We Need More Room for Real Conversations

And Anita is Making it Happen

Hello readers,

Starting today, we’re introducing guest contributions. In the coming months, we’ll begin accepting submissions from writers, thinkers, and creators who have something thoughtful to say — and the courage to say it.

If you’ve been craving deeper dialogue, sharper analysis, or just a fresh perspective, stay tuned. We’re building something slow, intentional, and human.

I’m honoured to have my friend Anita — who’s building something beautiful: a space for real conversation, curiosity, and connection — as our first contributor. But I’ll let you read it in her own words. Enjoy.

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I like to think I’ve cracked adult education. I’m a simple girl: one hour of reading when I wake up, one hour before bed every day does the trick, unless a meteor is running through my life. It’s essential for my work, and if I didn’t enjoy learning as a hobby, the dwindling state of thinking and general education would have forced me to buckle up anyway.

While I absolutely love books and the expansive thoughts of others — whether in blogs, letters, or essays — conversations remain my favourite way to learn. I was raised in the art of conversation and refined by the clarity that arguments bring.

What’s not to love about conversations?

Is it the curiosity, the urge to learn more about a person, topic, or phenomenon that makes you listen closely to understand their perspective and the ideas that shape them? Or the thrill of seeing things through their lens, then contextualising it in your own language as you add your own anecdotes, revealing more of your humanity in the process?

These are my reasons for loving conversations. I’ve left gloomy days behind simply by hearing a stranger talk about an obscure project and daring to ask for more details. I’ve navigated my own shyness in unfamiliar rooms by listening to the conversation and sharing my thoughts when prompted. I’ve felt the euphoria of a heated, educational banter — where everyone is split between sides, defending their views with facts and context. In those rooms, we all feel the same excitement, knowing we’re ultimately on the side of conversation and knowledge. It might get heated, played up for theatrics, but we’ll clasp hands later, make a toast, and relax with our minds richer for it.

Years ago, it was easy to find these casual, stimulating rooms. Today, not only are such spaces fewer, but they’re also tucked away, screening newcomers for good faith. Whether it’s a friendship group, book club, or literary meetup, many people are more wary and now-prefacing thoughts with caveats like “I’m not a bigot, but…” or “I hope nobody misunderstands me, but I read that…”

As the world becomes more homogenous and fearful on social media, more people are afraid to say the wrong thing. We’re eroding curiosity, expecting everyone to arrive with all the knowledge and the right social language. Thus, we rob ourselves of new ideas and, at the base level, the thrill of a good conversation that ends with “let’s agree to disagree” and a nod of understanding. We also miss chances to help people who need better phrasing or a new lens on the world. Most of all, we miss out on the fun.

That last part, I can’t accept and I’ve silently complained for too long, but recently someone reminded me to be part of the solution.

So, I’ve been inspired to create a space for us to experience the thrill of conversation and the spark of learning new perspectives. I also love a good drink, and it feels divine when all these things happen together. For this, we have created The Sipposium.

The name is a play on “Symposium,” which means a group event focused on a topic. In ancient Greece, it meant gathering to discuss and drink. The Greeks described it as “a drinking, convivial gathering of the educated.”

Following the wisdom of the ancients, we’re going to drink, talk, and converse — with a drink option for everyone, each with a fun name to match your mood.

Each edition of The Sipposium revolves around one central idea, with a resource person leading the conversation while the rest of us share thoughts, connect, and let curiosity and humanity carry us through the night. The first edition is in Abuja on May 24, 2025, and I’m bursting with excitement at the thought of smart, curious people bonding over an important topic and great drinks.

I’d love to see you there. Join the waitlist and let’s make this happen.

Again, don’t forget to sign up here.