A 35-table-long community potluck at The Underline kicked off 10 Days of Connection
Read more Localized Miami: Robert Ruano and guest, Ana Maria Rodriguez, Florida State Senator ( District 40 )
Miami came together on May 1 as The Longest Table made its first public debut in the city, bringing over 350 residents together for a shared meal and conversation at The Underline. At a time when loneliness has been declared a public health crisis, the event positioned Miami at the forefront of a growing movement to rebuild connection at scale. This free, community event served as the official kickoff to 10 Days of Connection, which celebrates its 10th year in 2026 and has engaged more than 317,000 residents over the past nine years.
Dr. Vivek Murthy, former U.S. Surgeon General, who has called loneliness one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time, joined as a guest of honor. Dr. Murthy is the founder of The Together Project and author of “Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World.” A Miami native and graduate of Miami Palmetto Senior High School, Murthy spent the day meeting with local leaders before joining the community dinner.
Loneliness is now recognized as one of the most urgent public health challenges in the U.S. Research shows it can increase the risk of heart disease by 29%, stroke by 32%, and dementia by 50%, with a health impact comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The Longest Table is a direct response to this challenge.
Designed as a large-scale community potluck, participants were encouraged to bring a dish or more to share. The goal was simple: come as you are and pull up a chair. This event was a unique partnership between Radical Partners, Elevate Cities, Knight Foundation, The Longest Table, and The Underline. It invited strangers to sit side by side, share a meal, and spark meaningful conversations.
Timed with Mental Health Awareness Month, the event places Miami at the center of a growing national conversation around connection, belonging, and well-being.
“The idea is simple, but the impact is powerful,” said Maryam Banikarim, co-founder of The Longest Table. “You don’t need to wait for someone else to solve loneliness. The solution is already in your hands. It starts by sitting down with your neighbors and having a conversation.”
Originally launched as a grassroots gathering in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City, The Longest Table has grown into a national movement with events taking place in communities across the country. Research conducted over multiple years shows that more than 8 in 10 participants meet someone new, report a greater sense of belonging, and feel more inclined to take civic action after attending.
Read more First Public “The Longest Table” Brings Over 350 Residents Together in Miami
“Connection is the foundation for everything we want to build in our communities,” said Kim Coupounas, CEO of Elevate Cities. “Some of the challenges we face can feel overwhelming, but they are solvable, and often the solution starts with something as simple and ancient as gathering around a table together.” This event is part of a broader effort led by Elevate Cities to connect and amplify moments of belonging across Miami, helping turn individual experiences into a cohesive, citywide narrative of connection.
For the Knight Foundation, the initiative is part of an effort to strengthen civic engagement and build more connected communities.
“We invest in communities so people feel informed, connected, and empowered to shape what comes next together,” said Sara Chaves, Miami program officer at Knight Foundation. “This isn’t just about one event. It’s about building stronger, more resilient communities over time.”
The event also marked a milestone moment for 10 Days of Connection, which brings together over 120 Miami organizations offering free experiences designed to connect people across cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives.
“If you zoom out for a second, you’ll be reminded that we’re all human,” said Joan Godoy, CEO of Radical Partners. “The goal is to create safe and accessible spaces where people can connect, build understanding, and move forward together, not despite our differences, but because of them.”
Miami is one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the world, drawing people from everywhere, yet many residents still experience isolation. The Longest Table offers a simple, powerful way to reconnect and build a stronger sense of community.
The event was free and open to the public. Buddy System MIA also joined the effort, collecting surplus food from the event to be redistributed to local community fridges, ensuring the impact extended beyond the table and into neighborhoods across Miami.
Read more Legal Notice Publishing in Miami-Dade and Broward | Miami’s Community Newspapers