Braver Angels Mission

Braver Angels brings Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.

Formed in the wake of the 2016 presidential election, Braver Angels was born of the belief that it is possible for those with opposing views to see each other less as enemies than as fellow citizens striving for similar goals. We have a growing national network of 1,300 volunteers that moderate and organize workshops and debates to foster respectful, compassionate dialogue between Americans holding opposing points of view on political and social issues. Over 17,000 Americans are in our movement, and around 50,000 are on our subscriber list. Our programs equip participants to carry what they have learned into their own circles, to inspire a more humane, constructive approach to our current sociopolitical divide.

Brief History

●   2016: Began with an initial weekend gathering of Trump and Clinton supporters following the election, with structured exercises helping to unearth common ground and seed new cross-partisan friendships, leading to first alliance.

●   2017: Built upon incredible demand for similar events—including a new skills training workshop—using a bus tour and training of the first cohort of workshop moderators.

●   2018-19: Added more training workshops and debates, developed a field structure (see next page), and built a media arm including a highly successful podcast.

●   2020: Changed name from Better Angels to Braver Angels; built several initiatives to respond to the election, pandemic and civil unrest, with 2020 campaign—including With Malice Toward None and Hold America Together programs, and extensive conversations around race—as well as full-scale mobilization to make all events available online, leading to explosive growth.