This keynote will be delivered as the 2026 Social Capital Conference, hosted by the International Social Capital Association.
Speakers: Frances Kraft, PhD, Research and Practice Program Director, Foundation for Social Connection; Shamichael Hallman, Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity, Urban Libraries Council
In recent decades, economic mobility has declined across the U.S., driven in part by the loss of third places and shrinking opportunities to form “bridging” relationships and build social capital. There is hope in reversing this trend through an approach that fosters a culture of connection and invests in strategies that strengthen trust and belonging. Local government leaders have a key role to play – but their efforts must be guided by the spaces, stories, projects, relationships, and organizing practices already activated within their communities. In this presentation, the Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC) will introduce its comprehensive framework as a guide for local leaders to consider the power of social connection as they make investment decisions to advance economic mobility. The framework calls on leaders to invest in infrastructure that empowers community voice, strengthens partnerships across sectors, builds social infrastructure, and aligns equitable policies.
Drawing on insights from six community site visits conducted during the framework’s development, as well as their own work in Chicago and Memphis, they will share practical strategies for activating social and civic networks, enhancing resident agency, and embedding trust and belonging into local practice and policy. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how to measure and strengthen community social capital — building more connected, resilient communities that drive economic mobility.
Frances Kraft
Frances Kraft is an experienced educator, community organizer, and restorative practitioner working to catalyze trusted connections that lead to collective action and systemic change. In her current role as Director of Research and Practice at the Foundation for Social Connection, she authored The Roadmap: Reimagining Infrastructure to Improve Social Capital. The report explores the role third places can play in building trust, belonging, and mutual responsibility to mobilize resources and work collectively for equitable policies. Prior to this role, she led engagement at Weave: The Social Fabric Project at The Aspen Institute. Frances spent a decade working in education outside Chicago, first as a classroom teacher and later as the founder of a non-profit coalition of families, students, and teachers working for equitable access, experiences, and outcomes for children. She earned a master’s degree in education policy at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education in 2016 and a doctorate in leadership at the University of Pennsylvania in 2025. She is currently working on a book based on her dissertation titled Building Civic Empathy Through Relational Dialogue: A Transformative Space for Change.
Shamichael Hallman
Shamichael Hallman is an internationally recognized civic innovator, author, and thought leader dedicated to strengthening communities through libraries, public engagement, and faith-based initiatives. As Senior Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity at the Urban Libraries Council, he advocates for public libraries as vital civic infrastructure. His book, Meet Me at the Library, explores how libraries foster democracy and bridge-building. A sought-after speaker, Shamichael has presented at top universities and library associations. Previously, Shamichael championed the multi-million-dollar renovation of the historic Cossitt Library in Memphis, contributing to Memphis Public Libraries earning the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Science. He was a 2025 Next City Vanguard Fellow, a 2023 Loeb Fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and has a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.