PRINCE2

**An evening where confidence grows, stories shine, and voices find their power.** We’re kicking off a new chapter. 📍 **New Location:** **Potsdamer Platz, The Center, Berlin – Historic Imperial Breakfast Hall** The Center is a space that celebrates **community, creativity, and transformation**, and we’re proud to be hosting our events in this inspiring new location at the heart of Berlin. **🕢 Time:** Doors open at 7:15 PM Meeting starts promptly at 7:30 PM *** **[What to Expect:](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)** ✨ A supportive space to speak, grow, and connect 🎤 Prepared speeches, impromptu challenges, and real feedback 🌍 A multicultural community of friendly, experienced members 👥 Around 25-30 attendees each week *** **🤙 [Hear it from our members:](https://maps.app.goo.gl/eRtvR9DRNqU9WZQn7)** *“You can sharpen your public speaking skills and gain tons of confidence, while having fun and making new friends. Mercury is well-structured, fun, and affordable.”* — *Therese Pitt* *“Mercury gave me a safe place to speak, create, and grow. I love the multicultural vibe and supportive community. It’s the best place to learn and have fun.”* — *Krisztina Linka* *** **[Did You Know?](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/about-mercury-toastmasters-berlin/)** Toastmasters is where people go to get better at speaking—and grow into confident communicators and leaders. Today [Toastmasters ](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/about-mercury-toastmasters-berlin/)has 350,000+ members across 16,000 clubs in 143 countries. And [Mercury ](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)is one of the best places to experience it. So bring your curiosity, your energy—and just be yourself. Whether you’re just starting or ready to level up, there’s a place for you here. *** **[See you Wednesday night!](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)**[ 🎉](https://mercurytoastmasters.de/find-toastmasters-meetings-in-berlin/)

Der Männerkreis in Kreuzberg – echte Gespräche statt „Alles gut.“ Kennst du das: Im Außen funktioniert einiges – aber innen ist’s manchmal eng, laut oder einfach zu viel? Job, Beziehung, Familie, Erwartungen, Stress, Termine … und am Ende machst du’s mit dir allein aus, weil doch niemand so richtig präsent ist, mit dem du deine Sorgen, Ängste, Frust oder Wünsche, Hoffnungen und Erfolge teilen kannst. Im Männerkreis treffen wir uns in einem geschützten Raum, um ehrlich zu teilen, was gerade wirklich da ist – und um anderen Männern genauso offen zuzuhören. Ohne Bewertung; ohne Tipps; ohne Macho-Getue und Chacka-Chacka-Zeug. Ja, wir werden uns sicher mal herausfordern - aber dann von Herzen. Mal wird es ruhig, mal laut, mal sanft, mal kraftvoll – und immer respektvoll und vertraulich. Wichtig: Das ist ein geschlossener Kreis über einen Zyklus von 9 Terminen, damit Vertrauen, Verbindung und echte Transformation entstehen kann. Neue Männer können am ersten (und ausnahmsweise beim zweiten) Termin dazukommen und unverbindlich herausfinden, ob es etwas für sie ist. 📍 Ort: Taborkirche, Taborstr. 17, 10997 Berlin-Kreuzberg 🕖 Zeit: Mittwochs (ca. alle 2 Wochen), Ankommen ab 18:45, Start 19:00, Ende ca. 21:00–21:30 🚪 Nächste offenen Termine zum Reinschnuppern: 14.01.2026 & 28.01.2026 💶 Beitrag: 15 € (nur 1. Termin) oder 135 € (kompletter 9-Termine-Zyklus) Wenn dich das anspricht und du neugierig bist findest du mehr Infos, eine Möglichkeit zum Fragen stellen und die Anmeldung unter: https://transformaktion.com/maennerkreis

