At this first-of-its kind Forum, a cast of diverse readers will help bring a collection of those stories to the stage. Following this dramatic reading, Ms. Norris will sit down for an in-depth conversation about her work with the Race Card Project. She’ll discuss how even during times of great division, honesty, grace, and a willing ear can provide a bridge toward empathy and maybe even understanding.
FEBRUARY 1, 2024
Our Hidden Conversations
DOORS 5PM
FREE No registration required
MUSIC T. Mychael Rambo
A book signing and free public reception will immediately follow the program.
Tawanna Black
Tawanna Black is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Economic Inclusion. For more than 20 years, she has worked with companies, nonprofits and governments on equitable talent, supply chain, philanthropy and marketing strategies.
Marcus Owens
Marcus Owens is a social entrepreneur, corporate and nonprofit leader, and fourth-generation North Minneapolis resident. He previously served as Chief Executive Director of the African American Leadership Forum and the Northside Economic Opportunity Network.
FEBRUARY 22, 2024
Black Wealth in Minnesota
DOORS 4:30PM
FORUM 5:00PM
FREE No registration required
A TownTalks Presentation
A free public reception will immediately follow the program.
Kara Swisher
Technology and the people behind it are having deep impacts on our democracy. Few people understand that better than legendary tech journalist Kara Swisher. While tech titans bragged they would “move fast and break things,” she was moving faster and breaking news. Covering the explosion of the digital sector in the early 1990s, she developed a long track record of digging up and reporting the truth of this new world order.
MARCH 19, 2024
Tech and the Truth
DOORS 11AM
FREE No registration required
MUSIC Sarah Morris
A book signing and free public reception will immediately follow the program.
Keyu Jin
Born in China and educated in the U.S., Keyu Jin is a world-renowned economist at the London School of Economics. Fluent in both Eastern and Western cultures, she is uniquely poised to explain China’s past and to explore what its future might be. Her most recent book is The New China Playbook: Beyond Socialism and Capitalism. She explains how China became the most successful economic story of our time as it has shifted from primarily state-owned enterprise to an economy that is thriving in entrepreneurship, and participation in the global economy.
APRIL 18, 2024
China: Beyond Socialism and Capitalism
DOORS 11AM
FREE No registration required
MUSIC TBA
A book signing and free public reception will immediately follow the program.
Wesley Lowery
Lowery began his career covering politics, but in 2014 was sent to Ferguson, Mo., to cover the police killing of Michael Brown for the Washington Post. In the years that followed, he would chronicle the early years of the Black Lives Matter movement, writing a bestselling book and launching Fatal Force.
May 23, 2024
Arc Toward Justice 2024
DOORS 5PM
FREE No registration required
MUSIC TBA
A free public reception will immediately follow the program.