Second Annual National Symposium

Unique

Leading civil rights organizations and more than 20 activists and scholars are represented in the 90-minute panels. The Symposium gathers together the best minds and leading activists of our day.

The “secret sauce” is that these expert panelists are conversationalists. Each Panelist will begin with an 8-minute presentation, setting forth a crisply stated and particular angle for conversation.

Facilitated interaction among the panelists follows, where points of agreement, clarification, or disagreement are made, all while creating a growing synergy.

Setting up audience interaction, a Conversant (from the audience) will ask a prepared question for one or two panelists, taking the conversation deeper and modeling quality interaction.

For the duration of the panel, members of the Audience engage with the panelists in meaningful interaction.

Engaged listening is the critical component. Panelists with keen expertise, trusting the knowledge and insights of the others, leads to a panel and audience interaction that is potentially synergistic and “heuristic” ~ Perfectly timed for our current climate.

The Moderator’s role is pivotal and proactive: they are conductors of a lively and informed orchestra! Each session concludes with the Moderator’s assessment, what we call the “Heuristic Grist” of the panel; asking where does this conversation lead us? where can this go? And​, identifying specific action steps, further conversation, and other necessary developments.