As we reflect on 2023, we are thrilled to share the work that defined our organization's commitment to fostering democracy, education, and community engagement. Throughout 2023, we successfully hosted our monthly Applied Democracy Exchanges, creating spaces for meaningful conversations and collaborative efforts. Our dedication to empowering future leaders shone through our support for the Jean O’Connor-Snyder Internship Program, and our teacher fellows program continued to make a lasting impact on education.

On Thursday, November 30th the Mathews Center attended the 2023 Annual Conference on Citizenship in Washington, DC at the Planet Word Museum. This annual conference is held by the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC). The NCOC is a congressionally chartered nonprofit dedicated to advancing civic life in America. This year’s theme was "The Future of Citizenship” which focused on and delved deep into topics regarding the future of democracy and citizenship in the United States. The conference covered topics on the future of news media, volunteerism, nonprofits, Generation Z, Artificial Intelligence, and more. The DMC team truly enjoyed the time in Washington, DC, and are glad to have had the experience.

This fall, the DMC connected with University of Montevallo students on two separate occasions, engaging in a conversation guided by the NIF U.S. Government: What Kind of National Leadership Do We Need? issue brief, followed by a moderator and deliberative skills workshop.

On October 23rd, 2023, the Alabama Humanities Alliance hosted its 2023 Alabama Colloquium, presented by Regions. This year the Alabama Humanities Alliance honored our very own namesake, Dr. David Mathews as well as Dr. Imani Perry as the Alabama Humanities Fellows of 2023. Both Dr. Mathews and Dr. Perry are not only renowned scholars but also dedicated community builders.

Throughout their summer in Jasper, Alabama, Jean O’Connor Snyder Interns at the University of Alabama gain valuable experience talking to people in the community—and by creating a positive opportunity for the community to perceive itself by writing journalism pieces that describe the accomplishments of the locals, as well as where they are still trying to fill the gaps.

The Mathews Center had an exceptional experience at the 9th National Coalition For Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference took place from Friday, October 13th to Sunday, October 15, 2023. The NCDD is a network of innovators who bring people together across divides to discuss, decide, and take action together effectively on today’s toughest issues. NCDD serves as a gathering place, a resource center, a news source, and a facilitative leader.

The David Mathews Center for Civic Life celebrates the life of Board member Senator Roger H. Bedford, who died on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

The David Mathews Center for Civic Life was honored to be one of the sponsors at the Alabama Council for the Social Studies (ALCSS) 2023 Annual Conference. This event took place on October 6th, 2023, at the Shelby County Schools Instructional Services Center, and its theme for the year was "Social Studies: Putting the Pieces Together Unifying Our Local History."

During the week of September 18th, the Mathews Center joined Dr. Natalie Adams and her class, Social Problems/Social Change, at the University of Alabama - New College. Students engaged in a conversation guided by the NIF Land of Plenty issue guide, followed by a moderator and deliberative skills workshop.

The DMC is happy to welcome Lauren Lockhart in her new role for the Mathews Center! She will serve as the Mathews Center’s interim director while Executive Director Rachel Mosness is on maternity leave.

The David Mathews Center had an incredible opportunity to be an exhibitor at the 6th Annual Girl Scout Leadership Summit at the City of Trussville Civic Center on Saturday, August 26th. The Leadership Summit is a one-day conference "just for girls and led by girls" that allows members to examine and explore professional career options, connect with mentors, and focus on leadership development.

Jean O’Connor-Snyder intern Payton Davis reminisces on her summer with the friends that became family and the unexpected surprises in the small town of Collinsville.

This summer, the Mathews Center had the exciting opportunity to partner with the Greater Birmingham chapter of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Alabama to teach Developing Deliberative Skills: Weekly Conversations on Topics of Public Concern, a new course that was piloted during this summer semester.