Civil Dialogues was conceived by journalists Jean Becker, Chief of Staff to President George H.W. Bush during his post presidency, and Linda Lorelle, CEO & Executive Producer of Linda Lorelle Media. Both graduates of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Becker and Lorelle decided to use their skills, networks and passion for our democracy to work toward bringing us together.
Becker first reached out to the leadership of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation, the LBJ Foundation, and the Clinton Presidential Center, to test the waters. They jumped in without hesitation, and Civil Dialogues was born.
The Baker Institute for Public Policy and Research soon joined the ranks and more partners are in the pipeline, including the Truman Library in partnership with the Kinder Institute for Constitutional Democracy.
If ever there were a need for constructive, civil dialogue in America, it is now.
We believed that when we launched Civil Dialogues at the beginning of the 2024 presidential election year, and it’s even more true now that the election has passed.
Our country remains divided.
Yet, in order for our democracy to remain viable, we must figure out how to talk to each other, and more.
We now know that, according to U.S. News & World Report, close to 90 million Americans who were eligible to vote, sat out the November 5th election, arguably the most consequential presidential election of our lifetime.
They did not engage in the democratic process by casting their vote.
Only they know why.
Our charge now is to get all of them, and the rest of us, to listen, learn, and engage with each other — and the democratic process — without fear of judgment or demonization.
That is the mission of Civil Dialogues.
To create a safe space for constructive, civil conversation on some of the most important, contentious topics of the day. And to leave those who participate feeling seen, heard, and empowered to continue engaging in civil dialogue.
Our inaugural partners are the George and Barbara Bush Presidential Library Foundation, the LBJ Foundation, the Clinton Presidential Center, and the Baker Institute for Public Policy and Research. Our newest partner is the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy.
Civil Dialogues launched on February 27, 2024 at the Baker Institute on the campus of Rice University in Houston,TX. Watch “Labor Shortages, Border Crisis & Immigration Reform.” Watch the recording here.
On March 19, 2024, the LBJ Library in Austin, TX hosted a town hall on immigration reform in the aftermath of Texas Senate Bill 4. For the few hours our discussion took place, the law was in effect, only to be put back on hold a few hours later. Watch the recording here.
On June 3rd in Little Rock, AR, about 150 attendees participated, in person and online, in the Clinton Presidential Center town hall, “Why Partnerships Matter.” Civil Dialogues Co-Founder, Jean Becker, and Clinton Foundation Executive Director, Stephanie S. Streett, examined how President Bill Clinton and President George H.W. Bush went from bitter enemies to good friends — and why it matters in today’s partisan climate. Participants also had the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and practice engaging in civil dialogue.
The facilitated conversation was also a popular feature of our first ever town hall on energy at Houston Energy and Climate Week on September 9th. More than 150 participants gathered in person and online as we tackled the topic, “We Do Hard Things: The Pragmatic Realities of a Lower Carbon Future”.
The George and Barbara Bush Presidential Library hosted us in College Station, TX on October 15th at the new Marine One/4141 Locomotive Pavilion. Nearly 200 engaged citizens participated in a civil dialogue entitled “Why We Serve…Or Don’t”, unpacking the pros and cons of entering into public service, and the negative repercussions on our democracy if we fail to attract good candidates.
On November 18th, we held our final town hall of the year where we began, at the Baker Institute at Rice University, with our largest audience to date. “The Election Is Over: Let’s Talk” attracted more than 300 Americans, both in person and online, who were eager to share their perspectives and concerns about what lies ahead for the country as the second Trump administration prepares to take office. Immigration, safeguarding our institutions, economic stability, a changing media landscape and the urban/rural divide are just some of the topics discussed in a wide-ranging, thought-provoking conversation.
We teamed up with Missouri Humanities and the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy to kick off 2025 in St. Louis, MO, about six weeks after the second Trump administration got underway. “The People, The President & The Constitution: Your Questions Answered” delivered a robust conversation surrounding the blitz of executive orders, DOGE, Project 2025, and a host of other issues. An ideologically, racially, and demographically diverse audience didn’t hesitate to ask the questions they were grappling with, including whether we were/are in the midst of a constitutional crisis, and what it all means for our nation’s future. The success of that program and the subsequent political events that have unfolded informed our decision to take that same topic to every region of the country.
Next up, Kansas City, MO at the Kansas City Public Library on Tuesday, July 22nd. Our partner once again is the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy. If you can’t join us in person, watch this space for a live stream link closer to the date.
If you’d like to partner with us to bring Civil Dialogues to your region, click here.
And, if you’ve attended one of our town halls, we’d love to hear your feedback.
One thing is clear: Americans are hungry for the safe space we create at every Civil Dialogues event, enabling us to have meaningful conversation about difficult issues, without being demonized or made to feel like “the other”. Our goal is to continue this work for as long as it’s needed. Please consider a donation in support of a more civil, united America.