Nearly two decades after Whistling Vivaldi, legendary social psychologist Claude M. Steele, Ph.D. (FAN ’14), returns with Churn: The Tension That Divides Us and How to Overcome It, an equally ambitious work examining the mental agitation and physical stress we experience in diverse settings, and the surprising role trust-building plays in reducing it across identity divides.

Opening with a striking vignette of a parent-teacher conference between a well-meaning white teacher and the concerned Black parents of a seventh grader, the book demonstrates how churn threatens the trust essential to teaching and mentoring the young. Drawing on decades of psychological research, Churn is rich with examples: a young woman entering a boardroom as one of only a few women; a white male feeling conspicuous during diversity training; a Chinese grandmother shopping where anti-Asian violence has occurred; and lessons from remarkable student outcomes at Georgia State University.

Too often, we navigate the tensions of diversity by pretending they don’t exist, avoiding connection across what can seem like wide chasms of difference. Steele charts a different path, one rooted in seeing the full humanity in human difference. He offers concrete practices, “a game played on the ground,” for building trust across all kinds of divides: between individuals, in classrooms, boardrooms, and entire institutions.

Carefully intertwining research with anecdotes drawn from Steele’s own biracial background, Churn is essential reading for anyone committed to fostering community. Filled with hard-won hope, Steele’s summa work teaches us how to work through the churn suffusing our lives.

Steele will be in conversation with Marcus Campbell, Ed.D., superintendent of Evanston Township High School District 202. Dr. Campbell was previously the Assistant Superintendent/Principal at ETHS, responsible for providing leadership in the development of district strategy and organizational change, including effective instruction practices, impactful diversity and equity initiatives, and responsive programs and services.

Book Giveaway: FAN is giving away copies of Churn to attendees, while supplies last.

This event is suitable for youth ages 12 and up. It will be recorded but not live streamed and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.