Actually Curious
a tool to fight divisiveness
Photo: Actually Curious
Actually Curious was created during the summer of 2018 as a tool to fight divisiveness in America. Founder and CEO Michael Tennant was seeing deep divides among peers, friends, family and colleagues. He wanted to do something about it.
The game uses the science and psychology of emotional intelligence to help people create a safe space for discussing topics that matter to us most. Today, the game is sold in over 100 of the most trend-forward and eclectic boutiques across the country, and has been featured by Beyoncé, Goop, Cosmopolitan and more.
Photo: Actually Curious Founder & CEO Michael Tennant
We connected with Tennant to learn more about his plans to make Actually Curious one of the most popular games in the world.
On their game-changing approach:
“Our mission is to usher in an age of conscious consumerism or activist consumption, where the choices we make with our time and money MATTER. We aim to meet people where they are and help them go deeper together. While we advocate for all games and tools that help people to open up and get vulnerable with one another, we aim to be the most accessible. Our thoughtful and compact design and general approach of inclusiveness of all people (the cool kids, the nerds, the moms and dads, the grands, and everyone in between) set us on our way to become one of the most important games in the U.S. and around the world. Like, Monopoly and Uno level important!”
On the success of their products:
“The Actually Curious, Curiosity Edition is hands down the best seller. It's a game, but also an important tool for discussing our backgrounds, values and views on important issues like diversity and inclusion, sustainability and mental health. These are topics of crucial importance in the election year 2020 and beyond. Many customers start with the bundle that includes the Happy Hour edition. This is an important move because the Happy Hour has lighter and more fun questions that you can use as an icebreaker before the Curiosity Edition or alone as a happiness-inducing connection game or journaling companion.”
Photo: Actually Curious
On plans for the future:
“We're doing our part to be one of the most buzzed-about and important games of the Holidays 2020 and to help our community get a bit closer during the holidays and beyond. Right now, we're using our platforms and design resources to elevate other Black-owned brands that we hope customers of all backgrounds will consider this holiday season.
In September, we'll roll out the ‘Actually Curious challenge’, using an Augmented Reality (AR) Filter to expand the reach of the game and to ask our community to model vulnerability to their friends and family by nominating friends to do the same. In October, we'll host a series of workshops alongside our ambassadors to help our community strengthen their empathy muscles as we head into the Election 2020. In November, we'll launch our 3rd edition, the Culture Edition, which will have super fun questions that get us sharing our lived experiences through the lens of the culture we experience and love. And we'll close out the year by asking our community to help us with the launch of our own production company, dedicated to telling stories that change deep-seated narratives in and about BIPOC communities.”
Join in on the fun and follow Actually Curious on Instagram.