## DNA. presents: "**OPEN ATELIER**" Enjoy Your daily creative space — escape the reality — paint, relax & express Yourself. Our **OPEN ATELIER** is perfect for beginners, hobby painters, students, and anyone who simply wants to unwind, try something new, or spend quiet time with colours and canvas. ‍ Step into a bright, welcoming studio where creativity flows freely and everyone is invited to paint at their own pace. No pressure, no program — just You, Your imagination, and a cozy space designed for artistic freedom. ‍ A selection of our materials will be available for You to use, and You’re welcome to bring any additional tools, brushes, or special supplies that You prefer. Whether You come alone, with a friend, or meet new people here — this is Your space to explore, create, and enjoy the process. ‍ > Join us for a peaceful, inspiring atmosphere where painting becomes a form of meditation, a moment of joy, and a way to reconnect with Yourself. ‍ #### **WHEN:** Every Wednesday – Saturday 10 am - 5 pm ‍ #### **WHERE:** DNA. CAFÉ & ART Karl-Marx-Platz 17 12043 Berlin ‍ #### **TICKETS:** Box Office: Free for DNA. Members\* / Regular: Minimum Consumption = 10e (Daily Membership\*\*) **[> See more Info about DNA. Membership](https://www.dna-artclub.com/dna-member)** ‍ #### **INCLUDES:** * Access to our Atelier & Creative Space * Selection of basic painting materials * Cozy café atmosphere (snacks & drinks available) ‍ #### **SIGN UP:** No sign-up needed — simply come over during opening hours and start creating. ‍ See Us Soon :) Love. DNA. ‍ ‍ *** ‍ For more insights, follow us on IG: [@nightart.club](https://www.instagram.com/nightart.club) \*Members of Dair Night Art e.V. and Subscribers of DNA. Art GbR. \*\*By entering the DNA. ART HOUSE, You agree to comply with the [Hausordnung of Dair Night Art e.V.](https://dairnight.com/hausordnung) and [Geschäftsordnung of Dair Night Art e.V.](https://dairnight.com/geschaftsordnung) Please ensure You review these documents thoroughly in advance. ‍

**RSVP on the [343 Labs website](https://343labs.de/events/leo-wieber/) to reserve your seat!** Learn how to build your own synths and unlock new sound design possibilities with the powerful free software VCV Rack ([download here](https://vcvrack.com/Rack)). Artist, producer and sound designer Leo Wieber walks participants through understanding the software and the basics of common modular synth modules before getting into how to use them to craft a variety of sounds for electronic music. This workshop is open to all skill levels. You do not need to bring a computer, but you are also welcome to bring your laptop with the software and follow along.

## DNA. presents ''TWERK DANCE (for beginners)" ‍ This beginner-friendly class is all about **connecting with Your body,** unlocking Your inner strength, **and moving to the vibrant rhythms of Latin American music.** ‍ Your Dance Class Instructor, \*\*\*[Leonie ](https://www.instagram.com/the_leoness_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==)\*\*\*has been mastering the art of Twerk for many years and now shares her passion with Berlin. *"Twerking empowers me, gives me confidence, and has boosted my self-esteem in incredible ways. I want to bring this knowledge here so more people can feel the joy and benefits this beautiful dance has to offer."* ‍ > Connect Yourself with Your body, feel Your inner strength and appreciate the rhythms of Latin American music. ‍WHEN: Every Wednesday 7.30 - 8.30 pm ‍ ##### WHERE: [DNA. ART HOUSE](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4XrC8gTPtdDGb3oB6) Wrangelstraße 25 10997 Berlin ‍ ##### WHAT DO YOU NEED: Shoes to dance in Light clothing Knee pads (good to have, no must) ‍***‍*** ##### LEVEL: Dedicated for Beginners. All levels are warmly welcome :) ‍ **COSTS:** Free for DNA. Dance Members\* / Regular 15e (Daily Membership\*\*) ‍ See Us Soon. Love. ‍ Leonie & DNA. **_____________________________** **\*Members of Dair Night Art e.V. and Subscribers of DNA. Art GbR.** **\*\*By entering the DNA. ART HOUSE, You agree to comply with the [Hausordnung of Dair Night Art e.V.](https://dairnight.com/hausordnung) and [Geschäftsordnung of Dair Night Art e.V.](https://dairnight.com/geschaftsordnung) Please ensure You review these documents thoroughly in advance.** **\*\*\*NOTE: By purchasing a ticket for this event, you grant us permission to integrate your contact data into our Database. This allows us to securely save and utilize your contact information to keep you updated about event details, relevant communications and future events. Your privacy and data security are important to us, and we assure you that your information will be handled with the utmost care and in accordance with our privacy policy = see [https://www.dna-artclub.com/privacy-policy.](https://www.dna-artclub.com/privacy-policy.)** **Thank You for Your understanding and support.** ‍

