Negotiation Works' Spring Celebration: Community Building at its Best
On a lovely day in early May 2023, we held our first in-person Spring Celebration since Negotiation Works launched in 2019. We chose to hold the event outdoors at a picnic pavilion in Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC, which was a perfect venue for relaxed conversation and community-building.
Approximately 40 current and former program participants, Ambassadors, volunteer instructors and data analysts, college interns, Board members, friends, and supporters joined together to celebrate Negotiation Works’ contributions to the community and the power of self-advocacy.
The barbecue buffet included contributions from community members (thank you, Charles Hopkins, for the delicious and memorable potato salad) and local businesses, along with large trays of pulled pork and chicken sliders. Several attendees brought a batch of brownies with the hope of winning one of the top prizes for best brownies.
The highlight of the afternoon was a spirited and deeply thoughtful presentation by Joel Castón. Joel spoke about his experiences becoming the first person in the history of Washington, D.C. to be elected to public office while incarcerated and the power of that single historic event in shining a light on the needs of currently incarcerated individuals nationwide.
Joel also drew powerful connections between the mission and activities of Negotiation Works and efforts to build strong communities. "Our communities are suffering,” Castón told the group. “Everyone deserves the right to enjoy public safety. I see this work as increasing public safety by helping some of the individuals who are the most vulnerable, who didn’t receive the help they deserved or needed when they were down and out, to gain the skills to advocate, to network, and to negotiate for themselves to get what they need."
Rounding out the program were Melissa and David’s presentations of Certificates of Gratitude to Negotiation Works’ volunteers, new Staff Instructor Michael Woody's heartfelt introduction of Joel, and a final note of thanks by Negotiation Works Board Chair Stuart Ishimaru.
And the brownie winners? The judging committee, led by Board member Alicia Balthazar and including Michael Woody and Board members Betsy Biben and Bob Duncan, gave their verdicts. Third prize went to Board member Patricia Alejandro and Maheen Ahmad; Roger Clark, current member of the Georgetown Pivot Program cohort, won second prize; and friend of Negotiation Works Donna Grell walked away with the grand prize. Congratulations to all!
Special thanks to our corporate sponsors for this event: Foxtrot, Wegmans, Little Beast Restaurant, and Compass Coffee.