Summit panels

Reservation Code: GWSFF

The offical welcome to the 14th Annual Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival by the summit host committee: ACORN 8, Justice Integrity Project, and African American Women in Cinema

Sponsored by TS Radio Network and The Marti Oakley Show, this panel rips the lid off one of the most protected—and predatory—systems operating in plain sight: the guardianship industry. 

Sponsored by the NAACP Pine Bluff Branch. This panel explores the rise of financial exploitation against the elderly as a civil rights concern. It examines recent accounts of embezzlement at a large regional bank and the national direct action campaign to stop it. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been encouraging people to retire in Arkansas. It’s a great place to live, slower (relaxing) pace of life, and your retirement savings go a lot further here than in other places. However, this is not true if the state is going to turn a blind eye to our seniors when they need our help the most (to protect them from financial predators). If scammers can prey on vulnerable elderly and the banks, local police, state agencies and the Governor all turn their collective head; then Arkansas becomes a scary place to retire, rather than a great one. Consequently, concearned citizens have raised the issue of Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Elderly to the NAACP, Arkansas AARP and Alzheimer’s Arkansas. We are encouraged because the state NAACP supports making this a national campaign. African Americans are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

Despite the attacks on federal employee rights, there has been a renewed bi-partisan congressional consensus for whistleblower rights. We are on the cusp of winning significant breakthroughs, such as overhauling the government contractors law so it is the strongest U.S. law in history. We need to effectively launch other campaigns, such as court access to restore independent Whistleblower Protection Act enforcement. The panel will summarize these opportunities and challenges, and include training to advocate them effectively during lobby day on Wednesday.

While on a winter getaway with her husband and kids, LEIGH DELGADO becomes concerned when her 80 year old father JASON isn't returning her calls. Cutting their trip short, Leigh and the family drive back to find Jason's house empty. The only thing that appears out of the ordinary is a blood stain on the kitchen floor. After canvassing the neighborhood, calling all the hospitals, and meeting with the police, she finally locates him in an Assisted Living facility. He had fallen and hit his head, called 911, and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Leigh is greatly relieved to find that her father is ok, now recovering from a concussion. Their reunion however, is short lived, as the real nightmare begins. Jason has been assigned a legal guardian who is now in control of all healthcare and financial decisions. JANET, who is making a very nice living as a professional guardian, has no intention of giving up another golden goose. Leigh is in a race to rescue her father from the clutches of a corrupt system and a predatory guardian before his life is changed forever. Although fictional, Leigh's story is based on multiple accounts of victims of Elder Abuse. This is a trillion dollar cottage industry that flies under the radar, devastating families across the country.

Panel for Whistleblower Summit following The Bad Guardian screening. Panelists bring four distinct perspectives: Together, these voices offer a rare opportunity to examine guardianship abuse from multiple vantage points: investigative reporting, public policy, personal experience, and storytelling. Every year, thousands of Americans are placed under legal guardianship, a court-ordered arrangement designed to protect those who can no longer protect themselves. For many, it works as intended. For others, it becomes a trap, one that strips them of their autonomy, their assets, and their voice, with little recourse and almost no visibility. The Bad Guardian is a dramatic thriller inspired by real cases, public records, investigative reporting, and firsthand accounts. Created to bring a largely hidden issue into the public conversation, the film places audiences inside an experience that is often difficult to understand until it happens to someone they know. This panel picks up where the film leaves off. Moderated by Elizabeth Stephen, the film’s executive producer, Adam Walser is an award-winning investigative journalist whose reporting has documented guardianship abuse cases across the country, exposing patterns of exploitation and failures in oversight. Julie Schoen, JD, former Deputy Director of the National Center on Elder Abuse, brings deep expertise in elder justice, public policy, and the structural vulnerabilities that can allow abuse to flourish. Rey Contreras, whose family's experience with a contested guardianship case led him to become a reform advocate, will provide the inside perspective of what happens when families find themselves caught in the system and fighting to protect a loved one. Claudia Myers, director of The Bad Guardian, will discuss the responsibility of translating documented abuse into a narrative that is both dramatically compelling and faithful to the experiences that inspired it.

Book Signings

The Standard uncovers the untold history of Alpha Phi Alpha at the University of Missouri and the Black men who confronted institutional racism head on, refusing to stay silent in the face of barriers built to keep them out.

"Know Your Rights" -- in light of the disintegration of traditional channels through the Slaughter decision, Schedule PC and the new gag rule. GAP has a lot to offer on how to circumvent or cope with the attack on anti-retaliation rights, and we should be sharing it. i.e., we've just done a Know Your Rights piece on the gag rule. https://whistleblower.org/blog/federal-workers-have-anti-gag-rights-heres-how-to-use-them/

 Charlotte Dennett, attorney, investigative reporter and author of Follow the Pipelines: Uncovering the Mystery of a Lost Spy and the Deadly Politics of the Great Game for Oil.  Dr. Gregory Stanton, founder and president of Genocide Watch, author, and former professor and State Department Foreign Service Officer.  Moderator Andrew Kreig, attorney, commentator and Summit Co-Host.

