A society for Somali professionals · Columbus, Ohio

There's a seat with your name on it.

The Common Table is a third space between home and work for young Somali professionals. We gather around paddle courts, running routes, debate floors and long dinners to connect, build and look after each other.

Pull up a chair See what's on the table

The long table

Twelve seats. Pick one.

Every program at The Common Table is a seat at the same table. Scroll to pass the flame, or tap a name to read its place card.

Seat 01 · Monthly

Paddle Club

Games to seven. Win by two.

Our founding ritual. Doubles pickleball with a rotating bracket so nobody sits for long, co-hosted with Somalis in Tech.

When
Monthly, Saturday evening
Where
Smash Park, Westerville
Seats
48

Seat 02 · Monthly

Run Club

3.1 miles. Then breakfast.

An easy group run for every pace, ending at a table. Walkers and first-timers welcome.

When
Monthly, weekend morning
Where
Dublin, OH
Pace
Every pace

Seat 03 · Series

The Table Holds

Two sides. One table.

An Oxford-style debate series on questions the diaspora argues about at home. Keynote, motion, vote.

First motion
The diaspora owes Somalia more than remittances
Format
Debate, keynote, audience vote

Seat 04 · Episodic

Founder Series

Founders, around a table.

Long-form conversations with Somali founders, filmed on set and cut into a feature, clips and a written piece.

Episode 01
Ehel
Format
Film, clips, article

Seat 05 · After hours

Trivia Night

Shaah, rivalry, bragging rights.

Team trivia after hours at an East African coffee house. Culture, history and pop rounds.

Where
East African Coffee House, Morse Rd
Teams
Up to 6

Seat 06 · Monthly

Book Society

Serious books. Better company.

One book a month, fully read, discussed over dinner. Capped so everyone gets a word in.

Seats
20
Cadence
Monthly

Seat 07 · Members

Founder Dinners

Small rooms, big asks.

Members-only dinners pairing operators and founders. Bring the problem you're stuck on.

Seats
12
Access
Members

Seat 08 · Circle

The Aabe Circle

The first table your children remember is yours.

Breakfasts and father-child days for the dads in our community, plus an annual retreat.

Seats
12 to 20
Cadence
Monthly

Seat 09 · Evening

Poetry Night

Gabay, spoken out loud.

Somali and English poetry, read by the community. Open mic after the featured readers.

Format
Featured readers + open mic

Seat 10 · Sisters

Sisters' Book Club

Her table, her terms.

A sisters-only book club with its own picks, pace and space.

Access
Sisters only
Cadence
Monthly

Seat 11 · Annual

The Ember Gala

One night. One flame. Passed forward.

Black-tie and annual. Every dollar above the room becomes a named scholarship, awarded on stage.

Dress
Black tie
Benefits
The Common Table scholarship fund

Seat 12 · Next

Common Table Ventures

Capital that keeps the faith.

A halal, Muslim-first fund and founder program growing out of the table. Profit-sharing structures, no interest.

Status
In formation
Pitch day
The Open Seat

All twelve lit

The table is set.

Every program is a seat at the same table.

Pull up a chair
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