The National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) launched its new Local Democracy Fellows (LDF) program. Starting in January 2021, NCoC brings together leaders from municipal government to build effective local solutions to increase civic participation, creating models of democracy that can be replicated across the country. 

The City of Philadelphia is represented in the LDF program. Stephanie Reid, Executive Director of Philly Counts 2020, has been selected as an inaugural Democracy Fellow. In the coming months, Stephanie will work with trained experts and researchers to develop a concrete plan to increase nonpartisan voter turnout and ensure the City continues to work to be responsive to all its constituents’ needs.

Given the growing inequalities faced by people across the country, promoting local government centered on the goal of 100% participation by the communities they serve will empower America to live up to its core ideals and its great promise of government for the people, by the people. By reaching the goal of 100% participation, every resident will have the opportunity to participate in the decisions that affect their local communities.

Local Democracy Fellows are independent, nonpartisan, local government experts who search for barriers to civic engagement in their communities and build locally-driven democracy plans to increase participation in their communities.

Currently, Stephanie Reid serves as the Executive Director of Philly Counts 2020. In this role, Reid is responsible for overseeing the City’s effort to ensure a complete and accurate count, including, but not limited to, convening the City of Philadelphia Complete Count Committee, executing a coordinated engagement strategy, and raising awareness through paid, earned, and social media campaigns. Also, Reid serves as an Engagement Advisor to key programs and initiatives such as PHLConnectED and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s COVID Containment Unit. During the 2020 Presidential elections, Reid supported the City Commissioners by successfully running the first Satellite Election offices in Pennsylvania. 

The City of Philadelphia is proud of Stephanie for being selected as a Democracy Fellow and is committed to continuing the work to invite all Philadelphians to participate and have their voices heard in local government! 

Learn more about the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC).