Who will gather?

Leaders from across the bridging divides movement—including local practitioners, national organizers, researchers, academics, funders, artists, and allies—will gather to explore the roots of the current “trust recession” and the cultural forces that sustain it.

Why attend?

The Summit will offer opportunity for…

• Sharing case studies and best practices from experience in the bridging divides field,

• Highlighting insights from emergent research,

• Engaging bridging movement leaders in conversations and interactive experiences,

• Grappling with tough issues facing our field and putting our own bridge-building skills into practice,

• Celebrate examples of innovative bridging initiatives occurring at the local level where community members are building trust through collaborative problem-solving.

Across American society, trust in our neighbors and fellow Americans, institutions, media, and more has declined dramatically.

This erosion of trust fuels toxic polarization, weakens democratic institutions, and makes it harder for communities to solve shared problems.

To address this challenge of rebuilding trust in an era defined by outrage, misinformation, and institutional skepticism, leaders from across the bridging divides movement will gather Sept. 23-25, 2026 in Kansas City for the second annual Bridging Movement Summit.

Location: 

All programming will be hosted at The Venues at Park 39 (300 E 39th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111)

Cost of Registration: 

There is no fee for Listen First Coalition members to attend the Bridging Movement Summit. However, donations are encouraged to help cover the costs of hosting the summit.

Bridge Building Innovation Awards

Teams of community members from different parts of America will be celebrated for the innovative work they are doing locally to bring people together across differences to rebuild trust and collaboratively address issues dividing their communities.

Applications are open through June 15th.

American Public Square Signature Event

To kickoff the Summit, American Public Square will host a Signature Program at the Medallion Theater. An expert panel will reflect on the decline of social trust in our country and explore how Americans might begin restoring the civic fabric that makes democracy possible.

Speakers will be announced soon.

Presentations & Interactive Conference Sessions

This year we are excited to invite proposals from bridging movement partners interested in presenting at the Summit. We encourage submissions that can tie to the theme, "Turning Down the Heat: Rebuilding Trust in an Age of Outrage," and that model collaboration.

Proposals are due June 22nd.

Travel / Lodging: 

Attendees will cover the costs of their own travel and lodging during the Summit. Thanks to the partnership that American Public Square has with the Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza, Summit attendees will be offered a generously discounted rate for booking rooms during the Summit. Here are the details:

• Hotel: Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza (4445 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111)

• Dates: Sept. 23-25, 2026

• Rate: $175.00 per night

• Last Day to Book: Wednesday, September 02, 2026

Free transportation is available in Downtown Kansas City via the KC Streetcar. Stops are available within a 5 minute walk from the hotel and the Summit venue. See map for assistance. See map here.