This document summarizes a World Café event held in Sarasota, Florida on April 28, 2011 to promote cross-cultural conversations in the community. Over 60 people attended and participated in discussions about what diversity means to them, challenges to diversity, and how to improve diversity in Sarasota. Participants shared stories and perspectives that challenged and expanded others' ideas. There was discussion of the need for greater integration between different groups and ages in the community. The event aimed to begin important conversations around diversity and build connections among community members.

1. Contemporary Photo Album Our Souvenir World Café Photo Album April 28, 2011

3. G.Wiz - The Science Museum

4. Habitat for Humanity

6. Our host team of volunteers prepares for the arrival of our guests….more than 60 registered!

7. Creating Community with our Next Generation!

8. World Café EtiquetteSpeaking and Listening together

9. Marilyn explains the tradition of the talking piece Anne gently tests the bellsOur conversations will soon begin…

10. Listening Talking Recording

12. Support change

13. To represent those who don’t have the ability to have a say

14. Support Anne

15. Hopefully World Cafes become the community’s baby

16. Meet people, learn about community

17. Wasn’t sure what meeting was about, thought emphasis was on some type of diversity

18. I was interested in the word conversation and community – finding out what is going on in the community

19. Interested in diversity and how we see disparities played out in the community

20. Interested in what people thought the issues are in relation to Mental Health and the economic disparities and the diversity

21. Like-minded people talking about Sarasota’s concerns

22. Getting out in the community

24. Challenge ourselves to reach out and get out of our comfort zone by taking actions towards integration and community

25. Overarching themes: Social Conditioning, Labels, Formal/Informal Structures/Desire for common ground

26. Common spaces/social policies

27. Size of group matters, perceptions, cost/opportunity/history repeats

28. Proposed solutions: sincerely focusing on the positive aspects of another’s position

29. Obstacle to diversity: community for some, not for others

30. Affiliation: another does not share one’s view

31. Curiosity, genuine interest in another’s life: What personality type will allow for this?

32. Time/Invisibility: What other factors are at play?

33. Can we really eliminate the prejudices that divide natural communities?

34. Achieving balance: possible? Interconnected communities via social class, proximity/environment

35. Can get ingrained in your part of town, work

36. Unawareness of each other that’s present here

38. Smiles and laughter sprinkle our conversations!

40. Words and Drawings

41. A Story of Community

43. Respect the fundamental humanity of others, appreciate the gifts that everybody brings to the table

44. Looking beyond diversity as race etc. also space/nature

45. I experience the close mindedness, particularly in the mall. Teach diversity in schools

46. Subdivisions, geographic representation of our mindset

47. IN a perfect world, no diversity as concept but as reality

48. From despair to hope through one’s connections

49. Awareness of our own feelings of discomfort and being ok with it.

50. Conversations are great avenues to unification and diversity

51. Cultivate curiosity about whatever is different

52. Different ethnicities, understanding and co-exist which helps to enrich the community, a common thread

53. Food, clothing, music, smells, etc, and loving it!

54. Music is a catalyst for me as a nurse, includes music as healing; Arts in Hospitals

55. Diversity in foodand…..“What have I heard so far that has challenged or expanded my idea of a diverse community?”

56. Matt Richards, graphic artist, captures people’s ideas and expressions with images and color as they are being spoken in the moment.

57. Candid, open and from the heart… People shared their stories and hopes

58. Possibilities through conversations that matter

59. Estranged and Isolated… or …Close and Connected What does Community mean to ME?

61. We belong somewhere else, not in the US

62. Best place in the world is the US, people are afraid to lose it

63. US opened arms to immigrants, community is hard to define and hard to belong here

64. Idea of America is a melting pot if we choose who can be American and doesn’t, it will kill the idea of America

65. How do we fit everyone in an equal environment? That would be the ultimate achievement

66. How do we make people understand the broader human family?

67. Judgment is a defense rather than an offense to keep something from attacking you, basic human instinct for survival

68. Importance of relationships

69. It starts with children

70. Possibilities/opportunities

71. Know yourself to expand your world

72. People assume even though they don’t know who you are and who you represent

73. We think people think the same way I do; when we realize that’s not the case, then we get hurt

76. Expanded into more than difference in race, age but also difference on lifestyle, Sarasota needs that invitation to open up and be part of the change we want to see.

77. Experience with kids in schools; Sarasota is a small town community with lots of resources and a giving community (needs better communications about our resources)

78. Very stressful for the kids: parents out of work and kids coming in very sleepy; trying to find jobs, families having difficulty making it

79. In Sarasota, see a vast divide of those that have and those in need.

80. We do have several homeless children and families; important to try to not hide that

81. Need for strengthening girls

82. Very connected to arts culture

83. Arts, Transition Sarasota initiative: harvesting food goes to food banks and shelters, Florida House, plant gardens at elementary schools

84. Notice there is a lot of volunteering

85. Learn a lot through Natural Awakenings magazine

86. Difficult to remain true to who you are

87. How media shapes direction and how people trust one another

90. Need to build in that non-judgmental way

91. Need to build in that non-judgmental piece – how to be inviting and integrate, we don’t like to suffer

92. Big Brother, Big Sisters need more mentors

93. I was with a community Buddhist group. It’s as diverse and cohesive as we can be, creating a little ???? for the world.

