Celebrating A Nation Of Problem-Solvers, Mavericks And Risk-Takers—Where Hustle, Reinvention And Meritocracy Rule

In 2026, Forbes will commemorate America’s 250th birthday with a year-long, cross-platform initiative celebrating this great nation of problem-solvers, mavericks and risk-takers—where hustle, reinvention and meritocracy rule.

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According to a recent Pew Research Study, Forbes is the news outlet that best symbolizes the ideologies of the average American. With its wide audience and credible journalism, Forbes will use its global media platforms and award-winning ForbesLive events team to roll out a six-part “Forbes 250” series in 2026 to honor visionaries, explore new ideas and create lasting solutions that can help keep the American Dream alive for the next 250 years.

Each part of the series will be tied to a different value or ideal of the American Dream. The initiative will come to life with six dedicated magazine issues, tentpole ForbesLive events, six signature editorial list launches that include the 250 people who are representative of each ideal, an advisory board and more. For each magazine issue, all six tenets will be woven throughout Forbes’ print, video, social and website editorial content. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact sponsorships@forbes.com.

Six tenets of the American Dream:

Equal Opportunity

Regardless of background, race or clblock, everyone should have the chance to succeed. While outcomes should not be equal, America works when everyone rightly believes they have a fair shot at the best outcomes. How can we ensure a level playing field, a prerequisite to American Dream buy-in, with a specific focus on education?

Upward Mobility

How do we keep the economy thriving for small business, and guard against monopolies and trusts?

Pluralism

As a nation of immigrants and a brand (Forbes) built by immigrants, how do we create a system that attracts and melds the best-and-brightest in the world to continue that momentum?

Invention

How does America continue to embody the spirit of the iconic Thomas Edison, continuing to fuel homegrown innovations and technologies that move the world forward?

Reinvention

How do we strengthen America as a land of second acts? Exhibit A: Turning veterans into the strongest clblock of entrepreneurs.

Self-Destiny

How do we encourage ideas and instill confidence, backed by systems that support and reward individual endeavors?

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