Marnitas Table (MT) is an organization founded in 2005 by Marnita Schroedl and her husband, Carl Goldstein. They wanted to provide a space where people from different communities could find ways to break down barriers of race, class and culture through their model, Intentional Social Interaction.

We invite people of color, youths, people with disabilities and GLBTQ and those traditionally left out of decision-making conversations into the room so that each person can directly practice by engaging with someone new across difference, said Lauren Williams, MT communication manager.

Williams said the organization has been working along with the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and the Regional Workforce Alliance to provide tools to different regions in Minnesota. The goal is to help them engage equitable ways in the workplace and community.

We have been in communication with community members who have wanted us to come to Worthington for a couple of years, so we are very excited to finally have the opportunity, Williams said.

She explained that guests will share a meal, which will satisfy vegetarian and others dietary restrictions, while also building interpersonal relationships and finding ways to work together as a community. She added that attendees will be introduced to exercises that will help them combat implicit bias and increasing inequality in the workplace, as well as encouraged to build new relationships and collaborate with people of different backgrounds.

We build tribal alliances in the room where people across difference can see themselves as allies in community, Williams said.

Williams noted that its in the hands of each person to carry those relationships and connections beyond the event, with the goal of impacting the whole community and not just people who attend.

The next step is for each person to stay in connection with one person they have met across difference, Williams said. Not only do guests now have the ability to practice inclusion, but they have the ability to teach others how to do so by example.

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Marnita's Table set for Wednesday - Daily Globe