot (Weighing AI and Human Progress)

Raquel Vazquez Llorente

Head of Law & Policy, Technology, Threats and Opportunities - WITNESS
Judy Woodruff Headshot (Democracy-s Immune System)

Judy Woodruff

Senior Correspondent for the PBS NewsHour

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    The Obama Presidential Center Museum is a world-class landmark that tells the story of our democracy through the lens of America’s first Black president and First Lady. Dynamic exhibits across four floors will highlight the events, policies, challenges, and accomplishments of the Obama presidency. The Museum is comprised of four levels of exhibitions and the Sky Room, a 5,000 square foot space that offers soul-stirring perspective and panoramic views of Chicago. Entry to the Museum is by time-ticket or event participation. Monday | 1 - 8 p.m. CTTuesday - Sunday | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT

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