At the Table: A Day of Conversation Across the Nation

On September 18th, 2025, something remarkable happened.

Groups from six different states came together for a shared purpose: to listen, to connect, and to hold space for stories that too often go unheard. In a moment of unity, Think Tank Inc. and the Change Leader Alliance hosted our 4th annual At the Table event as part of a national Day of Conversation—and what unfolded was far more powerful than any one of us could have imagined.

At the Table has always been about honoring lived experience. In past years, we’ve created local spaces for people from diverse backgrounds to come together, converse, and learn from one another in supportive, judgment-free environments. This year, we expanded that vision. We joined hands with partners across the country to create simultaneous gatherings in Ohio, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, Colorado, and Pennsylvania—all united under the same banner: At the Table.

Attendees engaged in 20-minute one-on-one and small group conversations with local Change Leaders—individuals who have navigated poverty, trauma, and systemic barriers and who now use their experiences to inform, shape, and improve their communities. These were not lectures or panels. They were real conversations—raw, honest, human.

And in the process, something shifted.

From living rooms to libraries, from classrooms to community centers, stories flowed. The courage of a single voice inspired another, and another, until communities hundreds of miles apart were linked by empathy, hope, and possibility. The power of this day wasn’t in polished speeches or perfect answers—it was in the authenticity of people saying:
“This is what I’ve lived. This is what I’ve learned. This is what I need.”

And it was in the hearts of those who listened—not just to respond, but to truly understand.

A Ripple Across the Nation

The beauty of At the Table lies in its simplicity. A conversation. A connection. A chance to be seen and heard.

But this Day of Conversation showed us something even greater: when we come together across geography, backgrounds, and beliefs, we begin to shift not just minds, but systems.

To the Change Leaders who shared your journeys:
Thank you for your courage.

To the partners and organizations who opened doors and created space:
Thank you for your vision.

To every participant who showed up—whether for an hour or all day:
Thank you for leaning in, listening, and being part of something bigger.

Here’s to What We Built—And Where We Go Next

Here’s to the voices that changed us.
Here’s to the courage that inspired us.
Here’s to the conversations that connected us.

One day. Six states. Countless stories.
That’s the kind of ripple that changes the tide.