North Star Policy Initiative Holds First National Civic Forum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

On Friday, November 14, 2025, the North Star Policy Initiative (NSPI) and Emgage Pennsylvania hosted a civic forum at Philadelphia City Hall with leading policymakers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Speakers included Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s Secretary of Policy & Planning, Akbar Hossain, State Senator Sharif Street, State Representative Tarik Khan, and Philadelphia City Councilmember at Large Nina Ahmad.

With 50 community members and civic partners gathered at Philadelphia City Council’s storied Caucus Room, some of Pennsylvania’s most forward-thinking and dedicated leaders spoke about values-driven policymaking as well as bipartisan and grassroots engagement in driving the state budget, legislative agenda, and wins for all communities. From the state budget to equitable economic development, AI and energy policy to religious freedom, criminal justice reform to immigration, we had a robust discussion on how grassroots engagement is critical to the policymaking process.

“I appreciate Emgage for choosing Pennsylvania and bringing together such substantive policy discussions with Muslim Americans,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Policy & Planning Akbar Hossain.

NSPI’s first forum,’Beyond the Beltway,’ having taken place in Philadelphia, the birthplace of our democracy, is a testament to Emgage’s mission to build bridges between communities and policymakers while elevating the public service contributions of Muslim Americans.

NSPI, Emgage’s non-partisan civic thought leadership platform, is dedicated to championing thoughtful and principled policymaking for our communities and country. NSPI has policy forums in Maryland, Michigan, the Bay Area, and Minnesota planned in the coming months.