The Aspen Institute

Hosted by the Civil Society Fellowship in partnership with the Aspen Global Leadership Network and McNulty Foundation

Political polarization in the United States is at an all-time high, posing one of the most urgent challenges to the country’s future. Amid this pivotal moment in the US presidential election, the Civil Society Fellowship, in partnership with the Aspen Global Leadership Network and the McNulty Foundation, convened leaders from across the nation who have successfully built transformative relationships across divides for a Town Hall on Hopes, Fears, and Dreams in a Divided America.

The Civil Society Fellowship engages the next generation of national leaders—across political ideologies and other differences—to explore and forge solutions to society’s biggest challenges.

Fellows include leaders such as the Secretary for Policy & Planning for Pennsylvania, foundation presidents, war veterans, the Secretary of Health for North Carolina, former White House staff, police chiefs, immigration advocates, and social entrepreneurs. This highly curated group represents leadership from both sides of the aisle, all committed to fostering relationships across divides and driving positive change.

Regardless of the election outcome, it is essential to build the capacity for civil dialogue over difference to mitigate the worst potential impacts of deep divisions. Through dialogue on critical issues such as the economy, immigration, mental health, and social justice, the Town Hall demonstrated skills and mindsets required to build and sustain relationships across differences. Civil Society Fellows working on these issues will anchor the conversation, sharing their experiences, while all attendees are encouraged to ask questions and share their own hopes, fears, and dreams.

This was opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue with fellow citizens from diverse backgrounds and perspectives as we confront polarization and build trust.

The Town Hall took place both virtually and in person in Washington, DC, on October 29, from 2:00-3:30 PM ET. Watch the conversation above.

Featured Fellows

Isaiah Oliver, President, Community Foundation for Northeast Florida – Jacksonville, FL

Marlon Peterson, Executive Director, College & Community Fellowship – Brooklyn, NY

Jen Sarver, Principal, Sarver Strategies – Austin, TX

Ryan Zuidema, Chief of Police, Lynchburg Police Department – Lynchburg, VA

Caleb Cage, Founder, Arc Dome Strategies, LLC. – Reno, NV

Yordanos Eyoel, Founder and CEO, Keseb – Malden, MA

Will Snowden, Director, The Juror Project, Assistant Professor of Law – New Orleans, LA

Kody Kinsley, Secretary, North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services – Raleigh, NC

Jorge Lima, Vice President of Immigration & Economic Progress, Stand Together – Washington, DC

Andrew Pappas, Partner, Osborn Maledon – Phoenix, AZ

Lillian Singh, Senior Vice President, Family Economic Opportunity, Share Our Strength – Washington, DC

About the Civil Society Fellowship
The Civil Society Fellowship is a leadership development program preparing the next generation of community and civic leaders, activists and problem solvers from across the political spectrum. The Fellowship provides participants the opportunity to engage in experiential learning and text-based dialogue, build trust among a diverse cohort of leaders based on shared insights and mutual respect, and put ideas into action through a required leadership venture. The Civil Society Fellowship engages the next generations of national leaders, across political ideology and other differences, to explore and forge solutions to the biggest issues facing our society. It is a program of the Aspen Institute and a Fellowship a part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN). Learn more: civilsocietyfellowship.org

About the Aspen Global Leadership Network
The AGLN is a growing, worldwide community of nearly 4,000 high-integrity, entrepreneurial leaders from over 60 countries who share a commitment to enlightened leadership and to using their creativity, energy, and resources to tackle the foremost societal challenges of our times. Because of their demonstrated accomplishments and abilities, they have been selected to join one of 13 geographic or sector-specific AGLN Fellowships around the world.  For more information, visit aspeninstitute.org/agln.