Embedded Files
Braver Angels is a citizens’ organization uniting all Americans in a working alliance to depolarize America. We try to understand another person's point of view, even if we don’t agree with it. We engage those we disagree with, looking for common ground and ways to work together. We support principles that bring us together rather than divide us.
We inspire and equip Americans to practice courageous citizenship across political differences through skill-building, convening, and collaborative action.
Our Vision
Braver Angels Arkansas envisions a state where neighbors work together to strengthen their communities – modeling a better way of being citizens – by equipping local people and groups to build trust, practice respectful engagement, and create citizen-led solutions to shared community challenges.
Our Goals
Establish a vibrant and active organization at both the state and local levels
Reach across political divides and develop greater respectful communication
Develop collaborations to help solve problems facing our state and nation.
The Braver Angels Way
We ask all observers & participants of our events to abide by The Braver Angels Way:
We state our views freely and fully, without fear.
We treat people who disagree with us with honesty, dignity and respect.
We welcome opportunities to engage with those with whom we disagree.
We believe all of us have blind spots and none of us are not worth talking to.
We seek to disagree accurately, avoiding exaggeration and stereotypes.
We look for common ground where it exists and, if possible, find ways to work together.
We believe that, in disagreements, both sides share and learn.
In Braver Angels, neither side is teaching the other or giving feedback on how to think or say things differently.
Learn More
Interested in knowing more about our work in Arkansas or in volunteering to help? Complete this survey.
State Coordinator: April Chatham-Carpenter (acc@braverangels.org) - ar-coordinators@braverangels.org
Alliance Co-Chairs: Kwami Abdul-Bey (kwami@wfymalc.org) & Ray Hanley (hanley1911@aol.com)
Braver Angels and our response to the current national political crisis:
You are probably, like most of us here at Braver Angels Arkansas, deeply troubled by what is happening in our country now, whatever your political leaning. Some of you may now even feel that the approaches we advocate in Braver Angels should be abandoned in favor of more aggressive responses. That thinking may be understandable, but we believe it's important that continue to reserve space for our values and positive approaches at this important moment. We'll have more to say on this in the coming weeks, but for now, please read below the comments made yesterday by our national Braver Angels CEO Maury Giles, as he shares his concerns and views regarding the current troubling events in Minnesota. Maury explains why our responses should be in line with Braver Angels's vision of strengthening and preserving our democratic republic through respectful outreach across political divisions. Click on the down arrow to the right of this text to see his comments below:
A comment from Braver Angels CEO Maury Giles (Jan 25, 2026):
"I had just finished drafting this message when I read and watched videos of Alex Jeffrey Pretti being shot to death by ICE agents in Minneapolis. I felt a rush of anxiety, fear, and sadness; but, still, I was hoping it wasn’t true. It was; and it is our reality today.
Dr. Dimitri Drekonja, Pretti’s co-worker at the VA Medical Center, expressed the point on which I hope we all agree, no matter how you view ICE: "There is no reason for a guy like that to be dead, let alone to be killed by the agents of a government that employed him.”
➔ Two deaths in three weeks in Minneapolis.
➔ U.S. federal officers killing American citizens.
➔ Protestors storming church services with families and young children present.
➔ Local and federal officials arguing instead of talking, and leading, together.
So many reactions. So many questions. So many feelings.
Two things are on my mind right now about what is happening in Minneapolis:
What it means for our country and Braver Angels; and
The impact this reality, and the work we do, is having on each of us individually.
I want to start here: What we see in Minneapolis right now is a harsh but true reflection of us as a people.
Intense conflict requires an equal force in response to be resolved; and that force can take very different forms. It can be domination (power and control) or connection (patience, perseverance, and perspective).
I believe it is that simple.
Right now, “we the people” seem to prioritize “tribal interests” over the interests of all. With every emergent conflict, we are choosing domination (or apathy) over connection. It doesn’t matter if the point is destroying the “other side” or checking out as if one has no individual part in the play of our national drama. In both, we choose a path that does not lead to a better America.
Braver Angels’ quest is to inspire people to embrace a way of being because they see it as a genuine pathway to heal society and make a better world. While other groups rightfully advocate for specific solutions or organize protests, Braver Angels focuses on the methods of how we reach those answers. We do it with discipline.
Within our membership people have very different ideas about public policy solutions. That is by design. We aspire to the hard work of engaging across differences to build together. We choose connection over domination.
Think about it. Our individual choices are what matter. No public official, political party, or institution can or will make this change alone without us. They can lead, invite and teach. Or they can, as most seem to do today, incite more anger and more division.
We can choose to go against the grain. Find those with whom we disagree and do the difficult work of learning, sharing, and building. Together. The more intense the conflict, the more effort is required to build a common solution. This is the Braver Angels Way.
Let me close on the very personal, human impact on trying to do this work.
I can’t help but feel the strain. I am as stretched as I’ve ever felt, right now. I know you must feel variations of the same. For me, it is a daily (and sometimes hourly) battle to keep things in perspective, determine what is in my control, and act. My most effective aids right now are family, exercise and study routines, breathing practices, meditation, and think time. Find yours.
In these times, I find there is no replacement for this idea: keep on keeping on… put one foot in front of the other. Sometimes those steps are fast, sometimes we need to slow down (and I ask the same of you). Recognize the challenges, celebrate the victories big and small, give each other the grace these times require. Through it all, let’s keep our eyes on the vision of an America at peace with itself, where courageous citizenship is the norm.
I choose to pray. You may or may not have that practice. But I believe you’ll understand my intent: I pray for peace, wisdom, strength, courage, and patience. Then I get to work.
Walk with me. One foot in front of the other. Shoulder to shoulder.
It’s worth it."
— Maury Giles, CEO of Braver Angels
LAPP Skills
Listen, Acknowledge, Pivot, Perspective
Would you like to learn tips for having more productive and respectful conversations about politics? Check out these two short videos that highlight LAPP (Listen, Acknowledge, Pivot, Perspective) skills we teach in some of our workshops:
LAPP skills - on Braver Angels Arkansas YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/0g4bJiFo9Sg
Tips on LAPP skills - on Braver Angels Arkansas YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/B4YbQX5bUD0
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Visit our Recommended Media Sources and recommended fact-checking sites handout on our "Resources" page.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Check out our upcoming Programs & Events!
Our "On The Other Hand" podcast:
Page updated
Report abuse