Civic Leadership Dialogues
We invite you to strengthen your civic leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills join the Nashman Center at our Civic Leadership Dialogues!
All students are welcome!
Civic Leadership Dialogues consist of workshops, informational sessions, and casual dialogues on various topics including active citizenship, advocacy, leadership, diversity, equity, and other related topics. We focus on the overarching theme of inclusive excellence, leadership, and community.
To register: please visit the Register Now button or click on a session title below and log onto GWServes using your GW Net ID and password.
* Note* Once registered, attendees will be emailed a confirmation email.
Spring 2025 Sessions
RELENTLESS INCREMENTALISM & RIGHTEOUS ENTERPRISE: HOW DC CENTRAL KITCHEN USED ITS CORE VALUES TO BUILD A NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED NONPROFIT FROM THE GROUND UP
Thursday, February 13th, 1:00pm - 2:00pm, University Student Center 302
Alex Justice-Moore, Chief Development Officer of DC Central Kitchen and author of The Food Fighters
For more information on our speaker, please visit this brief talk by Justice-Moore about his book, featured on C-SPAN Book TV on August 13th, 2024.
This workshop will introduce the principles and practices for thoughtfully engaging with communities, including motivations, impact of social identities, and strategies for engaging in reciprocal, ethical, and respectful ways.
PROJECT PROPOSALS 101: FROM IDEA TO IMPACT
Wednesday, February 19th, 4:00pm - 5:00pm, Nashman Center Conference Room 409
Ayman Rahman, Program Manager, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Learn how to turn your vision into a compelling project proposal that can help you secure funding and resources. This workshop will guide you in clearly articulating your goals, crafting a realistic timeline and budget, and effectively communicating your project's impact.
THE POWER OF LISTENING: HOW EFFECTIVE CIVIC LEADERS AND ORGANIZERS WORK WITH AND IN COMMUNITIES
Thursday, February 27th, 1:00pm - 2:00pm, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Room B100-B.
LaDon Love, Executive Director of SPACEs in Action
At SPACEs in Action, "Our role is to fuse the power of organized people, bold ideas, and political clout - a three-dimensional power that is the recipe for an economy and democracy where everyone has the freedom to thrive."
COMMUNITIES AND SOCIAL INNOVATION
Wednesday, March 19th, 4:00pm - 5:00pm, Nashman Center Conference Room 409
Ayman Rahman, Program Manager, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Explore how centering communities in the project design process leads to meaningful and lasting social change. This session will equip you with tools to engage community stakeholders, co-create solutions, connect neighborhoods, and ensure your work aligns with real community needs.
BRIDGING DIVIDES
Monday, March 24th, 5:00pm - 6:00pm, Nashman Center Conference Room 409
Lily Griffin, Jumpstart Associate Site Manager
This workshop empowers participants with the tools to navigate difficult conversations. Drawing inspiration from Nonviolent Communication (NVC), we'll focus on active listening, empathy, and constructive communication strategies to foster understanding, identify shared values, and build bridges with those who hold differing viewpoints.
Disclaimer: This workshop focuses on developing the skills and strategies for navigating difficult conversations in real-world settings. While participants will have opportunities to practice these skills, this workshop is not intended to be a forum for open debate or the resolution of specific political issues. This workshop will not endorse any specific viewpoint.
ACTIVATING CITIZENSHIP: ARTS-BASED DIALOGUES
Tuesday, March 25th, 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Corcoran Hall 207
Jordan Potash, Associate Professor, GW Art Therapy
Active citizenship includes the importance of building relationships through telling and listening to each other's stories -- especially through creative means. In this workshop, we will experience civic dialogue by creating art, viewing each other's art, and listening to each other's stories. Rather than debate, this workshop is an opportunity to share perspectives, foster empathy, gain understanding, and develop communication skills. No previous art experience is required!
STREET SENSE THEATRE: ART AS SOCIAL ACTION
Thursday, April 3rd, 1:00pm - 2:30pm, USC Amphitheater
Street Sense Theatre
Performers from Street Sense Media Theatre Workshop (directed by GW Emeritus Professor of Theatre, Leslie Jacobson) will present their latest work, centering the stories and voices of people who have experienced being unhoused. The performance will be followed by a panel of other artists and nonprofit leaders whose work aims to drive public action through the arts.
FOSTER MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS & SUSTAINABLE CHANGE OVER TIME
Monday, April 14th, 6:00pm - 7:00pm, USC 405
Lindsay Chudzik, Program Manager, Co-Curricular Service
As your service year comes to an end, hear stories from participants in Nashman Center programs who have developed meaningful relationships and sustainable change through long-term investment with their community partners. We will end by reflection on and mapping out reciprocal goals for the upcoming academic year tied to professional development and deepening impact through continued commitment.
Panel participants: Henry Kurtz (Little Friends for Peace), Emily Mahler (A Wider Circle), Lauren Patrick (826DC), Kamila Rivera Diaz (Latin American Youth Center), Rachel Stanton (Miriam's Kitchen).
HOW TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
Wednesday, April 16th, 4:00pm - 5:00pm, Nashman Center Conference Room 409
Ayman Rahman, Program Manager, Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Discover strategies to design projects that create long-term impact and thrive beyond their initial launch phase. Learn how to plan for scalability, measure success, and empower communities to sustain progress over time. Let your project make a lasting mark!
BEYOND VOTING: YOUR ROLE IN POLICY AND GOVERNANCE
Thursday, April 17th, 1:00pm - 2:00pm, USC Room 309
Dr. Beverly Wheeler, Chief Knowledge Officer, DC Central Kitchen
Many policies and decisions that shape our communities most are made at the local level. Learning to influence these decisions and create real change involves understanding how local government works, where the power lies, and how to get a seat at the table.
Questions?
Contact gwserves
gwu [dot] edu (gwserves[at]gwu[dot]edu)