Tomorrow Talks | Courage to Connect: The Act of Gathering Your Neighbors

/// SESSION DESCRIPTION ///

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.

LEARN MORE

/// TICKETS ///

All tickets are donation based on a sliding scale ($15 - $35).

/// ABOUT TOMORROW TALKS ///

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.

This year-long series picks up critical themes from our April Tom Tom Festival and continues the conversations to create impact in Charlottesville. Each Tomorrow Talk session is facilitated with an emphasis on participation, connection, and new collaborations.

/// FORMAT ////

Each Tomorrow Talk typically begins with a connection exercise or meditation, and proceeds into a presentation and breakout activities. We 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.