​A fireside debate with La Keisha Landrum Pierre (Emmeline Ventures) & Sophie Levy (The Magnet Collective)

​The Magnet Collective (TMC) and Emmeline Ventures are co-hosting a fireside chat and reception exploring whether the workplace has become America's last true civic institution.

​Institutions that once held us together — faith, neighborhood, local media — are fading, so what fills the gap? Sophie will argue that workplaces are uniquely positioned to do this, and that there's a real business case for it. They're the last place where people across lines of identity are required to show up, work through friction, and build genuine trust. Leaders who design for this get stronger culture, retention, and succession pipelines as a result. La Keisha will counter with the case for media as the connective tissue instead.

​This isn't a pitch or kumbaya conversation, but a real debate between two people who disagree about where civic work actually happens.

​Join us if you're thinking seriously about how to align your business with civic renewal, and how to rebuild communities from inside the workplace and media.

​Evening Agenda

​5:00–6:00 PM | Social Hour
Light refreshments. Arrive early, meet fellow guests.

​6:00–6:05 PM | Opening Remarks
James Dunn, VP of Business Development at The Fedcap Group & Civic Hall

​6:05–6:10 PM | Welcoming Remarks – Sophie Levy. Media consumption and algorithmic silos keep us apart. The workplace is the last involuntary gathering space where people actually have to work together on a common goal. That's the infrastructure we need to rebuild civic capacity and strengthen American democracy.

​6:10–6:40 PM | Fireside Debate – Sophie Levy & La Keisha Landrum Pierre
An interactive debate on where real civic work happens. Sophie argues the workplace is the infrastructure that rebuilds American democracy, and benefits from doing so. La Keisha pushes back on narrative, media, and whether lived experience can counter culture. When they reach an impasse, audience perspectives will be invited into the room.

​Ground Rules: No phones. We're talking openly and honestly. Sophie and La Keisha are on the record. Audience contributions stay confidential.

​6:40–7:00 PM | Audience Q&A

​7:00–8:00 PM | Social Reception
Light refreshments, continued conversation.