Community Initiatives
We approach our community spaces and events with the goal of translating online education and discussion into offline action. From our Discord server to public panels, virtual Storyslams and small-group discussions, we create brave* environments where subject matter experts can share their work, engage in meaningful discourse, and offer tools for community members to make change a reality in their spheres of influence.
All of our events cover flow through this Educate → Engage → Activate model. With every new topic we tackle via our Resources Library or our Think Tank Initiatives, we also commit to a series of events within each of these categories for thorough end-to-end learning. Everyone is welcome to attend one-off events, but encouraged to attend the full series for deeper dive into each topic area.
We always provide free tickets for anyone who needs financial support, no questions asked. Please just email us at hello@studioatao.org to redeem.
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Educate
Group learning events focused on learning more deeply about a specific topic or piece of work. These events are more theoretical than others, with a collective goal of leaving with a fuller understanding of the topic to springboard into future discussions.
Quarterly small-group discussions and author Q&As based on a specific nonfiction read.
Current Read: All About Love by bell hooks
Regular small-group discussions and director Q&As based on a mix of films, from documentaries to Marvel movies.
Last Film: Big Scary S Word
Engage
Small-group discussion spaces centered on collaboratively unpacking how a specific topic is interwoven into our everyday lives. The collective goal is to foster a productive space where difficult and uncomfortable questions can be addressed without judgement.
A private, discussion-based community for those interested in or working at the intersection of food, beverage, and hospitality and social justice to further conversations on creating equitable, systems-based change in their spheres of influence.
An expert Q&A and small-group breakout discussions complementing our Understanding...Socialism piece.
Topic Areas: Socialism, capitalism, U.S. politics
Activate
Coalition-building activities, events, and workshops where participants commit to activating within our own circles of influence. The collective goal is to increase each of our capacities to affect change in our communities.
A virtual challenge open to all! This BINGO card includes a variety of ways to get more involved with your local community and encourage participatory decision-making across different communities you are part of. Complete the BINGO and win a prize!
Topic Areas: Socialism, civic engagement, U.S. politics
Past Events Archive
Educate
Conversations About Appropriation: Food / Beverage
A panel discussion, presented in partnership with General Assembly
Tokenization In Media:
A Case Study in Food
A panel discussion, presented in partnership with General Assembly
Q&A with Dr. Marcia Chatelain of Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America
Available to view for our Patreon members
Engage
Moving Beyond the Trauma of Scarcity with Therapist Canh Tran
A group huddle complementing our first Under the Magnifying Glass newsletter and our Unlearning Scarcity, Cultivating Solidarity toolkit.
Unlearning Scarcity: A Virtual Storyslam
Featuring 5 Asian American storytellers. Presented in partnership with Slant'd Magazine.
Activate
Practicing Accountability for Food & Beverage Media
Our first-ever Town Hall addressing crisis and accountability in the food & beverage media industry.
Q&A with Dr. Shinhee Han of Racial Melancholia, Racial Dissociation
Available to view for our Patreon members
Q&A with Director & Actress Isabel Sandoval of Lingua Franca
Available to view for our Patreon members
Support our regular programming
Our team is continuously working behind-the-scenes to ensure our events run smoothly and we are creating a space that is welcoming to all. If you've enjoyed our programming, we kindly ask you to consider supporting us by becoming a monthly patron or with a one-time donation. We thank you for your generosity!
All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
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