Jessica Cherry's ReImagination Café

In a time of rising polarization, social fragmentation, and widespread disconnection, how can communities rebuild trust and strengthen civic life? In Part 2 of this two-part episode, Jessica Cherry continues her conversation with Bridget Marquis, Director of Reimagining the Civic Commons, exploring how public spaces across the country are being transformed in ways that bring people together in meaningful ways. Through stories from Detroit and Memphis, the episode highlights how communities are turning vacant land, underused corridors, and even historically divisive spaces into welcoming places of connection and belonging. The episode features three local leaders: Alexa Bush and Karlyta Williams in Detroit, and Carol Coletta in Memphis. Their stories show how thoughtful design, community engagement, and cultural storytelling can reshape both neighborhoods and perceptions. Together, these stories offer a hopeful vision of what becomes possible when communities invest in shared spaces that invite connection across differences—and how those everyday moments can help rebuild trust and strengthen civic life.

In a time of rising polarization, social fragmentation, and widespread disconnection, how can communities rediscover a sense of shared purpose and possibility? Bridget Marquis of Reimagining the Civic Commons argues that the path forward lies in revitalizing our public spaces. In this first installment of a two-part conversation with host Jessica Cherry, Bridget explores why the spaces we collectively own—our "civic commons"—matter now more than ever, and how communities across the country are transforming parks, libraries, waterfronts, trails, and other shared assets into vibrant hubs of connection, belonging, and civic life. The episode also features two local leaders in Akron, Ohio—Dan Rice and Grace Hudson—who reflect on the central role that trust plays in Civic Commons work. Their experience highlights that progress depends not only on what gets built, but on how leaders listen, collaborate, and build relationships with the communities they serve. Together, these voices paint a hopeful picture of what becomes possible when we invest not only in our civic infrastructure, but in the social fabric that allows communities to thrive—and how rebuilding trust at the local level can help communities reconnect and move forward together. In Part 2, we continue the conversation, highlighting additional cities and leaders who are transforming public spaces in powerful ways.

In this episode of the ReImagination Café, Jessica welcomes Kate Mudge, Co-Director of the Care Farming Network, and Woody Woodroof, founder of Red Wiggler Care Farm—voices behind a growing movement that uses therapeutic farming to promote health, well-being, and belonging. From one Maryland farm to hundreds across the U.S., they share stories that show how care farms heal, provide purpose, and connect people. You'll also hear from: Shawn Hayden (CEO, GAAMHA) on recovery programs that pair people in recovery with rescued farm animals. Lacey and Adam Ingrao (Bee Wise Farms) on mindfulness-infused beekeeping that supports veterans, invites honest dialogue, and builds community. Charley Schwartz (Red Wiggler) on creating sanctuary safe spaces where people feel heard, seen, and that they belong. Don't miss this conversation about: What care farming is—and the mutual benefits for participants, staff, volunteers, and communities. Red Wiggler's model: meaningful employment for people with disabilities, and community food access. How the Care Farming Network helps farms connect, share resources, mentor, and support one another. Innovative, real-world models serving people with disabilities, veterans, people in recovery, and other under-supported communities.

In this episode of Jessica Cherry's ReImagination Café, Jessica welcomes the visionary founder of Battery Dance Company, Jonathan Hollander — a cultural ambassador, changemaker, and global connector through the art of movement and dance. From the streets of New York City to communities around the world, Jonathan and his colleagues Emad Salem, Robin Cantrell, and Rutkay Özpinar, share how dance has become a powerful tool for diplomacy, healing, and human connection. Their stories are a testament to the idea that creativity can bridge divides, spark hope, and transform lives. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about: The power of dance to inspire social change. Building a global arts movement from the ground up. Reimagining what it means to lead with purpose and passion. Battery Dance Company is a New York-based nonprofit that creates lasting social impact by fostering understanding and improving lives through the universal expression of dance.

In this episode of ReImagining the Workplace, Jessica Cherry is joined by Tiffani Martin, Founder and CEO of VisioTech, a social tech company with a mission of harnessing the power of human ingenuity and AI to create a more inclusive and accessible world. Tiffani shares her remarkable personal story, which includes losing her eyesight at the age of 28 due to diabetic retinopathy. Choosing to focus on what she wanted to achieve instead of the obstacles in her path, Tiffani embraced AI-driven assistive technology, and fearlessly forged a new path forward. Tiffani shares the various assistive technologies that empower her to perform tasks and excel at work. She also discusses some of the services that VisioTech provides, and how it is partnering with other organizations to educate marginalized communities about cybersecurity, data privacy, and accessibility.