About

Message From The Founder

I founded Civic Revival USA because I believe America’s promise belongs to all of us, not just the loudest voices or the most powerful interests with the highest wealth.

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago in a working-class household where money was tight and life was often uncertain. My grandmother and uncle helped raise me and my younger brother. My mom was always ill and struggled with mental health and addiction, making each day unpredictable and difficult. We lived on food stamps, borrowed money to keep the lights on, and did the best we could to get by. To say that my childhood wasn’t easy would be a massive understatement.

I was baptized Catholic but encouraged to form my own beliefs. My family accepted me for who I am, even when that meant being a gay kid in blue-collar America with a religious upbringing. I was always taught that it was okay to be different as long as I was a productive member of society, held a job, paid my taxes, treated people the way I wanted to be treated, and followed the law. My roots stretch from the Midwest to a farm in Alabama, where my great-grandfather championed the values of honesty, hard work, and fairness. I only wish I could remember him better. Somewhere, there’s still a photo of me as a baby sitting on a tractor with him in the crop fields.

I never had the privilege of an elite education. I’m no scholar or historian, and I don’t pretend to be. After losing both my grandmother and uncle in high school, I entered the workforce at 18 to help my mom pay bills. I taught myself what I needed to succeed, studied through distance learning when I could, and built a life through persistence, not pedigree. Even after overcoming the obstacles of my childhood, at age 23 my life was again upended by tragedy. My brother was horrifically murdered, a loss that nearly broke me. But I fought through the grief, stood strong for my mom, and used that pain as motivation to build a better life. I’m not a perfect person, but I found the strength to move forward. I work tremendously hard to honor my brother’s memory with each day I’m fortunate to have on this earth. Every challenge has tested me, but I’ve never stopped believing in myself or in this country’s promise. My great aunt used to say: “Frankie, remember – God never gives us more than we can handle.” Whether you’re a religious person or not, I do believe that saying has meaning for each of us. I keep it in my heart and let it guide me when the daily burdens of life seem too overwhelming.

Civic Revival USA was born from both frustration and hope. I see plenty of influencers and reporters providing commentary about the state of our country, but few standing up to propose long-term, sustainable solutions. I still believe in the America I grew up learning about—a free nation built on equality, opportunity, and shared responsibility. I don’t see politics as left or right. I see it as fairness, common sense, and respect. We must move beyond cultural battles rooted in religion, recognize that we are a nation of many faiths and viewpoints, and treat our differences as strengths. Only then can we solve real problems and build a better life for everyone.

My goal is simple: to inspire Americans to rise up, re-engage in civic life, and take pride in being part of this nation’s story. Civic Revival USA exists to remind us that democracy is not just a system of government or an idea; it is a shared duty, a celebration, and a promise we all help keep.

Sincerely,
Frank