**BitDevs Bitcoin Socratic Seminar Berlin @ c-base Raumstation** Join us for our monthly interactive **[Bitcoin Socratic Seminar](https://bitdevs.berlin)** in Berlin! We’ll start with pizza and beer (sponsored by [Ordimint.com](https://ordimint.com)), followed by deep-dive discussions on the most interesting *technical* developments in Bitcoin from the past month. Participation by everyone is highly encouraged! Our goal is to foster lively discussion, knowledge sharing, and debate. In the weeks leading up to the event, participants gather topics such as: * New research papers * New BIPs and BOLTs * Network statistics * Technical blog posts * Mailing list and Delving Bitcoin threads * Pull requests and updates from key repos (Bitcoin Core, LND, Core Lightning, Eclair, BDK, rust-bitcoin, LDK, Electrum, …) Each topic is briefly introduced by our moderators and then discussed before moving on. The full list of links will be published at [bitdevs.berlin](https://bitdevs.berlin) 1–2 days before the event — please review them in advance to get the most out of the discussion. **Important details:** * This event is highly technical — best suited for those with a solid grasp of Bitcoin internals. Curious newcomers are always very welcome, but expect in-depth conversations (see the former topics at [bitdevs.berlin](https://bitdevs.berlin)). * Chatham House Rule applies: you may share what was discussed, but not who said it. No livestream, no photos, no recordings. * The evening begins with food and networking; people often stay after the seminar to keep talking. **Co-hosted by:** * [Felix](https://x.com/FelixWeis) * [Freerk](https://x.com/freerko) * [Fabian](https://x.com/fjahr) For background on the idea of BitDevs Socratic Seminars, see [this article](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/op-ed-want-to-learn-about-bitcoin-try-a-local-socratic-seminar).

👋 Hallo und 💜-lich Willkommen to the Elixir Berlin Meetup. Let's get 2026 started with some Elixir. If you're new to the community the best way to introduce yourself is [to submit a talk](https://github.com/elixir-berlin/planning/issues/new?template=talk.yml) ⏰ Schedule 18:45: Doors open 19:05: Welcome & Announcements 19:15: 🗣 AI without Neural Nets? An ongoing research project [Leo](https://github.com/Leo-Nogismus) 19:45: 🍺 break 🍵🧃 20:15: 🗣 Privacy by design [Luka](https://github.com/Overbryd) 20:45: ⚡️ Lightning talks and Socializing 🪩 We want to encourage members of the Elixir community to share what they're working on. If you want to give a lightning talk at this Meetup, contact one of the organizers with a short description of your talk - or [submit a talk](https://github.com/elixir-berlin/planning/issues/new?template=talk.yml) See you all there 💜💜💜

Unser Verein berlinCreators e.V. trifft sich jeden Freitag ab 18 Uhr im Makerspace. Wir haben Gruppen rund um Elektronik, 3D-Druck, Nähen, Programmieren, Retro Computer. Egal ob Anfänger oder Profi – hier seid Ihr Willkommen. Ihr könnt mit anderen fachsimpeln, Euch inspirieren lassen oder auch mit unserer Hilfe Eure ersten Projekte starten. Wenn Ihr Euch bei uns wohlfühlt und Mitglieder bei den berlinCreators werden möchtest, freuen wir uns. Kommt vorbei, lernt den Space, uns und die Möglichkeiten kennen.

This Sunday it's time for another clothes swap, at the wonderful Prince Peach. Have some cake, swap some clothes, and have a lovely Sunday afternoon with us. 💸 Entry is free, but make sure to get a [donation based ticket ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queer-sunday-hangout-with-closing-swap-tickets-1553198451379?aff=oddtdtcreator)before the event! You can find them in our bio. ⏳️The event is from 14.00 to 18.00 👕 Bring up to 10 items of clothing to swap with the other queers ☕️🍰 There will be vegan beverages and deserts for sale ❔️There will also be other social activities See you there!

