Stories of Local Activism #18
Braver Angels
Practicing Courageous Citizenship Across Political Differences
New York
New York-based Braver Angels is a national nonprofit working to depolarize American politics and strengthen democratic culture.
Braver Angels began in December 2016 in South Lebanon, Ohio. Its first gathering brought together Clinton voters and Trump voters for a weekend of honest conversation across political differences. That experience led to a broader movement that now organizes citizens across all 50 states through workshops, debates, local alliances, conventions, membership, and volunteer leadership.
The organization works across civic life, education, politics, media, faith communities, scholarship, and local community networks. It brings together “Reds,” “Blues,” and others through structured experiences that reduce stereotyping, build communication skills, and create opportunities for common-ground action.
Mission
Braver Angels inspires and equips Americans to practice courageous citizenship across political differences through skill-building, convening, and collaborative action.
What They Do
-
Bridge political divides through structured conversation by bringing people with different political views into guided spaces where they can speak honestly, listen carefully, and see one another as people rather than opponents.
-
Create constructive debate spaces help people test ideas, hear different viewpoints, and practice disagreeing without contempt.
-
Build grassroots civic infrastructure so that bridgebuilding becomes a regular civic practice rather than a one-time conversation.
-
Support schools and campuses to develop the habits of civil discourse, critical thinking, and respectful disagreement on difficult public issues.
-
Work with civic and political leaders to help elected officials, candidates, staff, and community leaders engage disagreement more productively and model healthier public dialogue.
-
Shape public narrative to show average Americans a different way to talk about politics: with courage, humility, honesty, and respect.
How They Do It
1. Braver Citizens
Builds local alliances and volunteer-led spaces where people connect across political differences
2. Braver Arts
Uses music, film, books, photography, and storytelling to humanize political difference
3. Braver Education
Helps students and educators practice civil discourse, critical thinking, and respectful disagreement
4. Braver Faith
Equips faith communities to have political conversations rooted in dignity and respect
5. Braver Media
Shares stories, podcasts, essays, and videos that model healthier political dialogue
6. Braver Network
Connects partner organizations working to reduce polarization and strengthen civic trust
7. Braver Politics
Helps elected officials, candidates, staff, and citizens engage disagreement more constructively
8. Braver Scholars
Links research and civic practice to deepen the work of courageous citizenship
Theory of Change
Different political sides + equal Red/Blue leadership + simple conversation tools + local action + shared stories → less anger, more trust, and stronger democracy
IMPACT
-
Braver Angels works across all 50 states through workshops, debates, community events, membership recruitment, local alliances, regional leadership, and convention delegates.
-
Braver Angels claims that participants across program experiences show improved views of the other side and that after 1:1 Conversations 97% say they found common ground.
-
The organization reports that 75% of participants say they are likely to share what they learned with friends and family.
-
Their 2024 National Convention gathered nearly 750 people, equally divided between liberals and conservatives plus independents, for three days of debate, problem-solving, and movement-building.
-
Braver Angels maintains a public evaluation page with studies and reports from 2018 through 2025, including academic and internal analyses of its depolarization work.
Take Action
-
Share this story with your network.
-
Attend a workshop: Join a Red/Blue, Depolarizing Within, Disagreeing Better, Common Ground, or Families and Politics workshop.
-
Attend a debate: Participate in a local or national Braver Angels Debate designed to build understanding across disagreement.
-
Have a 1:1 conversation: Practice direct cross-partisan listening and common-ground discovery.
-
Join or start a local alliance: Connect with Braver Angels members in your area to host events, discussions, debates, and civic projects.
-
Bring Braver Angels to a school or campus: Use Braver Education programs for middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities.
-
Donate or volunteer: Support the volunteer-led movement financially or through direct service.
-
Social channels: Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X/Twitter
-
Contact Them: info@braverangels.org
-
Visit Their Website: BraverAngels.org
