On September 19, leaders from across Los Angeles came together at the first gathering of the newly merged INVLA. Here’s what they told us, and where the conversation goes next.
On Saturday, September 19, leaders from nonprofits, faith communities, businesses, schools and public agencies gathered at the Huffington Center at the Cathedral of Saint Sophia for the Leadership Day of Dialogue. It was the first gathering of the Institute for Nonviolence Los Angeles (INVLA) since Days of Dialogue, the Empowerment Congress and the Community Voter Education Project joined together this summer, with all three programs in one room.
The morning had a simple goal: bring leaders who rarely sit at the same table into real conversation, and leave with something to act on.
Who was in the room
The ballroom was full. Leaders came from dozens of organizations across every sector, and many were connecting with INVLA for the first time. For a good number of them, this was their first facilitated dialogue. Many lead organizations that serve large communities, so the conversations at each table will travel well beyond the room.
What we heard
Trained facilitators guided each table, and scribes captured what was said. Several themes came up again and again:
- From talk to action. Participants want dialogue to lead somewhere, with follow-up and accountability.
- Youth voice. Young people should help design the conversation, not just be invited to it.
- Trust takes time. Relationships across sectors are built through steady, repeated contact.
- Voter education. Leaders want clear, plain-language information to share with their communities.
- From “I” to “We.” The aim is not to agree on everything, but to understand one another.
One participant from a local college observed that organizations one block apart often never speak to each other at all. Their request to INVLA was direct: “Please don’t let it be a one and done.”
Michael Anthony Guynn of the Guynn Family Foundation named what many tables were reaching for: “A need for operational unity.”
What changed
Among leaders who completed both our pre- and post-dialogue surveys:
- Every respondent said they felt heard at their table.
- Trust in leaders from other sectors rose, as did clarity about a next step.
- Most showed overall growth on our leadership measures.
- Nearly everyone said they plan to act in the coming weeks.
- Participants gave their facilitators top marks across the board.
Before leaving, participants filled out commitment cards. Their commitments included bringing young people to the October 3 Town Hall, hosting conversations in their homes, and taking the dialogue to their own organizations. Several organizations have already asked about hosting a dialogue or training facilitators of their own.
With Gratitude
The Leadership Day of Dialogue came to life because of the many people who gave their time, skill and heart. Thank you.
Education Partners: Pacific Oaks College and Children’s School · Pepperdine University and the Straus Institute · California State University, Dominguez Hills
INVLA Ambassadors: Alexandra Belisle, Gloria Davis, Charley Dobbs, Arna Fulcher, Nia Herron, Brett Louie, Rhea Mac, Danette McBride, Anne Sawyer, Sharon Shelton, Laveda Theus, Sonya Vasquez, Courtney Wilkins, Anja Williams
Our Founders: Avis Ridley-Thomas, Mark Ridley-Thomas, Ph.D.
Days of Dialogue Facilitators: Julie Alli, Peggy Barnes, Ann Breen-Greco, Candace Carnicelli, Dorit Cypis, Cheryl Epps, Cindy Feit, Susan Grayson, Demetri Hicks, Roseanne Hubbard, Dernard Newall, Carolina Quezada, Audrey Rivas, Amiyoko A. Shabazz, Marie Stein, Crystal Williams, Ann Young, Scribes Kia Asani, Issac Conley, Bruce Ettinger, Arameh Hakopian, Roberta Holts, Brittney Stackpole, Yuting Su, Renata Valree, Lorena Villegas, Anna Williams, Deja Williams. Student Interns, Pacific Oaks College Monique Johnson, Carel Otte
INVLA Advisory Board Thank you to the members of the INVLA Advisory Board who joined us:
Cohen-Williams, Dr. Shereé Bielecki, Ed.D, Pacific Oaks College, Gloria Davis, Girls Club of Los Angeles, David Louie, David & Pearl Louie Foundation, Gayle Pollard-Terry, The Los Angeles Times (Retired), Deborah Prothrow-Stith, MD, CDU School of Medicine, Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum, CMC.