Americans are at their best when they can talk with another, disagree, even argue, but agree to keep the dialogue going. Unfortunately, too many people today feel like they can't do that, and they have to avoid even speaking to people with whom they disagree. The Civility Project aims changing that. Co-founders of the Project, journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson, explain how to create an environment of respectful exchange.

They will also discuss their book, The Civility Book, which aims to be "A Guide to Building Bridges Across the Political Divide." (Books will be available for purchase.)

The event is co-sponsored by: Talking Maize & Blue, Wallace House Center for Journalists, Access and Opportunity, Life-Changing Education

A reception will follow the discussion.

The How to Speak your Mind / How to Change Your Mind Speaker Series:

This speaker series is designed to encourage the campus community to think – and talk with one another – about what it means to develop an informed opinion and stand your ground when challenged; and about changing your mind in light of new evidence, different perspectives, and serious reflection. Open inquiry and the thoughtful exchange of ideas can expand what you know (and how you know it), change your mind when warranted, and help cultivate the courage of your convictions when necessary.

Speaker bios:

Nolan Finley began his newspaper career as a copy boy at The Detroit News while a senior in college. After a brief stint with the Jackson Citizen Patriot, he returned to The News as a reporter, covering the administration of Mayor Coleman A. Young. He's been the newspaper's City Editor, Business Editor, Politics Editor and Deputy Managing Editor. In 2000, he was named Editorial Page Editor, where he directs the expression of the newspaper's editorial position on various national and local issues and writes a column in the Sunday newspaper. His columns have appeared in the newspaper ever since. As he wrote in his introductory column, Nolan is a product of The News and the Detroit community. He graduated from both Schoolcraft College and Wayne State University and in 2012 was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. He is co-host of One Detroit on Detroit Public Television.

Stephen Henderson is an American journalist who won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for commentary and the 2014 National Association of Black Journalists Journalist of the Year Award while writing for the Detroit Free Press. A native of Detroit, Stephen is a graduate of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and the University of Michigan. Since 2015, he has been the host of "Detroit Today" on WDET. In 2020, he founded BridgeDetroit, where he serves as Executive Editor. He has worked for the Baltimore Sun, the Chicago Tribune, the Lexington Herald-Leader and Knight Ridder. Henderson is co-host of One Detroit and host of American Black Journal on Detroit Public Television.

Nolan and Stephen have been longtime friends, despite their different perspectives on pretty much everything. The one thing they agree on is the importance of their friendship—which includes a healthy dose of disagreement and mutual respect.