As public trust declines and leaders navigate constant scrutiny and media noise, credible leadership rooted in clarity and values matters more than ever. 

In this fireside conversation, Congressman James E. Clyburn and Michael Zeldin discuss how the expectations and pressures of leadership have evolved across decades and why earning trust today is fundamentally more difficult than in the past.

Guided by his recently released book, The First Eight, which tells the story of the trailblazing pioneers who came before him and the century-long gap before he became the ninth, the conversation will cover how progress can pause when trust erodes, how leadership must evolve to meet new realities, and what Congressman Clyburn’s decades of service, including his 17th term, reveal about sustaining credibility over time.

The focus is on leadership lessons and credibility challenges facing today’s communicators, not partisan politics. Attendees will leave the discussion with practical takeaways for building and maintaining trust. 

Fireside Chat:

Congressman James E. Clyburn

James E. Clyburn is the U.S. Congressman representing South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and Chairman of the Democratic Faith Working Group. He previously served as Assistant Democratic Leader from 2011 to 2018 and 2023 to March 2024, and House Majority Whip from 2019 to 2022 and 2007 to 2010, making him the first African American to serve multiple terms as Majority Whip. As a national leader, he has championed rural and economic development and many of his initiatives have become law.  His 10-20-30 federal funding formula was included in four sections of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Congressman Clyburn is also a passionate supporter of historic preservation and restoration programs.  His efforts have restored scores of historic buildings and sites on the campuses of historically black colleges and universities.  His legislation created the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor and the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, elevated the Congaree National Monument to a National Park, and established the Reconstruction Era National Monument in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. A native son of South Carolina, Clyburn has represented the state’s Sixth Congressional District since 1993.

Michael Zeldin
Podcast Host, That Said with Michael Zeldin

Michael Zeldin is a widely respected television and radio legal analyst and the host of the podcast That Said with Michael Zeldin. Over the course of his career, he has served as a federal prosecutor, private-sector lawyer, law professor, and Principal at a Big Four consulting firm. 

Michael is known globally for his clear, thoughtful analysis of complex legal and political issues. He has covered many of the most consequential political and legal moments of the past several decades, including the Clinton impeachment proceedings, the Gore v. Bush election challenges, Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into interference in the 2016 presidential election, and the Trump impeachment proceedings for all major cable and broadcast networks as well as the BBC and Canadian Broadcast Corporation.

In 2019, Michael was a Resident Fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, where he taught a study group on independent investigations of presidents. He also held senior investigative roles as Deputy Independent/Independent Counsel examining allegations related to the extra-legal search of President Bill Clinton’s passport files, and as Deputy Chief Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee, October Surprise Task Force, which investigated the handling of the American hostage crisis in Iran.

A prolific writer and commentator, Michael has published op-eds in CNN.com, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Hill, and The Washington Times. His work reflects a deep commitment to legal rigor, historical context, and making complex legal and political issues accessible to the public.

Welcome Remarks:

Ashley L. Upkins
President, National Bar Association

Ashley L. Upkins is a trailblazer in the legal and energy sectors, celebrated as the first woman from Tennessee to serve as the President of the National Bar Association (NBA), the oldest and largest network of African-American attorneys, judges, and legal professionals in the United States. Upkins leads the charge for justice, advocating for civil rights, the rule of law, and the elevation of Black legal excellence on a national scale. Under her leadership, the NBA is forging a new era of unapologetic advocacy, global partnerships, and unified action in the pursuit of social and legal equality.

As the Head of Litigation, Investigations, and Alternative Dispute Resolution at Silicon Ranch, the largest independent solar power producer in the U.S., Upkins brings her strategic legal expertise to the forefront of renewable energy. At the cutting edge of the solar energy revolution, she plays a critical role in shaping litigation strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and mitigating commercial dispute risks for one of the most dynamic companies in the renewable energy industry. Her work safeguards Silicon Ranch’s commitment to sustainable growth, while also advancing the company’s mission of clean energy innovation.

Before joining Silicon Ranch, Upkins served as the Managing Partner of The Cochran Firm in Nashville, where she led a team of dedicated attorneys in high-stakes cases related to civil rights, personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death. Renowned for her exceptional ability to navigate complex litigation, arbitration, and mediation, Upkins secured favorable outcomes for her clients and became known for her relentless commitment to justice and client-centered advocacy. Her strategic approach and results-driven leadership earned her a reputation as a fierce advocate and a compassionate voice for the voiceless.

A proud Nashville native, Upkins earned her Bachelor of Science from Vanderbilt University and her Juris Doctor, with a Health Law certification, from Belmont University College of Law, where she was part of the inaugural class. Her career is marked not only by her legal accomplishments but also by her business acumen; having worked in the Fortune 50 IT sector, where she played a key role in mid-level acquisitions and honed her expertise in business operations and strategy.

Upkins is deeply committed to community service and leadership. She has held numerous roles within the NBA, including Vice President of Finance, and actively serves on various boards and committees that promote justice, equity, and education. Her passion for health and wellness led her to run the New York City Marathon, raising funds for childhood obesity initiatives. Upkins is also dedicated to mentorship, guiding the next generation of Black attorneys and leaders to effect lasting change in their communities.

As she leads the NBA into its 100th year, Upkins remains steadfast in her commitment to transforming the legal landscape, empowering underrepresented communities, and creating a legacy of justice and equity for future generations.

Closing Remarks:

Helen C. Shelton, MS
Senior Partner, Global Chief Diversity Officer, FINN Partners

Helen Shelton is a communications strategist with particular expertise in creating impactful platforms and programs that address the needs and interests of diverse communities. She serves as a trusted point of counsel for corporations and brands across multiple sectors, while overseeing the FINN’s global Inclusion & Impact program, Actions Speak Louder. 

Helen works tirelessly in the industry not only to responsibly promote client products and services spanning the health, technology, consumer, automotive, fragrance, spirits and wine sectors, but also to advance important causes, ranging from adult education and housing, arts and culture, voter registration, disparate unemployment, health disparities and disease awareness initiatives.

Her connectivity has fostered relationships with some of the most iconic figures in the worlds of art, music, entertainment and architecture, all while making a career by making a difference. Of note, Helen led strategic  communications around the launch of Hip Hop Public Health’s breakthrough COVID-19 music video PSA trilogy, 20 Seconds of More and 20 Segundos o Más, and Behind the Mask. 

A native New Yorker, Helen holds a B.A. in art history from Dartmouth College and an M.S. degree in communications from Boston University, where she was an RKO General Scholar. Named one of the 30 Most Powerful Women in Manhattan, and one of the 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business by The Network Journal magazine, Helen is a Trustee of the PRSA Foundation, Board Member of the New York Urban League, a member of PR Week’s Hall of Femme and a Crain’s New York Notable in PR and Marketing. She is a Charter member of the Pi Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a member of the Greater New York Chapter of The Links, where she chairs the women’s service organization’s Arts Facet. Featured in the seminal book, Diverse Voices, Helen regularly writes about multicultural marketing and DEI in industry trades, including PR News , Triple Pundit, PR Week and BusinessWire.

Helen is a double recipient of the PR Week Award for Multicultural Marketing Campaign of the Year for her work on behalf of Hip Hop Public Health, and for conceiving and managing Believe in Healthy BP, a national hypertension awareness program featuring Grammy®-winning recording Gospel artist Yolanda Adams. Helen received the BCA Global Vision Award for her work in the spirits and wine industry. In her spare time, Helen enjoys Italian cinema and literature.