Varied topics bring thousands to Big Table

Mary Pat Akers drove an electric vehicle for the first time Wednesday afternoon.

She had a chance to get behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Bolt during one of 750 “The Big Table” discussions held throughout central Ohio.

“It doesn’t make any noise. It’s like we’re floating,” said Akers of the University District, as she pulled away from the curb at the Downtown offices of Smart Columbus.

Sponsored by the Columbus Foundation, The Big Table is designed to generate civic discussion on a variety of topics. Now in its third year, the project has brought together thousands of central Ohioans. Wednesday’s sessions drew an estimated 8,000 participants at different venues, according to the Columbus Foundation.

Kelley Griesmer, a senior vice president at the foundation, said the event is aimed at strengthening connections and broadening perspectives.

Twenty people attended The Big Table conversation about electric cars, hosted by Smart Columbus and Clean Fuels Ohio’s Drive Electric Ohio program.

Participants took turns test-driving the electric and hybrid cars on display at the Smart Columbus Experience Center, which opened in June as part of the city’s Smart City Challenge.

During the discussion, Cathy Cowan Becker explained how climate change was the driving force behind her decision to buy a used 2013 Nissan Leaf.

“We are out of time to do anything about it. It is extremely serious,” said Becker, who works for the Sierra Club.

At another Big Table conversation a few miles west in Franklinton, the local immigrant support organization Avanza Together hosted a conversation about immigration. Edith Espinal, an undocumented immigrant who has been in sanctuary at Columbus Mennonite Church since October, joined the conversation via a video feed.

To a standing-roomonly crowd, immigrant mothers and fathers told of their past and current struggles while trying to create a better future for their families.

“I’m so glad this room is full because there are more voices here to share stories we want to share,” said Virginia Nunes Gutierrez, co-founder and executive director of Avanza Together, and leader of the conversation. “Each of your voices is important to be able to create a voice for the immigrant population of Columbus.”