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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T120000
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UID:62943-1775736000-1775739600@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Courageous Citizenship: Bridging the Divide
DESCRIPTION:On April 9\, BigTentUSA convened a timely conversation featuring Randy Freeman and Michael Asbury of Braver Angels\, the nation’s largest cross-partisan volunteer movement working to bridge America’s political divide. Moderated by Jess Piper\, Executive Director of Blue Missouri\, the trio explored how Americans can better navigate political differences. Drawing on lived experiences\, Jess noted a shift in her rural Missouri community\, where some previously loyal MAGA voters are beginning to question the Trump Administration as policies more directly affect their daily lives. \nSpeakers shared practical techniques for engaging across divides\, grounded in real-world examples of communities working through deep disagreement. A central theme was focusing on what individuals can control: their own mindset\, how they listen\, and how they communicate. Participants were encouraged to approach conversations with curiosity\, while also recognizing when it’s more productive to disengage from those unwilling to listen. The discussion emphasized that this work unfolds over time\, positioning the Braver Angels approach as a long-term investment in rebuilding trust and strengthening civic dialogue. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nJess Piper is a mother to five and grandmother to three and lives on a small farm on the Missouri/Iowa border. She was born and raised in rural America. She was an American Literature teacher for 16 years. After the 2016 election of Trump\, Jess became politically active. Jess ran for office in 2022 for State Representative in HD1 in Northwest Missouri. Jess writes a well known newsletter: The View from Rural Missouri \nRandy Freeman is a retired psychotherapist and couples therapist who joined Braver Angels in 2017 because she was upset about the political divisiveness. She is presently the New York State Coordinator\, an Ambassador and a moderator for the organization.  Randy sees this as a continuation of her work as a couples therapist and sees her role as a therapist for the country. \nMichael Asbury is the Co-Chair of the Capital Region of NY State Alliance of Braver Angels since 2020\, one of over 125 such local Alliances across the USA. Serving with a Co-Chair of the opposite political persuasion\, he guides the local mission of Braver Angels to bring Americans together by bridging the partisan divide to strengthen our democratic republic\, and by seeking common ground where none was formerly known.  Braver Angels works with all those answering the call for civic renewal.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/courageous-citizenship/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:Tent Talks,BigTent Action Opportunities,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Recap_Braver-Angels-Jess-Piper.webp
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T130000
DTSTAMP:20260618T204435Z
CREATED:20260603T144526Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260618T204435Z
UID:63896-1781006400-1781010000@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Ready\, Set\, Vote: Removing Barriers to the Ballot
DESCRIPTION:Democracy works best when everyone can participate—and that starts with making sure every eligible voter can cast a ballot. \nAt this BigTentUSA TentTalk held on June 9\, VoteRiders’ Sylvester Johnson III joined activist and organizer Jessica Craven for a practical conversation about one of the biggest barriers to voting: voter ID requirements. Johnson explained that more than 34 million voting-age Americans lack a current government-issued ID\, while 38 states require identification to vote. He outlined how VoteRiders helps voters navigate often confusing state rules\, obtain supporting documents such as birth certificates\, secure transportation to ID offices\, and successfully complete the process from start to finish. \nThe discussion also explored broader threats to voter participation\, strategies for increasing turnout\, and the importance of grassroots engagement. Attendees learned how simple actions—letter writing\, texting\, sharing information\, and helping neighbors prepare to vote—can make a measurable difference. \nThe takeaway was clear: Whether you live in a battleground state or not\, there are concrete ways to help ensure every eligible voter can make their voice heard. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nSylvester Johnson III serves as the Voter Outreach & Data Manager for VoteRiders. A Georgia native\, Sylvester’s commitment to civic engagement began in high school through his work with organizations such as the Special Olympics of Georgia. After graduating from Howard University\, he returned to his home state and served as Political Director for Carolyn Bourdeaux’s 2018 congressional campaign in Georgia’s 7th Congressional District. Since joining VoteRiders\, Sylvester has spent more than six years helping ensure that all eligible citizens have the information and support they need to exercise their fundamental right to vote. \nJessica Craven is a full time activist\, community organizer\, political TikTok creator\, and elected member of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party’s Central Committee. She’s also the author of “Chop Wood\, Carry Water\,” a daily actions e-mail.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/removing-barriers-to-the-ballot/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:Tent Talks,Preserving Democracy,Letter-Writing
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Recap_VoteRiders_Jessica-Craven.webp
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260812T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260812T130000
DTSTAMP:20260820T221507Z
CREATED:20260807T221324Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T221507Z
UID:67104-1786536000-1786539600@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Write for Impact: How Personal Letters Can Strengthen Democracy
DESCRIPTION:Democracy doesn’t defend itself—people do. \nAt BigTentUSA’s August 12 workshop\, BigTentUSA’s Voter Engagement Coordinator Samantha Cohen kicked off the conversation by sharing how BigTent’s 2026 letter-writing campaign is mobilizing members to reach voters directly. Cohen explained the difference between VoteRiders’ voter ID outreach and Vote Forward’s turnout efforts\, walked participants through requesting and mailing letters\, and highlighted why handwritten notes can cut through today’s digital noise. She also shared that BigTent members have already written more than 1\,000 letters this summer. \nVoteRiders CEO and Executive Director Lauren Kunis detailed how restrictive and changing ID laws can create significant barriers to voting—and how targeted outreach can make a measurable difference. In Texas\, 92% of voters contacted through VoteRiders’ letter campaign after having a ballot rejected successfully voted in the next election. \nTogether\, Cohen and Kunis equipped participants with the tools\, information\, and motivation to take action. Now it’s time to pick up a pen\, write a letter\, and help make every eligible voter’s voice count! \n  \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nLauren Kunis is the President\, Chief Executive Officer\, and Executive Director of VoteRiders\, the nation’s leading nonpartisan organization dedicated to ensuring every eligible voter has the identification they need to cast a ballot that counts. Since joining VoteRiders in 2020\, she has led the organization’s strategic growth\, expanding its nationwide voter ID education\, outreach\, and free assistance programs to reach millions of voters while building partnerships with thousands of community organizations across the country. Prior to VoteRiders\, Lauren served as Program Director for National Voter Registration Day\, where she helped lead one of the largest nonpartisan civic engagement coalitions in the United States. A recognized leader in voting rights and civic participation\, Lauren is a frequent speaker on voter access and democracy and is committed to removing barriers to the ballot box so every eligible American can participate in elections. \nSamantha Cohen is the Voter Engagement Coordinator at BigTentUSA\, where she leads volunteer engagement initiatives and voter outreach efforts\, including the organization’s nationwide letter-writing campaign to encourage civic participation. She is a member of the Duke University Class of 2030\, where she plans to major in Public Policy on the pre-law track. Samantha previously served as a U.S. Senate Page for Senator Chuck Schumer\, gaining firsthand experience with the legislative process and public service. She is passionate about strengthening democracy through civic education\, community engagement\, and empowering others to make their voices heard. Samantha looks forward to pursuing a career in law and public policy while continuing to expand access to civic participation for communities across the country. \n 
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/write-for-impact/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:Tent Talks,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy,Letter-Writing
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/F1A8EB40-9897-4D9C-A24E-63C0E83B1C4A.webp
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