The Red & Blue Summer Issue Launch and the inaugural Call for Humanity Summit were born from a simple but increasingly urgent belief: that meaningful progress begins when people are willing to sit together, listen deeply, and recognize one another first as human beings.
Held in honor of America’s approaching 250th anniversary, the gathering brought together women from across political, professional, and geographic divides to explore what becomes possible when conversation replaces assumption and collaboration rises above ideology.
The opening reception, hosted on May 22, 2026, at the Simpsonville, South Carolina estate of Bob and Kelly Castellani, welcomed elected officials, national thought leaders, media voices, philanthropists, and community builders from across the country. Co-chaired by Lara Trump and Donna Brazile and co-hosted by Donna Brazile, Karen Floyd, and Laura Ingraham, the evening reflected the spirit at the heart of the initiative: creating space for people who may not agree on everything, but who share a commitment to the future of our nation.
In a cultural moment often defined by division, the gathering served as a reminder that common ground still exists. Throughout the evening, participants engaged in thoughtful conversations about leadership, civic responsibility, and the role women can play in shaping a more unified future. Rather than focusing on differences, the emphasis remained on shared values, mutual respect, and the belief that lasting solutions emerge when diverse perspectives are welcomed into the same room.
That spirit continued the following day at the Spartanburg home of ELYSIAN Founder and Publisher Karen Floyd, where the inaugural Call for Humanity Summit officially convened. Co-hosted by Donna Brazile, Karen Floyd, and Erin Maguire, the summit was intentionally designed as more than a conference. It was created as a working forum—one focused not only on dialogue, but on action.
The day began with opening remarks from Floyd, who challenged participants to consider how leadership rooted in humanity can help bridge divides and strengthen communities. Dr. Christopher Thornberg, founder of Beacon Economics and one of the nation’s most respected economists, followed with a thought-provoking presentation examining the growing disconnect between economic realities and public perception, and how those tensions continue to shape today’s political and cultural landscape.
Participants then engaged in the inaugural Red & Blue Call for Humanity Summit session, a collaborative and participant-driven experience centered on the theme of peace and justice. Through guided discussions, small-group exchanges, and structured dialogue, attendees explored both the challenges facing the nation and the opportunities that emerge when people approach those challenges with curiosity rather than certainty.
What made the summit unique was its commitment to listening. In the months leading up to the event, participants used the ELYSIAN Connect platform to help identify priority topics, ensuring that the conversations reflected genuine concerns and shared interests rather than predetermined outcomes. The resulting discussions were informed by research, grounded in lived experience, and guided by a collective desire to move beyond rhetoric toward meaningful solutions.
Before the summit formally began, a TEDx talk featuring Donna Brazile, Karen Floyd, and Erin Maguire was filmed, highlighting the importance of courageous dialogue, civic engagement, and the responsibility leaders share in creating pathways forward. Together, their conversation reinforced a central truth: progress is rarely achieved through isolation, but through the willingness to engage across differences with purpose and respect.
As the summit concluded, participants committed to a long-term framework focused on cultivating a society where women extend dignity, recognition, and encouragement beyond their immediate circles—creating measurable ripples of confidence, opportunity, and advancement for others. Working groups were established to continue advancing ideas generated during the gathering, ensuring that the conversations begun in Spartanburg would extend far beyond a single weekend.
The Red & Blue Summer Issue Launch and inaugural Call for Humanity Summit were not intended to solve every challenge facing our nation. Rather, they represented something equally important: a demonstration of what is possible when people choose engagement over division, understanding over assumption, and humanity over partisanship.
As America approaches its semiquincentennial, the gathering served as both a reflection and an invitation—a reminder that our future will be shaped not only by the issues that divide us, but by our willingness to work together in pursuit of what unites us.
ELYSIAN extends its gratitude to the partners and sponsors whose support helped make these gatherings possible, including Discover South Carolina, DRC Ventures, The Root Brands, Proformance Athletics, RYouLive, OneSpartanburg, BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Contec Inc., The Capital Corporation, Green River Cabins & Cottages, Stern Development, and Gibbs International. Their partnership reflects a shared belief in leadership, community, and the power of collaboration to create meaningful impact.
ELYSIAN extends special appreciation to the many individuals whose generosity, expertise, and support helped make the Red & Blue Summer Issue Launch and inaugural Call for Humanity Summit possible. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Christina Rahm and the DRC Ventures team for their support with attendee travel and their valued counsel throughout the guest and event planning process. We thank Alex Garcia of AG 1 Consulting, Christiana Purves Lance of The Laurens Group, and Antjuan Seawright and Andrea McCoy of Blueprint Strategy LLC for their guidance, outreach, and assistance in fostering participant engagement. Special thanks are also extended to Camille Sachs for her political science insights and contributions to the summit’s development.
We are grateful to the TEDx team—including Marvin Acuna, Matt Ball, Amy Rees Anderson, and Beth Noel Magin—for their collaboration, insight, and steadfast support in helping bring this experience to life. Heartfelt thanks to Kelly and Bob Castellani for hosting the Red & Blue Summer Issue Launch and Call for Humanity Opening Reception; Marianna and Roger Habisreutinger for graciously hosting attendees; and Dr. Thomas and Marsha Moore for providing lodging for the TEDx team.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division and Spartanburg County Sheriff Bill Rhyne for providing security before and throughout the event.
Additional thanks go to Elizabeth Drennan for her exceptional catering services, Bethanne Pistolis of Browning Studio for providing hair and makeup services for Donna Brazile, Laura Ingraham, and Erin Maguire, and James Agnes for his photography and floral design, which helped capture and elevate the spirit of the gathering.