The 2026 Luskin Summit, Building Power Through Local Solutions, will examine how California communities can build power to address vulnerability through locally driven policy action that advances equity, and well-being. The Summit will emphasize that lasting change comes not from one-size-fits-all approaches, but from empowering local governments, institutions, and communities to shape solutions that reflect their needs and strengths.
Grounded in UCLA Luskin’s commitment to tackling society’s most urgent challenges, the Summit will explore how vulnerability is shaped by policy choices—and how power can be built through collaboration, accountability, and strategic action at the local and regional levels. Conversations will focus on how communities can leverage policy tools, data, and partnerships to translate broad goals into concrete, on-the-ground outcomes.
UCLA Luskin faculty and researchers will join policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and community partners to analyze the systems that influence everyday life and to identify opportunities for reform. This year’s discussions will examine the local implementation of SB 79, California’s new housing development law; community-centered responses to environmental challenges such as plastics and mega-events; strategies to strengthen transit safety; and approaches to addressing market concentration and intergenerational inequities—highlighting how building power locally can produce durable, equitable solutions across California.
General Admission
Early bird pricing is $50 if registered by 11:59 p.m. on 2/28/2026. Starting on 3/1/2026, the price will increase to $60.
Refund Policy:
There will be a 100% refund, if canceled by 4/1/2026.
There will be a 50% refund, if canceled by 4/14/2026.
Agenda
Full session details can be found here.
7:00 a.m. Check-in and Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Opening Remarks
8:10 a.m. Opening Keynote | Laphonza Butler, former U.S. Senator and partner at Actum, LLC
9:35 a.m. Breakout Sessions A
- Track 1: California’s Housing Strategy | Why SB 79 Won’t Fix California’s Housing Affordability Crisis
- Track 2: Environmental Health and Justice | Bringing Relief to Plastic-Burdened Communities
- Track 3: Transportation Security | Safety on Transit and Shared Mobility
- Track 4: Roots of Socio-Economic Vulnerability and Prosperity | What’s Age Got to Do With It? Synergistic Policy Planning for Our Increasingly Intergenerational Society
10:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions B
- Track 1: California’s Housing Strategy | SB 79: Upzoning, Housing Affordability, and Equity
- Track 2: Environmental Health and Justice | Advancing Shade Solutions During LA’s Mega-Event Era
- Track 3: Transportation Security | New Approaches to Safety on LA Metro
- Track 4: Roots of Socio-Economic Vulnerability and Prosperity | Economic Power, Inequality, and the Path to Shared Prosperity
12:00 p.m. Closing
1:15 p.m. Buffet Networking Lunch
TONGVA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.
PHOTO RELEASE
By attending this event, you will be entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. With your presence, you authorize UCLA Luskin and its licensees to photograph you, make sound and/or video recordings of you, and use the recordings for marketing, publicity and promotion of this event and UCLA Luskin generally. Please click on the link for the full UCLA Luskin Notice of Filming Release.
DISCLAIMER
The views or opinions of our guest speakers and the content of their presentations do not necessarily reflect the views of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. Hosting speakers does not constitute an endorsement of the speaker’s views or opinions.
Attendance by a public official will constitute acceptance of a reportable gift.
