Authentic conversation has the ability to create a deeper sense of trust and belonging

Origins of Kin Universe

Our Story

Kin Universe is the result of observations, conversations and participation in programs and projects over many years. The idea for Kin crystallized with insights gained from The Belonging Project, a series of 72 interviews of people from a wide variety of cultures, backgrounds, ages, socioeconomic status, and political beliefs to explore how people find a sense of belonging in a community, an organization and in the world.

The early days of the pandemic provided the opportunity to experiment with the design and structure with individuals from the Belonging Project. The structure eventually evolved to an online platform, Kin Universe. Kin Universe operationalizes learnings from the Belonging Project and follow-on experimentation to help participants and organizations build real connection and belonging across differences.

Dominique Samari

Creator

 

 

 

Dominique Samari is an experienced attorney, strategist, coach and facilitator. Samari created Kin based on years of experience leading and participating in equity and inclusion projects and programs and the insights from her 2018 curiosity project, the Belonging Project. The Belonging Project is a series of 72 interviews of people from a wide variety of cultures, backgrounds, ages, socioeconomic status, and political beliefs that explores how people find a sense of belonging in a community, an organization, and in the world.

In 2011 Samari co-founded P3 Development Group where she leads strategy, planning and training efforts for organizations seeking to drive equitable and inclusive change. Samari is also a teacher at the Hoffman Institute, where she supports individuals in learning how to transform the counterproductive patterns limiting their lives.

Samari began her career as a criminal defense attorney and a City of Milwaukee criminal court commissioner. She transitioned from the practice of law to international development, serving in key management positions for the U.S. Department of State’s Rule of Law Program in Afghanistan. There, she designed and implemented culturally-relevant strategies and training opportunities for over 2,000 Afghan criminal justice professionals.

Deeply reflective about spirituality and race and culture in America, Samari is a speaker in the U.S. Department of State Speaker’s Bureau and has been published in Nonprofit Quarterly, Milwaukee Magazine, Urban Milwaukee and Our Human Family. She received her Juris Doctorate from Marquette University Law School and is the recipient of the Women’s Fund Game Changer Award and Milwaukee Magazine Betty “Bridge Builder” award.

The Kin Universe is a community and an approach for creating connections. Kin is designed to facilitate independent, meaningful discussions that support building trust, understanding and empathy between two people from different backgrounds. The Kin Universe connects people and guides and holds space for conversations and connection, whether online or in person.

Dominique Samari Talks about the Kin Universe

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