At NGA’s Summer Meeting in Colorado Springs, new NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced his 2025-2026 Chair’s Initiative, Reigniting the American Dream.
The yearlong Reigniting the American Dream initiative will focus on three policy pillars:
- Unlocking Economic Opportunity: Advancing the American Dream through entrepreneurship, creating a good jobs economy and economic mobility
- Empowering Every Learner: Reimagining education and creating real on-the-jobs experiences for youth
- Energizing the Future: Powering America’s next chapter by powering our AI future
Throughout the year, Governor Stitt will lead a series of convenings bringing together governors, private-sector leaders and changemakers to explore policy and practice to forge a more hopeful, prosperous future for every American.
Inspiring the next generation is another Dream priority. Studies show that younger generations are losing faith in the American Dream. By sharing their stories, Governors and other leaders who have overcome obstacles to live the American Dream can affirm that it’s alive and well. Governors agree: The American Dream doesn’t need to be reimagined; it just needs to be reignited.
Joined by NGA Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Governor Stitt led a panel discussion with leaders who have turned opportunity into success.
Highlights
NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt
“As Governors, we are uniquely positioned to lead our states and our country. We have the responsibility to shape the trajectory of our nation toward prosperity or toward apathy. Our nation was built on the idea that every person was created in the image of God, and the circumstances of your birth shouldn’t define the outcome of your life. In this country, a child, regardless of his or her background can grow up to be a teacher, a doctor, or a CEO – or even president. Even a shy pastor’s kid from Norman, Oklahoma can be Governor.
“This is especially close to my heart because of my own American Dream story. I’m a fourth generation Oklahoman. My grandad was a dairy farmer in Skiatook, Oklahoma, with an 8th grade education. My parents were pastors in Norman. When I was in college, I wrote down my lifetime goals. Goal number eight was ‘become Governor.’ Then I scratched it out. It seemed too big. I didn’t know any governors. My parents weren’t political. We weren’t rich. I instead wrote down, ‘have dinner with the Governor.’
“Goal number 3 was ‘start a business.’ After graduation, with that list of goals tucked away, I decided to take a chance. I took the $1000 I had in my bank account and a computer and started Gateway Mortgage. Many times, this dream, my American Dream came close to failure. During the housing crisis of 2008 I thought we were going to go out of business like thousands of other companies. I refused to give up. Today, Gateway First Bank helps thousands of people chase their American Dream through home ownership.
“But one day, in 2017, my faith was leading me to believe it was time to run for Governor. I was so nervous and scared, but I knew it was time to chase that dream put into my heart so many years ago.
“The beautiful thing about the American Dream is that there are as many dreams as there are people. You may not want to build a bank. Maybe you want to teach music. Maybe you want to start a restaurant. Maybe you’ll be the next Marine One pilot. Whatever that dream is – don’t let anyone tell you it’s dead. As leaders, we can’t teach people that there are equal outcomes, but it’s our job to make sure everyone has equal opportunities to chase their dreams.
“As Governors, it’s essential that we get the policies right. But just as important, it’s time to restore faith in the promise that no matter where you come from, you can achieve your dreams. The American Dream doesn’t need to be reimagined. It needs to be reignited. And as we prepare to celebrate the 250th birthday of America, we are going to do just that. Even when everyone is telling us that we are too divided as a country, that there is nothing that the right and the left can agree on, let’s remind them that we agree on this. That we can Reignite the American Dream and make it possible for the next 250 years.”
NGA Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore
“The reason I love the idea of reigniting the American Dream is for me the American Dream is never a singular dream. It’s a continuation. It’s a dream that was born generations ago. It’s a dream that was borne by people who, even if they did not know us, they fought for the hope of us. The United States is the most unique experiment in the history of the world. Period. Full stop. And I’m thankful that there were people who were willing to work and use their American Dream that in many ways help me to realize my own.
“When I was running for Governor, I had people who I served with in Afghanistan who came and campaigned on my behalf. Many of them were not Marylanders. Many of them were not Democrats. But they were coming and door knocking on my behalf and telling people, ‘I just want to tell you about the guy that I served with.’ And it was one of these things that really helped me see firsthand the power of service. The first bill I introduced when I became the Governor, and was very proud to sign, was something called, the Serve Act of 2023. It made Maryland the first state in the country that now offers a service year option for all our high school graduates. In this time of this political divisiveness and political vitriol, [I believe] that service will save us. Service is the antidote. Because we are watching how these young people who come from completely different parts of the state, completely different backgrounds, are working on a project together – they’re now getting to know each other [in a way] that they never would have gotten to know each other.
“For the many people that do feel disillusioned right now, I think there’s a reason they do. Because I think for a lot of people they do feel like the American Dream is out of reach or the American Dream was never real for them. And I think we have to be honest about that – that the level of frustration and disillusionment that a lot of people do feel, it’s justified. I think that the thing we have to remind them is that the American journey has never been a smooth one. That the history of this country is remarkable, and it’s been remarkably uneven… The reason we are here right now is because there were people who believed in us and believed in the hope of this country and believed that this country is a really unique experiment. And that takes continued work and continued focus. The reason we’re here is because the people who came before us did not just pack up or curl up in a fetal position and say ‘this is too tough.’ They believed in the future, and they fought for it. So the thing I would say is that is that none of this is going to be simple. It’s not going to be easy. But glory is worth it. And that’s why we keep on putting in the work.”
James Shubert is a Vietnam veteran who served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970 and went on to achieve the American Dream as a private investor, banker and a venture capitalist:
“I’ve been blessed to travel all over the world, been in several different countries, cultures and societies. And in so many of them, I’ve really admired the people that I was interacting with. But there is something unique about our country… Anybody that thinks the American Dream is over or dead, they’re highly delusional. I can give so many stories… The American Dream is alive and well in this country.”
Lieutenant Colonel John Ballenger served 20 years in the US Marine Corps serving as a helicopter pilot during four combat tours, and he was one of seven pilots to fly Marine One for two presidential administrations:
“[After my military career] I was able to get out, start a commercial real estate development company, start a coaching company. I did a little speaking on the side, and now I’m selling private jets for individuals and corporations. So, it’s proof that you can still thrive beyond the circumstances that you’re presented with or the house that you were raised in…The American dream can be exactly what you want it to be, as little as you want it to be, or as big as you want it to be. And it can stop whenever you want it. But I’m choosing not to stop.”
Learn more about the Reigniting the American Dream initiative, and upcoming bipartisan events, on the NGA website.
