Tomorrow Talks | Courageous Listening: The Bravery to Hear Each Other

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How do we bridge divides and build understanding?

In a moment when differences can so easily divide us, true leadership requires the courage to listen — especially when it’s uncomfortable. This Tomorrow Talk invites the community to join Mayor Juandiego Wade for a candid dialogue on Courageous Listening: what it means to engage across differences, approach tough conversations with empathy, and work together toward shared solutions.

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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.

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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.