Center for Inclusion & Belonging
From research to relationships, we are building bridges that last.
Each of us carries different stories, but we shape a shared future. The Center for Inclusion and Belonging is expanding understanding of who belongs in the places we all call home. At a time when two-thirds of Americans feel a lack of belonging, we are bringing people together, conducting actionable research, and supporting local leaders in efforts to de-escalate fear, remove barriers to connection, and model an inclusive vision for a more cohesive future. At its best, our work advances the critical thinking and practice of what it takes to cultivate a culture of belonging in communities across the country.
Activate
In 2020, the Center launched Belonging Begins With Us, a national communications platform that is working to seed narratives of belonging and promote welcoming and inclusive behaviors. In partnership with the Ad Council and a broad coalition of partner organizations from across the country, the campaign reaches audiences nationwide with positive, impactful messaging about creating a more welcoming nation where everyone can belong. Learn more about the Belonging Begins With Us campaign.
Convene
The Center convenes cross-sector professionals and community leaders through regular gatherings and communities of practice. These spaces serve as vital connection points for practitioners to delve into the nuances of shared practice, fostering a dynamic environment for learning, collaboration, and skill development. We currently co-convene a monthly narrative community of practice with the Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, seeded by New Pluralists in 2023, which explores the role of narrative in advancing pluralism and a culture of belonging.
Research
In March 2023, Over Zero and the American Immigration Council released the first national survey of belonging in the United States—The Belonging Barometer: The State of Belonging in America. This initial study created a new measure (The Belonging Barometer), designed and reported findings from a nationally representative survey, and demonstrated the connections between belonging and critical life outcomes.
Equip
Connection happens in community, and we work to support local leaders and organizations in designing and leading programs that bring people together to bridge, heal, and transform. Since 2020, we have worked with 22 organizations through a unique multi-year cohort model, providing grant funding, coaching, peer-to-peer relationship building, and technical assistance. We further strengthen the capacity of the field by developing tools and resources and capturing the lessons, stories, and insights from these cohorts to share in a virtuous cycle of ongoing learning.
The Belonging Barometer
- Behavioral Science
- June 24, 2024
Without a sense of belonging, individuals and communities suffer; with it, they thrive. Yet, because belonging is notoriously difficult to measure, it…
Read MoreWhat Immigration Issues Do Americans Hold Sacred?
- Behavioral Science
- February 18, 2021
Understanding how deeply we hold our immigration stances may matter as much as what…
Read MoreCultivating Contact
- Behavioral Science
- September 27, 2022
This guide incorporates decades of study on how contact programs can bridge differences.
Make a contribution
Make a direct impact on the lives of immigrants.
