On Being Young in America

Our U.S. national discourse can feel stuck, divisive, and at times, intolerant. In the midst of this, young voices can offer new perspectives, honest feedback, and refreshing wisdom. Social healing requires dialogue, exposure to difference, the generous art of offering questions, and deep listening to wisdom from across generations. Such shared experiences can illuminate a path out of entrenched polarization and toward a generative narrative of our time.

Join us for a transformative event on November 18, where Krista Tippett, host of On Being, engages in a profound conversation with acclaimed best-selling New York Times author and newly named MacArthur “Genius” Jason Reynolds and Georgetown University student and activist Kessley Janvier (C’25).

This unique gathering, co-hosted by On Being and Georgetown University, seeks to break the mold of our divisive national discourse by amplifying young voices and fostering intergenerational dialogue in the heart of Washington, DC. In a post-election landscape, this initiative invites participants to explore what it means to be a young person in America today.

The evening will open with short scenes shared by intergenerational conversation pairs. These are an outcome of In Your Shoes, a signature program of Georgetown University’s Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics, which employs techniques rooted in theatrical performance to promote deep listening and empathy, bringing participants of diverse backgrounds into mutually respectful creative exchange.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

This event is part of the Culture of Encounter Project and is convened by the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues, the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, and the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University in collaboration with The On Being Project.