Social Innovation

Location: Takoyaki cafe Misora 〒552-0001 大阪府大阪市港区波除５丁目３−９ 玉野 1階 **GOOGLE MAPS LINK** https://maps.app.goo.gl/QwkUTJdBvXkWBEXo8 レベルは何でできる楽しい英語のチャットです！ All levels English chat (materials provided) in Bentencho! The participation fee is 700 yen. Please also buy something from the restaurant (drinks start at 300 yen). 参加費は700円です。店でも飲み物か食事を注文してください。飲み物は300円〜。 This will be fun and we will also learn a lot! 他のアプリを使っている方も参加しています！

\ ストーリーハウスの言語交換会を再開します。 日本語または英語の上達を目指して、ぜひチャレンジしてみてください！ポジティブな気持ちで参加して、お互いに励まし合いながら、集中して成​​長しましょう。言語交換会は、日本語と英語の半分ずつに分けて行います。他の言語を開催できる場合は、時間を追加します。 使いたい教材があればご持参ください。また、必要に応じてメモが取れるように、ノートも必ずご持参ください。気軽におしゃべりしたり、会話に参加したりしてください。 参加費は無料ですが、カフェでご注文をお願いいたします。 We are reintroducing our Storyhouse Language Exchange. Push yourself to improve Japanese or English! Come with a positive attitude, and encourage each other to focus and grow. We will split the language exchange into half, between Japanese and English. If additional languages are available, we will add time. Bring any study materials you want to use. And be sure to bring writing utensils so you can take notes as you need. Feel free to talk and participate in conversations. There is no participation fee, but please make your order at the cafe.

Ukulele Club is a fun group for all ages and skill levels! There is no teacher, but we all help teach each other. Think of songs you would like to learn, and we can learn them together. If you don't have an ukulele, we have extra ukuleles When: *almost* Every Saturday, 10am-11:30am Admission: food/drink order

イングリッシュHang outやってます！ イングリッシュハングアウトとは、簡単にいうと「英語でおしゃべりする会」です！ Hangoutとは、日本語で”(友達と)遊ぶ”という意味で、おしゃべりとかゲームをしながら室内でリラックスしながら過ごす感じです。 それをカフェで英語でハングアウトしましょう！という時間です。 どなたでも、予約なしで参加していただけます。途中参加退席自由です。カフェでのオーダーをお願いします。 英語の練習をしたいけど、英会話教室に行くほどではないけど気軽にしゃべる機会を探している人や、英語で話せる友達を探している人にぴったりです。 We are hosting a casual English hangout time for locals to connect with international travelers & our international staff. Anyone can join. Even if your English level is very low, you can still listen and learn. The conversations are open, and you may join or leave at any time. Please make one order from the cafe.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“A Practical Guide to Social Change,”** a research-based look at how communities bring about reform and progress, with Marissa Robinson, founder of Real Health Impact LLC and an adjunct professor at George Washington University who teaches courses focused on public health leadership and social change. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-social-change](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-social-change) .] Systems built on inequality rarely transform without deliberate pressure from the people most committed to justice, because progress takes coordination, conviction and willingness to change what has always been accepted. Real change starts when people choose to move together. Learn what research and experience say about how to make real social progress with Dr. Marissa Robinson, a public health practitioner who previously worked in federal agencies coordinating global and national public health initiatives focused on infectious diseases, HIV, and health equity. Among the key questions she’ll tackle: How do communities overcome barriers to create real change? When should evidence guide decisions and when does context matter more? She’ll discuss established frameworks for moving from intention to measurable progress and talk about the importance of building coalitions that actually work and of making decisions grounded in real data. You’ll learn about the importance of testing ideas on a small scale before going big, as well as how to use rapid feedback loops and continuous improvement cycles to refine approaches and scale what truly works. Dr. Robinson will share stories of ordinary people and communities who refused to accept the status quo and pushed through real barriers to achieve breakthrough results. She’ll talk about practical strategies, usable frameworks, and evidence-based examples that people can apply immediately in their own communities and organizations to support change that lasts. If you have dreamed about bringing about progress in your world, this talk will give you the clarity, direction, and confidence it takes to turn such dreams into reality. ( Door: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

