Our Mission
Our mission is to help people discover what they have in common with others in order to find solutions to the conflicts they face, which in turn enables them to be more successful and fulfilled in their individual lives and cultures. We also seek to network with organizations that have similar goals.
We believe there are universally applicable, common ground-seeking methodologies that can be extracted from the experiences of those we call “Common Ground Visionaries” – people who have successfully applied these methods of identifying what they have in common.
Although common ground-seeking methods do exist, they are typically isolated, sporadic and unrelated, which limits their general applicability to situations beyond the specific conflicts for which their methods were derived.
Therefore, we have approached the task of seeking common ground in a new way. We have gathered the visionaries’ methods, delved deeper into the essence and underlying principles behind their methods, and identified the logical interconnection between them. From this research we formulated a novel “Common Ground S.T.E.P.S.” that can be utilized in the pursuit of common ground in general, regardless of the specific nature of the conflict.
At Common Ground Network, we stand on the shoulders of giants who have gone before us, and who have inspired us to further the cause by developing a generally applicable system for everyone seeking to find what we all have in common.
WHY WE EXIST: To help people find common ground, resolve gridlocks and discover solutions so that the quality of their lives is improved, they are more successful, and they feel more fulfilled.
WHAT WE DO: We research the methodologies of the visionaries to formulate the new Common Ground S.T.E.P.S.
HOW WE DO IT: We teach people these Common Ground S.T.E.P.S. and help them apply it in order to discover the common ground necessary to work together to solve the problems they face.
We are currently in Phase One of implementing the CGN mission. This involves producing media that teaches the Common Ground S.T.E.P.S. and conducting training seminars. For inquiries, please email us at connect@commongroundnetwork.org.
Our Founders
Dr. Ming Wang
Harvard & MIT (MD, magna cum laude); PhD (laser physics), World renowned eye surgeon, Founder of Wang Vision Institute, co-founder of tennessee immigrant and minority business group, www.drmingwang.com
Dr. Ming Wang, Harvard and MIT (MD, magna cum laude); PhD (laser physics), is a world-renowned eye surgeon, philanthropist, and co-founder of the Tennessee Immigrant and Minority Business Group. He grew up during China’s Cultural Revolution during which millions of youth were deported to remote areas to face a life sentence of poverty and hard labor. In 1982, he made his way to the U.S. with only $50, a Chinese-English dictionary, but with a big American dream in his heart. Dr. Wang has published 10 textbooks and over 100 articles, including one in the world-renowned journal "Nature", holds several U.S. patents, including the world's first amniotic membrane contact lens. He received numerous awards including the Honor Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Chinese American Physicians, the Kiwanis Nashvillian of the Year Award, NPR's Philanthropist of the Year Award, and an honorary doctorate degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. Dr. Wang founded the Wang Foundation for Sight Restoration which to date has helped patients from over 40 states in the U.S. and from over 55 countries, with all sight restoration surgeries performed free-of-charge. Dr. Wang’s autobiography “From Darkness to Sight” has inspired the film “Sight”.
Dr. Rice Broocks
Cofounder of Every Nation Family of Churches and Ministries currently operating in 82 Nations, Best-selling Author of God's Not Dead and the Purple Book, www.ricebroocks.com
Dr. Rice Broocks is a bestselling author of several books including the book “God’s Not Dead” that has been translated into 14 languages. He has spoken at universities in over 40 nations. He is the co-founder of a ministry called Every Nation that operates in 80 nations currently. His doctoral degree is from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA in the field of missiology which focuses on the intersection of the Christian faith and the wide variety of global cultures and beliefs. Dr. Broocks works closely with a team of scientists, philosophers, and historians, that facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue between faith and science.
Our History
Ming and Rice Meet "Under the Umbrella"
Ming shares with Rice his life-long burden of the problem of polarization in society and his desire to help people find common ground. Ming asks Rice to partner with him to help address this problem.
March 7, 2020Rice Gives the "Ironing Board" Speech
After several days of searching, Rice shares the concept of a common ground network. He shared this idea with an ironing board as his pulpit in Ming's home.
March 10, 2020Ming Stresses Importance of CGN Methodology Being Universal
As a medical doctor and a scientist, Ming stresses the importance of a methodology that can be applied to any problem or conflict.
March 23, 2020CGN Becomes 501c3 Nonprofit Organization
Creating this new entity gives CGN the proper structure to surge a wide range of institutions: educational, political, and religious.
April 2, 2020Ming Writes Op-Ed for the Tennessean
Ming addresses the opportunity for finding common ground in the midst of the corona virus outbreak.
April 12, 2020"Common Ground S.T.E.P.S." is Birthed
In their second meeting under the umbrella in Ming's backyard, Rice shares the idea of trademarking this unique system and methodology of helping people find common ground.
Read MoreMay 9, 2020Common Ground Network Website Launched on the Same Day as the SpaceX Dragon Endeavor Capsule to the ISS!
The CGN website is launched and Phase One of the task of serving the public begins. This involves producing media that teaches the Common Ground S.T.E.P.S. and conducting training seminars.
May 30, 2020The Common Ground Network
Attn: Dr. Ming Wang, MD, PhD
1801 West End Ave, Ste 1150
Nashville, TN 37203, USA
615-321-8881 (O)
615-321-8874 (F)
www.commongroundnetwork.org
drwang@wangvisioninsitute.com