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Unfiltered Conversation: What Happened to the American Dream

​For generations, the American Dream has represented a promise of opportunity: work hard, and you can achieve economic stability, security, and upward mobility. Yet for many today, that promise feels uncertain—or fundamentally changed.

​Throughout our Dinner & Dialogue series, people across generations and backgrounds have gathered to share how they understand opportunity, success, and security in this moment. Now, we bring those insights to the stage.

​As the culminating event of this quarter’s Dinner & Dialogue series, What Happened to the American Dream?, this Unfiltered Conversation will bring together a panel of leading experts to respond directly to what emerged from those dialogues. Drawing on their expertise, lived perspectives, and disagreements, they’ll help us push the conversation further.

​The evening will unfold in two parts: a candid panel discussion, followed by an intergenerational dinner reception. Over dinner, participants will be grouped by age demographic and invited to reflect on what they’ve heard, exchange perspectives, and continue the dialogue with one another.

​Come hear what our community has learned, and put those insights in conversation with expert perspectives. Together, we’ll look beyond the white picket fence to ask: What has the American Dream been? What is it today? And what could it become?

​

​Adam Lashinsky (Moderator)

​Editor-at-large, The San Francisco Standard; Contributing Columnist, The Washington Post

​Libby Schaaf

​President & CEO, Bay Area Council

​Elizabeth Bennett

​PhD, Professor of International Affairs; Chair & Director of Political Economy, Lewis & Clark College

​Kyle Muna

​Director of Alumni Engagement, 10,000 Degrees

​

​Your ticket supports our programming and helps make conversations like this possible. We also reserve a number of complimentary tickets for members of our community. If the ticket price presents a financial barrier, please reach out to nezzeddine@commonwealthclub.org.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: $15*
*Ticket Includes Panel + Dinner! Your ticket supports our programming and helps make conversations like this possible. We also reserve a number of complimentary tickets for members of our community. If the ticket price presents a financial barrier, please reach out to nezzeddine@commonwealthclub.org.
Categories: Charity & Volunteering, Community, Downtown San Francisco, Free Food, In Person
Venue: Commonwealth Club World Affairs
Address: 110 the embarcadero San Francisco

Monday, October 5, 2026

8:00 am   6-Week Course: Build Alternatives to Big Tech (SF)  $750*
*Pay in one payment or two payments of $375. Diversity Scholarships are available. Apply by September 17, 2026. Scholarship notifications will be sent within one week after the deadline.
9:00 am   Japanese Tea Garden’s Free Admission Hour (Golden Gate Park)  FREE*
*Free from 9-10am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; otherwise non-resident admission is $12 - $16 depending on the season. San Francisco residents are always free with valid ID
3:30 pm   Club Kindness  FREE
5:30 pm   Film Screening: American Pachuco: The Legend of Luiz Valdez (Berkeley)  FREE
6:00 pm   SF Arcade Bar “Emporium” 8 Free Game Tokens for “Industry Night” (Every Monday)  FREE*
*8 free game tokens if you are part of the "industry"
6:00 pm   San Francisco Board of Supervisors, District 10 Candidate Forum  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
7:00 pm   Free SF Comedy Show “Hayes Valley Comedy Night” at The Function (Every Monday)  FREE*
*Exclusive free tickets with Eventbrite RSVP. Otherwise $20-25 at door. Please note like most comedy clubs, there is a two drink minimum per person
7:00 pm   “Motown On Mondays” DJ Night (Madrone Art Bar)  FREE*
*Free before 8pm; $5 after
7:00 pm   Oakland’s Free “Town Biz” Comedy Night w/ HellaFunny (Mon + Tue)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP. Food/drink for purchase
7:30 pm   Free String Quartet Concert w/ SF Ballet Orchestra Concertmaster (SF)  FREE*
*Free to reserve.
8:00 pm   Mirthquake: Monday Live Comedy in the Richmond w/ $5 Drinks (SF)  FREE*
*free tickets, RSVP to ensure a spot, 21+
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