JULY 5-8
See you in Gettysburg!
Reach Across the Divides
“An Elitist and a Deplorable Walk Into a Bar…”
A conversation between Francis Collins, former Director of the National Institutes of Health, and Wilk Wilkinson, the conservative leader of We The People’s project.
Then and Now
What lessons can we learn from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ministry of nonviolent protest against injustice and his call for a beloved community? A conversation between Tavis Smiley and Ian Rowe, moderated by John Wood, Jr
Improve Our Politics
Can we have an America in which growing majorities of voters in both parties believe that U.S. elections are fair, reliable, and worthy of the public’s trust? Can we agree across the partisan divide on ways to improve the integrity of our election system?
In a democracy, conflict is normal. But must it poison our civic life and tear us apart? Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT) and others will discuss with delegates how we can move from toxic division to healthy conflict – and how citizens can help make this possible.
How can citizens more effectively engage their political leaders? Learn the art of successfully engaging candidates, elected officials, and political staffers.
Improve Our Campuses
Leaders from BridgeUSA, the nation’s largest student-run organization working to bridge the divide on campuses, cast their vision for an intergenerational movement.
See how faculty are incorporating Braver Angels Debates into their curriculum and how college administrations can include bridge-building skills and values in freshman orientations.
Learn how to organize bridge-building programs in high schools.
Build Our Civic Muscle
Bridging the Divide
How can I talk to my political other? What are the practical tools for navigating difficult political conversations? Learn to have respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the relationship.
and Lead a Meeting
What’s worse than an unproductive meeting? Learn best practices for meetings that are engaging, energizing, and productive – where things get done and people feel good about the process. Using these skills can strengthen your entire organizational culture.
Hear the experiences of project teams who used the Braver Angels’ way to construct and improve deliverables and impact. Find out how the BA Way can help YOU and your organization deliver impactful results which reflect common ground from ALL voices and perspectives.
Find Our Best Voices
Mónica Guzmán is a bridge builder, journalist, and author who lives for great conversations sparked by curious questions. Her book, “I Never Thought of it That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times” featured on Glenn Beck and named a New York Times 2023 recommended read.
Manu Meel is passionate about empowering young people to bridge divides. He believes that the biggest threat to American democracy is affective polarization and misunderstanding between Americans. As CEO of BridgeUSA, Manu is currently building the largest and fastest growing student movement to bridge our differences and change how we talk politics.
John Wood, Jr., is National Ambassador for Braver Angels, a former nominee for Congress, the former Vice-Chairman of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County (America’s largest county level Republican Party), a musical artist, and a noted writer and speaker on subjects including racial and political reconciliation.
Go Beyond Words
Want to learn to write songs? Then record and perform them? Guided by professional musicians eager to teach and inspire you? Here’s your chance! Led by the BA Music Team and members of the musical group Gangstagrass – our 2023 in-house Convention band.
Learn from Gettysburg
What happened on this hallowed ground in June 1863, when the nation was torn apart, and on the same ground later that year, when Abraham Lincoln spoke of “a new birth of freedom”? A bus tour of the battlefield created for Convention delegates.
What can we learn from the president who led the nation through a Civil War? What is the Gettysburg Address for today?
Four Score is about Gettysburg, the American Story, and generational reflection. How do we remember? What stories and songs do we share? What does it mean to us today?
Rise for America
Can we give birth to a truly meaningful national movement for civic renewal? Delegates will make their voices heard as we debate and refine the Convention platform.
No one organization can change the country. A social movement can. Be a part of – and help to create – a national network of leaders and organizations from all walks of society interested in coming together to bridge our partisan divisions.
Our gathering in Gettysburg is not an activity on its own, but the beginning of something larger that goes back into all our communities. We start this Fall with coordinated activities across the country. Are you interested? How would you like to be a part of it?