🚨 **PAY WHAT YOU CAN** 🚨 A ticket to our show is €30, but if you can't afford that, no worries! Just pay what you *can*. **[Get Your Tickets Here!](https://www.yesticket.org/event/en/blast-off-a-completely-improvised-rock-n-roll-comedy-17-01-26/)** **★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Reviews** ‘This was my first improvised rock musical and OMG did it deliver!’ / ‘A hot, unpredictable ride full of music and laughs!’ / ‘A great, energetic show with excellent musicians, singers, and talented actors.’ / ‘It was incredible, never seen anything like it.’ / ‘I was laughing so hard I nearly fell off my chair!’ \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **One night. Two acts. All killer. No filler.** First, Berlin's own **[Ludwig Benecke](https://www.instagram.com/https://www.instagram.com/ludwigcomedy)** kicks things off with his comedy special, *Fix it Later.* Then, **[Xylophone](https://www.instagram.com/wearexylophone)** takes the stage with a full-blown rock n’ roll comedy show that’ll have you scream-singing the choruses and dancing in the aisles. **Act I: Guest Star Comedian LUDWIG BENECKE** For over 4 years, Ludwig has been tirelessly showcasing his humor to audiences all over Europe and the United States, and now he's bringing his show *Fix it Later*, to Ballhaus Prinzenallee. Featuring the wildest stories and observations about the Berlin party life, Ludwig's parents, and his dates, this comedy special delves deep into fixing ourselves, our dating life, and our problems…ANOTHER DAY! As a Swiss-German nice guy navigating the unpredictable world of comedy, Ludwig hilariously recounts his journey from a life as an economic engineer to pursuing a creative career. He performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023, opened for Victor Patrascan on his 2024 tour of Poland, and opened for Rory Scovel in 2025. He is now based in Berlin and has been described by various people as “funny.” \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Act II: Blast Off! with Xylophone** You throw us your suggestions. We turn them into an electric, improvised musical you’ll never forget. **Xylophone** is a no-script, all-heart explosion of comedy, charisma, and face-melting pop gusto. With a world-class cast and a **live rock band**, every show is a one-night-only jukebox of absolute bangers wrapped in a totally original story. Oh, and it's **all made up on the spot** based on your suggestions\*\*.\*\* Audiences will howl. Mics will drop. And anything can happen. This isn’t just a show, **it's an experience**. One that is out of this world. **So grab your crew and get ready to bust a move as we blast off on a musical adventure that will leave you screaming for more.** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Stay up to date on all things Ludwig by following on Instagram **[@ludwigcomedy](https://www.instagram.com/ludwigcomedy)** Follow **[@wearexylophone](https://www.instagram.com/wearexylophone)** for xylotickets, xylomerch, and xyloso much more. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **🚨 [Get your tickets here!](https://www.yesticket.org/event/en/blast-off-a-completely-improvised-rock-n-roll-comedy-g-19-10-25_3/) 🚨** **THIS SHOW IS PAY WHAT YOU CAN** We want our show to be as accessible as possible, so you can choose what price to pay for your ticket(s). A ticket to our show is €30. If that's not something you can afford right now, no worries. Just pay what you can. No matter what you pay, we're going to have a hell of a night together!

Distinguished guests, thou art cordially invited to a unique evening of short-form improv from the best of ImprovWorks Berlin and friends. Join in the merriment as six of our finest players present "The Buckingham," an exemplary short-form show first developed by Pam Victor of Improv Boston. Over the course of the evening we shall use your suggestions to conjure memorable characters and weave delightful stories to entertain and elucidate even the most erudite audience. Thou shall be amused. Doors: 19:30, Show: 20:00 Limited tickets available, get yours in advance to avoid disappointment: [https://www.improvworksberlin.com/shows](https://www.improvworksberlin.com/shows)

Für Mitglieder von Text Collective Berlin ist die Teilnahme an dieser Veranstaltung kostenlos. Nicht-Mitglieder werden um eine Spende von zehn Euro gebeten. Weitere Informationen zur Mitgliedschaft auf: https://textcollective.de Es handelt sich um einen moderierten Workshop. Kreative Schreibübung mit anschließender Diskussion zum Erfahrungsaustausch, Inspiration und Motivation zu sammeln.

Hi, dieses Mal besprechen wir „Kindheit“ von Tove Ditlevsen (1967), den ersten Teil ihrer Kopenhagen-Trilogie. Hier der Link zum Inhalt und Buch : https://www.aufbau-verlage.de/aufbau/kindheit/978-3-351-03868-7 Wir treffen uns diesmal im Café Nest im Wrangelkiez. :)

