Candidly Speaking

Demand for Candidly Speaking's program is greater than the three of us volunteering can handle. While I have marketing, operations, writing and business development background, focusing on any one those for Candidly Speaking when all need attention (not to mentioned things that I don't even know to consider) is a bit overwhelming. Whew! I've never started a nonprofit organization before. It would be great to be able to have learning support and funding to keep up with requests for service.

We need funding to scale, to offset the cost that schools are able to pay for our program and to expand Candidly Speaking's free community event online and in person (when in-person is possible again) globally.

Years ago, while contemplating my life, I wrote a declaration: To live a full life surrounded by loving family and friends. To be an example of light and love. To inspire others to make positive choices in their life and their surroundings. That declaration is now infused in my life; from mentoring young writers to operating Candidly Speaking and many things in between.

Candidly Speaking’s purpose is to decrease misunderstanding and fear among human beings by bringing people from all walks of life together in small groups to talk about each other’s life experiences, culture and challenges.   

My vision for Candidly Speaking: Conversations Across Cultures is for our program to be the vessel that facilitates understanding and empathy among people so that better decision can be made for the highest good of the planet and all of us living on it. 

Future goals for Candidly Speaking include: Operating in-person and online Candidly Speaking programs in communities, schools and government offices all over the world. This will help build relationships outside of one’s bubble and encourage decision-making from a place of cultural and ability awareness. We will continue to dismantle the caste system, discrimination and racism one conversation at a time.

If Americans don’t learn to build bridges with each other, we will see more government shutdowns, lying, segregation and violence” – Greater Good Magazine.

Polarization is at an all-time high in America and quickly spreading to other countries.  Adults and children alike don’t have consistent opportunities to talk to each other, which opens the door for misunderstanding and fear. This plays out in communities, schools and the workplace and with isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an even greater need to connect with others and be heard. Candidly Speaking: Conversations Across Cultures is a way for people to have a social, emotional experience that can enhance their life during this uncertain time and beyond.  

Candidly Speaking facilitates deep conversations in small groups through structured speaking and listening exercises with participants from all walks of life to help them learn how to understand each other and celebrate the rich experience that comes from diversity and inclusion. 

With over 1000 participants, Candidly Speaking is making a difference in people’s lives and their surroundings. In fact, every month, 30% of community participants stay on the 2-hour Zoom event another 1-2 hours just to continue talking and learning from each other. 

Our work is disruptive because of how fast people’s personal and work-life is affected in a positive way from, sometimes, just one Candidly Speaking event. 

Our online format includes an explanation of what to expect, why this was created and a grounding exercise followed by two rounds of 5 questions to answer. The questions are typically submitted from participants who want to talk and listen to other’s thoughts on certain topics. Participants are broken up into groups no larger than 6 with an engaging room facilitator in each Zoom room to make sure that all remain safe and comfortable speaking. 

Each participant can choose to answer the question or not. If the person answers the question, when they finish, they call upon another person to answer the same question or pass. There is no response or rebuttal. This forces participants to fully listen to each person’s story/life experience/truth and this method has proven to create a quicker connection to one another and faster changes. In some participants, just one CS event has led them to be more open-minded in their life and understanding towards others based on people that they met at an event who left an impression on them. 

Each month, 30% of participants remain on our 2-hour community Zoom event for an additional 1-2 hours to continue chatting with others. This extended time is proof that the connection we’re facilitating is valuable.

I worked with local teachers who regularly attend Candidly Speaking to create a CS program tailored to students and so far, two high schools are participating in CS programs. In surveys, 90% of students think that Candidly Speaking is a good use of their time and increases their sense of connection with other students. We plan to expand to schools throughout America so that students are connecting with other students across the country and then globally.

Government employees who have participated in Candidly Speaking acknowledge that they like getting to know co-workers better as it helps some to empathize with the fact that their co-workers have to navigate life very differently than they do. 

We plan to continue to get Candidly Speaking program into government spaces across the country to help keep policy writers and lawmakers more connected to the communities they serve. As Candidly Speaking spreads throughout America and the world, equity, kindness and love for one another will increase in communities everywhere.