If a free meal and free-flowing conversation about important issues impacting Milwaukee sounds like your proverbial cup of coffee, join in on Tuesday, Oct. 9 for the second On The Table MKE.

The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s On the Table MKE is the region’s largest community conversation. It’s casual, focused, fun and, hopefully, an ignitor of action. During the "Super Chat," 30 different table discussions will happen in one space. During the all-day event, small groups will sit together at tables, share breakfast, lunch or dinner, and discuss the opportunities and challenges many people face in Milwaukee in the areas of income, incarceration and entrepreneurship.

"Strong relationships are at the center of any thriving community. Through On the Table MKE last year, nine out of 10 people met someone new, so it’s really a unique opportunity for Milwaukeeans of all identities and perspectives to connect with one another. For many of us, this opens the door to bridge differences, recognize shared values and find ways to work together on the issues that matter most," says Marcus White, vice president of civic engagement for the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and project leader for On the Table MKE.

The event is free and to register, which is required, go here to peruse all of the conversations happening during the event.

This year, I am a returning table host for the Marcus Corporation's breakfast event and initiating a conversation on "how to parent a male child of color in Milwaukee." If you are the parent, guardian, aunt, uncle, grandparent or good friend of a young man of color, please take a seat at the table to share ideas, stories and strategies that will help make their experience in Milwaukee fair, just and successful.

This conversation will take place from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m. (with registration, panel discussion and complimentary breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m.) at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W. Wisconsin Ave., in the Crystal Ballroom on the fifth floor.