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – January 14 Business Presentation** **Featuring Eric Wojtkun of Focal Point Coaching** **Wednesday\, January 14 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun – Ashburn** Join us for our **January 14th 1 Million Cups Loudoun** meeting as we welcome **Eric Wojtkun**, founder of **Focal Point Coaching**, for a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, and preparing businesses to thrive before challenges arise. **About the Presenter** Eric brings a rare and compelling background to entrepreneurship. An **Army BRAT, Army Veteran, and FBI Agent**, Eric has lived in 17 places, served two overseas deployments (Bosnia and Kosovo), and worked across nearly every major FBI discipline — from violent and white-collar crime to cyber, counterintelligence, crisis response, and national security. After decades of leadership in high-stakes environments, Eric launched **Focal Point Coaching** to focus on what mattered most to him throughout his career: **helping people and organizations build resilience in the face of change and adversity**. Through executive coaching and team development, Eric helps leaders move from survival mode into what he calls **“BEAST mode”** — prepared, confident, and proactive. His exclusive resilience-focused coaching framework supports leadership, teams, processes, culture, and cyber readiness before a crisis occurs. **Where Eric Is Seeking Community Feedback** * How do you effectively market **resilience preparation** *before* a critical incident occurs? * What helps leaders and business owners clearly understand the **ROI of resilience coaching**? * How can resilience training be integrated into the flow of **normal business operations**? * What motivates leaders to prepare mentally and emotionally for the inevitable challenges of business? **Who Should Attend** Eric is especially eager to connect with: * Small to mid-sized business owners in the **hospitality industry** * Leaders responsible for teams, culture, and operations * Entrepreneurs experienced in scaling service-based businesses * Anyone interested in leadership, preparedness, and sustainable growth Come ready to listen, learn, and offer meaningful insight to support a founder building something impactful. ### What Is 1 Million Cups? 1 Million Cups is a national program powered by the Kauffman Foundation that brings together entrepreneurs and community members for weekly conversations that educate, support, and inspire. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Join us on **January 14 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about reimagining after-school education in Loudoun County. **We look forward to seeing you there.**

Health Matters: Staying Healthy in Prince William County All Ages Central: Saturday, February 7, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Potomac: Saturday, February 28, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Meet with local nonprofit and government organizations to learn about free resources that will help make staying healthy easier. Enter for the chance to win a raffle prize. Central Snow Date: Saturday, March 7, 11:00 a.m. Potomac Snow Date: Saturday, March 28, 11:00 a.m.

Join us at **Hashtag** on **Thurs., Jan. 15th at 6pm**. Adventure and roll dice with this week's **Starfinder** **GM: Maria**! **The Game:** [Starfinder](https://paizo.com/starfindersociety) 2e is a role-playing game similar to Pathfinder 2e (or Dungeons & Dragons) but with magic *and* technology. In this one-shot, you can jump in easily as a new player or join if you're more experienced. \*\*\* **The story:** First Seeker Sarmak has called on scientist Dr. Heldin Sevaille to create an inoculation for the mysterious “conversion” which is transforming wildlife and people on Akiton. The final ingredient she requires is in a remote forest on Marata, one of Bretheda’s moons. A team of Starfinders is needed to collect samples of this rare plant with a few local scientists. But trouble is brewing… the Frozen Trove, a notorious biotech corporation, is also on Marata and is putting the entire ecosystem at risk. **Notes**: Replayable (with a different character), this IS a metaplot adventure (but is more like a side quest related to it). \*\*\*\* **The Characters:** You can use an [level 1 pregenerated character](https://paizo.com/starfinder) *or* make your [own character](https://paizo.com/starfindersociety/characteroptions) using the Starfinder 2e rules. Let me know ahead of time if you need me to bring copies of the pregen character sheets (recommended for new players). This is a level 1-2 adventure, so if you're been playing Starfinder, you can bring a character in that range. -Some options for character building are [Starbuilder 2e](https://pathbuilder2e.com/app.html?v=102b) (made by the maker of Pathbuilder!), [Hephaistos](https://sf2e.hephaistos.online/), [Demiplane](https://app.demiplane.com/characters), using the Starfinder Player Core and pen/[paper](https://downloads.paizo.com/RemasterPlayerCoreCharacterSheet.pdf#), etc. You can use character options from the [Invasion's Edge Player's Guide](https://downloads.paizo.com/OP-Files/SFS+Invasions+Edge+Players+Guide.pdf) as well. If you have any questions, feel free to comment or send a message.

**West Coast Swing with Lara Deni** **Where:** Deni Danzco Studio - 3408 Annandale Rd, Falls Church, VA ​ \*Max 16 people per class **Monday** 7:00pm - Level 2 (Novice) 7:45pm- Drills/Musicality/Technique - Levels 2-4 8:30pm - Level 3 /4 (Intermediate/Advanced) ​ **Thursday** 7:00pm - Level 1 (no experience/beginner) **Cost: *$74/month*** \- Three classes per month in any one level ***$199/monthly subscription*** \- Unlimited Class Monthly Membership of any level \- cancel anytime **Explanation of Levels** * Level 1 (No Experience/Beginner) - 6 count Rhythm, Left and Right Side passes ), Starter Step, Connection, and a few other basics * Level 2 (Novice -Beyond Basics) - See 6 month Syllabus on the website * Level 3 /4 (Intermediate/Advanced) - Turn techniques, Leaders Turns, Hammerlocks, Re-directs, Sling Shots, Whip Variations, and so much more. The moves and information learned in this class is endless. You will not be bored! :o) * Drills/Technique/ Musicality (Levels 2-4) ​- Each month will be concentrating on one of the three mentioned. We will dive deep into that area of dance, so you walk away with a better understanding, more knowledge, and musicality to enhance and make your dance more fun! Definitely a class not to miss! ###### Q&A * Classes are 45min * Refunds offered only 48 hours before class/class series starts * You can make-up a class with a class that is of a lower level and running during your current series class time period ​

