Young people already want to work alongside adults to solve community issues—but often lack spaces with real power or connection reciprocal collaboration.

The State of the City address is a critical civic moment that outlines Houston’s direction, fosters transparency, and encourages collaboration across sectors. It's an opportunity for residents and organizations to hear directly from their mayor and align around the city’s goals. Events like this promote civic accountability and foster engagement in public life.

Millions of Americans lack reliable healthcare access. Jordan’s philanthropy directly addresses gaps in community health by funding infrastructure and removing barriers like cost and transportation. His hometown model could inspire similar efforts nationwide

Without a shared story built on democratic ideals, public cohesion and collective action weaken. Amid rising polarization and authoritarian threats, a revitalized narrative rooted in civic values provides the social glue and moral framework to sustain democratic governance and shared purpose.

As schools cut arts programming, after-school and community-based programs fill critical gaps—especially in low-income areas. These programs offer young people creative spaces to build confidence, joy, cultural pride, and future pathways Wallace Foundation. The report shows arts are not a luxury—they’re a vital part of youth wellness and civic growth.

Millions of Americans lack a working knowledge of how government functions or what their civic responsibilities entail. Civics 101 meets this challenge head-on with fast, foundational lessons that help people of all ages—from students to retirees—understand the systems that shape their daily lives. With trust in institutions declining and polarization rising, resources like Civics 101 play a vital role in rebuilding civic competence and confidence.

Informed citizens start young. Kids Discover Online provides engaging, age-appropriate content that helps students understand systems, history, and science—all essential foundations for civic readiness. From ancient civilizations to climate change and democracy, Kids Discover connects learning to the real world, building civic awareness and critical thinking from a young age.

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit think tank and leadership organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute convenes leaders across sectors to tackle the world’s most complex challenges through dialogue, research, and action. With a strong belief in values-based leadership, the Aspen Institute creates space for bold ideas, civil discourse, and meaningful impact.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with locations across the U.S. and abroad, Aspen serves as a neutral ground where changemakers collaborate on solutions across lines of difference.

OBI University is a free, self-paced learning website created by the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley. It’s built for anyone who wants to be part of a stronger, more united country—whether you’re a teacher, a parent, a student, or just someone who cares about your community.

Through short, engaging lessons, OBI U gives people the tools to understand how we can treat each other with more respect, work across differences, and make sure no one is left out.

More in Common is a nonprofit organization that publishes research, builds strategies, and works in partnership with leaders and organizations throughout the United States. We help these partners bring Americans together across differences to engage meaningfully in our civil and cultural life. 

In addition to the US, More in Common has teams in France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and most recently Brazil.   

The Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley advances groundbreaking research, policy, and ideas that examine and remediate the processes of exclusion, marginalization, and structural inequality—what we call othering—in order to build a world based on inclusion, fairness, justice, and care for the earth—what we call belonging.

Experts often warn of a growing crisis of connection. Yet in a time when Americans feel divided, do they really want to connect with others—especially with those who are different from them? And if they do, what’s standing in their way?