Media
Popular Reads
#LetsTalk: Critical Race Theory
A panel of experts break down what Critical Race Theory is and what it isn't.
Axios | Vanderbilt launches “Project on Unity & American Democracy”
Announcement of the launch of Project on Unity and American Democracy, co-chaired by Samar Ali.
The Hill | As a Muslim American from the South, I know unity is everything
Samar writes about the 2016 election, political polarization and unity, and her own experience.
Burnaway | Engine for Art, Democracy and Justice in Nashville
Overview of the EADJ Spring 2021 program, including installation Leaves of Grass by Ibrahim Mahama.
On American Democracy
Engaging for Effective Change
A note from Vanderbilt Unity Project Executive Director, Gray Sasser.
On Community Building
The Living Legacy of John Lewis
A note from our partner, Princeton's Bridging Divides Initiative.
Why Communication Matters Now More Than Ever
A note from Dr. Rachel Thornton, Associate Prof. of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
The Power of a Story
A note from Rachel Brown Founder and Executive Director, Project Over Zero.
Strengthening Community One Recipe at a Time
An interview with Farrah Moussallati Sibai, founder of Afia Foods.
Pledge to Listen
Belonging In America
Belonging In America
Our mission is to bring Americans together to change the narratives that marginalize the "other".
Our Common Humanity
2020 Ambassador Mohamed-Shukri Hassan shares shares his journey from Somalia to Nashville.
Democracy
What is Democracy in America? To us, it is coming together as citizens supporting the common good.
Changing Hearts
2020 Ambassador Rabiah Ahmed offers a hopeful vision for the future of Muslim American communities.
Seeing the “Other”
2020 Ambassador Maryam tells her own understanding of identity growing up as an Iranian-American.
Living our Values
2020 Ambassador Rabiah Ahmed describes the values she teaches her children.
Articles
Washington Post | Americans are furious about vaccinations. It’s not helping.
CEO Samar Ali encourages deeply listening to understand as we navigate fear and anger.
Axios | Nashville November 16 Newsletter
Includes promotion for our Conversationalist Series event Protected Speech & American Fear.
Tennessee Lookout | Group hosts discussion on the First Amendment and disinformation
Promotion for our Conversationalist Series event Protected Speech & American Fear.
National News | Taliban denied a seat at 2021 UNGA table
CEO Samar Ali was consulted in a report on the Taliban’s attempt to join the UN General Assembly.
New York Times | ‘No One Quite Knows What to Say’: A War Easily Ignored Ends With Few Answers
CSO Jason Dempsey calls for a soul searching on the US' role in Afghanistan.
Washington Post | From hubris to humiliation: America’s warrior class contends with the abject failure of its Afghanistan project
CSO Jason Dempsey shares his perspective on the 20 year war in Afghanistan.
News4 | Nashville celebrates the life of Rep. John Lewis 1 year after passing
Post-event overview of Rep. John Lewis street dedication and legacy celebration in Nashville.
USA Today | ‘An American story’: Nashville street where John Lewis led sit-ins now bears his name
Summary of Rep. John Lewis' street dedication and legacy celebration in Nashville.
Pride Publishing | Nashville dedicates Rep. John Lewis Way with street dedication, march, celebration at historic Ryman Auditorium
Announcement of Rep. John Lewis street dedication and legacy celebration in Nashville.
The Hill | A Week Dedicated to the Better Angels
Credits Millions as an organization working to heal divides.
Vanderbilt News | EADJ and Campos-Pons honored with major art awards
EADJ's "Living in Common with the Precarious South(s)" honored with an Award for Excellence.
Burnaway | Engine for Art, Democracy and Justice in Nashville
Overview of the EADJ Spring 2021 program, including installation Leaves of Grass by Ibrahim Mahama.
NYTimes | ‘No victory dance’: veterans of Afghan war feel torn over pullout
CSO, Jason Dempsey, interviewed for an article on Biden's withdrawal from the Afghan conflict.
Vanderbilt‘s Engine for Art, Democracy and Justice features works by revolutionary composer, renowned artist
Announcement of the Spring 2021 program and our partnership with Vanderbilt University's EADJ.
Tennessee Lookout | Teens talk political polarization
Write-up of our Conversationalist Series event: 'Across County Lines' with our partner, STAND.
The Tennessean | Healthy debate’ at the heart of Vanderbilt project to heal a divided country
Overview of Project Unity with an interview with Million's President, Samar Ali.
Foreign Affairs | The Fractured Power: How to Overcome Tribalism
Mentions Millions and our Depolarization Summit as examples working to counter polarization.
TIME | Want Unity For Real? Then America Needs to Get Back to Facts
Samar Ali and fellow co-chairs write about the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy.
Axios | Vanderbilt launches “Project on Unity & American Democracy”
Announcement of the launch of Project on Unity and American Democracy, co-chaired by Samar Ali.
MSNBC Morning Joe | University launches Project on Unity and Democracy
Interview announcing Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy.
USA Today | ‘I solemnly swear’: 5 things Biden needs to do as he takes office amid historic turmoil
Samar Ali interviewed on President Biden's tasks for his first 100 days.
NPR | Right-Wing embrace of conspiracy is ‘Mass Radicalization,’ experts warn
Mary McCord attends our 2020 Depolarization Summit.
