Polarization.
Let’s talk about it.
Let’s Talk Unite is a youth-founded and youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to combating affective polarization through stimulating constructive dialogue across the political spectrum. We aspire to promote a culture of accountability and awareness in which members confront their biases and welcome divergent perspectives.
Our Mission
Let’s Talk Unite inspires bipartisan discourse by offering free digital resources, local workshops, and a podcast. We exclusively appoint high school and college students to our executive and teaching roles to foster leadership and communication skills in the next generation. We are fortunate to have a strong board of advisors aiding the expansion of Let’s Talk Unite across the United States.
Let’s Talk Polarization
The “Let’s Talk Polarization” podcast hosts global scholars in monthly episodes on polarization and race, economics, media, gender, and religion to make the topic of polarization accessible to young people. Select episodes feature diverse groups of partisans seeking common ground on contentious issues to inspire young people to engage across partisan divides. In episode 25, Dr. Rune Stubager (Professor of Political Science, Aarhus University, Denmark) contrasts the electoral effects of working-class identification across European countries. Episode 11 engages five religious leaders across Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Christian faith in dialogue about their unique political worldviews. Since its inception in 2020, the podcast has amassed 10,000 listens across 23 countries.
Articles
Let’s Talk Unite organizes an annual editorial contest to encourage youth to research, ponder, and express their opinions on pressing issues. In 2025, the contest awarded $500 in prizes and published 17 outstanding student-written articles.
Rethinking California’s History Curriculum
I am an Indian American. I have cousins around the world, in places like India, Singapore, and Dubai. Talking to them, I have come to realize that their awareness of the United States is much greater than my knowledge of their countries. This gap in understanding, I...
The Future of Environmental Justice
Burnt orange skies, suffocating air, dying trees—I used to think that climate change was a far-off issue that was distant from my community, but all that changed after the fall wildfire season of 2020. Having heard that these wildfires were made so much worse by...
The Future of Math Education
During the pandemic, many students fell behind in their learning as they had to grapple with the loss of their school community and social life, COVID deaths and its other effects, and family hardships (Doan-Nguyen, 2023). Test scores universally declined, and the...
The Future of Immigration in Schools
As a girl who"s lived in Mexico, Texas, and California, I’ve experienced many sides of the political spectrum. Although I was too young to remember much of this, I still feel a strong connection to the two locations I’ve lived in my past. Growing up in border states...
The Future of American Secondary Education
American education is in crisis. Approximately a third of U.S. high school students are behind grade level in reading, writing, and math. A majority of Americans are pessimistic about the quality and direction of education. Even as our nation seeks to pioneer...
The Future of Ethnic Studies: Fighting for Inclusion
I am just one of the countless voices fighting for ethnic studies, not just for its existence as a class, but as a movement that needs to be heard. I live in Little Saigon, a community of immigrants and refugees from Vietnam—a group that has persisted in preserving...
Nationally Recognized
Events
Resources
Follow us on Instagram (@letstalkunite) to access timely information about our upcoming initiatives and opportunities.
Explore a selection of resources about political polarization, affective polarization, and related fields. We encourage you to browse the games, books, journal articles, courses, videos, and documentaries curated by the Let’s Talk Unite team.
Our Team
We are a coalition of students, scholars, educators, and organizations united by a shared dedication to fight affective polarization within our respective fields.
Charlotte Kofman
President
Charlotte Kofman is a senior at The Kehillah School. She is passionate about bridging partisan divides and fostering productive political discourse. Kofman was drawn to LTU’s mission in 2024 and quickly became involved in the organization. Ever since, Kofman has organized local conferences, managed LTU’s Public Relations and Events divisions, and scaled LTU to seven chapters around the globe. Kofman aspires to continue expanding the LTU community, inspiring activism that challenges entrenched viewpoints and contributes to a more collaborative political culture.
Olivia Chiang
Founder
Olivia Chiang is a sophomore at Stanford University. She is a passionate advocate for bridging partisan divides. Struck by the severe polarization plaguing our political system, she founded the LTU in 2021 to raise awareness about polarization’s ramifications and transform the way we approach political discourse. She leads local workshops on identifying bias and manipulation and hosts a podcast featuring interviews with leading researchers concerning the intersection between polarization and corporate interests, vaccine hesitancy, and religious identity. Long term, Olivia aspires to conduct research that disrupts our echo chambers and revitalizes our political discourse.
Bay Area, California Chapter
Kensie Pao
Director of International Chapter Relations
Kensie Pao is a senior at Palo Alto High School. She was inspired to join LTU upon noticing the extreme partisanship and lack of civic engagement in her local community. It became apparent to Pao that productive civil dialogue is an essential component of a healthy community. Pao is also the President of her school’s Book Club and Young Sheldon Club.
