2025-2026 NGA Chair’s Initiative
Reigniting The American Dream
Every American should have the opportunity to build a life of purpose, to strengthen their community, and to help shape a nation defined not only by prosperity, but by potential realized. Yet across our very diverse states, too many people have lost faith in this opportunity. They’ve faced too many obstacles, encountered too many closed doors, and given up the hope of a brighter future. We can do better.
As governors, we have an opportunity
Reigniting the American Dream is more than an initiative. It’s an invitation for every U.S. governor to:
- Step out of partisan corners and into a shared vision
- Examine the obstacles and confront the challenges that limit individual and collective opportunity
- Leverage our resources and relationships (domestic & global) to learn, compare and innovate
- Move beyond rhetoric and develop transformative practices and policies
- Clear a path for millions more Americans to dream — and achieve
Together, we can reignite the American Dream.
Building Pathways in 3 Core Areas
Goals are central to the American Dream. But without pathways to reach those goals, dreamers can never become achievers.
That’s why we’re working to create new, better pathways across 3 pillars:
Unlocking Economic Opportunity
Advancing the American Dream through entrepreneurship, innovation & economic mobility
Empowering Every Learner
Reimagining education to equip every learner — at every age — for success in a changing world
Energizing the Future
Powering America’s next chapter — from AI innovation to energy independence
One year can change everything
Under the leadership of Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, NGA Chair, Reigniting the American Dream is building a framework that can sustain and grow long into the future. Priorities include:
- Curating and distributing best practices, research & other resources to inform policy and practice around economic opportunity, education, and energy
- Uniting governors at high-impact convenings across the U.S. and Europe focused on innovation and success in the areas of economic opportunity, education, and energy
- Bringing together governors, private-sector leaders, and changemakers to forge a more hopeful, prosperous future for every American
Don’t Miss These Planned Convenings
- Summer 2025 (Colorado Springs): Flagship Launch and 2025 NGA Summer Meeting
- Fall 2025 (Switzerland): International Learning Journey
- Fall 2025 (Austin): Regional Economic Opportunity Summit
- Winter 2026 (Washington, D.C.): Premier National Meeting
- Spring 2026 (Philadelphia): Energy and Infrastructure Innovation
- Summer 2026 (Oklahoma City): Capstone Celebration and 2026 NGA Summer Meeting
NGA 2025 Summer Meeting
Our 3 Pillars: A Closer Look
UNLOCKING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Advancing the American Dream through entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic mobility
At the core of the American Dream is the ability to work hard and build a better life. That dream depends on jobs — and the people and policies that make them possible. Entrepreneurs have long driven that engine, starting businesses that grow communities, generate wealth, and put Americans to work. This pillar challenges states to build the kind of talent ecosystems where both entrepreneurs and workers can thrive.
Governors will focus on how to remove barriers to starting and scaling businesses, invest in infrastructure that supports growth, and develop talent systems that connect people to in-demand careers and provide access for hundreds of thousands of people to good-paying jobs. The goal: Keep the American Dream within reach for all.
“But what is the American dream? On its face, it’s the ability to have a family, own a home, have a good job, and build the life you want. It springs from the belief that with hard work and resilience you can accomplish anything God puts on your heart. But the American Dream is not guaranteed. We have to have the courage to fight for it.”
Governor Kevin Stitt
EMPOWERING EVERY LEARNER
Reimagining education to equip every learner — at every age — for a changing world.
The economy of tomorrow demands a transformation in how we prepare people today. From classrooms to career pathways, governors are leading the charge to modernize education systems that empower learners with real-world skills and meaningful opportunities.
This pillar focuses on expanding hands-on learning, career and technical education, and youth apprenticeship programs — building flexible, future-ready pathways so learners of all backgrounds can pursue in-demand skills, reach their potential, and ignite their American Dream.
“Some Pennsylvanians join the workforce right out of high school. Some complete an apprenticeship. Some join the military. Some go to college. There are many paths to success and we’ve got to respect – and support – all of them.”
Governor Josh Shapiro
ENERGIZING THE FUTURE
Powering America’s next chapter — from AI innovation to energy independence.
America’s leadership in the 21st century hinges on how we power our future. As artificial intelligence drives demand for energy-intensive infrastructure and as global energy dynamics shift, governors are stepping forward to ensure our states are ready. This pillar focuses on bold action: accelerating/permitting reform, promoting regulatory clarity, and investing in energy infrastructure that meets the needs of a modern economy. From clean power to state of the art grids, governors will explore how to lead the way toward secure, smart, and sustainable energy systems.
“Together we will unleash our immense energy resources and drive prices down, all while making our grid more secure and reliable.”
Governor Spencer Cox
Hope as a Framework to the American Dream
More than 2,000 studies have shown that hope is the single greatest predictor of success in education, workplace culture and performance, physical health, mental health, criminal justice, child welfare, social and familial relationships, and trauma recovery. Put simply, the American Dream is rooted in and fueled by hope. More than a wish or feeling, hope is a science that can be taught, re-taught, and implemented in every sector of our lives and communities.
As the founder of Hope Rising USA and spouse of Oklahoma Governor and NGA Chair Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma First Lady Sarah Stitt is committed to bringing the science of hope to communities across the nation. The hope science research and resources provided by Hope Rising USA offer a powerful framework for raising hope and reigniting the American Dream.
“We all want to create a brighter future for our states, and the nation. I’m looking forward to collaborating with my fellow governors to build stronger on-ramps to opportunity so every person in our states has a shot at success – no matter how they define it.”
Governor Wes Moore
Supporters
NGA would like to thank the following organizations for supporting the Initiative.
