Published September 30 2024

The next Cultural Conversations session will be a roundtable discussion about building bridges and leaving a legacy. Fadumo Roble, who works at the city's Mini City Hall, will facilitate the conversation Thursday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m. at City Hall. A light dinner will be provided.

Community members are invited to register to be part of the small group conversation on how to leave a legacy that inspires others to build bridges and contribute to unity and kindness in the broader community.

The conversation will be cohosted by Violet Mwandenga, Tshishiku Henry and Otgon Yondon.

• Mwandenga is a seasoned life coach and mentor with a background in anti-corruption work in Tanzania. She overcame adversity, including the abduction and reunion with her children, which drove her to found Unique Journey Life Coaching. As a speaker and life coach, Mwandenga empowers immigrants, refugees and survivors of domestic violence, helping them thrive through positive mindset and resilience.
• Henry is the Refugee Congress delegate for Washington state and the founder and CEO of Wide World for Refugees, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting immigrants and refugees. He has worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Plan International Malawi, where he focused on human rights, child protection and combating gender-based violence.
• Yondon, a former U.S. Department of State professional with 25 years of experience, is now applying her extensive background in both public service and finance to help individuals and businesses with financial strategies. Her unique perspective, gained from living in diverse financial systems, drives her commitment to educating communities on comprehensive financial planning.

Cultural Conversations has a decade-long history of helping to foster community relationships, creating a space to break social barriers and confront biases. The program features an annual forum and small group community conversations, which occur on a bimonthly basis. The Cultural Conversations program highlights diverse stories and perspectives with the goal of creating a greater sense of community belonging.

For alternate formats, interpreters or reasonable accommodations please phone at least 48 hours in advance 425-452-5291 (voice) or email [email protected]. For complaints regarding accommodations, contact the City of Bellevue ADA, Title VI and equal opportunity officer at [email protected].