100 Atlanta Coffees, 011: Jon Ingram
What transcends divisions to unify us? Look to the arts.
Director of Corporate Relations, Woodruff Arts Center
Met at Refuge Coffee on the Woodruff Arts Center Campus in Midtown
As a refresher, I’m grabbing coffee with 100 good people in Atlanta and sharing inspiring takeaways.
Making the most of his loan
Jon is a consummate connector and engaged citizen who has been civically involved from a young age. He’s an Eagle Scout and his dad was his troop leader. Jon remembers his dad instilling the value of service, reminding Jon that, “What you have is not yours to keep. It’s on loan.”
We’re going to talk about the arts as a means of connection and expression of faith . But first, a quick story that illustrates the kind of dynamism Jon’s working with.
Jon has sung the national anthem before six different Atlanta Braves games (!). It started with a video submission during COVID when the team was looking for virtual anthem singers. Jon used to work for the Boy Scouts of America headquartered across the street from the stadium, so once they figured out he could sing, he’d get nod often.
Once, when the scheduled singer canceled at the last minute, the coordinator called Jon in a bit of a panic - could he get to the game in time to sing the anthem? Jon happened to already be there - with a beer in hand - and nevertheless stood and delivered (though maybe he read the lyrics scrolling on the scoreboard a little bit more closely than he would’ve otherwise).
The arts as connection
Jon didn’t just stumble upon the ability to sing in front of thousands. He played baritone and participated in theater growing up. Now he’s found a niche in his professional role of forming relationships and promoting the value of the arts.
The picture of Jon and me is in front of a signature installation outside Woodruff - a two-dimensional house that appears three dimensional with a unique presentation from every angle. The piece itself serves as a reminder - no matter your incoming viewpoint, your unique perception is welcome and valid.
Jon views art as a mechanism for getting people past our insular silos and forming cross-cultural connections. His favorite examples are when programs host students from all over the state of Georgia to explore the High Museum or see a show at the Alliance Theatre.
Everyone can be part of the arts, and there’s no way to get it wrong. The inherent inclination to create something beautiful and expressive is shared across race, religion and creed. He believes that if we value and promote the arts correctly, everyone can get a seat at the table.
The reason why everyone deserves a seat at the table
I was in a provocative mood and pushed Jon. Why does it matter that everyone can have access to the arts? Why do they deserve that?
Ultimately, Jon’s rationale related to faith and believing in the inherent divinity within every person. He believes in the Golden Rule: he’d never want to be disenfranchised, so he wouldn’t anyone else to be excluded either. He'd never want to be told that he can't do something because he looks a certain way or couldn't afford it, so why should anyone else?
Dreaming big for the unifying power of the arts
Jon and I were swapping notes on career aspirations and he shared a prayer for clarity that has been looping in my head for weeks now:
‘God, if this is your will, please kick the door open so wide than an elephant could walk through. Or if it’s not your will, please shut it so tightly that a mosquito couldn’t get in.’
If only it was always that clear!
Jon aspires to be the executive director of a prominent Atlanta nonprofit organization, where he can use his talents in fundraising and relationship building to be the “tip of the sword for making a difference” and serving God’s purpose.
Atlanta feels like a uniquely important place for Jon’s inclinations. The arts speak a language we all understand, one that transcends the differences in our still-too-segregated city. Jon has witnessed firsthand the power of music, theater, and other arts to bridge gaps and bring people together.
His story reminds me that we share core desires for beauty, expression, meaning, and community - and that tapping into our creative potential helps us see ourselves reflected in each other.
My Reflections & Questions for Discussion:
The belief that all people deserve opportunities to participate and thrive in society stems from a fundamental conviction about human dignity and us all having equal worth.
I find that this is a viewpoint that many progressives share, but sometimes it’s hard to get across effectively without tying it to a spiritual rationale.
This value manifests in the desire to create systems where no one is excluded based on circumstances outside their control. An ethic of compassion based on the sacredness of human life taps into a deeper wellspring than the typical rhetoric we hear in the political and civic spaces. I believe it’s important for building solidarity, and this line of logic can be a bridge builder between ideologies that might seem practically opposed... Making a moral foundation explicit strengthens the case for building a just and equitable society.
Questions for Discussion:
Have you experienced a time when exposure to the arts led to an increased sense of cross-cultural connection?
What are other sources of this connection outside the arts in your life?
Do you agree about the potential to strengthen the argument for more universal access to things like the arts by framing it in a spiritual / moral imperative?
Do you have examples of where you see this done particularly well in a non-religious context?
If you’re enjoying these, I’d love to hear from you via a comment or please share with someone else who’d like to read.
About Refuge Coffee:
Refuge coffee is a not-for-profit business founded in 2015.
Their vision is to ‘create welcome for all’ and they use coffee shops to provide job training and personal development for resettled refugees and other immigrants.
Their flagship location is in Clarkston, GA, and they also have the location at Woodruff Arts Center, along with a fleet of food trucks.
The coffee is great, the vibe is solid, the people are super friendly and inspiring. I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
About 100 Atlanta Coffees:
I decided to publish 100 of these coffees and my reflections as a way to shine a light on some of the good souls, and local spots, in our city.
Jon’s in my LEAD Atlanta class and asked to grab coffee the very first time we met. I’m an easy sell.
