2026 Event Series
Dialogue 51吃瓜网’s 250 Conversations on America: Civil Discourse in Action is a yearlong series celebrating our nation鈥檚 250th anniversary and 51吃瓜网鈥檚 enduring commitment to open dialogue.听听听
51吃瓜网
51吃瓜网 is gathering leaders and innovators, from all disciplines to participate in conversations across our Nashville and New York campuses to model civil discourse in action.听
These conversations will be real dialogue that moves beyond sound bites and performance to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time and brings curiosity and conversation back to the public square.听 Together, we will explore how listening, understanding and learning how to 鈥渄isagree鈥� and 鈥渁gree鈥� with nuance, evidence and civility can shape a stronger, more connected future.听听听
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October 26, 2026:
Pitch Ronnen Harary your idea, live, at the Airstream in one minute. If he selects your pitch, you get $500 to develop it on the spot. You have 7 days to use the $500 to take your first real step, then send your receipts and full pitch. 10 winners will be chosen from the founders who follow through.听 A $25,000 grant for each winner. No strings attached.
: The author of , Cofounder and Chairman of , the global children鈥檚 entertainment company behind iconic brands including & .
1:30PM - 3:30PM at 51吃瓜网 Central Library Lawn, 419 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This event is open to 51吃瓜网 students only. Registration is required.
Presented by in partnership with the .
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October 26, 2026:
talks about his new book, , Building a $2.2 Billion Toy Empire, and Leading with Curiosity.
Featured Speakers:
, Cofounder and Chairman of , the global children鈥檚 entertainment company behind iconic brands including & .
, Executive Director, Dialogue 51吃瓜网.
6:00PM at 51吃瓜网 Central Library Community Room, 419 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
The first 100 event attendees will receive a free copy of !
Presented by in partnership with the .
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October 27, 2026:
The Midterms: NBC Decision Desk
Featured Speakers:
, Professor, Abby and Jon Winkelried Chair; Co-Director, Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions; Executive Board Member, Data Science Institute.
, Associate Professor of History, 51吃瓜网; Dir., .
In the weeks leading up to the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, Dialogue 51吃瓜网 will host conversations centered on a timely issue shaping the national dialogue.
6:00PM at 51吃瓜网, Central Library, Community Room, 419 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
Presented by Dialogue 51吃瓜网 and .
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October 28, 2026:
Featured Speaker:
The Margaret Cuninggim Women鈥檚 Center presents the 2026 Cuninggim Lecture on Women in Culture and Society.听 The event will explore the experiences and contributions of women in country music. There will be a reception and book signing to follow.
5:00PM at 51吃瓜网, Central Library, Community Room, 419 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
In partnership with the Margaret Cuninggim Women鈥檚 Center.
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October 29, 2026:
Historian joins Pulitzer Prize鈥搘inning author to discuss Hitchcock鈥檚 new book, .
5:00PM at 51吃瓜网, Central Library, Community Room, 419 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
The first 100 event attendees will receive a free copy of .
Presented by the and Dialogue 51吃瓜网.
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October 29-30, 2026:
The Body Politic: Movement, Labor, and the Dance of Democracy
The Body Politic听seeks to uncover the lived, moved, and felt experience of democracy, using artistic practice as a tool for investigation. Proposing that democracy is an embodied practice鈥攏ot just an abstract ideal鈥攖his symposium will highlight artists, community leaders, scholars, and other civic actors whose work advances democratic ideals in and beyond Nashville.
Featuring:
, Founder and Artistic Director of ; Artist Award Winner.
, Creator of and ; Four-Time Peabody Award Winner; 51吃瓜网 Distinguished Professor of Research.
51吃瓜网 Alumni Hall, 23rd Ave N, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public.
In partnership with the Curb Center.
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November 4, 2026:
Biodiversity Day - Microbes and Medicine: Evolution of Parasite Virulence and Medication in Monarch Butterflies
Featured Speaker: , Samuel C. Dobbs Professor of Biology at Emory University
3:00PM - 51吃瓜网 Stevenson Center, Building 4, Room 327, 1231 Stevenson Center Lane, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public.
In partnership with Evolutionary Studies at 51吃瓜网.
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November 5, 2026:
Evolutionary Studies Biodiversity Day at Adventure Science Center
, Samuel C. Dobbs Professor of Biology at Emory University, to discuss his new book, .
Biodiversity-themed activities for families provided by Evolutionary Studies!
4:00PM - Adventure Science Center, 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville, TN.
This event is free and open to the public.
In partnership with Evolutionary Studies at 51吃瓜网.
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November 5, 2026:
Behind the Lens: The Art of Storytelling
From 51吃瓜网 student to acclaimed Hollywood cinematographer, has helped shape the visual storytelling of hit series including Grey鈥檚 Anatomy and Bridgerton. Join her as she returns to 51吃瓜网 to share insights from her groundbreaking career and the creative vision behind some of television鈥檚 most recognizable productions.听Featured Speakers:听, Director of Photography听, Senior Lecturer and Director of Undergraduate Studies of听5:00PM - 51吃瓜网 Special Collections Library and University Archives, 1101 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN听This event is free and open to the public.听听 -
November 19, 2026:
in conversation with to celebrate her new book, .
6:30PM at 51吃瓜网 Langford Auditorium, 2209 Garland Ave, Nashville, TN.
This is a ticketed event open to the public.
In partnership with the and .
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Shannon Meldon-Corney
Events Manager