New Declaration for America's Future: Next250 Unveils Public's Call for Interdependence

Shaped by input from thousands of U.S. residents, the Declaration and associated policy platform charts a bold course grounded in shared values of equity, justice, safety, health, democracy and sustainability

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Next250, a national initiative dedicated to uplifting all Americans, unveiled its Declaration of Interdependence on September 3 at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). The Declaration issues a historic call for all U.S. residents to unite as a nation and community for a better future over the next 250 years.

Shaped by more than 2,500 voices, the Declaration reflects the full tapestry of the nation's people, histories and dreams. Next250 intends for this document to be the foundation for mobilizing communities across the country and empowering them to build a promising future where everyone can thrive through policy and collective action. They are asking supporters across the country to become signatories of this new Declaration on the Next250 website.

"The Declaration of Interdependence is a reminder that America's strength has always come from our ability to come together," said Linda Sarsour, executive director of MPower Change and Next250 collaborator. "Unfair labels are designed to divide us and dilute our collective power. Constituents see through that tactic and won't be deterred from our desire to have a welcoming nation where we all thrive."

At a time when powerful forces intentionally divide the country, Next250 highlights that we are more aligned as a community than we are led to believe. Feedback from 40 listening sessions led by grassroots organizers working with historically marginalized communities, along with nationwide polling data, shows Americans across race, age, geography and ideology consistently value the same things.

Participants shared the values that were most important to them in America's next 250 years, which Next250 featured as its five policy pillars:

• Living wage for all
• Climate justice for all
• Health care and reproductive rights for all
• Common sense gun reform for all
• Voting rights for all

"The majority of people in the United States are aligned around a shared set of values and policies, but powerful forces want to drive us apart from each other," said Saru Jayaraman, president of One Fair Wage and Next250 collaborator. "As we look to the next 250 years, this Declaration and policy platform calls on us to create a new culture that leaves no one behind. A culture that values a living wage, sensible gun reform, access to the ballot box, climate responsibility and leadership, and health care for all."

Debuting alongside the Declaration, Next250 premiered "We Be Going: An American Tapestry," a mobile art installation led by acclaimed artistic director Wyatt Closs that will travel to town halls and events. The installation weaves together stories and symbols that celebrate the beauty and complexity of America's collective journey.

To continue dialogue and mobilization over the next year, Next250 will travel across the country to host regional town hall meetings with elected officials and constituents, using the Declaration of Interdependence as the foundation for discussions. Each conversation will center on answering the question "How do we make these collective values a reality?"

To learn more about the Declaration of Interdependence and add your digital signature, visit www.next250.us. Photos from the launch event are accessible online. 

About Next250
Next250 is a movement leveraging the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States to mobilize around a new Declaration of Interdependence — one that reflects all who call the U.S. home, our shared values and what we want our nation to be. The initiative was developed by members of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Solidarity Council on Racial Equity (SCoRE).

SOURCE Next250