Date and Time: Thursday, January 28 | 6:00-7:00pm (EST)
Description: The first 100 days of any president’s administration and a new Congress are always a crucial time. Both are putting every effort into jump starting their most important initiatives and demonstrating their political priorities. With the Inauguration of President Joseph Biden and the swearing in of a new Congress, this Close Up Conversation will focus on the new administration and their goals for the first 100 days.
Presenters:
Gregg Rothschild is a Partner at Finsbury Glover Hering and co-leads the firm’s Global Technology and Media Practice. At Finsbury Glover Hering, Gregg leverages his 30 years of political and policy experience on behalf of a broad range of well-known technology and media brands. He designs and executes strategies to advance client interests in connection with legislation, agency proceedings, commercial negotiations and litigation. He also has managed a number of coalitions in connection with several merger reviews. Before joining the firm, Gregg was the Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce under then-Chairman John Dingell. He also worked in the Senate as the Legislative Director and Counsel to Senator John F. Kerry, managing the Senator’s legislative staff and acting as the chief advisor to the Senator on the full range of domestic issues.
Mia Charity is responsible for the Close Up Foundation’s fundraising, government relations, and communication efforts. Her work helps support the Foundation’s priority to serve students and teachers from all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented and economically-disadvantaged communities. Before her current role, she managed Close Up’s outreach efforts and worked with teachers and schools across the country to participate in Close Up programs.
Date and Time: Thursday, February 11 | 6:00-7:00pm (EST)
Description: In honor of Black History Month, this Close Up Conversation will focus on different civil rights movements and how they shaped our country. Take a look back through history and learn about different influences on change throughout different movements.
Presenter:
Joe Geraghty has been with Close Up for 36 years, starting as a program instructor in January 1984. He spent 23 years working on our weekly television show on C-SPAN and producing our award-winning educational documentaries. His award highlights include a Gavel Award from the American Bar Association for his work on “Profiles of Freedom: A Living Bill of Rights” and a Grand Award for Best Documentary from the New York Festivals for producing and writing “Fight For Freedom: The Inspiring Story of African American Civil War Soldiers.” Joe was the editor of Close Up’s “Current Issues” annual textbook for four years. Since 2015, he has had the opportunity to work with this outstanding team of educators on the Close Up Foundation’s teacher program.
Date and Time: Thursday, March 11 | 6:00-7:00pm (EST)
Description: Often regarded as one of the most revered presidents in U.S. History, Thomas Jefferson will be the highlight of this week’s Close Up Conversation. Dig deep into his presidency, the nuances of his legacy, and important events and writings that shaped who he was.
Presenters:
Marc Leepson is a journalist, historian and the author of nine books, most recently: Ballad of the Green Beret, a biography of Army Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler (Stackpole Books, 2017). His previous books include What So Proudly We Hailed: Francis Scott Key, A Life (Palgrave/Macmillan, 2014), Lafayette: Idealist General; and Saving Monticello (Simon & Schuster, hardcover, 2001; University of Virginia Press, paper, 2003). He was a former staff writer for Congressional Quarterly in Washington, DC, and has been a free-lance writer since 1986. Marc Leepson has written for many newspapers and magazines, including the Smithsonian, the Washington Post, New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Marc has been interviewed many times on radio and television, including on The Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, Fox New and National Public Radio.
Joe Geraghty has been with Close Up for 36 years, starting as a program instructor in January 1984. He spent 23 years working on our weekly television show on C-SPAN and producing our award-winning educational documentaries. His award highlights include a Gavel Award from the American Bar Association for his work on “Profiles of Freedom: ALiving Bill of Rights” and a Grand Award for Best Documentary from the New York Festivals for producing and writing “Fight For Freedom: The Inspiring Story of African American Civil War Soldiers.” Joe was the editor of Close Up’s “Current Issues” annual textbook for four years. Since 2015, he has had the opportunity to work with this outstanding team of educators on the Close Up Foundation’s teacher program.
