Building bridges and improving racial harmony: An evaluation of the bridges across racial polarization program ®

Abstract

Summary Racial polarization is endemic in American society. It reduces the quality of life in our communities. Numerous solutions have been proposed for redressing racism, including racial dialogues. These programs are predicated on the contact hypothesis, i.e., through equal status contact, prejudice will be reduced. The question is whether the contact hypothesis as implemented through a racial dialogue program holds and racial networks can be improved among program participants. Through a combination of forced choice and open‐ended questions, 72 participants were surveyed to evaluate the impact and success of the Bridges Across Racial Polarization Program®. All individuals changed racial networks. The key to program success was the group dynamic. Positive group dynamics developed through positive interpersonal connections, frequent interactions and varied activities. Racial networks and interracial interactions can be enhanced through dialogue‐type programs, thereby supporting the contact hypothesis.