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Stories of Change

Everyday Democracy’s coaching, materials, and Dialogue to Change process have helped hundreds of communities bring people together across divides, and to organize for community and larger positive systems change. Here are some examples of communities that have used our process.

These timeless stories showcase how people have come together to create more equitable, inclusive communities. The wide range of issues and types of communities featured illustrates how dialogue and action can be used in many situations. Building strong communities is an ongoing process, and many of these communities continue to use dialogue and action to address issues they're facing.

First 2019 Civic Change Champion Announced
Mayme Webb Bledsoe of the Duke Durham Neighborhood Partnership Uses Dialogue to Lift Voices in the Duke / Durham Community 
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Four Communities Across the Country That Have Embedded Dialogue to Change
For more than 25 years, Everyday Democracy has worked with communities across the country to foster a healthy and vibrant democracy – one that is characterized by strong relationships across divides...
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In Decatur and Beyond, It All Starts with a Conversation
Addressing diversity issues in your community can be difficult and complex.  Many look to Decatur, Georgia as an example of inclusion, diversity & citizen engagement. This is an community update...
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Creating healthy neighborhoods through action and policy change
New York City residents are taking action to address concerns about food and health disparities. Four action teams are connecting residents with elected officials and local businesses, educating the...
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Removing racial and ethnic barriers to student achievement
In Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, students, teachers, and staff have participated in dialogues to help find ways to address racial barriers to student achievement for over a decade....
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Creating racial equity in education, policing, and leadership
When racial tensions rose to a tipping point in Stratford, Conn., the city used this as a springboard to improve community-police relations. Now, nearly a decade later, they see many results of their...
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The path to a unified community
After using dialogue to address poverty and build prosperity, residents of the rural town of Wagner, S.D., realized that there was something holding them back from making real progress: they needed...
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Inspired residents shape their own future
We all want a better future for our children. What does it look like when residents come together in dialogues to create change? Learn about how a group of residents are creating a healthier, safer...
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Connecting people to each other and the city
City commissioners in Decatur, Ga., launched a major effort to recruit residents to decide how to build a sense of community and to find common ground for solving community conflicts. Since then,...
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CT Civic Ambassador in the Spotlight - Elizabeth Joseph, Stamford, CT
Connecticut Civic Ambassadors are everyday people who care about and engage others in their communities by creating opportunities for civic participation that strengthens our state’s "civic health."

Dialogue to Change

Our ultimate goal is to create positive community change that includes everyone, and we believe that our tools, advice, and resources will help foster that kind of change. Whether you’re grappling with a divisive community issue, or simply want to include residents’ voices in city government, Everyday Democracy's Dialogue to Change process, using a racial equity lens, can help.