community roundtable on civic engagement next week

Kefa Café, where we're hosting our Community Roundtable. (Space 7:10 is under the "Gelato!" sign.)

Back in July, I wrote a post on the challenges of engaging often underrepresented groups, like young people and immigrants, in local affairs. We can get them involved with the right issue, like last year's curfew debate, but as Takoma Park City Councilmember Seth Grimes points out, many folks just don't have the the time, the money or the wherewithal to participate in a citizens' advisory board or a public hearing.

How can we do better? I'm joining up with Amy Kincaid, the curator of Space 7:10 at Kefa Café in downtown Silver Spring, to talk it out. Next Friday from 6:30 to 8:30pm, we're hosting a community roundtable called "Unusual Suspects: Seeking Inclusive Civic Engagement in Silver Spring."

It's an intimate discussion; as those who've been to Space 7:10 know, it's the size of a large kitchen cabinet. Nonetheless, we've invited some local community leaders and activists, like Abigail Burman from Stand Up to the MoCo Curfew and David Moon from Maryland Juice to talk about their successes and how we can make a more inclusive decision-making process.

Come out and enjoy Kefa's awesome coffee and treats. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information, visit Space 7:10's website or email me at justupthepike at gmail dot com.

"Unusual Suspects: Seeking Inclusive Civic Engagement in Silver Spring"
Friday, September 21
6:30 to 8:30pm
Space 7:10 at Kefa Café
963 Bonifant Street (at Georgia Avenue)
Downtown Silver Spring