Tomorrow Talk: The Courage to Connect - The Simple Act of Gathering Your Neighbors
- Tom Tom Foundation Staff
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Thus. Dec. 4 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Tom Tom Foundation, 100 W. South St
As we prepare for the 14th Annual Tom Tom Festival (April 22–26, 2026), whose theme is COURAGE, the Tomorrow Talk series invites us to explore what courage looks like—in our personal lives, our neighborhoods, our communities, and our society.
What if strengthening democracy began not in city hall, but in your living room?
In an era defined by polarization and disconnection, sometimes the bravest act is the simplest one — inviting your neighbors to gather. This Tomorrow Talk explores that very idea: how local connection can renew civic life, one courageous conversation and gathering at a time.
Led by Sam Pressler of Connective Tissue, this Talk shares a remarkable local experiment: what happened when 30 Charlottesville residents each received a $100 microgrant to host a neighborhood gathering. Across the spring of 2025, those dinners and events brought together more than 500 neighbors from different neighborhoods. Some met for the first time. Others rekindled friendships lost during the pandemic. Many walked away with tangible commitments — a plan for a mural, a shared newsletter, or simply the intention to keep meeting.
The results were small but profound. Across neighborhoods, a hunger for connection emerged. People wanted to rebuild what was lost. They wanted to belong again. And they didn’t need a five-year plan or a city initiative — just a modest grant, a toolkit / guide, and the courage to host.
This Tomorrow Talk will reflect on the learnings from those dinners and explore what a renewed sense of civic responsibility might look like in 2026 and beyond. Because courage doesn’t always look like a grand gesture. Sometimes, it looks like knocking on a door, sharing a meal, or saying hello.
FACILITATORS
Sam Pressler is a writer and researcher focused on the intersection of civic life, social connection, and class. He’s currently a Practitioner Fellow at UVA’s Karsh Institute of Democracy, a Research Affiliate at the Harvard Human Flourishing Program, and the creator of the Connective Tissue newsletter. In his past life, he founded and served as the Executive Director of the Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP), the nation’s largest community arts organization for veterans and military families. His grandmas are very proud of him.
Paul Beyer is the founder of the Tom Tom Foundation and Tom Tom Festival, and in his role as executive director, is responsible for its strategic vision and community partnerships. Beyond Tom Tom, Paul works on a variety of gatherings and events ranging from festivals, dance parties, dinner series, meditations, men's groups, conferences, seminars, and concerts.
ABOUT THE SERIES
The Tomorrow Talks are a year-long series that picks up critical themes from our April Festival and continues the conversations to create impact in Charlottesville. Each session is facilitated with an emphasis on participation, connection, and new collaborations. Tomorrow Talks begin with a connection exercise or meditation, and proceed into a presentation and breakout activities. They aim to impart knowledge that is practical and relevant to people's lived experience; combining academic or theoretical insights, alongside pragmatic tools, and experiential and somatic learnings.
