ABOUT US
Founded by students, for students.
OUR STORY
Empathy Across Difference is a student-led organization.
We began at Columbia High School (New Jersey, U.S.) in the fall of 2023. Since then, we have expanded to bring together high school and college students from around the world for informed, respectful, and constructive conversations about difficult and controversial issues.
WHAT DRIVES US
From a high school classroom to a global community.
Since our founding, we have expanded to bring together high school and college students from around the world for informed, respectful, and constructive conversations about difficult and controversial issues.
While we do not expect everyone to reach the same conclusions, we do encourage participants to ask thoughtful questions, challenge ideas respectfully, and keep sight of our shared humanity rather than insisting on agreement.
OUR VISION
We believe that meaningful dialogue is essential to a healthy society and that it requires curiosity, humility, a genuine willingness to listen—and, of course, empathy.
OUR IMPACT
We bring students together across lines of difference.
In a time of rising polarization, empathy is one of the most powerful tools we have for strengthening communities and reducing tensions between individuals, cultures, and nations.
By putting connection before division and understanding before assumption, we seek to show that difficult conversations can be both respectful and transformative.
OUR STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM
Scarlet S.
Founder & President
Scarlet is the founder of Empathy Across Difference, a student-led collective she created in 2023 to give young people space to engage openly and thoughtfully across lines of disagreement. What began at Columbia High School has grown to include high school and college students across the United States and beyond, united by a belief that curiosity, empathy, and genuine conversation are essential in an increasingly divided world.
Through EAD, Scarlet brings students together to explore complex social, political, and cultural issues, approaching disagreement not as something to win or avoid, but as an opportunity to learn. Her interest in dialogue reflects a broader commitment to civic engagement, journalism, service, and the arts, particularly the power of storytelling to help people understand experiences and perspectives beyond their own.
At the heart of her work is a simple idea: we do not need to think alike to recognize one another’s humanity. Scarlet hopes EAD can help foster a generation of young people willing to ask difficult questions, listen with humility, challenge ideas without demeaning others, and remain curious about those who see the world differently.
Rachel M.
Vice President & Newark Academy Chapter Chair
Rachel is a junior at Newark Academy, where her academic interests include law, public policy, history, economics, and international affairs. She is the founder and president of the school's Amnesty International chapter and serves as Commentary Editor for the school newspaper, where she writes on issues affecting students and the broader community. She also actively competes in debate, mock trial, and Model UN. Rachel's research spans immigration and education policy, climate change, food security, and intergenerational justice.
Through her work with Zonta International, she has helped organize the organization's Women's STEM Summit, connecting researchers and professionals with younger students, and has led fundraising efforts supporting several Zonta scholarships. She is also a competitive volleyball player with a background in several styles of dance. Rachel is still exploring her future path, but she is drawn to work that combines research, advocacy, and meaningful engagement with the people policy affects most.
Tyler Z.
Outreach Coordinator & Byram Hills Chapter Chair
Tyler is a junior at Byram Hills High School. He is passionate about entrepreneurship, finance, athletics, and building connections with people from different cultures and backgrounds. He is particularly interested in learning how innovative ideas can be turned into successful businesses and enjoys meeting people whose experiences and perspectives differ from his own.
An avid athlete, he enjoys competitive golf and skiing and has worked as a ski instructor and caddie, experiences that have strengthened his leadership, communication, and teaching skills. He serves on his high school's Student Leadership Board. He is also committed to giving back to his community, volunteering to support underprivileged and immigrant families at Neighbors Link and helping deliver food and essential supplies to people in need.
His interest in business and financial education led him to create a podcast, High School to Wall Street, designed to introduce high school students to careers in finance, featuring conversations and insights with industry leaders that help young people better understand finance and opportunities within it. Through his challenging academics, athletics, community service, and entrepreneurial interests, he hopes to continue developing as a leader while making a positive impact on those around him.
