Creating New American Stories of Us

The USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future and Bridge Entertainment Labs proudly present “Creating New American Stories of Us” at Town and Gown at USC on Thursday September 28, 2023 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM.

This inaugural event explores entertainment’s potential to strengthen America’s social fabric and create a shared sense of “us” as Americans. Join us as panels highlight the power of film and television to help us see our fellow citizens more authentically and better understand, empathize, and constructively engage with each other across our political and social divides. The purpose is to understand how Hollywood creatives and executives can spotlight stories America needs right now and help dismantle the destructive “us versus them” dynamics that are fueling our current political crisis and isolating Americans from one another.

Some of the featured speakers include Baratunde Thurston (PBS, How to Citizen), Joel Fields (Emmy and Peabody winner; Writer, The Americans), Nicole Starr (SVP, Participant Media), Monica Guzman (Author, “I Never Thought of It That Way”), Eboo Patel (President, Interfaith America), Tim Shriver (Chairman, Special Olympics; Author, “Discovering What Matters Most”) and many others.

The event is being held in cooperation with the 3-day American Democracy Summit (separate registration required), which is being hosted by our friends at Represent US. A bus is available to shuttle attendees to and from The Reef in downtown LA and USC.

The Creating New American Stories of Us event is being held in person and online. You’ll need to register to attend either way. Tickets are limited so if you are planning on attending in person you have to register ahead of time.