Coffee Conversations is a program of open, fearless, inclusive community conversations inspired by "Voices Of The Stranger," a course taught by the late Walter Capps at U.C. Santa Barbara.

Journalist Krista Tippett captures the gist of Coffee Conversations:

“It seems we are more divided than ever before. The places we’ve looked for leadership and modeling have become some of the most broken in our midst. And so it is up to us, where we live, to start having the conversations we want to be hearing…

How do we speak the questions we don’t know how to ask each other? Can we find ways to cross gulfs between us? How to engage our neighbors who have become strangers? We have the language, the tools, the virtues – and the calling, as human beings – to create hospitable spaces for taking up the hard questions of our time.”

New:

It has been suggested that authentic conversation among people of diverse backgrounds is the cornerstone of American democracy, and that the question, "How well do you know your neighbor?" is a good place to start.

"Five Questions” is a new online series of brief introductions to some of our neighbors. Each 10-15 minute episode features an individual from (or connected to) our community, responding to the following 5 questions:

1. What do you stand for?
2. Tell us about a turning point in your life, and why was it significant?
3. What problem must be solved?
4. Tell us about a key mentor, and how was this person important?
5. What gives you hope?

These videos will be uploaded to our Youtube Channel , so check it out, and get to know a neighbor better. (And please subscribe, if you’re so inclined.)

Coffee Conversations Program launch event, “Coffee With a Black Guy” hosted by James Joyce III, on Feb 23rd, 2019 (video) ➜

“Coffee With A Muslima” hosted by Yasmin Sallak, on Nov 14th, 2019 ➜