Spotlight Tampa Bay: Can We Still Talk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Tampa Bay Times and the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg bring together a panel of experts to discuss strategies for navigating difficult conversations
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Times, in partnership with the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, will host a free community conversation on turning empathy into action at the upcoming Spotlight Tampa Bay event, “Can We Still Talk? Finding Empathy During Divided Times.” The forum will take place at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg’s Center for Health Equity, 2333 34th St. S., St. Petersburg.
From 5-6 p.m., enjoy light bites from Simple Delights Catering & Desserts Inc.; participate in an interactive experience on curious conversations, presented by author and panelist Michael Tennant; and explore resources from community partners, including the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Times and Sketzii – Fine Art.
At 6 p.m., local experts and community leaders will participate in a panel discussion on empathy. In an era when many feel isolated, misunderstood or emotionally overwhelmed, how can we listen and connect? Join Tampa Bay Times columnist Stephanie Hayes and a panel of experts on empathy, ethics, civil discourse and media literacy to explore what it takes to hold space for different perspectives, how to be truly open to seeing another point of view and more. Experts will share practical tools for navigating tough conversations, building trust and turning empathy into action. You’ll leave with strategies for meaningful dialogue and tips for digging out instead of digging in.
“Human beings are wired for connection,” said Times CEO Conan Gallaty. “We need this conversation before we can re-engage. Finding empathy in moments like this heals ourselves as much as it does our relationships with others.”
The conversation, moderated by Stephanie Hayes, will feature Kelly McBride, senior vice president of The Poynter Institute; the Rev. Dr. Russell Meyer, executive director of the Florida Council of Churches; Michael Tennant, creator of Actually Curious and author of “The Power of Empathy”; Tammy Briant Spratling, visiting assistant professor at the USF College of Education; and Dr. Jeffrey Collins, interim associate director at the UF Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education.
“We know that feeling connected and supported is crucial for our health. We also know that creating a thriving, healthy St. Petersburg means engaging our full community, including those whose experiences and viewpoints may differ from our own,” said Foundation President and CEO Dr. Kanika Tomalin. “We hope people walk away from this event feeling empowered to navigate tough conversations and strengthen ties with those around them, as doing so serves us all.”
Doors open at 5 p.m. The resource center will be held from 5-6 p.m. The panel discussion, which will include questions from the audience, will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Attendees should register at tampabay.com/spotlight. Admission and parking are free. For more information about the Spotlight Tampa Bay community conversation series, email mwhiteley@tampabay.com.
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About the Tampa Bay Times
The Tampa Bay Times, winner of 14 Pulitzer Prizes, is Florida’s largest newspaper and a trusted source for news. As a locally owned and independent media organization, the Times also operates tampabay.com. In addition to its flagship publication, the company publishes the free weekly tbt* Weekend and Bay magazine, offering comprehensive coverage of local news, entertainment and lifestyles.
About the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg
The Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg is a private foundation formed in 2013 following the sale of the nonprofit Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As the steward of an endowment to support health equity in Pinellas County, the foundation leads, funds, advocates and partners to create a community in which all people can lead healthy lives. The foundation advances racially equitable health outcomes by improving the systems and conditions that shape them. It opened its Center for Health Equity in 2019. To learn more, visit healthystpete.foundation.