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What kind of civic square do we want to build for the next century—together?

 

Our ways of coming together are fractured. Young people—the ones who will inherit the world now being shaped—are often disillusioned. Too often, leaders making decisions about the future aren’t truly listening. But many young people are already building the civic future. Their insights are crucial for rebuilding our social fabric and are exactly what leaders need to hear.

Something in Common is a Henry Luce Foundation national listening series traveling to communities across the United States, engaging young people ages 17 to 24 in real conversations about civic life and the future they want to create. This is not a new Luce program—it’s a public effort that centers youth voices and builds on the Foundation’s long history of supporting democracy, culture, and civic life.

Young people across the country aren’t waiting to inherit the future—they’re creating it now. Organizing, educating, and advocating in their communities, they’re already building what comes next.

Something in Common brings our voices together. We’re traveling to communities to create spaces for real dialogue, connect with young people leading civic work, and invest directly in their visions.

This is your invitation to reimagine civic life, together.

 

Hear from Luce Foundation President Jonathan Holloway in his own words

In Dallas, the invitation to reimagine civic life, together, became real. As young people spoke up—naming what they’re navigating and questioning what isn’t working—a set of shared tensions emerged. In reflecting on those conversations, a clearer sense of what civic life now asks of all of us took shape.

Dallas, TX | April 1, 2026

Dallas, TX | April 1, 2026What we heard in Dallas

Young civic leaders showed up with clarity and a willingness to engage honestly with one another. They didn’t arrive in agreement—and they didn’t need to. But across different experiences, shared concerns surfaced: How are young people seen? What are they being prepared for? And what does it take to build trust across differences?

✔️ A desire to be seen as full participants—not just the “next generation,” but active contributors right now

✔️ A gap between what institutions prepare young people for—and the world they’re actually entering

✔️ A need for spaces that foster open, cross-generational connection

✔️ A tension between constant digital connection and in-person isolation

✔️ Limited formal voice in decisions that directly affect young people

✔️ A growing recognition that civic life requires new ways of engaging across differences

 

Dallas Partners

Learn from them, advocate for them, support them.

“We’re more connected across the world than we are across the street.”

– Sachin Talagery

“Children and youth are not a winning issue because we don’t get to vote. So, I think the most important thing is to ask you to vote for us, because we don’t get that option.”

– Tom Baughman

Photo by Rowena Husbands

"I'm really big on building communities. Having people in your circle that you trust and that know you and respect you, not just as a kid, but as a whole person."

– Paris Wilson

A MESSAGE FROM JONATHAN HOLLOWAY

A MESSAGE FROM JONATHAN HOLLOWAYWhat it takes to stay in the conversation

Henry Luce Foundation President Jonathan Holloway asked a central question: What does it take to stay in conversation, especially when we don’t agree?

As young people shared their experiences and perspectives, key ideas began to emerge. In reflecting on those conversations, Jonathan named a set of core capacities that emerged:

  • Humanity
  • Recognition
  • Humility
  • Assessing values
  • Self-worth

These aren’t just abstract ideals—they’re the conditions that make it possible to stay connected, even when perspectives diverge.

Reimagine Civic Life, Together

We invite you to follow along as Something in Common continues. We’ll post updates and share learnings from the road after each stop.

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