The Study Tour on Social Cohesion offered participants a week-long, comparative look at how American cities confront social fragmentation, inequality, and the challenge of sustaining democratic resilience at the local level. From December 7 to 13, 2025 and split between Philadelphia and Nashville, the program blended formal briefings with site visits, walking tours, reflection sessions, and informal exchanges. The design ensured that participants could see both the policy frameworks and the lived experiences shaping civic trust.
The program began on December 7 in Philadelphia’s Christmas Village, where the cohort gathered over cups of glühwein—a relaxed German-American kick-off to the exchange. Later that evening, the group shared a welcome dinner in Old City, surrounded by the layered history of democracy and immigration that has defined Philadelphia’s identity. Charlie Ellison, Director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs, joined the dinner to outline the city’s commitment to immigrant inclusion and cross-sector collaboration.
Monday morning opened at the Fleisher Art Memorial, one of the nation’s oldest nonprofit community art schools, founded by the grandson of German Jewish immigrants. There, Mr. Ellison provided a comprehensive overview of Philadelphia’s immigrant integration framework, highlighting priorities such as language access, interagency coordination, and partnerships with grassroots organizations. Community partners followed with candid accounts of both the challenges they face and the successes they’ve achieved in advancing social cohesion.
Speakers included Deise Rodrigues from Language Access Philly, who ensures city departments can communicate effectively with residents who have limited English proficiency; Imam Quaiser Abdulla, who leads the Mayor’s Office of Muslim Engagement; Dr. Ana Martinez-Donate, founder of the Latino Health Collective, who emphasized the importance of collaboration across organizations; and Dr. Marissa E. Amos from International House Philadelphia, who spoke about supporting and retaining international students amid workforce shortages. Taleah Grimmage and Tonya McClary from the Citizens Police Oversight Commission described their role as the “civilian version of internal affairs,” working to strengthen trust between communities and police. Law enforcement representatives, including Trooper Jess Quinn and Captain Marc Metellus, underscored their commitment to protecting peaceful protestors. Finally, Maria Eugenia Gonzalez and Silvia Roldan from I Belong Philly highlighted the power of volunteer-led immigrant networks.
These exchanges underscored a central lesson of the tour: social cohesion is not the responsibility of a single office or institution. It is the product of sustained collaboration across health services, law enforcement, cultural institutions, and community advocates—all working together to build more inclusive and resilient cities.
In the afternoon, participants joined artist and activist Michelle Angela Ortiz for a walking tour of Philadelphia’s historic 9th Street Market, part of her Our Market Project. The tour highlighted how public art, local commerce, and cultural preservation work together to strengthen neighborhood cohesion. Murals, awnings, and revitalized vendor stands not only maintain the market’s infrastructure but also preserve the cultural memory of its diverse community. Ortiz shared her newest mural, a deeply personal piece depicting neighborhood residents—including her own mother. The day closed with dinner at a local Vietnamese restaurant, where Ngan Tran from the Office of Immigrant Affairs spoke about immigrant entrepreneurship, cultural exchange, and how Philadelphia’s food scene creates informal spaces for social connection.
The second day began with a breakfast discussion led by Michael O’Bryan, founder of The Wealth + Work Futures Lab. His session encouraged participants to think critically about the future of work, economic dignity, and the structural inequalities that undermine social cohesion. Drawing on both research and practice, he underscored the need to align workforce development with inclusive economic growth.
At the William Penn Foundation, participants met with Executive Director Shawn McCaney, who shared the foundation’s history and its role in supporting long-term, community-driven change across the region. From democracy initiatives to environmental stewardship and public spaces, the conversation highlighted philanthropy’s ability to convene stakeholders, sustain nonprofit ecosystems, and prioritize equity in funding. It also sparked dialogue among participants about the broader role of private foundations in shaping society.
Later at City Hall, the group engaged with Councilmember at Large Rue Landau, Philadelphia’s first openly LGBTQ+ City Councilmember. Landau spoke about legislative approaches to inclusion, LGBTQ+ rights, domestic violence, and civic participation. The session also featured leaders from the Technology Learning Collaborative (TLC), including Kate Rivera and David Cooper More, who discussed how digital literacy and workforce training initiatives expand economic mobility. TLC’s close collaboration with Councilmember Landau, who chairs the city’s technology committee, reflects a shared commitment to bridging the digital divide—even within government itself.