Neel Gupta
Director of Public Relations
Neel Gupta is a junior at The Nueva School. He joined LTU to address systemic corruption exacerbated by political polarization through the lens of psychology, critical race theory, and public policy. Gupta is the Arts & Culture Editor for his school newspaper and an intern at the Los Altos Town Crier. Gupta also enjoys dancing, true crime, and reading in his free time.
Mathilde Huynh
Director of Events & Director of Recruitment
Huynh is a junior at Henry M. Gunn High School. She is interested in encouraging people to welcome and engage with diverse political ideologies and move beyond partisan thinking. Huynh is the Co-President of YMCA Youth and Government and a member of her school dance team. In her free time, Huynh enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her friends.
Averie Chiang
Director of Film & Media
Averie Chiang is a sophomore at The Nueva School. She is dedicated to creating social impact through photography, videography, and social media. Chiang is a social media intern for Reel2e and the social media lead for her school’s Social Impact Filmmaking Club. In her free time, Chiang loves crafting, filming TikTok dances, and spending time with her friends.
Ella Cohen
Ella Cohen is a sophomore at Castilleja. With the partisan division permeating American political culture, Cohen believes that the best way to bring people together is through productive bipartisan discourse. Cohen is a staff writer and photographer for Castilleja Counterpoint. In her free time, Cohen enjoys going to concerts and meeting new people.
Neil Sahami
Neil Sahami is a junior at Gunn High School. Concerned about heightening polarization in his local community, Sahami joined LTU to encourage fellow youth to participate in productive, bipartisan discourse. He is the Technical Coordinator for his school’s TEDx Club. In his free time, Sahami enjoys cooking, doing theater, and learning foreign languages.
Hadar Weissman
Hadar Weissman is a junior at Gunn High School. She is deeply interested in how the media shapes polarization. Weissman is the Co-Community Outreach Officer of YMCA Youth and Government and a student teacher at Edgewood House Preschool. In her free time, she enjoys baking, doing yoga, and spending time with her family and friends.
Isa Wu
Wu is a sophomore at Palo Alto High School. She is a passionate advocate for civic engagement. Wu joined LTU because she identified bipartisan dialogue as a powerful tool for fighting partisan antipathy. She is the President and Founder of her school’s Anthropology Club. In her free time, Wu enjoys trivia, music, and spending time with her friends.
Violet Callahan
Callahan is a sophomore at The Nueva School. She deeply values civic engagement and healthy political discourse. Callahan’s experience in journalism taught her the importance of non-partisan writing. She joined LTU to combat polarization in journalism, media, and beyond. In her free time, Callahan enjoys spending time with her cats, reading, and sketching.
Keerthi Raj
Keerthi Raj is a senior at Palo Alto High School. She joined LTU to spread awareness about political and affective polarization through advocacy and action. Raj is the Photo Editor for the Midpeninsula Post, Co-President of Dream Volunteers, and Co-President of We Kids United Corp. She enjoys playing lacrosse in her free time.
Mila Wanek
Mila Wanek is a junior at The Nueva School. She is passionate about American politics, music, and environmental activism. She is Co-Lead of her school’s Music Production Club and a member of the Environmentalism and Divestment Clubs. Wanek’s favorite component of LTU’s mission is its inclusion of, and emphasis on, diverse political perspectives.
Ally Goldberg
Goldberg is a junior at The Kehillah School. She is dedicated to fostering constructive civil discourse that encourages participants to move beyond their partisan labels. Goldberg is the Founder of her school’s Business Club and a member of the Palo Alto Youth Advisory Council and Leadership Circle. She enjoys reading and writing for fun.
Ines Bensoussan
Ines Bensoussan is a sophomore at Menlo-Atherton High School. She is passionate about promoting healthy civic dialogue. Outside of politics, Bensoussan enjoys dancing, singing opera, performing musical theatre, and listening to radio-style music. She looks forward to promoting political awareness among young people with LTU.
Sofia Chow
Sofia Chow is a junior at The Nueva School. She has competed in her high school Ethics Bowl for three years. The experience developed her strong interest in promoting collaborative political discourse. Sofia joined LTU to spark conversation about political and affective polarization, and encourage youth to find common ground by discussing the values shaping their political beliefs.
Hildegard Kirsch Kutz
Hildegard Kirsch Kutz is a junior at The Nueva School. She is interested in combating polarization through bipartisan conversations and mutual understanding. Kutz is a leader of the High School Clean Energy Investment Coalition and her school’s Feminism Club. In her free time, she loves to hike, bake, and make puzzles.
Incoming Founding Chapter Presidents
Matias Gonzales
Tampa Bay, Florida
Matias Gonzalez is a junior at St. Petersburg Collegiate High School. Growing up with a passion for politics and writing but lacking a community in which to express his ideas, Gonzales is dedicated to carving out a safe space where everyone is encouraged to speak their mind. Gonzales is the Founder of Rewind Editorial and the Editor-In-Chief of The Adolescent Times. In his free time, Gonazales enjoys writing, language learning, photography, and music production.
