Café Society is a series of conversations where families, friends, neighbors, and citizens come together to discuss current events and other important political and social issues. By engaging in the meaningful exchange of ideas and perspectives, these conversations enliven the core of democracy and empower the public.
Through discussion, we seek to foster a robust civil society, cohesive
Café Society discussion at Ron's Barber Shop interactive communities, and a critical examination of our media. We invite people to engage one another in discussion from all points of view, dig deeper into a given subject, and help create a stronger democratic society.
- Check out these upcoming special Café Society discussions:
March 24 - Fighting Evictions at the Chicago Freedom School
March 31 - Greening the Southside at Brown Sugar Bakery featuring WBEZ's Natalie Moore - View photos of Café Society events
- Become a fan on Facebook
- Click here for information on Café Society en Español
- Listen to Café Society discussions on Vocalo
People are talking...
Talking about Media & Democracy at the DIY Café Society launch party"Café Society provides the space for issues to be hammered out, debated, and discussed. It helps people to develop their critical thinking skills and encourages them to delve deeper." – Elce Redmond, community organizer
"The topic engendered interest and a lot of discussion. It was inevitably punctuated by much laughter." Nillofur Zobairi, Café Society facilitator in Carbondale, Illinois on the topic: "What a Hoot: The Politics of Making Them Laugh."
"It’s critically important that not only friends but strangers talk to each other about social issues. A cornerstone of any kind of deliberative democracy is talking to strangers and doing a lot of it." Barbara Ransby, historian and author of Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement.
How can you be a part of Café Society?
Join the Conversation!
Attend one of the regularly-hosted Café Society discussions held every week at the following locations and times:
1st Thursdays
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7-8 p.m., Valois, 1518 E 53rd St, Chicago
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7:30-8:30 p.m., Panera Bread, 1126 E Walnut St, Carbondale
2nd Fridays
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5-6 p.m., Ron's Barber Shop, 6058 W North Ave, Chicago
3rd Wednesdays
- 1-2 p.m., Chicago Cultural Center's Randolph Street Café, 77 E Randolph St, Chicago
4th Week
- Roving Café Society discussions around Chicago. Date and time announced the week before.
Do It Yourself!
Are you looking to become more involved in your community? Do you want to share this style of discussion with your friends? Are there no current Café Society conversations near you? Then create your own Café Society! It’s free. Anyone can host their own discussion. Just follow these simple steps:
- Read the DIY toolkit
- Notify us of how you're using the DIY Toolkit at diy-cs@prairie.org
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Join the conversation!
You can also:
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View photos from the DIY Café Society toolkit launch party!
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Check out this featured DIY site here in Chicago:
Odyssey Project Café Society
Every month on the 2nd Wednesday
6 PM - 7 PM at International House (1414 E. 59th St., Tiffin Room, Chicago).
For topic information, please email Amy Thomas Elder, Director of The Odyssey Project at amy@prairie.org or check out their blog.
Call us at 312.422.5580, visit us on Facebook, or drop us a line with any questions, comments, or to just let us know how you're bringing discussion and democracy to your 'hood.