**DC Service Jam is back.** This March, SD:DC is hosting the DC edition of Global Service Jam 2026 week. We are part of a worldwide movement of designers, strategists, and curious minds who come together to build real service concepts from scratch. From **Saturday March 14 to Sunday March 15**, you'll work in a small team around a secret theme revealed at kick-off. No briefs, no client. Just hands-on design, rapid prototyping, and plenty of Post-its. This year we're bringing AI into the mix. Throughout the weekend we'll look at how AI tools can support service design work, as a sensemaking tool, to build artifacts faster, and to push prototypes further. **WHAT TO EXPECT** **Saturday March 14th** * **9 - 10am:** social / breakfast (theme reveal + team formation) * **10am - 6pm:** full day of research, ideation, and prototyping (meals provided) * **6:30pm (optional):** social / happy hour (nearby bar) **Sunday March 15th** * **9 - 10am:** social / breakfast * **10am - 12pm:** finalize prototyping & storytelling * **12pm - 2pm:** present your work and share what DC made with the world **WHO SHOULD COME** You don't need to be a service designer. If you're a UX or product designer, strategist, public servant, researcher, or just someone curious about how services actually work, you're welcome here. **LOGISTICS** * **Dates:** Saturday March 14th & Sunday 15th (ending at 2pm) * **Venue:** SteamPunk, McLean, VA * **Capacity:** 50 spots only (first come, first served) * **Attendee fee:** $60\* (covers meals, materials, and space) *\* If the fee is a barrier for you, we have a limited number of discounted tickets available, just reach out to Sergio Venegas directly for a code.* **WHAT TO BRING** ✔️ An open mind and a willingness to make things ✔️ Laptop and charger ✔️ Curiosity about Service Design (no experience needed) **Follow SD:DC on LinkedIn and @DCServiceJam on Instagram for updates!** \*\*\* Many thanks to our host and sponsor, **SteamPunk** *Design. Disrupt, Repeat. Steampunk is anchored by a startup culture with a customer-centered delivery approach. We put our Federal government clients in the center of everything we design, develop, and deliver to drive high quality mission impacts and user experiences at speed.*

What role do the arts play in building strong, vibrant communities? How can creativity bring people together across differences, spark dialogue, and strengthen our shared sense of belonging? Join us for an open, engaging discussion on how visual art, music, theater, literature, film, and public art contribute to community life. Whether you’re an artist, arts supporter, educator, organizer, or simply someone who values culture, this conversation is for you. We’ll explore questions such as: * How do the arts create connection across cultural, generational, and social divides? * Can creative expression help communities heal after conflict or crisis? This is a dialogue — not a lecture — designed to surface diverse perspectives and lived experiences. Expect thoughtful conversation and opportunities to imagine new possibilities together. **All are welcome.**

You’ve never had Uzbek food? Perfect — this is your sign to change that. People walk in curious and walk out raving. It’s rich, flavorful, and seriously underrated. The cuisine has Turkish influences — so if you love that style of cuisine, you’re in for a treat. And if you’re feeling cautious, no worries… you can always go with something familiar like shish kebabs. Please keep your RSVP up to date. Repeated no-shows or last-minute cancellations may affect future RSVPs. The reservation is under my name. \*\* The restaurant can do maximum 5 checks for the table. Please bring cash for easier payment. \*\* They don't have alcoholic beverages on their menu. But you can bring your own bottle. \*\* Ample Free Parking in front of the restaurant. Here's the menu: https://www.silkroadchoyhona.net/

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – Resource Presentation** **Why Not Today? Build Systems That Support Your Growth** **Presented by Leslie Kane, Founder of Why Not Today?** **Wednesday March 25th \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us for a powerful resource presentation designed to help entrepreneurs move from scattered effort to sustainable momentum. *** ## **About the Session** Entrepreneurs rarely struggle because they lack ideas. They struggle because everything lives in their head. In this session, **Leslie Kane**, founder of **Why Not Today?**, will explore how developing intentional systems creates clarity, focus, and forward progress in business. Drawing from decades of leadership experience and working with hundreds of entrepreneurs, Leslie shares how structure reduces overwhelm, simplifies decision-making, and transforms inconsistent action into repeatable success. If you’re building a business and constantly feeling stretched thin, this conversation will challenge you to ask a powerful question: **Why not today?** *** ## **What You’ll Gain** * Insight into why systems are critical for growth * Practical perspective on turning ideas into structured action * A framework for reducing overwhelm * A mindset shift from reactive to intentional leadership This is not about adding more to your plate — it’s about building the foundation that allows your business to grow without burning you out. *** ## **About 1 Million Cups** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through conversation and collaboration. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us for coffee, connection, and a conversation that may completely change how you approach your business growth.