The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia invited our community of donors, partners, and changemakers to join us for a September 12 community dinner, The People’s Supper, as a capstone event to our 2024 Elevate NOVA Book Circle. David Brooks’ teachings at the 2024 Shape of the Region and in his book, How to Know a Person, were put to the test during this event focused on social trust. The Community Foundation hosted The People’s Supper in partnership with Dinner Party Labs. Over 40 guests attended and participated in lively, insightful conversations while having a great meal.
The energy was uplifting as the Community Foundation’s Renée Byng Yancey, and The Dinner Party Labs’ Maya Pace, set the tone for what would be a meaningful evening. Conversations would be framed around three main questions:
- When you think about meaningful connection across differences, what’s a story where you got stuck? What does that tell you about where there are challenges for you?
- What is an experience of belonging that you carry- where you felt fully seen, heard, and like you fully belonged?
- Tell us about a meaningful relationship you have with someone you did not expect to connect with? OR Tell us a story about when working with someone across an ideological or identity difference illuminated something you hadn’t considered before?
Through the People’s Supper model, attendees were given the tools to build trust across differences. Additionally, table discussions were thoughtfully guided by trained facilitators. This sort of dialog is tough and possibly uncomfortable, especially with strangers. However, together we can heal and grow more resilient as a community. Overall, guests walked away with positive experiences. "Enjoyable to talk with people from the community I did not know. Most impressed with how open and honest we all were, how deep the conversation went in our relatively short time together."
We further realized a big essential truth: that no matter how different we may seem, we still have a lot in common. When asked, what was your main takeaway from attending the People’s Supper, an attendee replied, “No matter our differences there always through lines/ threads that can connect us.”
Authored by Director of Donor Relations, Gaby Webster
Questions?
Questions?
