Today we’d like to introduce you to Anyta Wilson
Hi Anyta, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thanks for the invite! The SpeakEasy Project was founded with the mission to foster connection and community. In my role as a therapist, I talk to many people who want to connect with others but don’t know how. I see lack of connections play out as increased social anxiety, isolation and depression. As a DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) consultant I’ve witnessed people suffer in silence to avoid offending others, which also leads to increased social anxiety, isolation and depression. I’ve seen how collectively, in our personal and professional relationships, we have not developed the ability to have civil discourse about important issues. The Speakeasy Project fosters dialogue instead of disdain. I decided to use the ages old truth that food is the way to open hearts and minds, it’s hard to be mad when you’re eating good food.
The SpeakEasy Project wouldn’t exist without the encouragement of my dear friends and collaborators, Lisa and Lila. With their help, I’ve designed an experience that feeds people dinner, teaches them communication tips and then engages them in a guided dialogue around a topic before serving dessert.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I can say it’s been easy to work with my friends! It’s nice to be able to lean on someone else’s genius to figure out a problem, you know?
Finding locations to hold our dinners has been harder than I expected. In my dream world, one of us would have kitchen staff and a dining room large enough to host 30 guests so we had a dedicated space for the SpeakEasy Project. Until then, the larger challenge has been finding ways to keep costs low for our guests. To that end, we are constantly looking for community partners to share space or donate meals so more people are able to participate in these life changing conversations.
We’ve been impressed with The SpeakEasy Project, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The SpeakEasy Project is a nonprofit because we believe that teaching humans how to reconnect with other humans is a public service. Our motto is Changing the World, One Conversation At a Time because we believe that learning someone else’s story can change how you see yourself and the world.
What does success mean to you?
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Happiness for me is the state when I’m physically content and feeling confident that I’m living life in alignment with my values and beliefs. The more I’m able to spend time with my loved ones, the easier it is for me to sleep, laugh, and spread kindness, all of which bring me Happiness. I can’t change the world’s problems but I can live in a way that doesn’t contribute to other people’s misery.
Some little stuff that makes me lower case “h” happy include:
Nerds candy clusters
Good sci-fi tv series
High quality ice cream
Kittens
Stand up comedians
Arts n crafts time
The beauty of nature
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thespeakeasyproject.us
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theSpeakEasy.Project
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thespeakeasyprojectdei