[1] Dr. Hamilton is a native Washingtonian, and currently a candidate in the 2026 DC Mayoral General Election. She has spearheaded two 501(c)(3) organizations in the District involving mental health community programming, outreach, case management, advocacy, and organizing. M.I. Mother’s Keeper and Healthy DC & Me Leadership Coalition are her two organizations. Dr. Hamilton has organized and worked with advocates on the ground to help galvanize DC citizen voices around matters pertaining to unhealthy living environments, healthcare crisis and disparities, workers’ rights, human and civil rights violations, as well as mental health and homelessness policy reform. [2] Nick DelleDonne is the co-founder and president of Dupont East Civic Action Association (DECAA) a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. He has served as ANC Commissioner in Dupont Circle and as communications director for an international union. [3] G.“Dajo” Henderson born George Henderson is a visionary community leader, educator, and advocate serving as President of the Capitol Hill Towers Tenant Association, Inc. in Washington, DC. Known for his operational clarity, creative problem‑solving, and unwavering commitment to resident empowerment, Henderson leads with a blend of compassion, strategic focus, and cultural insight that strengthens the fabric of the Capitol Hill Towers community. [4] Reverend Anthony J. Motley, a Service Connected Disabled United States Army Veteran, trained as a Combat Engineer/Paratrooper (’69-’73), and licensed and ordained minister (’87-’89), has over 40 years of community and non-profit organization development and management experience. He is a graduate of the District of Columbia Public System in Washington, DC, Anacostia High School (’67), the University of Detroit (’80), and the Howard University School of Divinity (’91). A highlight in his career was when he received an executive appointment from the President of the United States from 1987-1990 as a Schedule C/Special Assistant. He also received several appointments to Boards and Commissions from three former Mayors in the District of Columbia, and the Council of the District of Columbia.

A workshop panel on Whistleblowers behind a Badge of Justice. Their actual stories emphasize the impact of “Justice delayed is justice denied” and the extreme danger from within as COP whistleblowers expose the infamous Blue Wall of Silence with ICE, Marshals, FBI, and NYPD.

Commentary, humor, and satire are some of the most important tools of community organizing and advocacy. Join other summit attendees as we celebrate the First Amendment through comedy. This is NOT an official summit event and separate event tickets are required.

Free time to visit your local congressional office to express your support for whistleblowers and National Whistleblower Appreciation Day or take the day to tour the Washington, DC (e.g. Capitol Tours)

Coalition For Change, Inc. (C4C) will discuss the changing landscape of EEO enforcement, the importance of properly framing workplace discrimination complaints and recognizing retaliation.

While the Boogaloo rises as a highly armed, insurgent wing of the militia movement, federal law enforcement strikes early from within. Unbeknownst to his followers, Mike Dunn is quickly groomed by the FBI and becomes a key informant. The movement slowly implodes from within as multiple members squeal. A wild ride ensues involving an intel analyst, an illegal machine gun dealer, a plot to bomb a hospital, a home ricin lab, a fake suicide, a drunken and drug fuelled confrontation, multiple entrapment attempts, recordings of FBI handlers and an armed protest at a school board building. All culminating in multiple arrests, against the backdrop of the lead up to and aftermath of January 6, and punctuated by the fog of coded memes and social media trolling. It is literally a riot."

Whistleblowers Inside the Militia Movement: A Conversation with the Men Who Spoke Out

On July 30th - during National Appreciation Whistleblower Day - children, suggested ages 12-17 are invited to participate in a one-day gamified challenge to end corruption. Whistleblowers of America is very honored this year to partner with George Washington University to offer a special session of Giraffe Camp on their campus with Professor Scott Birdwell. We know that families of whistleblowers, advocates, and journalists experience democracy and truth-telling in unique ways. Our children are watching and sometimes involved. This is an opportunity for them to learn, share and engage! Professor Birdwell uses a gamification approach to teach law students how to identify and catch corrupt actors. This game is being modified to teach our children about ethics, whistleblowing and the law. It is an opportunity for young people to be involved with a program that will give them exposure to a college campus and engage with others with similar backgrounds and interests. We will give them certificates of attendance. Lunch will be provided (so please note any restrictions on the registration form.) Please register in advance. Seating is limited. All children are welcome to attend.

Celebrate National Whistleblower Appreciation Day together at Supra Restaurant (Georgian Cuisine)

The Pillar Awards presentation is the capstone event for the Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival. Join us at the National Press Club for the awards reception/dinner to honor in solidarity all courageous whistleblowers and advocates.