Racial cooperation in America: Why the United States is not as divided as it may seem

Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST 
Online: https://www.brookings.edu/events/racial-cooperation-in-america-why-the-united-states-is-not-as-divided-as-it-may-seem/  

Interactions across race have been central to societal progress—expanding civil rights, driving industrial innovation, and improving economic inclusion. Yet we are at a moment in which polarization, misinformation, and narratives of division increasingly shape public discourse. How can we create systems and cultures that bolster equality across different backgrounds and enable people to work together not just for their own interests, but for a common good?

Please join the Brookings Center for Community Uplift on Wednesday, February 18, for a discussion about new research on the state of racial cooperation in America. The findings are drawn from a first-of-its-kind national survey, co-designed and administered by Gallup, that examines how Americans live, work, and build relationships across racial lines.

We hope that you’ll join us for a research presentation and panelist conversation as we unpack the implications of the new findings, reflect on opportunities for strengthening racial cooperation nationwide, and discuss how future research can chart a path toward a more connected, productive, and democratic society.  

Online viewers can submit questions via e-mail to events@brookings.edu.