Expand Your Perspective With Across The Table
"The food was delicious, the space was perfect and conducive to easy flow of conversation...It felt very comfortable and I feel like I'm walking away with things to process and think about.
Can't say enough good things.
Great concept, great execution!"
Regina S.
Our Mission
Across The Table's mission is to connect and unify people from varied backgrounds and perspectives through topic-focused, facilitated conversations.
What is Across The Table?
Across The Table is an Evanston-based nonprofit organization that will broaden your horizons, give you the opportunity to connect with new people from all walks of life and maybe even give you the chance to make new friends while engaging in a lively conversation over a delicious meal! Across the Table's dinners take place in groups of ten to twelve people in private rooms in restaurants, in interesting and beautiful local businesses and in arts and community organizations. We've dined in a flower shop, at The Black House at Northwestern, in the private rooms at Found and Campagnola and at the Evanston Arts Center, just to name a few! All of Across the Table's dinners are facilitated around a specific topic of conversation. The topics always revolve around a universal theme so that regardless of anyone's level of education or knowledge of current events, everyone can participate! Some of our topics have included: What does it mean to be good? How does our social class impact our identity? And...What does it mean to have freedom?
How Did Across The Table Get Started?
Lauren Grossman started Across The Table in 2008 in order to to give people from varied backgrounds and perspectives the opportunity to connect in a deep and meaningful way and was inspired to have these conversations over meals in order to insure that the gatherings would be fun, welcoming and approachable.
Lauren taught high school at Kelvyn Park High School in Chicago and was consistently inspired by the open, honest and direct conversations she had with her students. Lauren's background was different from her students' but despite this difference, they connected very deeply. Lauren and her students had profoundly honest conversations around many issues that touched all of their lives, including issues of race, gender, socio-economics, and privilege. Lauren wanted to give adults from all walks of life the opportunity to connect through these same kinds of honest, important conversations. And now we can!
Lauren successfully ran Across The Table in Chicago for three years until her oldest son was born in 2011, at which time she decided to put Across The Table on hold and focus on her family. However, we are excited to announce that Across The Table is back and relaunched in March of 2017 in Evanston!
Where Do Gatherings Take Place?
Gathering locations vary. Our goal is to ensure we have the opportunity to explore new neighborhoods, locations and communities. Our group discussions may take place in the private dining rooms of local restaurants, art galleries, community organizations, arts organizations or other event spaces throughout Evanston, Illinois. If you have any place you’d like us to consider, just let us know!
View our upcoming Across The Table gatherings.
What Do We Eat & Drink?
Almost all meals are vegetarian (those that aren't will be indicated) and all are served family style. Some restaurants are BYOB so if you’d like to bring your own beer or wine, you’re more than welcome to do so! In other cases, you can order drinks off of the menu. When a discussion doesn’t take place at a restaurant, Across The Table partners with catering companies that provide tasty and memorable meals.
How Many People Attend?
Group discussions are limited to ten people in total, including the facilitator. We've concluded that having a ten-person table allows for high-energy conversation in which all the voices are heard. This is a great setting to meet new people and engage in thoughtful discussion bridging economic and racial barriers. Take a peek at our past Across The Table gatherings to get a better idea of what our meals look like!
Am I a Good Fit For Across The Table?
YES! Everyone is welcome. The more diverse, the better. No matter your age, race, gender, income level, place of residence, past or present, you are welcome to join us! In fact, we encourage it! Our only request is that all attendees are over the age of 21 as alcoholic beverages are commonly consumed during the meal.
What Does It Cost and How Does Registration Work?
You can register by clicking here or by calling Lauren at 224-307-4236.
Across The Table meals cost $30 per person. We are able to keep our prices low thanks to the generosity of our donors, partner restaurants, caterers and venues.
If you’re on a budget, you are welcome to choose the $10 ticket option. There are two $10 tickets per dinner and you are welcome to choose the $10 option once per year.
The $30 or $10 tickets do not include the cost of beverages. Refunds and ticket transfers are not available.
What Does “Facilitated Conversation” Mean?
As we mentioned, all conversations are facilitated. Founder and Executive Director, Lauren Grossman, has a background in teaching as well as founding and leading a nonprofit outdoor education program for teens in Chicago.
She has facilitated over 100 conversations over the years and is well equipped to take a topic (which will be identified ahead of time) and help lead conversation amongst everyone at the table. Conversation topics range from "What does it mean to be an insider and an outsider?" to “What does it mean to be free?" or "What is the good life and are we living it?"
If Lauren isn’t your facilitator, do not worry! Across The Table chooses very warm and experienced people to be volunteer facilitators and Lauren trains everyone so that regardless of who your facilitator is, you will have the best Across The Table experience.
The goal for all of the topics is to make sure they are interesting, fun and allow for anyone to participate, regardless of education level, knowledge of current events or the arts.
The facilitator makes sure that all voices are heard at the table. Everyone’s voice matters.
Will Across the Table Come to My Business or Organization?
Yes! Across the Table will plan, organize and lead lunches or dinners for your staff, employees or co-workers. Across the Table will work with you to choose a venue (your office could be great or maybe you'd prefer somewhere else), a topic and a menu that suits you perfectly. Across the Table conversations are a dynamic, engaging and powerful teambuilding activity that will enable participants to form deeper connections, discover commonalities and connect with eachother in a new and innovative way. For more information, contact Lauren Grossman at 224-307-4236 or at hello@acrossthetable.org.
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