Crossing Borders: Coffee, Cacao & Unexpected Paths
Join our group of internationally minded professionals, founders, creatives, and community builders for a guided neighborhood walk that includes craft cacao tastings, specialty coffee, and meaningful conversation.
We'll gather with a like-minded group to explore how some of the world's most transformative ideas emerged from unexpected contact across borders — through trade routes, migration, and conversations between strangers over coffee, tea, and shared meals. This event carries that same spirit of exchange, exploring how foods, ideas, and personal journeys make unexpected leaps when they cross paths with something new.
Along the way, we'll stop at cacao and chocolate shops as well as other locations connected to the history of coffee, cacao, and the movement of people, goods, and ideas across cultures. These stories become jumping-off points for conversations about opportunity, innovation, resilience, and the surprising ways our own journeys intersect.
The Agenda
Coffee & Welcome
We'll begin by gathering over coffee and cacao while meeting fellow participants and introducing the morning's theme.
Guided Conversation Walk
A relaxed walk through the neighborhood with guided conversation prompts, stopping at cacao and chocolate shops for tastings, along with other locations connected to the global history of trade and cultural exchange.
Cacao & Closing Conversation
We'll close with more cacao tastings and an opportunity to continue conversations, reflect on our experience, and make plans to stay connected.
What is included
Two samples of Singaporean craft chocolate makers Fossa chocolate.
1 truffle from Roni-Sue's Chocolates.
1 truffle from Daniel Corpuz chocolate, as seen on School of Chocolate on Netflix.
1 sample of Corvus Coffee
What is not included
Coffee and hot chocolate for purchase at Dark Matter at the start of the tour.
Any extra chocolate you want to buy from the stores.
Who Should Attend
This event is designed for people who are curious about the world and excited by ideas that cross disciplines, cultures, and industries — founders, creatives, and professionals who've built something themselves or are drawn to those who have.
We'll use thoughtfully designed discussion prompts to spark conversations about the experiences that shape our lives and careers. Together we'll explore questions like:
How do unexpected encounters change the direction of our lives?
What do we carry with us when we cross borders — geographic, professional, or personal?
How do new environments expand what we believe is possible?
Why do some of our biggest opportunities emerge from nonlinear paths rather than carefully planned ones?
What You'll Leave With
Genuine conversations — not just exchanged business cards
New perspectives on careers, creativity, and community
Connections with a globally minded group of fellow travelers, founders, and creatives
A memorable experience centered around great coffee, cacao, and ideas
Whether you've crossed continents, changed careers, or simply enjoy seeing the world from a different perspective, this event is a chance to connect, share stories, and explore how the people and places we encounter shape our lives.