2026 Award Recipient
CharlotteKofman
Project Let's Talk Unite
Project Let's Talk Unite
Charlotte is the president of Let’s Talk Unite, a youth-founded and youth-led nonprofit dedicated to combating affective political polarization by teaching teens the skills for productive civic discourse.
Charlotte’s commitment to bridging divides is rooted in her family history. A descendant of Jewish refugees who narrowly escaped the Holocaust, she grew up with a deep sense of responsibility to build connection rather than division. When Charlotte became the leader of Let’s Talk Unite in 2024, she transformed what had been a small passion project into a thriving international organization.
Let’s Talk Unite operates through chapters whose teen volunteers organize civic discourse workshops at schools, community centers, and city events. Rather than focusing on one perspective, the organization equips young people with the tools to engage in respectful dialogue across political differences. Workshops address not just ideological divides, but the emotional distrust that can make productive conversation feel impossible in the first place.
Under Charlotte’s leadership, the organization has grown exponentially. She built a multi-member Bay Area teen board, established chapters spanning from Florida to France, and launched an annual editorial contest that draws student submissions from across the country. She has secured speakers, including state senators, city council members, and Stanford professors, and earned a U.S. Congressional Commendation for her work.
Let’s Talk Unite has reached over 1,000 teens through events, workshops, and initiatives, with a wide and growing social media presence.
A youth-led nonprofit that teaches teens the skills for productive civic discourse through workshops, editorial contests, and chapter events aimed at combating affective political polarization.
