14-03-2025
Conversations happening across the political aisle stir community engagement in Sarasota
A group of local advocates is hosting intimate dinner workshops in Sarasota to break the stigma of political discourse in an effort to bring together people from across the political spectrum.
The initiative, known as Conversations Across the Aisle (CATA), was founded in 2024 by Bill Woodson, a former New College of Florida administrator with a background in equity training. Woodson's goal is to foster respectful, informed, and constructive discourse, he explains, on some of today's most pressing and polarizing issues — including education, immigration, and voting rights — by creating a space where people with differing political perspectives can come together over dinner and conversation.
Since its launch, CATA has gained traction, hosting several well-attended workshops, including a December discussion on immigration policy featuring Michael Vastine, a Stetson Law immigration attorney. The next event, scheduled for March 17, will tackle the thought-provoking topic: 'When the War on Woke is Won, What Will We Win? And, What May Be Lost?' Instead of a single expert speaker, the discussion will be framed by video reflections from national and local progressive and conservative thought leaders, as well as area students.
The free dinner workshops are open to the public, allowing community leaders, academics, activists, and everyday citizens to take part in these crucial conversations. While all perspectives are welcome, CATA is actively seeking to increase participation from young adults under 40, people of color, and conservative and libertarian voices to ensure a truly balanced dialogue.
CATA's success over the past year, leadership says, has demonstrated that there is a real appetite for conversations that bridge political divides, and the organization is looking to expand. With continued support from community partners and sponsors, CATA hopes to reach more communities across the Gulf Coast and beyond in 2025.
To learn more, or nominate a participant, or support the initiative, email Gholar covers social justice news for USA Today Network-Florida. You can connect with her via email at sgholar@ for stories about human rights, disparities, race, injustices, health and wellness, or with story tips, news scoops, and other news-related needs.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Conversations Across The Aisle is a new discourse space for everyone
