“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.”

Leadership Rhode Island launched a series of “Jeffersonian Dinners” in 2016, adopting the dinner format from Jeffrey Walker’s TED Talk wherein he outlined a contemporary approach for Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello dinners – “feasts of reason” the third president held to explore issues of the day through perspectives that only a gathering of thoughtful guests could provide.

The formula is simple: LRI alumni host groups of alumni to dine together while sharing personal stories around a profound, current topic in Rhode Island and our country. Leadership Rhode Island strategically assembles the guest list to ensure dynamic discussions among a grouping of private, nonprofit, and government sector professional and leaders, enhancing the possibilities of making new connections, strengthening Rhode Island’s social fabric, and incubating new ideas and innovations.

But what if you were never invited to the table in the first place?

That is the question that Leadership Rhode Island was asked to consider by alumni of color who expressed that while valuing the conversations, they struggled with the reality that they would never have been welcomed to Jefferson’s table.

Since implementing these dinners in 2016, the key to their success has been a willingness by everyone around the table to be open. Open to listening more than they share, open to possibilities they may have not considered, and most importantly, open to sharing their story.

So we listened, we talked, and we considered possibilities.

If you’ve participated in one of these dinners, you know this sentiment well. Complicated topics often exist without clear “right and wrong” answers. Instead there are common truths that exist in the dynamic tension between perceptions, and it is our responsibility to harness those truths in service of a better tomorrow. In this instance, a truth was needing a name that more universally reflects the core value of the dinner.

In our discovery, one tradition resonated across dozens of cultures internationally. While each unique method varied, the meaning was the same; starting a meal with bread and salt indicates you are welcome.

And with that, we continue to value the conversational format of these dinners, while naming them in a way that makes clear to all members of our community that they are welcome.

What Jefferson labeled Feasts of Reason, and some call Jeffersonian Dinners, LRI is embracing as Bread and Salt Dinners. We hope that you will join us at the table.

Leadership Rhode Island will begin convening Bread and Salt Dinners  in the summer of 2023. If you are interested in either hosting or attending a dinner, please contact Kristin Zosa Puleo at kzosapuleo@leadershipri.org.

• 3 Dinners
• Total Guests: 28
• 16 classes represented
• 68% Private, 7% Non-profit, 25% Government

In 2021 the 2018 bi-partisan program committee reunited in the form a Jeffersonian dinner. This unique program committee, intentionally led by one staunch Republican and one staunch Democrat – with six members from each party – was initially formed to find compromise, common ground, innovation, and ideas to create the curriculum for the 2018 Xi II class.

• 5 Dinners
• Total Guests: 38
• 23 classes represented
• 61% Private, 29% Non-profit, 8% Government, 3% Retired

In much the way President Jefferson held dinners in Monticello to broaden connections and nurture new ideas, LRI has hosted more than 40 dinners with hundreds of alumni in attendance since 2016. This year, we brought this format to life at our luncheon. Over 350 LRI alumni, friends, and community members joined us for the largest Jeffersonian-style lunch ever held!

In 2018, Jeffersonian Dinners were hosted by LRI alumni to facilitate discussions for the 2018 Xi II Class’ Leadership in Action Projects. This differed from the traditional format of the past two years, where dinners were composed of LRI alumni ranging in classes, sectors, and geographic locations.

• 9 Dinners
• Total Guests: 106
• 15 classes represented
• 63% Private, 20% Non-profit, 15% Government, 2% Retired

• 11 Dinners
• Total Guests: 111
• 27 classes represented
• 41% Private, 35% Non-profit, 14% Government, 10% Retired

Made possible by the generous support of the Newport Restaurant Group and our wonderful alumni hosts!

• 13 Dinners
• Total Guests: 114
• 31 classes represented
• 50% Private, 24% Non-profit, 19% Government, 6% Retired

Interested in hosting a Bread & Salt Dinner? Contact Kristin Zosa Puleo, Director of Alumni Engagement & External Relations at kzosapuleo@leadershipri.org