The Power of Connection: A Look Into the 10 Days of Connection Movement
- Kimberly Wellington -
Connection is a fundamental human need—it's as essential to our well-being as food, water, and shelter. At its core, connection is about creating bonds that help us acknowledge one another and foster a sense of belonging for all involved in the interaction.
In today’s increasingly divided world, where topics like politics, race, and social issues can feel so tense, staying connected with each other has never been more important in a way that also bridges divides. That’s where the 10 Days of Connection comes in.
Based in Miami, the movement began in 2017 to create spaces for people to connect in meaningful dialogues and learn from others while celebrating differences. The 10 Days of Connection is more than just a series of events; it’s a movement designed to foster relationships, bridge differences, and combat divisiveness. It invites people from all walks of life to come together through Connection Experiences—free events held across Miami and beyond, and promotes conversations that might otherwise be uncomfortable, but are crucial for fostering understanding and empathy.
Hosted each year from May 1st to May 10th, this 10-day journey brings together individuals, communities, and organizations to tackle topics such as race, religion, diverse abilities, politics, gender, and age. It has a modest but powerful ambition: to get people connecting across lines of difference, share experiences, and learn from one another in safe and open spaces.
This year, we’re incredibly proud of what we (you included!) accomplished during the 2024 10 Days of Connection. From hosting 77 Connection Experiences to engaging over 2,000 locals in conversation, the numbers speak to the impact of the movement.
Our favorite highlights:
We collaborated with 193 change-makers who hosted, promoted, and powered the movement.
We addressed tough issues: politics, religion, race, and yet, built an environment where 100% of participants felt more connected to the people around them. Numbers and moments represent real people, actual relationships, and actual impact.
We have all witnessed the magic around what happens when people simply show up and are willing to talk. The funders, the hosts, the participants, the Radical Partners team; all of us.
I personally had the privilege of being deeply involved in this year's 10 Days of Connection! While I was excited to help organize these experiences, I was also challenged by the weight of ensuring that each event brought true value to the participants. How do you design moments that genuinely push people to connect across their differences? It’s a big challenge, but one I was honored to take on. What truly made this experience special was the opportunity to work directly with hosts who put intention at the forefront of everything they do.
It was amazing to collaborate with each of them, all 193 of them, brainstorming together about what their Connection Experiences would look like. Each host brought unique ideas to the table, our goal was always to create experiences that would not only challenge participants but offer solutions to bridge divides within our community, and my role was to help align their end goals with the core purpose of connection.
One of the most impactful events I participated in was Eat, Pray, Connect. This was an event that united two different faith groups (Christian and Jewish) for an evening of food and conversation together. Not only did we converse, but we prayed together, shared our stories, and held a combined religious service. It was a beautiful reminder that despite our differing beliefs, we are all searching for the same things: community, understanding, and connection.
Another highlight for me was the Bridging the Gaps session, where people across generations sat down together-Baby Boomers through to Gen Z-and spoke about their journeys. For example, while Baby Boomers emphasized the importance of hard work and stability, Gen Zers highlighted the value of innovation and flexibility. Yet, both generations agreed that community, family, and personal growth are most important. These conversations reinforced that the generational gap isn’t as wide as we think. The experience wasn’t just about identifying differences—it was about celebrating shared values and learning how our unique perspectives can complement each other.
So, the 10 Days of Connection 2024 have come to a close—now what? The mission doesn’t stop on May 10th. If anything, the 10 Days are just the beginning. The vision is these conversations and connections extend way beyond the event itself. So how can you keep creating connections year-round?
Here are some simple ways:
Get involved in your community. Volunteer, attend local events, and strike up conversations with people you might not normally engage with.
Challenge yourself to have difficult conversations. Whether it's discussing race, religion, or gender, the key is to listen with empathy and an open mind.
Help us Spread the word! Spread awareness and kindness across Miami-Dade County and beyond. Whether you’re a community leader, organization, or just someone who believes in the power of connection, we’ve made it easy for you to get involved. Check out our Goodness Toolkit for prepared social media content and newsletter blurbs that you can incorporate into your digital media plans. Every share brings us closer to building a more connected community!
Support Radical Partners by donating or sharing our work. Your contributions help fuel future Connection Experiences and ensure that these vital conversations continue.
The 10 Days of Connection is only getting stronger as a movement with you on board. Whether you participated this year or just are hearing about it, there is always a place for you on this journey. Let's get our communities to be more connected, united, prosperous, active, and safer.