Part 3 (of 3) of the Somber Remnant trilogy. You have worked your way to the heart of the Darkened Court at Caer Callidyrr. There, you have a chance to pierce the shadows and secrets that surround and protect the Slain. Can you reveal the mystery of the greatest threat to the Moonshaes and will you survive to tell anyone else? An Tier 2 adventure for the 5th-10th level characters. This event is hosted using the Dungeons and Dragons 2024 edition Adventurers League rules. It is a Tier 2 game suitable for players of all experience levels. Becoming a member in our Discord and accepting our Code of Conduct is required for play at all of our events. You must join and accept the Discord rules before signing up to any MeetUp events. These rules include but are not limited to: * Assigning your name and pronouns as your server nickname; * Confirming your age as 18 or older; * Participating in a respectful environment for both our AL DMs and your fellow players. If you do not join the Discord and accept these rules prior to signing up for an event, you may be removed from the MeetUp event or be required to join the Discord and agree to the Code of Conduct at the game table prior to playing. [Join our Discord!](https://discord.gg/mG24YCk7wj)

2:00–4:00 p.m.: Circuit Court 4:00–6:00 p.m.: Community Services Learn about free and convenient services offered by the Circuit Court and Community Services.

## 1 Million Cups Loudoun – January 14 ### Business Presentation Featuring Yomna Sarhan of L-Lab **Wednesday\, January 14 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun – Ashburn** Join us for our January 14th **1 Million Cups Loudoun** meeting as we welcome **Yomna Sarhan**, founder of **L-Lab**, an innovative after-school enrichment program designed to transform how children learn and grow beyond the classroom. ### About the Presenter Yomna Sarhan brings a diverse and impressive background to her entrepreneurial journey. She is a former **project manager overseeing $8M+ in government contracts**, has led **multidisciplinary teams of more than 20 employees**, and is a **multilingual consultant** who has worked in over **10 countries**. Yomna also founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the **Society of Egyptian American Professionals**, reflecting her long-standing commitment to education and community development. ### About the Business L-Lab was born out of a personal experience. When Yomna’s daughter was entering kindergarten, she discovered a lack of high-quality, enriching after-school programs in Loudoun County. Many existing programs focused solely on supervision rather than meaningful learning—despite children spending 10–15 hours per week and families investing significant resources in aftercare. L-Lab is changing that narrative. L-Lab is an **after-school language immersion enrichment program** for elementary-aged children, blending: * STEAM-based learning * Social-emotional development * Montessori-inspired approaches In addition to after-school programming, L-Lab offers **full-day camps** during school breaks, including winter, spring, and teacher workdays. ### Where Yomna Is Now L-Lab is currently in the **launch/startup phase**, with the full after-school program beginning in early January and a winter break program running at the end of December. Yomna is focused on enrollment, program validation, and building a strong foundation for growth. ### Feedback Yomna Is Seeking from the Community Yomna is coming to the 1 Million Cups stage looking for thoughtful feedback and insight on key challenges, including: * How to **shift the mindset around after-school programs** from “time-filling childcare” to meaningful enrichment * The most strategic way to **scale after a successful pilot** (January–June): * Expanding curriculum into schools * Focusing on one location first * How to **find and retain high-quality part-time staff** aligned with L-Lab’s mission and values ### Who Should Attend Yomna would especially love to have: * Entrepreneurs with experience **scaling service-based businesses** * Founders who have **modified or diversified offerings as they grew** * Parents and guardians interested in education, enrichment, and after-school programming ### What Is 1 Million Cups? 1 Million Cups is a national program powered by the Kauffman Foundation that brings together entrepreneurs and community members for weekly conversations that educate, support, and inspire. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Join us on **January 14 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about reimagining after-school education in Loudoun County. **We look forward to seeing you there.**