About Our Conversations Series
We believe that meaningful conversations are a powerful tool in the work against inequality.
In January and February 2021, Main Street, Montgomery County Collaboration Council, Donte’s Boxing & Wellness Foundation and Virtues Matter came together for Conversations Matter, a free, weekly, virtual, four-part series to:
- Affirm that American history is Black history and that Black history is American history
- Explore the intersectionality of disability and race
- Ignite action to make changes that will have a lasting impact
We followed up in November 2022 with The Conversation Continues. During this event, Dr. Rodney Glasgow, Head of Sandy Spring Friends School and President of The Glasgow Group, led a discussion on the topic of allyship with marginalized groups.
Dr. Glasgow returned to Main Street in November 2023 for a conversation about ways in which we feel safe and unsafe in the midst of turbulent current events – and how we can support and connect with one another. This event was held in partnership with the City of Rockville and BlackRock Center for the Arts.
Main Street aims to continue to provide opportunities for conversations on critical topics with the goal of building a more equitable society.
The Conversation Continues
Sessions
November 9, 2023
Finding Connection in a Turbulent World
Dr. Rodney Glasgow asked a series of thought-provoking questions during the November 2023 interactive program The Conversation Continues. Among them: At this moment in our lives, in our country, in our world…what parts of you feel safe? Where do you feel like you belong? How are you coping? Participants listened and shared, and many left feeling uplifted. “I arrived with a lot of despair and feel hopeful now,” one guest said. Thanks to BlackRock Center for the Arts for partnering with us and the City of Rockville for sponsoring this important program.
November 3, 2022
What Does It Mean to Be an Ally?
A prominent theme from Conversations Matter was allyship. The Conversation Continues expanded on this theme and asked the questions: What does allyship look like? How can we best be allies and create more seats at the table? The conversation was led by Dr. Rodney Glasgow, Head of Sandy Spring Friends School, President of The Glasgow Group and a noted educator, speaker, facilitator, trainer and activist in the areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. This program was made possible by the generous support from the Metro Bethesda Rotary Club. View slides here and watch the recording here.
Key Partners
Conversations Matter
Sessions
January 19, 2021
Local Black History
Slides from Shellee Haynesworth
What drove us to participate in the Conversations Matter series? What do we know about racism, Black history and the key moments in our history which formed how we live today? What do we want to learn?
We seek to understand the experience of people of color throughout our local history and how that has shaped where we are today. Elijah Wheeler, Executive Director of the Montgomery County Collaboration Council, leads a panel conversation with Dr. Philip J. Merrill and Shellee Haynesworth.
January 26, 2021
Race X Disability
People of color and people with disabilities are faced with too many similar injustices. Find a person of color who also has disabilities, and we can see that the hurdles and roadblocks they experience are exacerbated.
How can we expand opportunities so we can all achieve our goals, aspirations, and dreams? What can we do to support our peers, loved ones, friends and co-workers with dignity and respect? Joining us for this session are Tatiana Lee, an actress, model and Hollywood Inclusion Associate at RespectAbility, and Lachi, a performing artist, disability champion and speaker with RespectAbility’s Disability Speakers Bureau.
February 2, 2021
Taking Action
“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” – Angela Davis
In the search for answers, we often find more questions. What can we do? Where can we do it? When should we start? How else can we get involved? Connections made through Conversations Matter can be a resource to propel you to action.
This inspiring session will be led by noted speaker, facilitator, trainer and activist in the areas of diversity, equity, and social justice and Head of School for Sandy Spring Friends School, Rodney Glasgow.
February 9, 2021
Sustain the Change
Our willingness to ask questions and seek answers is a powerful tool in creating and sustaining change. It’s time to debrief, unpack and use all that energy to power up momentum. We hope you will leave the series as an informed community member and better neighbor with a desire to continue engaging in complex conversations.
These complex conversations that matter will be led by two of our key thought partners, Dara Feldman of Virtues Matter and Donte Brown of Donte’s Boxing & Wellness Foundation. We will also be joined by Barbara Talley, poet, speaker, mindfulness leader and relative of Harriet Tubman.
Resources
Please follow these links for resources (including readings, videos and websites) related to the topics of the Conversations series:
Key Partners
Conversations Matter is made possible in part by the generosity and support of Maryland Humanities and an anonymous donor.
See press release for the event here. 
