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Project Unity pitches 'Together We Dine' as partner for Garland commission's 25th anniversary
Summary
Project Unity director Charlene Edwards described Together We Dine — a structured conversation-over-meals program — and proposed partnering with Garland's Community Multicultural Commission for its 25th-anniversary event. Commissioners asked about fees, capacity and how a partnership would work; the subcommittee will negotiate details.
Charlene Edwards, director of programs and events for Project Unity, told the Community Multicultural Commission that Together We Dine is a structured, facilitator-led program that brings people together over a meal to have "courageous conversations." She said the program began in 2017 and has grown to include municipal, school and corporate partners.
"I am Charlene Edwards. I'm the director of programs and events for Project Unity, and I wanna thank you for having me here today to present," Edwards said as she outlined the model: 60–90 minute sessions, tables of four to seven participants, trained facilitators and a two-round format (a listening round followed by a sharing round). She cited impact numbers for last year: about 85 local events and roughly 3,200 participants across Project Unity's footprint.
Commissioners pressed Edwards on logistics and costs. Edwards said guests do not pay to attend public dines but confirmed there is a partnership fee for host organizations. Commissioner Arthur Gregg asked about typical event size and capacity; Edwards said Together We Dine accommodates events as small as 20–25 people and up to roughly 550 participants for larger conferences.
The commission did not take a formal vote on a partnership. Chair (speaker 2) and Arthur Gregg (subcommittee lead) agreed the subcommittee will meet with Project Unity, review a partnership fee and bring a budget recommendation back to the full commission for approval.
