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The Living Declaration: Pursuing Happiness, Then and Now

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Pico Iyer, Héctor Tobar, Youngmi Mayer, Gary Tyler, Edward “Ted” Ladd Widmer

Performance by Rob Stone, Chris James and Patrick Rynn, Vincent Fossett Jr.

September 22, 2026

Is “happiness” still an essential human right? 250 years after the Declaration of Independence was written, we are looking closely at what the “pursuit of happiness” means today. Does the promise still hold up in 2026?  ALOUD and the Library of America present a program inspired by The Living Declaration: A Biography of America’s Founding Text written by historian and former presidential speechwriter Ted Widmer.  

We are bringing together a dynamic line-up of artists, activists, writers, and historians to explore the past, present, and future of this American ideal. The evening will feature live readings and be book-ended by a blues medley curated by Rob Stone, featuring world-renowned musicians. 

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Stacy Lieberman

As President and CEO of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA), Stacy Lieberman is an innovative and inclusive leader whose career dwells at the intersection of arts and culture, lifelong learning, storytelling, and equitable access. Stacy guides the Foundation’s philanthropic and public-facing priorities to serve the Los Angeles Public Library, embracing the notion that libraries are beacons of democracy where everyone is welcome. She works intentionally with community leaders, donors, and internal and external strategic partners to raise awareness and resources for the Library and its life-changing initiatives.

With more than 20 years of experience as a senior executive, Stacy has left an indelible mark on iconic L.A. arts, non-profit, and educational institutions such as The Broad, the Autry Museum of the American West, and the Skirball Cultural Center. Building on an early career in book publishing, she has dedicated her professional life to sharing stories and broadening the reach of public institutions to welcome visitors and students of all ages and backgrounds to experience educational, arts, and cultural opportunities.