Annual Gathering 2026

Our annual gatherings provide opportunities to learn, connect, reflect, and laugh. Here's what to expect in October:

Friday Night, October 23: Welcome & Kick Off

(5:30 - 9 p.m.; Location: First Presbyterian Church Berkeley)

• Welcome happy hour and chances to connect in community

• Conversation groups over dinner catered by a favorite BIPOC-owned restaurant

• Opening session with David Bailey, Founder & Chief Vision Officer of Arrabon

Saturday, October 24: A Day of Learning & Connection

(8:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.; Location: First Presbyterian Church Berkeley)

• Welcome coffee and light breakfast

• "Rooted in Possibility: Imagination as a Tool for Community Care": An interactive workshop led by David Bailey. In this engaging session, David will explore the connection between vision and action — encouraging us to dream boldly about what's possible for our communities, while grounding that vision in the concrete, on-the-ground work needed to get there

• Tacos on the patio, prepared by our favorite taqueria 

• "It Takes a Village: Investing in Kids Beyond Our Own Front Door": A community conversation with Flourish panelists, led by our own Lynnette Marshall, Flourish's Director of Community Engagement

• 3 Breakout sessions tailored to your learning needs, including Flourish Affinity groups; Community Art & Connection; Resiliency in the face of adversity; Faith & Justice; Sharing Your Story; and more

• And a few delightful surprises that will bring joy and laughter

"I’ve attended the last 4 Flourish gatherings and they get better each year! Each time, I’ve learned more about myself, made great friends, and increased my understanding of racial inequity. I take home tools on how to have a better impact in my local community. I travel 3000 miles to attend this conference - it is so worth it!”

Flourish Ally & Learning Board Member, Lynn Peters

David M. Bailey cultivates the conditions for people to imagine, create, and flourish together. Drawing from the wisdom of human design, spiritual formation, organizational leadership, systems thinking, and the arts, he helps leaders move beyond reactivity toward redemptive imagination, wise discernment, and practices that foster healing. He is the Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Arrabon, a national organization that equips leaders and communities to cultivate healing and reconciliation.

As a speaker, consultant, and strategist, David is known for holding complexity with warmth and clarity, creating environments where leaders remain present, navigate tension faithfully, and make meaningful progress together. His work has served faith communities, universities, philanthropies, civic leaders, and corporate clients. David has been recognized with Duke University’s Traditioned Innovation Award and the Locke Innovative Leader Award, and his work has been featured in The New York Times. His greatest honor is building a life with his wife, Joy.