A conversation series connecting tomorrow's leaders
Throughout the year, we gather for energizing, facilitated conversations designed to make connections, build trust, and inspire new collaborations. Each conversation features a vibrant mix of entrepreneurs, nonprofit and civic leaders, journalists, educators, and community organizers, but the Tomorrow Talks series is not about anyone’s resume. It’s about friends and neighbors who get to know each other and build trust.
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The Flow
Each conversation is between 25-100 participants. Sessions on “Community” are 2 hours and begin with flash introductions, followed by facilitated large-group dialogues and multiple small-group breakouts to connect more deeply. Other conversations which are topical or industry specific may last up to 4 hours, with a portion of that time dedicated to problem solving, practical “next steps” or mutual aid presentations.
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Relational
These conversations are deliberately not focused on your resume. They are not structured around a panel of “experts.” Rather, they connect everyone attending and elevate those in the room. Great ideas may emerge, but the biggest take-away is a new set of relationships with other changemakers.
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Results
At the close of every conversation, each participant agrees to take someone they met out to coffee as a way to learn more and dig deeper. For the topical conversations, the mutual aid presentations result in a whole new cadre of allies and supporters actively building up new ideas.
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If you’d like to participate, please read the “rules of engagement” and fill out this application form. It helps us to coordinate groups and keep a diverse mix of professions, industries, backgrounds, and outlooks.
SPOTLIGHT:
Criminal Justice Reform:
Mutual Aid Presentations
On April 20, 2022, the first legal 420 in Virginia’s history, over 80 people from different backgrounds --- advocates, jurists, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, journalists, educators, and other community organizers --- participated. They shared ideas, and made connections to further projects related to reform policy, reentry, job services, financial literacy, and housing.
Rules of Engagement
Each conversation has the following agreements:
(1)
I will be on time
(2)
I will be present (ie. no phones)
(3)
I am here for relationships, not “networking”
(4)
What is shared is confidential and not for attribution.
(5)
I will take (at least) one person I meet out for coffee.