The Community Foundation’s Making a Difference Speaker Series is designed inspire conversation, bring a new perspective, propel philanthropy, and ignite action to benefit the residents of Southwest Colorado. David Brooks, a New York Times columnist, savvy political analyst and commentator on PBS’ NewsHour and NPR’s All Things Considered is scheduled for a remote presentation via Zoom on February 15, 4:30 – 5:30 PM. Brooks will discuss re-building trust in the midst of political and social turmoil, the urban/rural divide, and the importance of commitment to community.
Brooks was originally scheduled to speak in Durango in the spring of 2020, and that presentation was postponed when protective measures restricting events were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Community Foundation board and staff had hoped to reschedule another in-person event eventually; however, safely gathering in crowds the size that David Brooks would draw seems unlikely anytime soon.
“In light of everything our nation has been through in the last year, we felt that this impactful conversation about rebuilding trust could not wait any longer,” says Briggen Wrinkle, Executive Director of the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado. “It is time to discuss politics, philanthropy, and how we can unite as a community.”
“Our hope is that David Brooks, a well-respected speaker known for his quiet passion, will provide insight and balance in what has become a very contentious environment in our country,” adds Wrinkle. “Civic engagement is especially challenging in rural communities where the impacts of a polarizing political climate are amplified in our small-town environment.”
Tickets for Brooks’ Zoom event can be purchased here. The cost is $40 for a single/couple/household to participate in the 45-minute presentation and 15-minute question and answer session. If you would like to arrange admission for a larger group, such as a group of students each logging in separately, call the Community Foundation at 970-375-5807 for special pricing.
