This Speak Truth Seminar will feature opening remarks from changemaker, choreographer, and performance artist Helanius J. Wilkins who is visiting all 50 states asking the question, "What does it mean to belong — to a community, to a place, to our own bodies?" What he learns from conversations on his travels turns into dance and video compositions that he performs with others. In this Speak Truth discussion he will share his experience and invite participants to think about how they can use their own voices to connect and inspire change.

Then our student facilitators will lead the group in a conversation guided by questions including: 

• What dividing lines separate us as Americans today?

• Do you see those same dividing lines here in the DMV?

• When do you have conversations with people whose views are very different from your own? 

• Why is it important to have these conversations? 

• What role does conversation play in activism? 

• How might talking across dividing lines create a brighter future? 

In Speak Truth seminars, students hold and are the only participants in the discussion but adults are invited to join us to listen and learn. At the end of the conversation, adults are welcome to participate in a Q&A with the facilitators and Helanius about the experience.