Q Commons program to be in February

Published 9:47 pm Monday, February 16, 2015

By Blake Deshazo

The Selma Times-Journal

Selma is one of 65 cities that will simultaneously participate in Q Commons this year, a nationwide inspirational event that is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26.

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Q Commons Selma was going to be held at the Walton Theater, but the site of the conference has been changed to the Brantley Ballroom in the St. James Hotel from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.

“I think it is the perfect kind of conference for Selma right now because it gives people an opportunity in Selma to hear some remarkable speakers both local and national,” said the Rev. Mike Lewis, who is organizing the event.

Set the speak at the conference via video are Malcolm Gladwell, a New York Times Bestselling Author; Soledad O’Brien, a national renowned broadcast journalist; and Mark Burnett, a television producer.

People that attend the conference will also hear from local speakers Paul Garnes, executive director of “Selma,” Justin Averette, editor of The Selma Times-Journal, and Dane Shaw, executive director of the Fatherhood Initiative of Dallas County.

Each speaker will discuss a different topic ranging from ethnic division to new business and the impact of fatherhood.

“This is just a way for people to come together and have gracious respectful conversations with one another about really important topics that we’re facing as a local community and as a nation,” Lewis said.

Garnes will talk about the movie “Selma.”

“He’s going to talk about how the movie “Selma” could create some new opportunities for the city of Selma and how it could open some doors and create some new connections,” Lewis said.

Q Commons, which will have more than 10,000 participants this year, is known for inspiring people that attend the conference.

“Every time I’ve gone to a Q Commons Conference, I’ve always left really inspired and feeling like I’ve really learned some important things,” Lewis said.

“The goal is just to sort of inspire peoples’ imaginations and give them new ways of thinking about their environment and how they can interact with it and one another to just create opportunities for positive change.”

With less than 10 days until the conference, Lewis is trying to spread the word about Q Commons Selma.

“We are trying to get the word out through a lot of social media,” Lewis said.

“We’ve got new flyers printed up, and we’re trying to get those out to as many places around town as we can.”

Tickets can be purchased online at www.qcommons.com/Selma.

Individual tickets are $29, while couple tickets are $24.50.