Central Ohioans reflect on their Big Table experiences and the importance of community-focused conversation.
Each year, The Big Table® brings together thousands of individuals throughout central Ohio for a day of conversation about issues affecting our community. This year, everyone is invited to pull up a chair at The Big Table on Wednesday, October 11!
One way to take part in this inspiring day of community conversation is by hosting your own independent Big Table event. Hosts play an essential role in bringing people together to collectively explore topics that are important to our community, such as affordable housing, the environment, education, youth mental health, hunger, and more.
Participating in The Big Table is easy and rewarding—but don’t just take our word for it. Donte Woods-Spikes, a Big Table Ambassador who has hosted numerous conversations, recently sat down with five members of the community to discuss the value of being part of The Big Table, as well as the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
We invite you to listen to their conversations, then visit our website to learn more about becoming a host or to register to attend a publicly available Big Table conversation!
Big Table Host: Carter Robinson
Carter Robinson is passionate about ensuring younger generations are given a voice in conversations about the community. He hosted a Big Table event at his own school to discuss climate and behavioral change within the school, inviting his fellow students to join the conversation.
Big Table Participant: Gigi Bix
Gigi Bix first got involved with The Big Table® as a high school student in the Global Scholarship Program, where she took part in a conversation that inspired her to do a project on domestic violence and gender equality.
Big Table Host: Dr. Katelin Hansen
Through her work at Church and Community Development for All People, Dr. Katelin Hansen engages with community members of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. According to Katelin, The Big Table helps bring people together across race, class, and culture to dream collectively as a community.
Big Table Participant: Montoya Rogers
Montoya Rogers is the founder of Puzzle Mom, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering and supporting mothers and children of color affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. As Montoya shared, The Big Table provides an opportunity for people to engage in healthy dialogue and connect with one another.
Big Table Host: Roshelle Pate
Known to many as “the Food Soldier,” Roshelle Pate is an active member of the community who generously gives her time to help others. Through her experience of being invited to participate in a Big Table conversation several years ago, Roshelle was inspired to host her own events.
Whether you’ve hosted a Big Table conversation before or are getting involved for the first time, you have the power to bring people together for meaningful conversations about our shared future. We invite you to learn more about The Big Table and register to host a conversation or join an existing conversation!
Thank you to Columbus Metropolitan Library, a public Big Table partner, for generously allowing us to film at the Main Library.