Cultural Conversations
Since 2010, Cultural Conversations has fostered diverse community relationships and created a space for mutual understanding through storytelling, curiosity, and empathy. The program exists to build community capacity for conversations across differences and increase opportunities for community members to participate in learning and sharing about issues that matter to them.
Upcoming Events
Past Events
- January 2026 - Generations: A Place for Everyone to Belong
- November 2025 - Empowering Cultural Empathy
- September 2025 - The Bellevue We Hope For
Cultural Conversations Facilitator Course
Become a Cultural Conversations facilitator! Join a collaborative group of Bellevue community members that believe everyday conversations can transform communities.
This year, Cultural Conversations is deepening its community collaboration through the launch of a Cultural Conversations Facilitators course. Community members are invited to apply to join the inaugural Cultural Conversations Facilitator class.
This group will:
- Receive training on group facilitation, cultural competency, language access, and best practices for participatory engagement.
- Engage in co-creation methods to shape the themes of conversation and events.
- Practice engagement, facilitation, and leadership skills in real-world Cultural Conversations events.
- Introduce relevant community issues and themes to inform the 2026-2027 Cultural Conversation season.
- Collaborate with other community members and external partners to expand community touchpoints.
Commitments
- Attend trainings: From May-August, 2026 attend four trainings and plan the 2026-2027 Cultural Conversations season program.
- Complete practicum: Test out new skills and practice community facilitation during public facing community events.
- Facilitate three cultural conversation events during the September 2026-May 2027 season
- Co-facilitation for two Cultural Conversations events
- Facilitate one smaller group community dialogue
There is no cost to apply or participate. Applications are due by Sunday, April 12, 5 p.m.
Cultural Conversations Facilitator Application
Application and essays can be submitted in a number of formats and methods:
- Submit your responses through the online webform, displayed below.
- Download the application and type your responses in an annotation software tool of your choosing. Applications can be emailed, printed and mailed, or returned to Bellevue City Hall for review.
- Print the application to write your essay responses. Applications can be reuploaded as a PDF and emailed, mailed, or returned to Bellevue City Hall for review.
- Record your responses through audio and email an MP3 audio file.
Maximum of 200 words per question or 60 seconds of audio.
Mailing Address:
Attn: Cara Iwasaki, Neighborhood Outreach
City of Bellevue
450 110th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
Printable Application Forms
- Cultural Conversations Facilitator Application
- Título: Solicitud para convertirse en moderador de Conversaciones Culturales
- 表題：Cultural Conversations（文化交流の対話）ファシリテーター応募書
- 제목: 문화적 대화 촉진자(Cultural Conversations Facilitator) 과정 신청
- Заголовок. Заявка на участие в программе обсуждения культурных аспектов Cultural Conversations в качестве координатора
- Tiêu·đề: Đơn đăng ký trở thành người điều phối chương trình Cultural Conversations
- 标题：文化对话引导员申请表
- 標題：文化對話引導員申請表
Voluntary Demographic Survey
Individuals may optionally complete the city's voluntary demographic survey. Completing the survey allows staff to better understand the communities we serve and fulfill state and federal mandated reporting requirements.
Videos of Evening Forums
- "What Connects Us," March 8, 2023
- "We Carry Our Stories," April 6, 2022
- "More Stories From the Heart," March 24, 2021
- "Just Between Us," Feb. 5, 2020
- "Transcending Boundaries, Transforming Community," March 26, 2019
- "Engaging the Community Through Storytelling," April 2018
If you want to know what traditional afternoon meetings of Cultural Conversations are like, "A Year of Storytelling and Conversations 2015-2016" provides an overview of the program and a full season of meetings.
Voices Around the Table
"Each time I walk into the room, there is something new that I learn from these beautiful women. Cultural Conversations creates that safe environment where everybody feels comfortable sharing their stories. I am touched by stories of their journey and their resilience. Their courage to speak up is outstanding. I learn about our history of humanity. I begin to reflect and think about my own experiences and journey. It’s sometimes surprising how similar our journeys are. And I leave the room with a wealth of knowledge that is rich and deep and that stays with me."
-- Nura Adam
"I enjoy the warmth, openness and easy entry into worlds and perspectives so different from my own. Every time I walk into a Cultural Conversations gathering, I silently thank my city for getting us together from around the world and facilitating the sharing of vital stories. I'm always fascinated by the storytellers and deeply touched during small group-discussions which explore cross-cultural issues of consequence. Cultural Conversations feeds my soul, and my world expands with each conversation and connection."
-- Lisa Merrill
"We started as strangers. We slowly built connections and now have become a family. Cultural Conversations gives you the space to have open and honest conversations. That's what's remarkable about Cultural Conversations. You meet so many wonderful people and hear their inspiring stories. And it's where I am really comfortable. That's why I never miss a meeting."
-- Nickhath Sheriff
"I didn't expect that the women there would be as warm and open as they were right from the start. There is a sense of safety in Cultural Conversations that allows you to share your story with others, explore where their story and yours overlap, and wonder at and celebrate where the stories are different. This is why I am a part of the program. I go to a meeting with the thought: 'Who am I going to meet today and what interesting conversation am I going to have personally?'"
-- Susan Sullivan
"Cultural Conversations is not just about connecting with women. It’s about connecting with women of the same mindset, or in the same stage of life as one is, or in a similar situation where one needs help. I feel the program is like a book club for the soul. And therein lies its strength and power."
-- Miran Hothi
"I went to my first meeting with no expectations, just in the hopes of making new friends. I had recently moved to Seattle and was always looking for opportunities to meet people. What I experienced was amazing. It opened up a whole new world for me. I found a place that offered warmth, comfort, and a certain familiarity of home. There was a sense of connection. I didn’t feel that I was in a room with strangers. Women reached out to say hello and welcomed me to their table."
-- Sujata Agrawal
Create your Own Cultural Conversation
This best-practice guide can help you launch your own cultural conversation.
How We Got Started
In 2009, the Neighborhood Outreach team went on a "listening tour," visiting neighborhood groups and faith organizations to understand the needs of the community. They heard the same sentiment expressed by everyone they met: “I live in the most diverse community – I see people dressed differently and I hear all these different languages. I want to meet and know them.”
Staff started meeting women informally at the Crossroads Community Center, having tea and talking to them. Soon it became a regular event and they formalized it by naming it "Cultural Conversations."