Embedded Files
Progressive Voices Speak Out
28th Annual Lecture Series
Winter 2026 Program
February 11: "Welcome to Florida" by Craig Pittman
Craig Pittman is a native Floridian, an author, a journalist and a podcaster. Born in Pensacola, he graduated from Troy State University in Alabama, where his muckraking work for the student paper prompted an agitated dean to label him "the most destructive force on campus." Since then he has covered a variety of newspaper beats and quite a few natural disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires and the Florida Legislature.
For 21 years, he covered environmental issues for Florida's largest newspaper, the Tampa Bay Times, winning state and national awards. He now writes a weekly column for the Florida Phoenix and co-hosts the popular “Welcome to Florida” podcast. He is the author of seven books, including Oh, Florida! How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country, a New York Times bestseller which won the gold medal for Florida non-fiction from the Florida Book Awards. In 2020, he was named a Florida Literary Legend by the Florida Heritage Book Festival and in 2022, the national Sierra Club gave him their Rachel Carson Award. He lives in St. Petersburg with his wife and two children.
February 18: Jim Kenney (Virtual)
Cultural Historian
“Project 2025: Donald Trump’s Toxic Plan for America”
Jim Kenney is recognized around the world as a pioneer & leader of the global interreligious & intercultural movement.
He has lectured widely, in the U.S. and around the world, on a variety of subjects relating to politics, religion, history, and culture. He was, for 45 years, the co-founder and Executive Director of Common Ground, a groundbreaking adult study center focusing on the world's great religious, philosophical, spiritual, and cultural traditions. Jim is currently the host of the Global Lecture Hall, offering a variety of Zoom presentations on fascinating topics. https://www.jklecturehall.net.
February 25: Corey Lewis - General Manager at WGCU Public Media
An Interview with John Davis
“Access to Local Substantive News in SWFL"
Corey Lewis is the general manager of WGCU Public Media, a role he has held since May 2021. Before joining WGCU, Corey spent 18 years with NPR in Boston and another 18 years in commercial television with Universal, Paramount, and Tribune in major markets including Boston, Manhattan, Philadelphia, Providence, and Hartford. He likes to say that his 23 years in public media—now officially surpassing his commercial TV years—give him a welcome shot at redemption as he gets closer to meeting his maker.
John Davis has been a full-time Reporter/Producer for WGCU since 2009. He is the local host for NPR’s Morning Edition and producer and host for WGCU’s radio talk program Gulf Coast Life! John came to WGCU as an intern in 2007 and is now reporting on a broad spectrum of topics of interest to Southwest Florida. Prior to joining WGCU, he worked at WDUQ-FM in Pittsburgh, PA covering local government and general assignments. John studied journalism at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Florida Gulf Coast University. His work has garnered awards from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, the Radio Television Digital News Association, and a first-place award and “Best in Show” from the Florida Associated Press for his investigative work in 2011.
March 4: Thomas Kennedy
Political and Policy consultant with the Florida Immigrant Coalition
Thomas Kennedy currently serves as Political and Policy consultant with the Florida Immigrant Coalition. He has served as National Campaign Manager for United we Dream, and as Senior Political Fellow at The Immigration Hub.
Born in Argentina, Thomas came to the U.S. with his parents at the age of 10. He became involved with immigration rights early on and graduated from Florida International University with a major in International Relations. He holds Master's degrees in Community and Social Change from the University of Miami, and Refugee protection and Forced Migration Studies from the University of London.
Page updated
Report abuse