LP. Salons

We gather organizations, leaders, and cultural and social change-makers to spark connection around a shared mission.

Overheard at LP. Salons

  • “We met wonderful people throughout the evening - including the panelists, of course. Thank you so much for including us and for creating gatherings of community, connection, and inspiration.”

  • “The LP Salon helped me. Being a part of it, feeling welcomed in your community, and having an opportunity to feel heard, without the pressure of being right, gave me a boost of positive energy, validation so to speak, to keep moving. Sometimes the fight is paperwork and reports, but community is where it's at. You are doing amazing work. Thank you for connecting us!"

  • “Such great vibes and success at the Laksmi Project Salons, and the cultural connections the LP. is forging across the city.”

HEALTH // In This Together: Fighting for Gun Safety

Hosted by The Laksmi Project | October 2024

During our Fall 2024 Salon, we heard from voices on the frontlines of policy, advocacy, and health, working to keep our communities safe from the impacts of gun violence.

Nick Suplina, Senior Vice President for Law and Policy for Everytown for Gun Safety

Dr. Samaa Kemal MD, MPH, Emergency Medicine Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Yolanda Androzzo, Executive Director of One Aim Illinois

Eric Wilkins, Survivors Alliance for Healing and Justice and Broken Winggz Coordinator Communities United

ART // Creative Calling: Navigating the Artist Path

Hosted by The Laksmi Project | June 2024

During our Spring 2024 Salon, we heard from artists, art organizations, and creative entrepreneurs about the journey of an artistic life, and the many ways audiences can support the creative process.

Esther Grisham Grimm, 3arts

Yvette Mayorga, yvettemayorga

Christina Rice, The Sanctuary Chicago

Nancy Lerner Frej, Otherwise, Inc

HEALTH // Cycles & Stages: The Landscape of Women’s Health

Hosted by The Laksmi Project | February 2024

The first LP. Salon of 2024 focused on the cycles and stages of women’s health. We heard from an exciting panel of speakers as they explored these stages through the lens of healthcare, innovation, advocacy, and art.

Jameika A. Sampson, Planned Parenthood of Illinois

Steven Collens, MATTER

Dr. Disha Narang, Meet Ayla

Farah Salem, Artist

ART // Creating Process: How Art Responds to a Changing World

Hosted by The Laksmi Project | November 2023

This Salon gathered Chicagoland organizations in the performing arts that are challenging, questioning, and responding to the current world - not just through the art they make, but how they make it.

E. Brooke Flanagan, Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Myriam Ben Salah, Renaissance Society

David McDermott, Hubbard Street Dance

Greer Reed, ChiArts

HEALTH // Enriching Our Communities: Health Equity

Hosted by Mirja Spooner Haffner | June 2023

This Salon gathered organizations and people working to improve health equity in the Chicagoland region through work in environmental justice, pediatric medicine, and sexual and reproductive healthcare.

Mariana Glusman, MD, Lurie Children's Hospital

Natalia Ospina, Brushwood Center

Jennifer Welch, Planned Parenthood of Illinois

Marvin Bembry, The John Maxwell Team

CULTURE // Enriching Our Communities: Community Partnership

Hosted by Mirja Spooner Haffner, Sundeep Mullangi, and A. Gail Sturm | November 2022

The Chicago region is home to innovative nonprofits with diverse missions and countless models of impact. But all organizations are better when they authentically support the communities in which they reside, and in turn are strengthened by those communities’ support. This first Salon gathered nonprofit voices to discuss community partnership models.

Tina Boyer Brown, ChiArts

Dani Abboud, Brushwood Center

Gregory Smith, Hyde Park Art Center

JC Aevaliotis, Polk Bros. Foundation


Featured Salon Panelists