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.

Keynote Panel & Award Ceremony

Wednesday, Sept. 23 (6:00-8:00pm)

To kickoff the Summit, American Public Square will host a panel conversation among experts reflecting on the decline of social trust in our country and exploring how Americans might begin restoring the civic fabric that makes democracy possible.

Full event details, including speaker bios, are here. Panelists include:

• Mike Abrams - Deputy Editor for Trust at The New York Times

• Olajumoke “Jummy” Banjo - Senior Director of the Alliance for Social Trust at the Aspen Institute

• Rev. Dr. Branden S. Polk - Director of Activations at Stand Together

• Moderator: Jeremy Hobson - Creator, host, and executive producer of  The Middle with Jeremy Hobson.

Following the panel conversation, we will host the annual Bridge Building Innovation Awards Ceremony, recognizing eight incredible artists who have dedicated their talents and passion to advancing our bridge building movement.

Summit attendees are then invited to a private reception to enjoy drinks and heavy hors d'oeuvres.

Presentations & Interactive Conference Sessions

Thursday, Sept. 24 (8:30am - 5:15pm CT) &

Friday, Sept. 25 (8:30am - 1:00pm CT)

Across Thursday and Friday, Summit attendees will have opportunity to learn alongside colleauges in the field – pracitioners, researchers, civic leaders and artists – during sessions tied to the theme, “Turning Down the Heat: Rebuilding Trust in an Age of Outrage.” Through plenaries and breakout sessions featuring case studies, experiential learning opportunities, emergent research findings, and more, participants will leave the Summit with new ideas, concrete best practices and models to implement in their own work, and a broadened network of partners to collaborate with.

See below for the programming agenda, as well as logistical support information that will help attendees make the most of their experience at the Summit.

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.