A “peace entrepreneur” who previously served as a White House Fellow under then-President Barack Obama and assistant commissioner of economic development for Tennessee under then-Gov. Bill Haslam, Ali is also a political science and law research professor at Vanderbilt University.

In the midst of another contentious election season, two Tennesseans from vastly different backgrounds say their friendship is an example of how to bridge our country's deep divides.

State of play: Vanderbilt University law professor Samar Ali, who works to defuse hate and division through her nonprofit Millions of Conversations, recently filmed a TED Talk video with Clint Brewer, managing partner of the Nashville-based public affairs consulting firm Imperium Public Strategies.

With the State of Tennessee as divided as it is, Vanderbilt Law Professor Samar Ali wants to help people with differing views and beliefs establish a peaceful dialogue to achieve progress.

As a peacemaker, my heart aches. Far too many people are justifying violence. This is a frightening place to live. Our children deserve better. Far too many people are dehumanizing entire ethnicities, religions, and genders. Our children deserve better.