A Message From Our CEO

The Talking Piece

There is so much talking but are we really saying anything? If you are like me, you feel bombarded by the constant deluge of language - from podcasts and social media to online news. We are actively listening, and after more than two years of distancing, we have been coming together to TALK. While we are enthusiastic about engaging, we have re-entered a society where the rules of engagement are not necessarily...uh ...engaging. We are word weary, struggling over how to say what we mean in our politically correct and incorrect world.

But there is hope. Coming Together Virginia provides resources and a supportive environment for all who wish to build relationships across many divides and we rely on language to do that. Our approach hinges upon facilitated conversation. Our team of facilitators are word watchers, modeling language for healing. We are facilitating the future through constructive dialogue.  

CT-VA has a talent for TALK. We even use talking pieces to ensure all voices are valued and heard. In fact, in September 2021, our organization was chosen by Governor Northam’s selection committee to contribute to the new state time capsule. We suggested railroad spikes as talking pieces representing endurance, strength and building together. The spikes were a hit and earned us a place in Virginia history and so can you.

We hope our discussions, no matter how clumsy and uncomfortable, will be deemed courageous and purposeful 100 years from now. Through dedicated volunteer engagement, we offer monthly events providing a platform for talk that leads to action and transformation. We invite you to join us as a table participant or consider being a CT-VA facilitator. Get trained by our facilitator trainers and make a difference in your community. Let’s talk!  

For more info: Become a CT-VA Facilitator

Sign up here to be a Volunteer! https://www.comingtogethervirginia.org/volunteer-form 

 To learn more about how our language is changing, take this New York Times opinion quiz You Can't Say That! (Or Can You?) See you at the table!

Danita

CT-VA CEO

3rd TUESDAY

Dinner & Conversation

FAMILY REUNION

Welcome

*Linked Descendants

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

6:00 - 8:30 pm

Ginter Park Presbyterian Church

Fellowship Hall

3601 Seminary Avenue, Richmond VA

We are anticipating a great evening of sharing with the MINES-TILLMAN-MORRIS Family who recently celebrated their union across the racial divide this past June. We were and are privileged to facilitate healing circles making it possible to have important conversations addressing generational and historical trauma. 

In March, we partnered with the American Civil War Museum on another linked descendants program featuring Viola Baskerville and Allison Thomas of the linked BRAXTON FAMILY. That night, African American Historical and Genealogical Society members spoke about the importance of white families sharing family documents that might help black families find their roots. This event will be supportive to those families and organizations working together to discover our blended past.

We are reserving seats at our table

for you!

Look for your invitation to register in your email inbox in the next day or two!

This is a potluck event where we will provide some basics as the meal foundation. Please bring a nourishing side dish to share and donations of $20 per person are appreciated to help cover costs. No one will be turned away, so please come regardless of whether you can bring a dish or make a donation.

FYI - Here are media links on the Mines-Tillman-Morris Family Reunion you may find interesting:

Divided by Slavery, Reunited in Reconciliation / RTD July 16, 2023            

Common Ground: Descendants of the enslaved and their enslavers / July 16, 2023

*"Linked Descendants are people connected to one another through slavery and its legacies, and are people related through ownership, kinship, or violence. Linked descendants want to know the truth about their ancestors, discover their connections, maybe even heal a bit of the wounded past." – Coming to the Table  website, Linked Descendants Working Group page.

MOVIE CIRCLE

(4th Monday of the month)

via Zoom

Monday, September 25th 

6:30 - 8:00 pm ET

Armageddon Time 

Some may label this a "white guilt" film and this emboldens the film's message and clearly lays out what Director James Gray is trying to do. The film deals with themes of inequality (mainly racial inequality) as well as morality and the generational pursuit of the so-called "American Dream". It is a very matter-of-fact look at a 12 year old white boy's world in the 1980's as he navigates his life, dreams, school, family and his friendship with a black boy.

Join us for a lightly facilitated conversation about this movie on 9/25 after watching it in the comfort of your home or with friends. The movie is available for streaming for subscribers of Prime Video or Peacock Premium, as well as for rent from Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu.

Robin Allman

Movie Circle Convener

We would love to have an African American co-convener join us for our Movie Circle. Email Robin if you are interested in exploring this volunteer role.

Reading For Change

BOOK CIRCLE

(4th Thursday of the month)

Via Zoom

Thursday, September 28th

6:30 - 8:00 pm ET

Stephanie E. Jones-Rogers challenges the idea that white women were passive bystanders to the slave economy in the US, instead demonstrating their active participation in its structures of brutality and exploitation. Compellingly written and centering the testimonies of formerly enslaved people, this award-winning book is an important contribution to both historiography and contemporary politics as it adds to an ongoing conversation about the scope of women

Education For Action

BOOK CIRCLE

(3rd Thursdays)

In-Person Potluck Dinner & Conversation

RETURNS IN OCTOBER

Please e-mail Cheryl Goode with any questions.

CT-VA FACILITATOR

TRAININGS

We Need You! 

Would you like to join our CT-VA Facilitators Circle?  Are you ready to explore a more active role in dialogue aimed at increasing inclusion, justice, and equity in our communities? 

We have a well-organized training program to help you develop your comfort and confidence to do so. You will work with experienced trainers and facilitators who have moved from participants to dialogue guides. With them, you will help hold the space for others to share their experiences with race. 

On the 2nd Thursday of most months, our facilitators gather on Zoom (7-8:30 pm) to participate in a facilitator training and to prepare for the upcoming 3rd Tuesday Family Gathering. During the program year, two intensive trainings (4 hours each) are offered where you work with each other to deepen your knowledge about racial dialogue, increase your self-awareness. and refine your skills. 

This month at our monthly facilitator training on Thursday, Sept. 14th 7-8:30 pm on Zoom, we will review our new certification program, discuss Levels 1 & 2 requirements, and prepare for our 3rd Tuesday IN-PERSON Gathering on Expanding Families across Racial Lines (September 19th, 6-8:30 pm). Our of two first intensive IN-PERSON training workshop for Level 1 facilitators is Saturday, Sept. 16th, 1-5 pm. 

If you are interested in learning more, and for the Zoom info for this Thursday, please email Dr. Bonnie Dowdy, Coordinator of Facilitation and Training.

BOOK TALK & TEA

with author Margaret Edds

Pine Camp Arts and Community Center

Friday, September 15th

11:00am - 1:00pm

Join us for an informative, enlightening discussion. Author, Margaret Edds will be joined by Cynthia Hudson, former chair of the Commission to Examine Racial Inequity in Virginia Law under Ralph Northam, in a discussion moderated by CT-VA's Tom Crabbs. Come sip some tea, discuss the book, and engage in thought-provoking conversation. Complimentary light fare will be offered as well.

The event is free and donations are welcome and gratefully received here.