StoryCorps—the national nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs—has announced Columbus, Georgia, as its newest One Small Step Anchor Community. One Small Step (OSS) is a two-part initiative:  1) to bring strangers with different political beliefs together—not to debate politics—but to get to know each other as people and 2) a public service campaign to socially norm the idea that we can see people across the political divides as human beings.   In addition to Columbus, the initiative is focused in three other communities nationwide, and to date, more than 4,200 people in 40 states have participated in an OSS conversation.  

“Columbus is an extraordinary and vibrant community that we’ve fallen in love with,” said StoryCorps Founder and President Dave Isay. “We believe Columbus can show the rest of the country what it means to have the courage to listen to those with whom we might disagree.”

StoryCorps received funding from The Marcus Foundation and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to bring OSS to Columbus.

“We believe in the power of storytelling to make individual human connections that will build stronger communities over time,” said Jay Kaiman, president, The Marcus Foundation. “We’re pleased to partner with our friends at the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to bring One Small Step to the people of Columbus, who have rich, valuable stories and experiences to share.”

”We’re proud to partner with The Marcus Foundation to support the efforts of One Small Step to help people bridge differences and engage with each other in more pluralistic ways,” said Fay Twersky, president, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. “It’s through these moments of personal connection that people with different viewpoints begin to change the way we see each other, embracing our differences with curiosity and respect so that we move closer together rather than farther apart.”