Powerlessness is a paralyzing feeling. With the assassination of Charlie Kirk – as with the assassination of Melissa Hortman before him – many Americans feel powerless before the threat of violence. So too do many Americans feel powerless to defend their civil liberties. You do not have to agree with these fears to know that in this moment, all of us fear something.

Webinar: 2025 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston
Tuesday, June 17, 10-11 a.m. | Presenting Sponsor: Wells Fargo 

Explore the latest findings from this year's State of Housing report, which will focus on long-term affordability challenges associated with disaster recovery and resilience. A panel discussion with experts James Elliott (Rice University), Elaine Morales-Díaz (Connective) and Jeremy Porter (First Street) will follow. 

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.

This is for anyone who leads—formally or informally:

• Parents and caregivers

• Business owners and managers

• Teachers and coaches

• Nonprofit leaders and community volunteers

• Anyone who wants to grow stronger and serve better

You don’t need a fancy title to be a leader. If people look to you, you’re leading. And this course can help.

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.

Braver Angels of Houston is working in our local communities by holding workshops, debates and public presentations designed to bridge the polarizing political divide we experience in our country. These events allow conservatives and liberals to get past the destructive stereotypes so we can have civil conversations about real issues that lead to productive problem-solving. 

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 Houston in Action member organization network operates on the belief that we can do greater things together than we can apart and that the more influence our communities have over the systems and services that are meant to support us, the better able we are to lead the lives we want to live.

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?