VA – Richmond
Coming To The Table in Richmond, Virginia (RVA) specializes in creating a safe and welcoming space for people to engage in facilitated conversation on race around the dinner table – sharing stories over a good meal like family.
CTTT-RVA facilitates the “courageous, clumsy and often uncomfortable” conversations on race by creating a safe space for constructive dialogue, implementing circle process, restorative language and peace-building principles. Inspired by the vision of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his “I Have a Dream” speech, CTTT-RVA explores the challenges of reaching across racial, political and societal lines literally at the dinner table – breaking down barriers and building bridges. Coming To The Table – RVA is our area’s local chapter of a national organization founded in 2006 on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University.
Coming To The Table – RVA helps people learn how to engage in these courageous and clumsy and sometimes uncomfortable conversations around the table at home, at school and in the workplace. Our table has four legs – (1) Uncovering history, (2) Making connections, (3) Working toward healing and (4) Taking action to dismantle systems of oppression. Each leg provides stability for our mission of racial healing. CTTT-RVA is dedicated to promoting racial equity and social justice, and to teaching others how to do this as well.
CTTT-RVA was founded by Martha Rollins and Danita Rountree Green in 2014, beginning with small “listening luncheons”, and is now in 2019 the largest and most active and dynamic (so we’re told!) chapter in the nation, with as many as 80 people meeting monthly for dinner and small group events and with nearly 700 people on our mailing list. We have two monthly dinner gatherings (and another in development) as well as a movie circle, a book circle, a “just for fun” circle and various working groups (reparations, food, hospitality, others) and special events, all focused on cultivating authentic relationships, learning, growing and healing together, and ultimately dismantling racism in the Richmond, VA metro area and beyond. We invite you to join us in person at one or more of our many events and CLICK HERE to get on our mailing list to receive our monthly newsletter. WE WELCOME YOU….with all of your questions, uncertainties and misgivings and with your open mind and heart!
See our upcoming meetings at the bottom of this page. If you have questions, reach out to our organizers here:
Upcoming Group Events:
September 2019
Local Group Book Club: Richmond, VA
Join us Thursday, September 26! The Book Club of the Richmond Local Affiliate Group (CTTT-RVA) meets the 4th Thursday evening of each month for a shared, potluck meal and discussion. This month we'll discuss The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature, by J Drew Lanham. Questions? RSVP? Or to learn the location and/or be added to the local email list, Click Here and complete the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Find out more »October 2019
Local Group Gathering: Richmond, VA
Join us October 9, and on the Second Wednesday each month at RVA Light. Hosted by the good folks at Joyful Feast, who will prepare a big pot of vegan soup, or vegetarian with separate vegan options. The simple supper is usually served with bread. Containers of soup are offered for sale for $5 each after the dinner, as people are going home. For more information, or to RSVP, Click Here and complete the contact form at the bottom of…
Find out more »Local Group Gathering: Richmond, VA
Join us October 15, and the Third Tuesday every month at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church. Bring a nourishing dish to share, or $10.00, if possible. Topic: Systemic Reparations (speaker TBA) For more information, or to RSVP, Click Here and complete the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Find out more »Local Group Book Club: Richmond, VA
Join us Thursday, October 24! The Book Club of the Richmond Local Affiliate Group (CTTT-RVA) meets the 4th Thursday evening of each month for a shared, potluck meal and discussion. The book we’ll discussed will be announced soon. Questions? RSVP? Or to learn the location and/or be added to the local email list, Click Here and complete the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Find out more »Local Group Partner Event: Richmond, VA
Legacies of Emancipation Virginia Museum of History and Culture - 428 N Arthur Ashe Boulevard Richmond, Virginia 2322 - 7:00 - Legacies of Emancipation - A Conversation with author and social activist Ta-Nehisi Coates, Manisha Sinha, University of Connecticut and Christy Coleman, American Civil War Museum CEO. Register here For more information, or questions, Click Here and complete the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Find out more »Local Group Partner Event: Richmond, VA
A City-Wide Book Discussion On The Book The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates The American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar 500 Tredegar Street, Richmond, VA 23219 - 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Join CTTT-RVA for a city-wide book discussion on Coates’ newly released novel. Book lovers in RVA are invited to share their views on the book, the author’s voice and the impact of this story in our current times. More info, and to register: Click Here To…
Find out more »November 2019
Local Group Gathering: Richmond, VA
Join us November 13, and on the Second Wednesday each month at RVA Light. Hosted by the good folks at Joyful Feast, who will prepare a big pot of vegan soup, or vegetarian with separate vegan options. The simple supper is usually served with bread. Containers of soup are offered for sale for $5 each after the dinner, as people are going home. For more information, or to RSVP, Click Here and complete the contact form at the bottom of…
Find out more »Local Group Gathering: Richmond, VA
Join us November 19, and the Third Tuesday every month at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church. Bring a nourishing dish to share, or $10.00, if possible. Theme: Honoring our Ancestors For more information, or to RSVP, Click Here and complete the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Find out more »Local Group Partner Event: Richmond, VA
Guided tour of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia - 122 W Leigh St, Richmond, VA 23220 - November 23, 9:45 am to 11:30 - Join us for a private guided tour of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. After the tour join us for lunch at the Nutty Buttery. More info: Click Here To contact the CTTT-RVA local affiliate group, Click Here and complete the…
Find out more »December 2019
Local Group Gathering: Richmond, VA
Join us December 11, and on the Second Wednesday each month at RVA Light. Hosted by the good folks at Joyful Feast, who will prepare a big pot of vegan soup, or vegetarian with separate vegan options. The simple supper is usually served with bread. Containers of soup are offered for sale for $5 each after the dinner, as people are going home. For more information, or to RSVP, Click Here and complete the contact form at the bottom of…
Find out more »January 2020
National Day of Racial Healing Event: Richmond, VA
For our 3rd Tuesday Local Group Gathering on January 21, we will observe the National Day of Racial Healing at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. For more information, or to RSVP, Click Here and complete the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Find out more »