With over 15 years of interdisciplinary teaching experience in academia, Monica Cure has developed a question-based philosophy and methodology of dialogue she terms collective dialogue. She first transferred collective dialogue into a public setting in 2015 when, together with events designer Amara Ononiwu, she founded and led the Los Angeles Change Collab, a monthly community discussion group focused on relevant local cultural issues.

 Aimed at bringing together diverse groups of people and perspectives, collective dialogue has a wide range of cultural, organizational, and educational applications. It provides an authentic, creative, and effective approach to values initiatives, team building, vision casting, engagement with a select audience, community development, and problem-solving.

Through her LLC, Exchanging Words, Monica is available for professional dialogue design and guidance for your organization, corporation, community, or group. Collective dialogue can take place as an event (preferably in person, also available online), but it is especially beneficial as a series of events or practice. Collective dialogues typically run for approximately two and a half hours.

The question.

In conversation with the organization or group, Monica helps to identify relevant issues and goals, and crafts a specific main question or series of main questions for collective dialogue.

The format.

Collective dialogue can be designed in a range of formats, including featuring short introductory talks or providing a text as a means of framing the dialogue. Monica adapts and creates formats based on individual group needs and advises on other details such as space and environment.

The dialogue.

Monica begins by introducing participants to the philosophy and methodology of collective dialogue. She then guides the group in ultimately reaching a conclusion none of the participants could have come to alone.