Home Beyond Borders: How Culture, Identity & Storytelling Shape Innovation

An evening of stories, conversation, and connection — exploring how culture shapes the way we create, lead, and belong.
About this Event

A Cultural Salon for Identity & Storytelling

An intimate conversation exploring African and diaspora experiences as a lens for understanding identity, belonging, storytelling, and connection in a global society.

In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to understand, connect with, and learn from diverse cultures has become essential to building stronger communities, fostering innovation, and creating a greater sense of belonging.

We all come from somewhere.

Whether our journeys have taken us across oceans, across cultures, or through different chapters of life, we each carry stories that shape who we are.

Klaman & Co.'s inaugural cultural salon invites guests into a thoughtful exploration of what it means to create a sense of home beyond geography — to honor where we come from while embracing where we are going.

Through storytelling, art, and dialogue, Home Beyond Borders explores culture as a bridge that connects people, strengthens communities, and reminds us that belonging is something we build together.

At the heart of the evening is a simple but powerful idea:

Culture is infrastructure — a foundation for economic and social connection, not simply a backdrop to it.

What to Expect

Join us for a thoughtfully curated evening bringing together civic and community leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, artists, creatives, professionals, and members of San Diego's diverse multicultural communities — people who are shaping ideas, building organizations, creating art, educating others, and contributing to the future of our region.

The evening will feature a keynote address and panel discussion, set against the backdrop of a rooftop as the sun sets over the San Diego skyline.

Guests will enjoy African heritage-inspired bites and drinks throughout the evening, alongside meaningful conversation, storytelling, and space to connect with people who care about culture, identity, belonging, and the future we're building together.

Whether you come with a story, a question, an idea, or simply a curiosity to learn from others, there is a place for you in the conversation.

Hosted By

Johanne Gnagne, Founder & CEO of Klaman & Co.

Klaman & Co. is a San Diego-based cultural organization creating spaces for connection, storytelling, and meaningful exchange among people of African descent, the African diaspora, and the broader community.

Through cultural experiences, conversations, and programs, Klaman & Co. explores culture as infrastructure for economic and social connection.

Home Beyond Borders is Klaman & Co.'s inaugural public cultural salon.