Years ago, I wrote an article called “Expecting the Good” about what it means to do community work and public service. Expecting the good isn’t always easy, especially today, when people’s first instinct seems to be to question and examine before we trust. I think if we stop, get to know one another, and really listen, we will find the good is still very much there. We need to break down our walls, barriers, and agendas to hear it, see it, feel it.

When One Valdosta Lowndes (OVL) started in 2023, it represented a vision for a stronger, more connected community. From the start, hosting a Longest Table event was a priority: a way to bring people together, encourage meaningful conversations, and build relationships across Lowndes County. When we take time for genuine human connection, we build trust and create the kind of community we all want to call home.

On Sunday, November 15, at 4 p.m., OVL and the Lowndes Longest Table (LLT) Planning Committee expect to host 500 people under the James Beck Overpass, with more than 150 volunteers signed up to help. This free event is open to all Lowndes County residents. We’re inviting neighbors from Lake Park, Dasher, Hahira, Remerton, Valdosta, and the communities in between to enjoy a meal prepared by local chefs and talk about what they would like to see in our community. What are the opportunities? What can we do to make Lowndes County better?

We all have a part to play in building the community we want to see. It all starts with a conversation.

Some have asked why we chose the James Beck Overpass for our inaugural event. The location was no coincidence. It reflects the LLT’s purpose: bringing people together and building connections.

The overpass is more than a landmark; it symbolizes bridging the divides that sometimes separate us. It sits in Valdosta’s Historic Southside District, once a thriving center of business, culture, and entertainment that welcomed legendary performers like Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald. Today, efforts to revitalize the neighborhood are gaining momentum, and the LLT offers a chance to celebrate its rich heritage while imagining its future.

Just as the overpass connects two parts of Valdosta, we hope the conversations beneath it will unite people from across Lowndes County. Understanding our shared history helps us build a better future for all of us.

Our timing was equally intentional. Sunday afternoon is traditionally a time for family, faith, and fellowship, and faith leaders across Lowndes County have been important partners from the beginning in encouraging conversations about the challenges and opportunities we share. Their support, along with that of our volunteers and community partners, reflects the spirit of collaboration we hope the LLT will inspire.

Ultimately, the location and timing are simply the setting. What matters most is who comes to the table, the conversations we share, and the relationships we build.

At its heart, the LLT is about fellowship. No agendas, no politics, just time together. As our community grows and changes, building trust, respecting our differences, and celebrating what connects us are more important than ever. On November 15, let’s come together, expect the good, and help shape a stronger future for Lowndes County. Pull up a chair and join the conversation.

The event is free, and Lowndes County residents can register at https://onevaldostalowndes.com/llt-registration/.

Mary Beth Brownlee, Director
One Valdosta Lowndes
mbbrownlee@valdostachamber.com