Philosophy, Philanthropy, Tech, Biz & Education

NOAI is organized by the 11:11 Philosophers Group (opens in a new window), a community whose guiding question is simple: how do we do good better? It started as a Sunday habit — in October 2021, Blake and Grace Bertuccelli-Booth decided New Orleans needed a place to talk about ideas. Here’s how that founding conversation went:

Blake: “I wish I could talk about ideas with folks in New Orleans.”

Grace: “Why not talk with me?”

Blake: “Bertrand Russell says we need to care about a larger social unit outside of our family.”

Grace: “Why not start a group?”

Blake: “Good — I’ll write a manifesto.”

Grace: “Just email some friends.”

Blake: “Brilliant.”

Grace: “What time should we have it?”

Blake: “It needs to be on Sundays — like a religious community. After Catholic Mass, but while we can still drink cappuccinos.”

Grace: “11:11?”

Blake: “Brilliant!”

…and so 11:11 was born.

The first meeting, at Petite Clouet café on October 21, 2021, drew an artist, an AI developer, and a few curious neighbors. Weekly meetings ran for years afterward — and anyone can still join. 1111’s meetings and Slack are open to whoever wants in.