Generosity For Troubled Times

Join us on Sunday, March 3rd as we explore Generosity For Troubled Times with the wise & beloved Akaya Windwood, celebrated artist & percussionist Kele Nitoto, and the heart-opening, soul-singing Thrive Choir. As we navigate our troubled times and a culture breaking down, how do we cultivate a spirit of generosity in the face of it all? As we seek resilience and a deeper way to respond, what are the transformative practices that can lead us to a more joyful, loving and liberated world?    What: Thrive East Bay is a community that brings people together at the intersections of belonging, meaning, the arts, and social change. Thrive Sundays are an opportunity to connect with a diverse and inspiring group of people; to be uplifted by music, singing, poetry, and story; and to experience the transformative power of community in service to a just and flourishing world. When: Sunday, March 3 from 4 - 6pm (please arrive on time!)            Food & Connecting from 6 - 7pm Where: First Congregational Church of Oakland (walkable from 19th Street Bart station)              2501 Harrison Street              Oakland, CA 94612              (This venue is wheelchair accessible.) Co-Hosts: AddieRose Mayer & Ann-Ellice Parker Guest Speaker: Akaya Windwood is nationally recognized as an expert in elevating the effectiveness of leadership and collaboration in the nonprofit and social benefit sectors. She was the President of Rockwood Leadership Institute for ten years, the nation’s largest provider of transformative leadership trainings for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. Windwood leads trainings nationally and internationally, and has more than 30 years experience cultivating social change leaders and women leaders. Before serving at Rockwood Leadership Institute, she was the founder and President of in common, a multicultural consultation firm, and co-founder of the Women's National Leadership Project, a training program for women focused on developing leadership, communication, and cross-cultural community building. She currently serves on the Advisory Boards of Destiny Arts Center and the National Progressive Leadership Campus. Windwood has been a featured speaker at the Aspen Ideas Festival, SXSWEco, Social Venture Network Conference, Stanford Social Innovation Review’s Nonprofit Management Institute, and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. She is the recipient of an Ella Award from the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, and a Transformative Leadership Award from the Seasons Fund for Social Transformation. Her writing has been featured in Yes! Magazine. Akaya's vision for our global community includes infusing a sense of purpose, delight and wonder into everything we do. She holds a life-long commitment to working for a fair and equitable society, and believes that together we can transform the world. Guest Artist: Kele Nitoto is a second generation African-American percussionist. Born and raised in the Oakland dance culture, he has studied with masters of many styles, becoming proficient in West-African, Congolese, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Peruvian, and Afro-Haitian traditional drumming. A co-founder the Black Dot Artist Collective, Kele is one of the Bay Area’s most sought after percussionists for R+B, Hip-Hop and Jazz. He has performed throughout the country in dance companies and bands, and has taught hundreds of workshops and classes at summer camps, spiritual and workplace retreats, and for countless ceremonies and celebrations. Through it all, he continues to explore all aspects of percussive music, and what it can mean to those who hear it. Thrive Choir: The Thrive Choir was born to sing music for the revolution. They are a diverse group of vocalists, artists, activists, educators, healers, and community organizers based in Oakland, California - directed by Bay area musicians Austin Willacy and Kyle Lemle. Their heartfelt and soul-stirring original music is a fusion of gospel, soul, and folk. Cost: Tickets are sliding scale $10 - $20. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Tickets: Purchase a ticket here on Eventbrite. Invite A Friend: Please feel free to invite your family and friends, and invite folks on Facebook here.   Food: Please bring a vegan dish or snack to share with others during the social hour following the program. Childcare: Little ones to participate in our childcare offered for free during the event. Reservations are required so we can plan accordingly. If you would like a spot for your child or children, please RSVP at [email protected]. Volunteers: We are seeking volunteers to help with the set-up and break-down of this event. If you are available to arrive early or stay late, please let us know at [email protected].  We look forward to seeing you! In partnership, the Thrive East Bay Team