How Carpenters’ Hall Is Inspiring the Next Generation — With Strategic Support From Frank DiCicco Associates
At Frank DiCicco Associates, we believe history should do more than inform — it should inspire. That’s why we’re proud to support Carpenters’ Hall in bringing its bold educational mission to life, combining Philadelphia’s rich past with a forward-looking civic vision.
Last summer, the Hall launched the Young People’s Continental Congress (YPCC) — a visionary education program bringing together high school rising seniors from all 13 original colonies. With support from Amtrak and civic partners, students engaged in months of virtual learning before traveling to Philadelphia for a four-day immersive experience reenacting the First Continental Congress.
After Carpenters’ Hall created their national youth initiative, they turned to FDA for help in building visibility, momentum, and lasting impact. Our team provided strategic planning, public affairs guidance, stakeholder engagement, and partnership development, all designed to amplify the Hall’s work and elevate its role on the national stage.
“This wasn’t just a program launch — it was about building a platform that connects Carpenters’ Hall to a new generation of civic leaders,” said Frank DiCicco, President and Founding Partner of Frank DiCiccio Associates and former Philadelphia City Councilmember.
Behind the scenes, FDA helped shape the narrative and strategy:
We positioned the YPCC as a national model for civic engagement, rooted in local legacy.
We worked closely with stakeholders — from educators to elected officials — to ensure the program aligned with broader civic goals.
Following its success, the program is expanding. In July, students from all 50 states and U.S. territories will participate. The experience kicks off on July 14th with a formal dinner at City Hall, setting the tone for a week of connection, collaboration, and discovery.
FDA continues to support this work through strategic planning and coalition-building, helping Carpenters’ Hall scale up while staying grounded in its historic mission.
And the future is even brighter. As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, Carpenters’ Hall is preparing to launch a local version of YPCC in 2026 — one that will engage rising seniors from every Philadelphia high school in a yearlong civic leadership experience.
“This is what long-term civic infrastructure looks like — and we’re proud to be a part of helping to build it,” said Blondell Reynolds Brown, Senior Advisor at Frank DiCiccio Associates and former Philadelphia City Councilmember.
At Frank DiCicco Associates, we specialize in helping mission-driven organizations grow their influence, tell their stories, and achieve meaningful impact. Carpenters’ Hall is doing more than preserving the past — with the right strategic support, it’s shaping the future.
