Events

Braver Angels workshops are typically free events as part of our mission to depolarize America. Braver Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We invite you to consider a gift to Braver Angels; all donations are tax deductible.  Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America. To donate to Minnesota Braver Angels, go to Support a Braver Angels Field Organization - Minnesota.

Minnesota events are listed below, as well as some national events. To find additional national events, visit the Events Calendar on the national Braver Angels website. The national BA events calendar offers in-person and online events and can be searched by date and location. Most Registration links go to Eventbrite, a service that lists events and manages registrations.

Upcoming events and activities in Minnesota

August 25 - Health Care and How to Restore Trust in Public Health

Monday, Aug 25, 6 p.m.
Host: West Suburban Alliance
Davanni's Pizza and Subs - In person
3015 Harbor Lane
Plymouth, MN 55447

Join the Braver Angels West Suburban Alliance for an evening of conversation. We'll engage in structured, respectful discussions following the Braver Angels Way, sharing diverse views and seeking understanding. 

This session will be led by Wilk Wilkinson, a national Braver Angels leader who has been engaged in Truth & Trust Project, a national BA initiative to rebuild public trust in health institutions with with Dr. Francis Collins, former director of the National Institutes of Health. Wilk has a weekly podcast, Derate the Hate . On the Aug. 14, 2024 podcast, Mr. Wilkinson and Dr. Francis discussed “How Do We Fix It,” which focused on their differing health care perspectives and finding common ground solutions. 

If you plan to dine, please order your meal in advance online or by phone (763-550-0003) so the food is prepared by 6 p.m. when socializing begins. You may order days in advance. Discussion will start after dinner.  

For planning purposes, it's helpful (but not required) to let us know that you plan to attend by emailing bpomerantz@braverangels.org. Send questions about the program to the same email address. 

Sept. 11 - The Rural/Urban Divide in Minnesota. What Do the Twin Cities Not Know?

Thursday, Sept. 11, 7-8:30 p.m.
Online event - Register to receive link

Register

Those who live in the seven county metro area might think they know those in the other 96 percent of the state, but what don't they know and what might they get wrong? Let's discuss what urbanites don't know, what are the stereotypes and what rural communities want them to know!

*Tickets are Free, Donations Help Use promo code BRAVER during registration to get a free ticket. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, 501(c)3.

Questions? Contact mn-coordinators@braverangels.org

** This event is open to the media upon approval. Send requests to press@braverangels.org

National Events - Online

August 23 - Common Ground Workshop: Immigration – Designing America’s Deportation Policy

Saturday August 23, 5-8:30p.m.
Host: BA National

Setting: Online

Register

* Restricted Attendance: Red and Blue Participants will be required to have experience in an earlier Braver Angels Immigration Campaign common ground workshop

Join us for a Common Ground Workshop on Immigration – Designing America’s Deportation Policy

The Braver Angels Common Ground Workshop brings together equal numbers of Conservatives and Liberals – Reds and Blues (4-8 of each) – for a deep dive into a problem, such as addressing climate change, electoral reform or abortion. Together participants talk about their connection to the issue and their opinion on solutions. By the end of the 3-hour online event they have come up with jointly and unanimously held Points of Agreements on values, concerns and policies.

The Common Ground workshop is an out-growth of Braver Angels signature Red-Blue workshop and allows participants to go deeper into a single issue. Points of Agreement can be fleshed out at future group meetings, and when possible lead to joint Red-Blue actions such as op-eds, joint speaking and meetings with legislators.

Goals:

• To delve into a single issue where citizens differ, and learn how each other sees the problem

• To delineate areas of common ground and points of agreement

• To learn something that might be helpful to others in our community and the nation.

Logistics:

There are two ways to join a Common Ground Workshop:

• Participant: A participant will engage in small- and large-group discussions with individuals of both the same and different political persuasions. Participants must identify as “red” (Republican or leaning conservative) or “blue” (Democrat or leaning liberal). We will strive for an equal balance of red and blue participants: 4 to 8 people on each side.

• Observer/Alternate: An observer/alternate will not participate in the discussions directly but will have the opportunity to watch and listen. Observers/Alternates should be ready to step in and participate as their “color” in the event of participant cancellations. In areas that have a geographic “color” imbalance, allowing for up to 15 Observers/Alternates provides an opportunity for more people to experience a Red/Blue workshop. Observer/Alternates have found observing a workshop to be amazingly valuable.

Who can come? Anyone interested in developing a deeper understanding of, and connection with, people whose political beliefs differ from their own. You should honestly be able to answer “yes” to the following question:

“Are you willing to listen to the other side, and are you willing to speak to the other side with respect?”

Equal numbers of Conservatives and Liberals take a deep dive into a chosen issue to find joint and unanimously held Points of Agreements.

Everyone who signs up will receive a phone call or email from an organizer. Organizers reserve the right to switch people between Participant and Observer/Alternate status depending on the needs of the workshop.

See you there!

This workshop is a free event brought to you by Braver Angels as part of our mission to depolarize America. Braver Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We invite you to consider a gift to Braver Angels; all donations are tax deductible.  Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America. Click here to donate.

Sept. 5 - Crossing the Continental Divide - An introduction to Braver Angels

Friday, Sept. 5, 7-8:30 p.m. EDT  (6-7:30 p.m. CDT) 

Host Organization: BA National - Workshops 

Setting: This event is to be attended online via Zoom. Tickets are free.

Register to receive link

Note: This event is to be attended online via Zoom. Tickets are free.

Crossing the Continental Divide provides participants with an introduction to Braver Angels and an overview of its principles. During this presentation participants will:

• Participate in two brief activities (one taken directly from the Depolarizing Within workshop)

• Watch a video of a Braver Angels’ Red/Blue workshop in action

• Gain knowledge about how to have better conversations

• Learn about other Braver Angels’ experiences and opportunities

Tickets are Free, Donations Help. Donations support Braver Angels, 501(c)3.

September 13 - Depolarizing Within

Saturday September 13, 1-4 p.m. 

Host Organization: BA National - Workshops 

Setting: Online

Register

Much of today’s polarization is driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those on the other side. Too often, we stereotype, dismiss, or ridicule our fellow citizens who support the other political party, its leaders, and its policies.

This free, three-hour workshop teaches participants:

• How to be more aware of their own “inner polarizer”

• How to be critical without demonizing, dismissing or stereotyping large swaths of the population

• Strategies for intervening constructively in social conversations with like-minded peers when these conversations veer into contempt and ridicule for people who hold other political views.

Workshop Format: The 3-hour workshop is offered online over Zoom.

Who can come? Anyone interested in examining their own inner polarization and learning strategies to disagree without condemning or ridiculing others.

See you there!

This workshop is a free event brought to you by Braver Angels as part of our mission to depolarize America. Braver Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We invite you to consider a gift to Braver Angels; all donations are tax deductible.  Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America. Click here to donate.