Arts & Democracy Project hosted a People's Potluck in Brooklyn. Playwright and director Talvin Wilks facilitated our conversation through a process of discussion, reflection, and recitation. Drawing on several historical declarations, he asked us to reflect on what we are willing to declare, stand up for, and commit to, over the long arch of change.

The food was delicious and the conversation rich. It included a wonderfully diverse group of people working in the arts, education, human rights, social work, housing, economic development, international development, and more. We spoke about personal accountability and systems change, taking care of neighbors and movement building, equity and the tensions between America's civic ideals and civic practice. We spoke about the women's suffrage movement and how community members and activists are rallying around an 82-year old woman who is currently being threatened with eviction in Brooklyn.

While the conversation just began to skim the surface, we also recognized the ongoing efforts that people in the room are involved in, part of legacies of change making. And we asked why these conversations couldn't happen more often, joining activism with food and creativity.

The potluck was part of a series of artist-led conversations and meals focused on interdependence taking place in the summer of 2011 created by MAPP International Productions in collaboration with Samita Sinha and Create Collective.  The project culminates on September 15 at a celebratory WeDaPeoples Cabaret presented in collaboration with Harlem Stage. We are very happy to be carrying on the legacy of Sekou Sundiata's America Project with this gathering.