ALF Houston, the Houston/Gulf Coast chapter of the American Leadership Forum, brings together diverse leaders across sectors to build deeper trust, engage in courageous conversations, and lead collaborative change in the region. Their mission is to join and strengthen diverse leaders to serve the common good—transforming individual leadership journeys into a network of collective impact.

The Chamber of Connection is a nonpartisan initiative working to transform the culture of politics by strengthening human relationships among elected leaders. With a focus on curiosity, connection, and collaboration, the Chamber brings together state legislators—across party lines—to build trust, reduce polarization, and develop the skills needed to govern with integrity and empathy.

The Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) at UC Berkeley bridges the gap between scientific research and everyday life, helping people apply the science of compassion, connection, and well-being to build stronger communities and a more empathetic world. Since 2001, GGSC has been a trusted source of research-backed insights on how to live a more connected, resilient, and purpose-driven life—at home, at work, and in society.

Search for Common Ground is the world’s largest dedicated peacebuilding organization, working to end violent conflict through dialogue, collaboration, and shared goals. Founded in 1982, their mission is to transform the way the world deals with conflict—moving from adversarial approaches to cooperative solutions. Operating in more than 30 countries, Search brings together people across political, cultural, and religious divides to resolve conflict and build lasting peace.

Builders is a national movement of Americans from all walks of life who are committed to repairing our civic fabric by building trust, relationships, and common purpose. Whether in small towns or big cities, online or in person, Builders believe that community doesn’t just happen—it’s something we make, together. This nonpartisan initiative brings together people who are willing to act locally and connect across differences to strengthen democracy from the ground up.

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?

Bridging across divides and creating a shared sense of belonging in communities is essential to sustain a broader socially connected community. Approaches that honor the diversity of members in the community require bringing people together across differences to avoid othering and siloing of subgroups.

The biggest insight? Most Americans—what the researchers call the “Exhausted Majority”—feel alienated by partisan combat. They’re tired of being forced to choose sides. They want leaders who listen, policies that unite, and conversations that matter.

At The Change Lab, this research affirms our belief that connection is still possible, and that the majority of Americans are looking for a way forward—together.