It’s all about the a-ha moments at a Together We Dine™ event. The format is straightforward but profound in its simplicity: a group of strangers are invited to sit down over a meal  to engage in non-confrontational, safe and honest conversation about race. The number of guests varies by event but most important, attendees listen to each other’s stories and life experiences. That, says PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Christal Thompson, is the key element.

“When it comes to crossing cultural and racial divides, we all have areas of growth and blind spots where we can be more culturally sensitive,” she explained. “In the quest to build a global culture of diversity, acknowledgement and acceptance is the first step.” 

In 2020, for the first time since the Together We Dine™ program launched four years prior, diners could not share a meal and converse in-person. The pandemic required all scheduled dines to be virtual, but the creative solution-making of staff transitioned the in-person table discussions to a Zoom platform without diminishing the spirit of the experience.

Even in an unexpected pandemic pivot, Charlene Edwards, Director of Programs and Events at Project Unity, forecasted record participation in 2021 and she was right—1,396 people joined 32 dines in 2020 and in 2021, more than 2,800 people attended 76 dines, a new participation record for the program. Zoom created an opportunity to welcome more individuals from more areas, including diners from partner companies Toyota and NTT DATA Services.

“As we grow and learn to become more empathetic, Project Unity has shown me and others at our firm that by having a conversation, we begin to understand that differences can actually unite us rather than divide us,” Thompson added.

Together We Dine^TM by the Numbers

• 2,822       Number of Dine Participants
• 76            Number of Dines Conducted
• 88            Percent of participants who responded that the “Dine” experience impacted their perspective on race/race relations at least positively.
• 84            Percent of participants who better respected the opinions of others because of their “Dine” experience

Created as a community-edifying initiative, the three components of our Together We Can program invites individuals, corporations and organizations to engage in the process of building a lifestyle of mindfulness and action against racism. In 2021, we completed our first full year of programming following a soft launch in late 2020. Last year saw Together We Can evolve into an exciting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) solution. Haynes and Boone, The Richards Group and the Dallas Mavericks are a few of the partners who joined us in 2021.

“As we engage in the constant journey of learning, we often come to recognize what we don’t know and that there is still work to be done,” says Richie Butler. “Together We Can is a great option to facilitate that work.”

The immediate success of the program makes one thing clear—people want to know what they can do to help and improve race relations, and participation in Together We Can is one actionable step for anyone looking to effect change. The program provides tools and activities that can be performed in one hour or less to create impact, like introspection and engagement exercises, and public action items. Our mailing list thrived last year with 850 individuals enrolled to receive Together We Can’s monthly action items.

The second component of the program entails wearing a Together We Can wristband. In doing so, participating individuals make a visible statement against racism—and reject silence and complicity—to become part of the solution. More than 13,000 wristbands were distributed in 2021.

Together We Can continued to elevate discussions that build racial bridges by engaging people in cultural learning experiences. Attending at least one Together We Dine event, either in person or virtually, is the third element of Together We Can. Thousands of individuals have participated in the one-hour program. Each event sparks courageous and safe conversations about race over a meal.

Advancing our DEI solution that includes Together We Can and other measures is a high-priority for the coming years.

Together We Can^TM by the Numbers

• 12            Organizational Partners
• 850         New Individual Program Enrollees
• 13,145      Together We Can Wristbands Distributed

In 2016, our founder partnered with Sgt. Sheldon Smith, a 28-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department and president of the National Black Police Association, to develop Together We Learn™.  The program was an instant success. Part classroom session, part hands-on session that simulates real-life police interactions, instructors from the Dallas Police Department teach teens what to do—and not do—during traffic and pedestrian stops. They also humanize the fears officers have about their own safety as they approach an unknown vehicle.

Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, heightened tension between law enforcement and Black and brown communities created an opportunity for Together We Learn™ to facilitate candid dialogue between police and the community. The information provided during these sessions is lifesaving. It’s also made the program all the more critical to help heal distrust and nurture effective communication between citizens and the 3,000 Dallas Police Officers.

“When I grew up, a police officer never talked to me and told me what I should do if I’m stopped. They never tried to educate me. Not everything police officers do is right and there’s a lot of uncertainty with the community on what to do when they encounter police. They have questions,” said Smith, who based the format for Together We Learn on an existing National Black Police Association program.

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of in-person Together We Learn™ workshops in 2020, Project Unity temporarily pivoted to a virtual format to keep things going. But we found the experience is most effective in person and took another pause until late 2021 when in-person programming resumed with resounding success.

“What we do through Together We Learn™ gives us an opportunity to bridge gaps between the community and the police department. Project Unity is a worthy partner because they are about doing what’s right,” said Smith. “This is important. It saves lives.”

Together We Learn^TM by the Numbers

• 600           Number of Students Trained
• 91%           Number of Students Whose Understanding of Driving Laws Improved
• 95%          Number of Students Whose Understanding of How to Act and React to Law Enforcement during a Traffic and Pedestrian Stop Improved
• 75%          Number of Students Who had a Positive Perception Change about Law Enforcement After Training