Good Talk

On Tuesday we saw the theory of what we do turn into the reality of doing it, and it was thrilling. What do we do? At Community Happens Here: The Commons, we talk. What does that mean? Doesn’t everybody talk? Well, not all talk is “Good Talk.” Here we make ways for people to reimagine entrepreneurship, create a resilient community, and gather across many kinds of differences. 

The night was all those things. Upstairs, we had a great interview with an up-and-coming, young (11th grade), African-American filmmaker, Xander Wynn. In-person (safely) and over Zoom we gathered from around the country, around the city, and around the block. We heard Xander’s story with challenges and triumphs, and he taught us a lot about how to become a successful entrepreneur at any age. At the same time, downstairs, a small group from the Pleasant Ridge Montessori Foundation gathered for their first meeting using Zoom from our meeting room. 

This moment was especially sweet for me, since more than 10 years ago the seeds for Community Happens Here were planted during meetings at local bars, pizza places, and at uncomfortable cafeteria tables. I longed for a place where the kind of conversations we were having, which had the potential to transform our community, could be held in comfort, in an inclusive place that was open when we needed it. As they say, “If you build it, they will come.” And they came, and it was good. Good talk. We need lots more of it.