94. I’m a listener

95. You cannot change another person. Change yourself to change the response.

96. Change barriers that are stopping you

97. Expansion. The joy of being here, coming not knowing anybody, Quantum!

98. Diversity: no boundaries, not trying to analyze what I can do for me and what I can do for you

99. Do I trust myself? Do I have something to say?

100. Can I expand my listening? Be accepting of yourself

101. Among friends, safe environment if you have a fear of talking, I’ll be moved to be here for that

102. Similarities in religion = War over the similarities

104. Very comfortable with self; strengths are what we have in common, willing to step into any situation because what challenges us is how we learn to work together and expand

105. How did you get such a strong sense of who you are?

106. Fear is only a word; don’t allow “master fear” to control you

107. Need role models, need mentors, someone to model behavior

108. Broaden interpretation of diversity European: diverse transportation (bus, train, bicycle) not available in US; people get stuck in their ruts

109. It’s up to you in your community to invite self and others to get together and talk regarding how to create and feel comfortable

110. Taking children to nursing homes, to adopt GPs, have to feel comfortable in putting yourself out there

111. Utopian society, people get along and take care of one another; “Guess who’s coming to dinner ideology, mix culture and diversity

112. What parents taught us – what religion expects of you

113. Come in a room and not see differences but acknowledge differences

116. Pocket of diversity

117. Why aren’t people here? Don’t have ID

118. Genuine conversations hard when conflict avoidant

119. Differences lead to lots of interaction, but sometimes conflict, but that’s ok

120. Some people want to be only with common interests

121. Some people forget about the differences that aren’t immediately apparent (white straight male)

122. Diversity has many elements: cultural, nature, transportation, religion, racial background

123. How white Sarasota is; forget how easy he has it

124. Remind not to quash discussion when it is old to me, new to others

125. Toronto: very visible coexistence mosaic/melting pot

126. Don’t have to engage people; Big discussion have to apologize

127. Look for what they’re comfortable with

128. Crabby = alive; crabby = genuine

129. Diversity working with kid, not judge

130. Always will have division, nature of humanity

131. Culture Diversity?

132. What is culture? Micro-cultures?

134. Always have distinctions, don’t want to try to find sameness; can’t work

135. Something everyone needs to do, not necessarily drawing, can be anything FREEDOM

136. Curiosity: need ability to express self/audience is more optional..ish

137. Have a lot of similar perceptions; all similar people?

138. Look beyond family culture or other ethnic only or single definitions

139. Always have diversity, so many differences, be aware of it

140. Celebrate birthdays

141. Intense curiosity is how people push themselves

142. Community listening, Sarasota better, not ignoring

143. Diversity = not boring

144. Art community pushing self. Art is constant; better of self; defines who I am

145. What does lack of Art forge in people; strict parameters pre-art BA/AA

146. Southgate mall intolerant of other cultures, uncomfortable

147. We are evolving slowly but surely….

149. Diversity is being yourself, not judging others

150. Diversity, the world is diverse in itself; accept what everything is

151. Learning to be what we are

152. People feel defeated to have passion

153. Slow down; Speed of life stops us from listening

154. People try to cling to an identity from media examples; they think texting is communication (that’s not legitimate). Media is a great tool but in the wrong hands.

155. In between poor and rich, they tell us to be and how to be. America was founded in Social Innovation; however we “devolved” to Technical Innovation

156. How hard is it for all of us to fit in?

157. We are all prejudice: good aspects of uniqueness and diversity

158. Juxtaposition of the two words community and diversity

159. Diversity : definition changed … “it’s closer that you think if you listen”

160. Some people Ok about diversity, some encourage it

161. Comfort and safety with a lack of diversity at times

163. If I could describe it in a word….

164. Our Words and Conversation Summary NotesUnite to become a Work of “Wordle” Art wordle.net

165. Thank you Anne, Marilyn and Jack who had this dream to invite cross-cultural and diverse conversations in Sarasota… a dream that is now shared by many! From our TEAM to YOU, a Heartfelt Thank You!

166. With a Special Thank You to April Doner The artist behind the camera who captured these spontaneous photos. April, a friend to many… someone who lives and loves ART & COMMUNITY !

167. Hope to see you with friends, family and colleagues at our next SRQ Connects World Café for new and continuing conversations May 25thor 26th 2011 Place (to be determined) Let’s make Cross-Cultural and Diversity Happen in our Community!

168. We will remember this day at G WizWe were together as a community