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Founded in 2016 as a Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofit to provide a forum for Conversation With A Purpose — accessible to all.
Our Mission
The Great Talk Maryland Series fosters Conversation With A Purpose, enriching and providing interdisciplinary learning and intellectual engagement for the Greater Baltimore and Maryland communities by bringing people together to share live, accessible and interactive conversations featuring distinguished speakers who address relevant issues including the arts, culture, the humanities, science, and social concern, at a wide range of venues in Maryland.
The Great Talk Maryland Series is an innovative program bringing people together in Maryland, on a wide scale, to discuss the burning and concerning issues that we are curious about and that also matter.
Good old talk is still the ultimate art form and social engine that people crave. The Great Talk provides Maryland with a thrilling and live forum to voice and exchange ideas with the best brains and talent around, and with one another in live conversation.
As a partnership-based project with private and public institutions — including Blue Rock Productions & Studio, Chesapeake Arts Center, Friends School of Baltimore, Loyola University, Maryland Institute College of Art, Maryland Public Television, Morgan State University and Radisson Hotel Cross Keys — Great Talk serves as a meaningful Maryland anchor-piece, challenging and exciting for all involved, more affordable and with better access than other fragmented programs.
Executive Director: Claudine Davison
Board: Claudine Davison · Film and Arts Consultant | Diane Leigh Davison · Attorney & Entrepreneur | Eve Vogelstein · Community Leader
Officers: President — Eve Vogelstein | Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer — Diane Leigh Davison
Marcia Bornfriend
Firmin DeBrabander · Professor of Philosophy, MICA
William Egginton · Director, JHU Humanities Institute
Chris Elcock · Architect, Associate Principal at GWWO Inc.
Steven Fischer · Emmy® nominated writer/producer/director
Dr. Zekeh S. Gbotokuma · Philosophy Professor, Morgan State University
Jack Gerbes · Executive Director, Maryland Film Commission
Penny Harris · Fine Arts Photographer
Diane Hoffmann · Law Professor & Director, Law and Health Care Program
Elliot King · Professor & Chair, Dept of Communications, Loyola University
Timothy W. Maier · Publisher and Executive Editor, Baltimore Post Examiner
Joy Moore · President & CEO, JWS Media Consulting
Klaus Philipsen · Architect & President, ArchPlan
Elia M. Powers · Journalism Professor, Towson University
Morgan Showalter · Baltimore City Public Schools
Anuja Sonalker · Founder & CEO, STEER
Gary Vikan · Author; former Director, Walters Art Museum
Max Weiss · Editor, Baltimore Magazine
Tina Williams-Koroma · President & CEO, TCecure
Matthew Zaft · Executive Director, Zaft McKinney Group for Morgan Stanley
The advisory board includes representative members from all participating institutions and organizations as well as noted members of academia, business, media, and the arts.
Photograph of the Baltimore skyline courtesy of Abiy. Additional graphic design services: Jessica Koman.
