Conversations That Move Us Toward Unity

Last month, we had the extraordinary privilege of interviewing a group of leaders, storytellers, scholars, and change makers—each bringing a distinct voice to our collective exploration of unity, belonging, and environments that organically foster human connection.

From tribal governance to jazz improvisation, public health to performance art, the conversations shared were not only insightful—they were transformative. Here’s a look at some of the powerful perspectives that shaped our interview journey:

Chairwoman Tanya Lewis of the Yavapai-Apache Nation reminded us that sovereignty is not just about policy—it's about protecting water, land, and culture for future generations. Her leadership during the pandemic and her role in advancing a historic Federal Indian Water Rights Settlement demonstrated how deeply place and identity are intertwined in the fight for equity and sustainability.

Dr. Coral Evans, former Mayor of Flagstaff and third-generation Arizonan, spoke to the power of civic engagement as a tool for community revitalization. Her unwavering commitment to inclusive policy and authentic dialogue offered a timely reminder that local government can—and should—reflect the people it serves.

We also had the opportunity to sit down with Robert Branscomb, newly elected Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party and the first African American to hold that role. His decades of experience in both corporate leadership and grassroots activism shined through in our conversation about representation, resilience, and building coalitions that transcend division.

Our dialogue with Dr. Jiang Wu, a globally respected scholar of East Asian studies and Buddhism, illuminated how philosophical traditions and cultural history can serve as quiet yet profound pathways toward mutual understanding. His reflections reminded us that the humanities are vital tools in healing the social fabric.

Storyteller and cultural historian Gregory McNamee shared his vast experience writing about the American Southwest and the cultural meanings of food. His insights into culinary history as a lens for understanding migration, identity, and belonging added a rich, sensory layer to our story.

Jazz ethnomusicologist Dr. Janice Jarrett revealed how music, especially jazz, fosters dialogue, improvisation, and empathy. From the classroom to the stage, she has used sound to break down social barriers and build new bridges of understanding across generations and cultures.

We also spoke with Jay Ruby, founder of the Carpetbag Brigade, Producer, Director and Sole-Actor in Fayettenam. Jay's work blends spectacle, ritual, and activism. His reflections on embodiment, ensemble practice, and the responsibility of artists to disrupt systems of inequity were as poetic as they were profound.

Lauren Allsopp, conservation scientist and historic preservationist, explored how physical environments hold the memory of a community. Her expertise in architectural heritage and adaptive reuse spoke directly to the power of place in shaping social belonging.

Phil Allsopp, CEO of ORBIS Dynamics and former CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, challenged us to think about the "spatial DNA" of cities. His work in computational design, AI, and public health links the shape of our built environments to health equity, climate resilience, and community wellbeing.

And finally, we were deeply moved by conversations with on-the-ground advocates like Rosemary Dixon, President of the Coalition for Compassion and Justice; Robert Shegog, educator, coach, and co-creator of a community discrimination survey; and Jeff Daverman, activist and organizer who brought the lived history of the civil rights movement into the present through his powerful storytelling and community dialogues. Each of them is doing critical work to confront inequality, foster visibility, and build safer, more inclusive environments in Prescott and beyond.

As these voices came together over the course of just a few days, the message became clear: whether through music, government, architecture, or grassroots organizing, the environments we create—physically, culturally, and socially—can either divide or unite us. We choose unity.

Thank you to each of these incredible individuals for sharing your time, your stories, and your truth. We are humbled to carry your words forward as part of this project’s heartbeat.

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