Gateway's Social Spark Speaker Events bring the best of the Bay Area to you, connecting you with some of the region's brightest thinkers, most innovative leaders and engaging artists -- all with some connection to Gateway or an aspect of our work in the community. Connect with like-minded friends and neighbors and enjoy thoughtfully curated refreshments. Every event covers a different topic, but you can expect each one to be delightful, surprising, and inspiring.
Explore Your Passions, Build Community, and Support a Great Cause
2024 -2025 Events
Social Spark events are generally held in the spring semester. We’ll be sharing more updates about this event soon—stay tuned!
Past Events
Dream Big Salon with Chef Bryant Terry
Celebrity chef Bryant Terry, author of books such as Black Food, joined us in the GHS garden for a cooking demonstration using ingredients grown by students in our beautiful school garden, then an intimate seated meal provided by La Cocina SF and Chef Nafy Flatley of Teranga before an informal question and answer discussion about food justice in our community.
"Belonging in our Schools" with Kendra James
Kendra James, celebrated author of Admissions: A Memoir of Surviving Boarding School, spoke at the Walt Disney Family Museum about the role of our schools along with all of our students and families in designing communities that are truly inclusive of and safe for Black and brown students.
Navigating the Future
Six incredible GHS seniors shared their stories and plans for life after high school, shedding light on the factors that influenced their college choices, the challenges they overcame, and the lessons they learned throughout the application process.