Columbus 1 of 3 US cities chosen for program to talk across political divides. What to know
Columbus is one of just three cities in the entire country chosen to participate in One Small Step, a national program designed to bring people with different political views together for conversations that are about neighbors, not debates.
Columbus has been part of the program for many years, and the program continues to be a success. Wane Hailes, president and publisher of the Courier Eco Latino newspaper and Alton Russell, former chairman of the Muscogee County GOP were even featured in the New York Times as a demonstration of the spirit of the program.
One Small Step, developed by the team behind StoryCorps, aims to strengthen communities by focusing on what connects us rather than what divides us. Columbus, along with Wichita, Kansas, and Richmond, Virginia, are the only cities serving as launch sites.
“This is not a political debate. It’s humanity driven,” said Cora King, community curator for One Small Step Columbus. “It’s about people here in the same community who may have voted differently but are still friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens. We’re helping them rediscover their common ground.”
What is One Small Step?
At its core, One Small Step sets up 50-minute, facilitated conversations between strangers who may fall on opposite sides of the political spectrum. The sessions aren’t about changing minds or arguing points, they’re about listening, finding connection, and seeing each other beyond labels.
Each conversation is guided by a trained facilitator, who asks questions and helps participants explore shared experiences, values, and stories. Many participants report that these intentional dialogues lead to new friendships and fresh understanding.
How to get involved
The most important first step for locals who want to get involved is to complete the One Small Step matching questionnaire.
Here’s how it works:
- Enter your ZIP code on the site.
- Complete a 10-minute questionnaire about your views and background.
- A facilitator will match you with someone from a different perspective here in Columbus.
- You’ll then be invited to participate in a one-on-one Zoom conversation, moderated and guided so there’s no pressure to “debate” or perform.
The only commitment is to answer the phone when a facilitator calls and agree to one hour of open conversation. Participants can return later if they’d like to have more dialogues with new people, but even one session makes a difference in helping researchers gather vital data about community connectedness.
One Small Step in person
In addition to virtual conversations, One Small Step Columbus will host in-person recording opportunities.
Columbus Public Library
- When: September 3–5 from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Where: Columbus Public Library on Macon Road
- What: StoryCorps will be on-site to sit down with local residents. Conversations recorded during the library event may even be preserved for the StoryCorps archive.
Super Regular
One Small Step is hosting a casual evening at Super Regular bar and the first drink is on them. :
- When: September 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Where: Super Regular - 1239 Broadway
- What: Neighbors who care about building real community having meaningful conversations
“This is a signature, stress-free experience,” King said. “You don’t have to come up with questions or lead the conversation. You just have to be willing to listen and share.”
Why this matters
Curators stress that the success of the Columbus effort depends on broad participation from across the political spectrum. The data collected will help evaluate how programs like One Small Step can build understanding and reduce toxic division in communities nationwide.
As King put it: “How cool is it that Columbus gets this opportunity? All we have to do is show up, listen, and talk with one another.”
If you have questions or would like to be involved, email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.