Please join First Light Books in welcoming Ari Weinzweig, of Zingerman's Guide to Good Leading series, for an illuminating conversation about his newest publication, Why Democracy Matters: A Deep Understanding of Democracy in our Everyday Lives.

He will be joined by industry expert and First Light Member Isadora McKeon.

The event will begin with an author reception from 6:00-6:30 p.m., followed by a seated conversation (6:30 p.m.) and signing with Ari.

Tickets include a copy of the pamphlet and a reserved seat. Unreserved seats are available on a first come, first served basis. Free RSVPs are also encouraged.

A selection of Ari's companion publications by Zingerman's Press will be for sale at the event.

ABOUT THE PAMPHLET

Why Democracy Matters explores democracy not as a political position, but as a daily practice—rooted in dignity, empathy, collaboration, and care. In this pamphlet, Ari Weinzweig invites readers to explore democracy as a way of working together to create hopeful, lasting change in our companies, communities, and country.

Ari writes about democracy the way it actually exists in the world: as a lived, practiced, daily act. For decades at Zingerman’s, he and his coworkers have been quietly building the conditions democracy depends on—shared ownership, agency, dignity, transparency, and responsibility.

“Why Democracy Matters is a roadmap to trust, participation, and the steady work of giving people real influence over the forces that shape their lives. Ari reminds us that democracy isn’t something we inherit or admire from a distance; it lives only through what we choose to make together. At this moment, that reminder feels not just hopeful, but essential."

—Daniel Coyle, Author of Flourish, The Culture Code, and The Talent Code

“Why Democracy Matters is not a treatise or a critical essay written from the stands, the tower, or even the armchair—this pamphlet is a call to action and a how-to-action from someone who has been actively working with the tools of democracy from the ground up for decades. Ari’s vantage point and experience make the learnings, reflections, and wisdom all the more profound, loud and clear. Read this pamphlet, more than once, and pass it to your neighbor with the same instructions.

—Kathryn Grantham, Founder / Owner, Black Bird Bookstore + Café, San Francisco

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ari Weinzweig is CEO and co-founding partner of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, which began in 1982 as a small Ann Arbor delicatessen launched with a $20,000 loan and two employees. Today, Zingerman’s has grown into a nationally renowned food destination and a family of 11 businesses employing more than 800 people. In addition to his leadership role, Ari is a prolific author and educator whose Zingerman’s Guide to Good Leading series and other books on food and business are widely read. A sought-after keynote speaker and co-founder of ZingTrain, he travels globally to share Zingerman’s distinctive approach to leadership, service, and organizational culture. Deeply committed to community engagement and food access, Ari has helped shape numerous local initiatives while earning lifetime achievement honors from organizations including the James Beard Foundation and the American Cheese Society.

Ari is joined in conversation by Isadora McKeon, who got her start in the hospitality industry in Austin, Texas, working alongside Liz Lambert at Bunkhouse for over a decade. As the company’s first employee, she helped grow it from one hotel and two coffee shops into a nationally recognized hospitality group. She went on to become Senior Vice President of Creative & Culture at Sydell Group in New York, overseeing creative and culture for the NoMad, LINE, Freehand, and Saguaro hotel brands. Today, she co-owns a consulting practice called Souvenir that helps brands build their businesses around purpose, creativity and fun. She’s also a proud member of First Light Books.

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