The presidential election results are in and after a polarizing season, and whether celebrating or lamenting, Americans are bracing themselves for a new future. How can we find a way to understand one another – and even learn to embrace one another – despite our differences? How might we move forward and find common purpose recognized by all sides?
To begin an answer to these questions, one week before election day, the Civil Society Fellowship hosted a Town Hall on Hopes, Fears, and Dreams in a Divided America in Washington, DC – a gathering of leaders across the political spectrum to be in dialogue on some of the greatest issues the country was facing going into voting day. This event was a kick off to a series of regional Town Hall gatherings taking place across the country, all working to build capacity for civil dialogue over difference and mitigate the worst potential impacts of deep divisions in our country.
Following the Fellowship’s tradition of building trust across differences, we invite you to host or attend a Civil Society Town Hall in your community. The Civil Society Fellowship Town Hall initiative offers communities a pathway to move beyond political division by fostering spaces where critical issues are openly discussed with respect and understanding.
Host Your Own Gathering
Use this toolkit as a resource to organize a town hall in your community. With practical resources and structured guidance, we offer this platform as a tool to bring folks in your community who may not see eye to eye together and encourage thoughtful dialogue, create deeper understanding of one another, and build stronger, more resilient relationships.
Attend a Gathering Hosted by a Civil Society Fellow
Between Presidential Inauguration Day (Monday, January 20, 2025) and President’s Day (February 17, 2025), Civil Society Fellows are hosting regional town halls across the country. Fellows span the political continuum including L-of-center, R-of-center, and Centrists. A priority of the CSF town halls is to welcome all views.
- Atlanta, Georgia, hosted by Brittany Hughes, Legislative Director, U.S. House of Representatives. Farmers Market Enthusiast. Podcaster.
- Austin, Texas, hosted by Jenifer Sarver, Principal, Sarver Strategies. Professor. Communications Strategist. Aunt. Aspiring Author.
- Jacksonville, Florida, hosted by Isaiah Oliver, President, Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Philanthropist. Michigander. Father. DJ.
- Los Angeles, California, hosted by Joseph Tomas McKellar, Executive Director, PICO California. Faith-based Community Organizer. Father.
- Washington, D.C., hosted by Darius Graham, Managing Director, Greater Washington Community Foundation. Traveler. Community Investor.
- Wilkesboro, North Carolina (rural Appalachia), hosted by LB Prevette, Owner, Merle’s Craft Cocktails. Storyteller. Entrepreneur.
More information on how to attend soon.
Questions? Planning to host a gathering yourself? We’d love to hear from you. Email agln.info@aspeninstitute.org to get in touch with our team.
DOWNLOAD THE HOST GUIDE
About the Civil Society Fellowship
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. 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