The afternoon concluded with a meeting at the Asian Chamber of Commerce, which offered a business-community perspective on integration, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. Participants learned how chambers of commerce can support immigrant-owned businesses while serving as bridges between communities and policymakers. German participants reflected on how similar chambers could help underrepresented groups in their own communities, underscoring the value of diverse coalitions in strengthening local economies.
The Philadelphia program closed with dinner and conversation featuring Jamal Easley, a 2023 Social Cohesion Participant and Program Associate at Facing History and Ourselves. Easley connected themes of historical memory, education, and democratic values, reminding the group that confronting complex histories is essential for building inclusive futures. His reflections set the stage for many of the discussions that would unfold in Nashville.
Midweek, the cohort traveled south, shifting focus to the intersections of history, civic design, and dialogue across difference. A structured debrief gave participants time to reflect on insights from Philadelphia, surface emerging themes, and begin drawing comparisons between the two cities.
The Nashville program opened with a visit to the Nashville International Center for Empowerment (NICE), a leading organization supporting refugees and immigrants. Kara Stywall, Community Engagement Manager, described how wraparound services—from employment assistance to language training—help newcomers achieve self-sufficiency and build community connections. NICE, once federally contracted to resettle refugees, has faced funding cuts since January, forcing the organization to lean on local partners to support those already in the United States. The conversation highlighted the critical role of local nonprofits in translating national immigration policies into lived outcomes.
Participants then toured the Belle Meade Historic Site through its Journey to Jubilee program. Once a plantation sustained by the forced labor of enslaved African Americans, Belle Meade now serves as a historic site committed to telling the whole story of its past. The tour centered on the lives, labor, and resistance of the enslaved African Americans who lived there, confronting the legacy of slavery and its enduring impact on American society. This experience underscored how honest engagement with history—particularly histories of injustice—is vital to reconciliation, democratic accountability, and social cohesion. It sparked rich conversations about how communities can cultivate a meaningful “Culture of Remembrance.”
On Friday morning, the group met with Gary Gaston, CEO of the Civic Design Center, to explore how urban planning, public spaces, and architecture shape civic life. The conversation emphasized how inclusive design fosters interaction, accessibility, and shared ownership of public space—key ingredients for cohesive communities. It also sparked ideas for projects participants might adapt in their own cities. A highlight was the Center’s Design Your Neighborhood program, which engages middle school students in identifying and addressing local challenges, many of which have produced tangible results.
Over lunch, participants joined Samar Ali, co-chair of the Vanderbilt Project on Unity & American Democracy and founder of Millions of Conversations. The discussion centered on how to navigate difficult conversations in an increasingly polarized world, while opening the door to new partnerships. Ali explained the organization’s name: “Millions of Conversations” rather than “Millions of Voices,” because voices already exist—yet too often we shout over one another instead of listening. The emphasis was on dialogue as a pathway to understanding.
In the afternoon, the group visited the historic Woolworth Theatre, site of the 1960 Nashville sit-ins. Elliott Robinson, Manager of the Civil Rights Room at the Nashville Public Library, led a discussion on the civil rights movement within the broader struggle for social justice and democratic inclusion. The visit underscored the enduring relevance of nonviolent protest and civic courage in shaping inclusive societies. Although the Theatre now functions as a performance space, it retains elements of the original Woolworth’s, including the backsplash from the lunch counters. Participants also viewed a photo exhibit documenting the sit-ins and other nonviolent protests in Nashville. Robinson added a personal note, pointing out that his father-in-law appeared in some of the images.
The study tour closed with a structured wrap-up session that encouraged participants to reflect on what had surprised them most, the lessons they intended to carry forward, and the commitments they were ready to make in their professional and civic lives. By weaving together historical context, policy innovation, and grassroots action, the program left participants with practical insights and networks that will continue to resonate long after the week concluded.
Taken together, Philadelphia and Nashville offered complementary perspectives on social cohesion—Philadelphia through the lens of contemporary urban governance and immigrant integration, and Nashville through the weight of history, dialogue, and democratic renewal. The tour underscored a central truth: social cohesion cannot be engineered overnight. It must be cultivated through deliberate policy choices, strong community partnerships, and sustained civic engagement