Out of Many, One
Our nation’s founding motto, E Pluribus Unum, reminds us that from many, we are one—interconnected and interdependent. It is a profound statement of hope and shared humanity. Yet, throughout our history, we have often fallen short of this ideal, allowing fear, division, and mistrust to undermine our collective potential. These fractures carry a deep cost—not just to individuals but to the promise of America itself. We cannot achieve the prosperity and fairness that all deserve if we remain divided. The path to a brighter future for everyone begins with recognizing our shared humanity—seeing the power in our collective identity that grows from the richness of our individual stories and experiences. From this foundation, we can build opportunity, foster belonging, and work toward a vision of the common good.
E Pluribus Unum was founded in 2018 by former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu with a mission rooted in the belief that facing what divides us is essential to building a more united future. E Pluribus Unum trains and invests in leaders dedicated to advancing opportunity across the American South and works on narrative change through multimedia campaigns that foster connection across differences.
Today, EPU continues to lead the way, developing innovative programs and initiatives that cultivate leaders and communities across the American South, equipping them with tools, programs, and support to bridge divides and foster connections across differences. What sets EPU apart is our deep, data-driven understanding of the region, combined with our commitment to applying behavioral science in ways that drive measurable change and action. EPU applies those insights to narrative change via multimedia campaigns. Together we are rewriting the narratives that perpetuate division and are creating environments where everyone has a fair shot at success. EPU supports policy change by providing valuable frameworks and tools so that a clear roadmap for change can be implemented among a variety of policymakers. By doing this, EPU is helping communities across the South rise to meet today’s challenges while building a foundation for shared prosperity. This is not just work for today but a vision for the future—a future where our interconnectedness becomes our strength, and the promise of out of many, one becomes a reality for all.
“E Pluribus Unum” is Latin, meaning “out of many, one.” A long-held motto for the United States, the phrase was first included in a sketch for a national seal in 1776. Since 1782, it’s been included in the official Great Seal of the United States, which is affixed on formal State Department documents. It is most often depicted alongside the bald eagle, as it was in Charles Thomson’s 1782 seal. The motto describes the concept of forming a new nation through the union of the 13 original colonies. Some scholars believe that the nation’s founders likely saw the motto on the title page of a reader’s digest called “Gentlemen’s Magazine”, published in London. In 1786, the U.S. Mint produced the first coins marked with “E Pluribus Unum.” Today, the motto can be found on U.S. currency, on official documents, and across federal buildings. In a broader context, “E Pluribus Unum” connotes the many cultures of the melting pot of America coming together to form one union.