Begin a Conversation
What does Black joy look like, sound like, smell like, taste like, and feel like to you?
Join us for a gathering centered on the moments, people, traditions, and connections that make us feel joyful, rooted, and seen. Through spoken word, guided reflections, and conversation, we'll explore Black joy and what true safety means for our communities.
All Black people across the African diaspora are welcome and encouraged to attend. Let's connect across our different backgrounds, celebrate what we share, and reflect on the importance of sticking together.
Black Joy and Safety
How do we show up for one another? What does protecting and caring for each other look like? How can we help one another feel safer in spaces that don't always welcome us?
This is an invitation to listen, share, laugh, and imagine together. We'll reflect on belonging, cultural identity, and community care, while making room to acknowledge how colonialism, systemic racism, and their continuing legacies shape our experiences. At the heart of this gathering are our joy, resilience, cultural contributions, and connection across the diaspora.
About the initiative
Let's Begin a Conversation is a developing community initiative dedicated to creating spaces for Black communities to explore history, strengthen cultural identity, build relationships across the African diaspora, and experience Black joy. It brings together African Americans and people from across the diaspora through historical education, facilitated dialogue, cultural exchange, and community connection.
Event details
- Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
- Time: 5:00–7:00 PM Central Time
- Location: Graves Foundation, 2929 Chicago Ave South, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55407
- Admission: Free, registration required
- Capacity: Limited to 20 seats
Enjoy spoken word, guided reflections, community connection, a self-care experience, light refreshments, and Skin. Soul. Poetry. skincare samples.
Each ticket reserves one seat. Complete checkout to confirm your registration at no cost. Come as you are. Leave feeling seen.