This vital conversation, under the theme "Technology for the People, by the People," featured insights from U.S. CTO Megan Smith, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, New America President Anne-Marie Slaughter, and Code for Progress Program Director Aliya Rahman. The panel also included Open Technology Institute's Georgia Bullen and was moderated by Alan Davidson.

Terisa Siagatonu, a queer Samoan spoken word artist, educator,

Terisa Siagatonu, a queer Samoan spoken word artist, educator, and activist from the Bay Area, shares her powerful poem on climate change and climate justice. A UC Santa Cruz graduate, she has performed on stages from Boston’s Cutler Majestic Theatre to the Oakland PRIDE Festival.

Currently, Terisa directs PIER (Pacific Islander Education and Retention) at UCLA. This vital project combats low matriculation rates of Pacific Islander students into higher education by offering tutoring, mentorship, and advising to high school students in Los Angeles.

Her work, rooted in devotion to her Pacific Islander community, empowers youth through spoken word and college access, fostering self-empowerment and sustainable community impact.

Senator Whitehouse contends that the failure to address climate change stems from a misunderstanding of "the truly manipulative and evil effects of money in politics."

He argues that these

Senator Whitehouse contends that the failure to address climate change stems from a misunderstanding of "the truly manipulative and evil effects of money in politics."

He argues that these effects are currently at play, stating, "You undo Citizens United and we will have a bill in a month."