Protests are powerful, but they aren’t the only tool for change. KF Research Fellow @devawo.bsky.social explains how social movements are building community protection strategies that are quieter, local, and just as impactful.

“I had never shared my story, and I really wanted to.” For Te’Jal Cartwright, storytelling became a source of freedom and empowerment. Through her business, Lore, she helps people discover the power in their own voices and use it to spark real change in their lives and communities.

The @thebulwark.com highlights why the Supreme Court’s deference to executive power poses a profound risk to American democracy. https://bit.ly/4nyTCxS

Registration is now open for the Second Annual #DaytonDemocracySummit! Join us Monday, October 27, at Sinclair College to connect, learn, and build more inclusive communities.

What happens when political violence shifts from isolated tragedies to a persistent feature of American civic life?

Change doesn’t start with protests in the streets. It starts with conversation.

What lessons can we learn from Brazil’s fight to protect democracy? In this interview, Kettering Senior Fellow Steven Levitsky explores the rise of outsider leaders, the dangers of institutional crises, and the resilience of Brazil’s democratic system.

The Charles F. Kettering Foundation is proud to join more than 100 other foundations that have signed an open letter speaking out against political violence and defending freedom of speech. https://bit.ly/4mkeOqf

“On this Constitution Day, September 17, 2025, “We the People” declare these twenty-six grievances against the forty-seventh President of the United States, as the American Colonists declared their twenty-six grievances against King George III on Independence Day, July 4, 1776”

From Olympic boxing rings to public bathrooms, transphobia is not just about targeting transgender people. It reinforces rigid gender norms that restrict freedom for us all and undermine democracy.

When anger moves from words to weapons, what comes next? @politico.com gathered political violence experts to weigh in on what’s next for American democracy.

Ready to reimagine democracy? ✨ Join us for our third-party session at #CBCFinc #ALC54 for “Reimagine the Future of Democracy: Working to Build an Inclusive Future.”

On this #InternationalDayofDemocracy, the Charles F. Kettering Foundation reaffirms our commitment to defending democracy worldwide.

The Focus Group Podcast is back from summer break. This week I talked to @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social, the leading expert on political violence in the U.S. and abroad, about the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk and the broader issues of political violence. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/y...

On this #InternationalDayOfDemocracy, we are pleased to announce that @kettering.org has pledged $500,000 over 2yrs to support Freedom House’s Freedom in the World report, ensuring the continued production of our flagship annual report on the state of global freedom freedomhouse.org/article/char...

Governor Cox’s comment reflects a dangerous instinct to blame those “not from here”. This type of rhetoric puts communities at risk and undermines our shared values. Right now, there is a need for leadership that unites, not divides. My comments on this below  ⬇️.

Despite media buzz, President Trump doesn’t lift hammers or build buildings. He’s a manager. Others carry out the work. Daniel Hunter explains why that distinction matters. Authoritarianism is not the creation of a single person—it depends on multiple layers of compliance. #TheContext

Christian nationalism isn’t just about “loving Jesus.” New in #FromManyWe, KF Research Fellow Andrew L. Whitehead (@andrew-whitehead.bsky.social) lays out five key elements driving this ideology:

Today, we honor the memory of the lives lost and forever changed on September 11, 2001. Twenty-four years later, we continue to reflect on the resilience of communities, the courage of first responders, and the responsibility we all share to strengthen our democracy in the face of adversity.

The Kettering Foundation strongly condemns the shooting at Utah Valley University. We reject all forms of political violence as a threat to democracy and urge restraint from speculation until authorities provide details.

How do we hold both comfort and crisis at the same time? #TheContext

I carry Newark, my faith, and my community into every space. My latest piece for the Kettering Foundation reflects on how we can live into a vision of #democracy even amid deep division. I hope it encourages you, as it has me, to stay committed to building.

On Monday, the Supreme Court lifted a judge's order that barred ICE from stopping people based solely on their race, language, or place of work. Swipe to learn more and read a statement by Voto Latino president and co-founder Maria Teresa Kumar.

🌟 Thrilled to see PACE spotlighted in Inside Philanthropy as "a rapidly growing network for democracy funders"—a testament to its collaborative spirit and increasing impact as a hub for organizations in the philanthropic sector to build partnerships, share insights, and strengthen civic life.

Protect. Defend. Disrupt. Build.

The fight over immigration is not just a policy debate; it is a battle over belonging, power, and how we imagine democracy itself.

What happens in a democracy when women’s rights are rolled back? In the latest installment of #ResilienceResistance, Natalia Gherardi traces Argentina’s feminist movement from Ni Una Menos—“Not one (woman) less”—to today’s challenges under Argentine president Javier Milei.

