Topos Partnership

It's been an important and challenging year—and we will have many more opportunities for thoughtful approaches to all kinds of policy in the coming year(s). At Topos Partnership, we're grateful for the work we get to do with our wonderful partners to develop the common sense messages that win. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us!

Reconciling Values and Votes: The Role of the Cultural Common Sense A note from Topos after the election On November 5th, majorities voted for reproductive rights and pro-worker policies, yet also elected candidates who will undermine those priorities. While there are multiple dynamics at play, one key issue to address is what we at Topos call the Cultural Common Sense. We can’t be the nation we aspire to be until we reckon with the deeply held ideas that shape people’s thinking across issue areas, ideas that go even deeper than politics and often transcend political identity. The Cultural Common Sense determines, for better or worse, how Americans think about and understand the world, including our country and our leaders. At Topos, our work focuses on understanding the current Cultural Common Sense and working to shift the default ideas that hold us back, such as: We all have the same opportunities if only we try hard enough    Health outcomes are all about our personal choices It’s bad for the economy when unions organize That the 2024 Presidential vote was even close, never mind the outcome, is confirmation that there is deep work to be done. Shifting perspectives like these takes hard work, but we have seen that it is possible. See https://lnkd.in/gQiYhVTx There are also deep, helpful understandings that most Americans already share, and it's crucial that we amplify and build on them as key elements of the Cultural Common Sense, including: • We’d all be better off if those at the top paid more taxes • Workers have the right to stick together • Nobody should be allowed to pollute our air, water and soil Often, we win and lose at the level of Cultural Common Sense. Until we take it seriously and figure out how to navigate or change it, we will continue to struggle on the most divisive and crucial issues of our day — issues like immigration, policing, and even basic human rights. The story of American progress toward equity, broadly shared prosperity, equal opportunity, and sustainable living must be told in ways that resonate as simple common sense. We have work to do to make this a reality, but clear stories about meaningful, lasting American progress have resonated before, and they can again.

Increasingly important...

Look forward to presenting at today’s “Making the Case for Housing Solutions” session at the inaugural Dallas Housing Summit. United Way of Metropolitan Dallas co-produced this affordable housing narrative change toolkit in partnership with Topos Partnership. The toolkit would not have been possible without the generous support of corporate and philanthropic sponsors, a cross-sector of 200+ Dallas community residents, and project advisory committee participating in this research effort. A special shout-out and thank you to Ashley Brundage, the project’s visionary, who saw the need to equip housing advocates with a shared narrative to move forward affordable housing solutions. Check out the toolkit and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gPKdz_mk #affordablehousing #narrativechange #perspectiveshifts Supply + Inclusion + Solutions

Thrilled to be part of this important work!!!

Topos recently completed some research with teachers on how their jobs have changed in recent years. We heard a lot about how attacks on their schools, classrooms, and lives are impacting their work. Red Wine and Blue, a community of diverse suburban women working together to defeat extremism, hosted a discussion about the project and Topos Partnership's Chief Research Officer, Sara Tomczuk, PhD shared the findings. Watch the whole video here: https://lnkd.in/g8um_AmD

What does “abundance” mean in storytelling? Moving beyond scarcity and competition, an abundance mindset opens doors to new ideas and solutions. Learn more in the Topos Partnership report, “ Think Big: Abundance in Narrative”: https://lnkd.in/gkpUb9RZ

Thrilling results on these important issues in a tough year for worker initiatives on the ballot. Massive congrats and gratitude for the chance to work with state groups in Missouri: Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages, Missouri Budget Project, and Missouri Jobs with Justice! Building public understanding on fair wages and paid sick days is the way to shift the culture for future wins! ✨✨✨

Getting out there with Topos Partnership research on talking about policy solutions for broad support and understanding—more important than ever! Thanks Dallas Housing Coalition! Joseph Grady, a Topos founder, will be there for this event.

Excited to see and read this new report from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)—the findings about art and community development goals spotlight work that Topos Partnership research on the arts finds people LOVE about the ripple effect of arts on their neighborhoods. Excellent!