Noa Sánchez Bermúdez
Spain
Noa Sánchez Bermúdez is a senior at the American School of Valencia. Years of MUN and Student Council fueled her interest and advocacy in politics and diplomacy. Through LTU, Sánchez Bermúdez aspires to promote bipartisan dialogue that bridges the divides that polarization proliferates. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and playing soccer. Sánchez Bermúdez looks forward to spreading the LTU mission to Spain.
Angèle Bellin
France
Sofia Graham-Eiroa
New York City, New York
Lucas Alderson
Los Angeles, California
Lucas Alderson is a senior at Palisades Charter High School. He is an officer in the Palisades-Malibu Youth & Government delegation and a member of the Westwood Greenway Project. In his free time, Alderson enjoys writing, watching movies, hiking, and mountain biking. Alderson looks forward to forming a robust team that helps expand LTU’s reach. He also hopes to build a strong foundation for LTU to expand within his school and city.
Sophia McCormick
Washington D.C.
Sophia McCormick is a senior at Walt Whitman High School. Living in the capital informed her of the problems that polarization produces. McCormick joined LTU to encourage youth to become more involved in their communities through public discourse. She enjoys running a small business, playing soccer, and reading. McCormick looks forward to developing a lasting chapter. She hopes to create spaces where anyone, regardless of background, can express their opinions without judgment.
Speakers
Josh Becker
California State Senator, 13th Senate District
Joanna Bryson
Professor, Hertie School
Antonio López
Mayor, East Palo Alto
Kenneth Shotts
Professor, Stanford University
Greer Stone
Former Mayor, City of Palo Alto
S. Christian Wheeler
Professor, Stanford University
Hui Bai
Director, Political Belief Lab
James Adams
Professor, UC Davis
Emma Goss
Journalist, NBC Bay Area
Ilya Somin
Professor, George Mason University
Andrea Baronchelli
Professor, City University of London
Maddalena Torricelli
Postdoctoral Scholar, City University of London
Marc Hetherington
Professor, The University of North Carolina
Kaitlin Senk
Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Exeter
Rune Strubager
Professor, Aarhus University
Matthew Levendusky
Professor, University of Pennsylvania
Elisabeth Nadin
Associate Professor, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Thomas Hirschl
Professor, Cornell University
Jon Roozenbeek
Postdoctoral Scholar, Cambridge University
Seth Radwell
Author, American Schism
Vyacheslav Fos
Professor, Boston College
Vicki Veenker
Vice Mayor, City of Palo Alto
Jan Voelkel
Postdoctoral Scholar, Stanford University
Emily Kubin
Postdoctoral Scholar, University of Oxford
Community Partners
The City of Palo Alto
Listen First Project
The Nueva School
The Oshman Family JCC
Citizen Connect
The City of East Palo Alto
Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School
The YMCA
NeuroPsych(ED)
The Kehillah School
Make a Difference
Donate Today
- 1) Fund workshops for high school students, where we teach peers critical skills like engaging in civil discourse and bias awareness.
- 2) Sustain our organization and operations.
- 3) Expand our outreach efforts, allowing us to make a deeper impact in the Bay Area, the United States, and beyond.
Frequently Asked
What is Let's Talk Unite?
Let’s Talk Unite is a youth-founded and youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to combating affective polarization through stimulating constructive dialogue across the political spectrum. We aspire to promote a culture of accountability and awareness in which members confront their biases and welcome divergent perspectives.
How can I partner with Let's Talk Unite?
Let’s Talk Unite offers various partnership opportunities for individuals and organizations. Individuals can volunteer their time and skills for specific projects or apply to join the Let’s Talk Unite team. More information about open positions can be found on the “About Us” page. Organizations can sponsor our initiatives to assist with publicity and increase our engagement. If you are organizing a project that aligns with Let’s Talk Unite’s mission and vision, please consider contacting us to collaborate.
Can I propose an event for Let's Talk Unite to organize?
Absolutely! Let’s Talk Unite is always open to suggestions on how we can cultivate a more respectful and collaborative political environment, as well as enhance the youth’s interest in politics. Contact the Let’s Talk Unite team via email at letstalkunite@gmail.com. You can expect to receive a response within 1-5 business days.
Why should I donate to Let's Talk Unite?
Your donation will fund our nonprofit’s initiatives, ultimately contributing towards creating a more unified society. By investing in the education and empowerment of young people, you will be supporting the next generation of leaders who are committed to building a better future for all.
Are gifts tax deductable?
As a 501(c)(3) charity, donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of US law. Our federal tax ID number is 87-2864487.
Is there a minimum donation?
You can donate as little as $1 and receive the same level of transparency typically afforded to million-dollar donors. Every donation holds significant value for our nonprofit organization and is greatly appreciated by the Let’s Talk Unite team.
Who do I contact if I have questions about my donation?
Contact the Let’s Talk Unite team via email at letstalkunite@gmail.com. You can expect to receive a response within 1-5 business days. Thank you for your generous donation!