We know the red flags of democratic backsliding—but what can be done? 🎙️ On #TheContext, KF Research Fellow Erica Frantz highlights solutions to democracy’s problems: stronger media literacy, healthier political parties, and deeper local connections. #KetteringFoundation

🚨 Floating the unthinkable: Trump’s talk of a third term isn’t just bluster. 🎙️ New on #TheContext, KF Research Fellow Erica Frantz explains how authoritarian leaders test limits—normalizing the idea before finding loopholes. #KetteringFoundation

For the full whiteboard, and details on what every local official could do, go here: open.substack.com/pub/davidpep...

What can America learn from Northern Ireland? Reconciliation is possible, peace is fragile, and polarization anywhere threatens democracy everywhere.

🎙️ This week on #TheContext, host Alex Lovit and KF Research Fellow Erica Frantz explore how personalist politics fuels polarization, normalizes political violence, and deepens divides that are hard to close. #KetteringFoundation

Silencing students & scholars means silencing democracy. New in #ResilienceResistance, Catalina Arango Patiño lays out 7 urgent reasons why defending academic freedom is non-negotiable. Arango urges us to defend truth, challenge repression, and protect the right to learn. https://bit.ly/3HPl0bN

NEW: Analysis from the HRC Foundation (HRCF) and Whistle Stop Capital shows that companies dedicated to LGBTQ+ inclusion through participation in HRCF’s benchmark Corporate Equality Index saw higher revenue, stronger profits, and steadier market performance over time.

The halls of Congress are NOT where change starts. Changing hearts and minds starts by showing up in our communities, in living rooms, and in the streets to tell our authentic stories. Speak your truth: https://hrc.im/YourStory

What happens when one leader dominates a party—and a nation? 🎙️ This week on #TheContext, host Alex Lovit and KF Research Fellow Erica Frantz unpack the dangers of “personalist” politics, from El Salvador to the US, and what it means for democracy’s future. https://bit.ly/4myjoSK

🚌 Why are public school students in Ohio waiting hours for public buses while private and charter school students get to use yellow buses? www.teenvogue.com/story/school...

Fantastic event hosted by the @kettering.org to celebrate the launch of @ohiohumanities.bsky.social latest issue of Lumen with Bing Davis and a conversation with Jennie Young about applied rhetoric and dating apps The Kettering Foundation gets it: democracy needs the arts and the humanities.

☝️ Democratic resistance takes shape in unexpected ways. 🗣️ “Every time you confront an authoritarian regime, society has to do a certain amount of throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing which strategies work.”

The whole structure of 20th c. liberal institutions was to curb revolutionary action in U.S. I don’t think I ever really understood that until now, as I watch these guardrails be dismantled. I’m a child of the 20th c. and have never been a pithy revolutionary but look around look around.

The NY Times says this administration considers diversity "taboo." A healthy democracy includes a robust appreciation f/ diversity & widespread civic participation. Research from the last 10+ years shows Christian nationalism threatens democracy in at least 3 ways: kettering.org/how-christia...

Christian nationalism is a threat to democracy—but solutions are within reach. In the latest installment of #FromManyWe, KF Research Fellow @andrew-whitehead.bsky.social explores how defending religious liberty for all and rebuilding civic spaces can strengthen democracy. bit.ly/45JpyIF

ICYMI ☝️ 📢 New in #FromManyWe: Daniel Tirrell reflects on key lessons from USAID’s global democracy and conflict prevention work—and why local civic networks are essential in resisting authoritarianism. bit.ly/41rA0mX

The Our American Dreams series premiere is HERE! Our first episode kicks off with powerful changemakers, elected leaders, and the stories powering our fight for equality. Stream the full episode on YouTube and subscribe to stay up-to-date for new drops: https://www.youtube.com/hrcmedia

Our fight for LGBTQ+ liberation must be an intersectional fight that includes economic freedom and justice. That’s why we are joining National Action Network on Aug 28 as we rise together for a March on Wall Street. RSVP: marchonwallstreets.com

AMERICAN IDOLATRY turns 2 today! I'm proud of the hard work that went into it. I'm encouraged that adult study groups in congregations and communities continue to read and interact with it. @brazospress.bsky.social bakerbookhouse.com/products/492...

On Thursday, 8/21, I’ll be speaking with John Gans at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Our discussion, titled “The Folly of Realism: Ukraine, Russia, and US Foreign Policy.“ Admission is open to the public, register with this link: globalaffairs.org/events/folly...

☝️ Democratic resistance takes shape in unexpected ways. 🗣️ “Every time you confront an authoritarian regime, society has to do a certain amount of throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing which strategies work.”

One of the questions I always receive when presenting on Christian nationalism & the threat to democracy is "what should we do?" This new column from @kettering.org's From Many, We series provides some great examples. kettering.org/lessons-lear...