Boston Review | The Politics of White Anxiety
Senior Policy Advisor Jonathan Metzl credits Millions' work to counter polarization.
The Tennessee Tribune | Artists argue art can be an engine for Democracy and Justice
Overview of partner EADJ's fall 2020 program.
Washington Post | Democrats are losing White voters to Republicans. They need to shift gears.
Senior Policy Advisor credits Millions' strategy on countering cycles of disinformation campaigns.
The Tennessean | We must fight hate and disinformation together: A response to the ad in The Tennessean
Samar Ali writes about an Islamophobic doomsday ad placed in The Tennessean.
Good Society Forum | Building inclusive and welcoming societies in a time of COVID divisions
Samar Ali represents Millions in a Good Society Webinar on building inclusive societies.
The Tennessean | Hatred hurts all of us. We must rise to become a tolerant and accepting society.
Samar Ali writes about The Ides of March 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Style Blueprint | Samar Ali: FACES of Nashville
Millions President Samar Ali is highlighted for her work in keeping Nashville dynamic and unique.
The Hill | As a Muslim American from the South, I know unity is everything
Samar writes about the 2016 election, political polarization and unity, and her own experience.
Video Clips
Acceptance | Across County Lines | Conversationalist Series
Amelia from Scott County, Tennessee says that change should start with acceptance.
Your Stories Matter | Depolarization Summit
Mayor Steve Benjamin encouraged us to turn pain and passion into collective progress by remembering.
Combating Disinformation | Future of the South | Conversationalist Series
Nia Adeogun answers, "What solutions would you recommend for combating disinformation?"
Mapping the Peacebuilding Community: Princeton’s BDI | 2020 Conversationalist Series
Nealin Parker introduces a data map designed to connect local groups of community builders.
Entrepreneurial Politicians | Depolarization Summit
Rachel Kleinfeld of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Protecting our Youth | Future of the South | Conversationalist Series
Mayowa addresses her concerns about how damaging racial stereotypes can be.
Love is Willful | EADJ Ep. 7
Grammy Award winning musician and producer T Bone Burnett reminds us that love is an action.
7 steps to sustainable peace | Depolarization Summit
Samar Ali outlines our 7-step path toward sustainable peace. The first step starts with listening.
The role of social media | Future of the South | Conversationalist Series
Wiley addresses what type of information is useful and explores the cost of exploiting people.
What keeps you up at night? (Shannon Hiller) | Mapping the Peacebuilding Community | Conversationalist Series
Shannon Hiller explains her passion behind the initiative.
Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation | Depolarization Summit
Nealin Parker of Princeton University breaks down conflict mediation into a “now & later” approach.
A Shared Future | EADJ Ep. 4
Samar Ali introduces EADJ in which artists and scholars explored radical forms of togetherness.
Coalition Building | Across County Lines | Conversationalist Series
Mayowa sees that commonality as an opportunity for connection and broader coalition building.
Militarism & Mental Health | Depolarization Summit
Jason Dempsey warns against looking to our military to solve complex problems simply by use of force
Space for Grief | EADJ
Grace Ali, conveys that she longs for space to mourn our collective loss.
Foundation of Love | Depolarization Summit
Bob Boisture expressed that love will enable us to build a society that works for us all.
Unity | Across County Lines | Conversationalist Series
Marlie from Jefferson County, AL expressed her desire for more unity amidst the many social divides.
Results of Polarization | Depolarization Summit
Rachel Kleinfeld of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace explains the effects of polarization.
Art: Love and Truth | EADJ Ep. 1
Program Founder, María Magdalena Campos-Pons, upholds only one ideology worth fighting: love.
What does the 2nd Amendment mean to you? (Joe) | Pledge to Listen
Two friends who disagree on everything except the importance of coming together.
Podcasts
Finnish Broadcasting Company | Do the disputing Americans tear their country apart?
Samar Ali is interviewed on polarization in America and her work at Millions.
BBC | Reimagining the Nations
Samar Ali is interviewed on the Millions approach to countering disinformation.
BBC | Ground Zero for God
Samar Ali is interviewed on how 9/11 impacted her faith and led to her work at Millions.
The Great Battlefield Podcast | Uniting Americans Around Common Values
Samar Ali is interviewed on the experiences that led to her work at Millions.
New Pluralists | Field Builder Samar Ali
Samar Ali is interviewed by New Pluralists on the Millions mission and vision.
Aspen Ideas to Go | Is national unity possible?
Samar Ali interviewed by Cordell Carter, Executive Director of Aspen Institute's Socrates Program.
Civil Squared Podcast | Unity, Conversation, and Being American
Samar Ali talks about how we pursue unity in an increasingly polarized society.
Everyday Ubuntu | Ep. 21: Samar Ali, Millions of Conversations | A legacy of promoting peace and freedom
Samar Ali interviewed on her life story and what led to her work at Millions today.
World Economic Forum | Racial Injustice in the US Legal System
Samar Ali is interviewed on how to tackle racial injustice in the US legal system.
Tennessee Voices Episode 55 | Samar Ali, founder and CEO of Millions of Conversations
Samar Ali joins David Plazas, Director of Opinion and Engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee
Overcoming Extremism Episode 9 | Samar Ali
Millions President, Samar Ali joins Mike Signer, former Mayor of Charlottesville.