ERIE — Whether it’s 1776 or 2026, leaders have the power to shape the world around them, and the Jefferson Educational Society (JES) will explore those tenets of leadership through its spring schedule programming, which begins on April 7.
The term begins with a kick-off reception at 6 p.m. at the JES’s headquarters, 3207 State St., Erie, followed by JES Scholar-in-Residence Andrew Roth at 7 p.m. discussing his new book, “How to Be a Highly Effective Leader: A Primer,” in which he writes about the values of strong leaders.
The programming continues at 7 p.m. on April 9 as County Executive Christina Vogel presents “The First Hundred Days: The State of the County,” updating the community on her first 100 days in office. City of Erie Mayor Daria Devlin will present “The First Hundred Days: The State of the City” at 7 p.m. on April 14.
Leadership isn’t always those elected to serve in office, though, as shown by the Jefferson Civic Leadership Academy 2025 cohort, which will present “Addressing Population Decline in Erie County, Pennsylvania, Using Unified Messaging” at noon on April 10. The cohort spent nine months researching and analyzing trends in population decline and will present their findings along with possible solutions to move the conversation forward. After that, JES Raimy Fellow Brad Thompson will present his takeaways of leadership through “Leading Organizations: How Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z Coexist in the Workplace” at the Lincoln Community Center Library at 6 p.m. on April 13.
The April 7 eventisn’t the only book-based event the JES will host in the spring. On Wednesday, April 15, the JES will host Nicholas Sorensen, author of “The Bright Little Red Cardinal,” who will discuss what led him to write his first book and offer readings from it. The event begins at 7 p.m., and a book sale and signing will follow.
The JES also welcomes visiting speakers for the History Brought to Life series, in which world-class performers and educators from the American Historical Theatre bring to life the tales of the nation’s famous leaders. “Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Beecher Stowe: ‘So You are the Little Woman that Wrote the Book that Started This Great War…’” will feature Lincoln portrayed by Bob Gleason and Kim Hanley as Beecher Stowe on April 27 at the JES. Gleason will also present “Lincoln on the ‘Lincoln Douglas Debates’” on April 28 at the Corry Higher Education Council, and Hanley will perform “Harriet Beecher Stowe: ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ and the Dominion of Conscience” on April 29 at the Harbor Creek Municipal Building. Daisy Century will transform for “‘Ain’t I a Woman?’ The Times, Tales, and Impact of Sojourner Truth” on May 4 and “Harriet Tubman and The Underground Railroad” on May 5, both at the JES.
Other USA 250 events include:
“Strategic Convergence in a Changing World: India-US Relations under Trump-Modi 2.0” with Anjali Sahay, political science professor and Director of the School of Public Service and Global Affairs at Gannon University, at 6 p.m. on April 16 at the Erie Center for Arts and Technology.A screening of the documentary “Out There: A Nation Parks Story” with Brendan Hall, director, cinematographer and director, followed by a Q&A at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center on April 20, in partnership with the TREC Foundation.“Lincoln and Davis: Triumphs and Tragedies” with Rick Tome, moderator and coordinator of the Erie County Civil War Roundtable will present on April 21 at JES, in partnership with the Civil War Roundtable.Author Tim Queeny visits Erie to host a discussion and book signing for his book “Rope: How a Bundle of Twisted Fibers Became the Backbone of Civilization” on April 22 in partnership with the Hagen History Center.Roth will moderate the “Pennsylvania Provincial Conference: Erie Town Hall” panel discussion on April 30 at the JES.Join visiting architect Robert Heineman for “Live, Work and Play: Designing the City of the Future — The Woodlands, Texas” on May 6 at the JES, a Hagen History Center Doris Becker Lecture in partnership with the Hagen History Center.JES Scholar-in-Residence David Frew will present “The French Expeditions to Lake Erie: An American Legacy” on May 12 at the Corry Higher Education Council and on May 13 at the Harborcreek Municipal Building.Pennsylvania-based enthusiasts and historians Mark Becker, George Deutsch, Randy Shapira, and Rick Tome have come together with the JES to build on the success of last year’s Civil War trivia event to present “The USA 250 Great American Trivia Challenge,” a two-round, four-game trivia challenge befitting of the occasion. Register as part of a team of be there as the live audience to cheer players on. First-round matches will be played May 20, 21 and 26, and the winners of those games will face off on May 27 to determine the ultimate champion.
Growth in the Erie region remains a focus of programming through all facets with “Erie 300: A Strategy for Erie’s Next Chapter” with Brandon Mendoza, President and CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership on May 1 at the JES; “The Film Industry: An Economic Opportunity for Northwest Pennsylvania” with local film visionaries at the JES on May 8; and “The Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program in Erie County: Building Community Through Horticulture, Food Security, and Environmental Education” on May 15 at the JES.
In total, the spring programming schedule includes 30 programs, including 10 at satellite locations. JES satellite programming are always free and open to the public thanks to Erie Insurance’s sponsorship. In addition to in-person, virtual and hybrid events, the JES will offer a five-part course, “Geopolitics of the Middle East,” with Dr. Baher Ghosheh, JES Scholar-in-Residence and Chair of the JES Board of Trustees. The weekly course will explore one of the most unstable regions in the world since the end of World War II. It will focus on Iran, Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, beginning April 29.
More than 75% of the programs are free. To find more information about programs, memberships, or to make reservations, call 814-459-8000 or visit JESErie.org.