Creating Community Symposium

About the Presentation

Christopher Watson (@thecatluminati), a well-known social media influencer (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook) and community cat advocate, will share his experiences developing content for a public-facing audience. Christopher became widely recognized for his "cat walks," where he meets and greets neighborhood cats in Tacoma, Washington. He has used his platform to advocate for and raise funds supporting community cats and animal rescue organizations worldwide. Beyond animal welfare, Christopher engages in humanitarian work across the globe, including efforts in Gaza, Sudan, Congo, and Uganda. This workshop will explore his experiences in content creation, engaging a public audience, and collaborating with animal welfare and humanitarian organizations.

About the Presenter

Christopher Watson, who is also known as The Catluminati on Instagram, currently has 457,000-plus followers who follow his posts and videos of his “cat walks.” It all began when Watson was encouraged by his partner to get outside more during the pandemic. He would go on walks within his neighborhood and greet the neighborhood cats. Cats such as Bootsie, Cow Mary, Naptime, and Toast Malone frequently appear in his videos alongside other friendly cats who seem to appear whenever Watson goes on his daily strolls.
 
Since going viral, Watson uses the platform to raise animal-welfare awareness and aid charities and organizations including The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County and Maui Cat Rescue. Watson currently works with Operation Olive Branch to help raise funds for displaced families in Gaza.

Location: Gore 134
Availability: Free and open to the public

Westminster students, staff, and faculty are invited to a private party with Christopher Watson (@thecatluminati) at Tinkers Cat Cafe. Register for free van transportation to and from Tinkers, available in front of Meldrum at noon.

Location: 302 E 900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Availability: Free, private event open to Westminster students, faculty, and staff

Join a meet and greet with Christopher Watson (@thecatluminati). The event is free and open to the public.

Location: Faculty Lounge, Foster 201
Availability: Free and open to the public

About the Presenters

Derrick Downey Jr., Daniel Mendoza, Dani Reyes-Acosta, Christopher Watson (@thecatluminati)

Location: Jones Recital Hall, Gillmor Hall
Availability: Free and open to the public

About the Presenter

Derrick Downey Jr. is a content creator, best-selling children's author, entrepreneur, and the Internet’s favorite Squirrel Whisperer. Blending storytelling, comedy, nature, and mental wellness, he uses social media to uplift, inspire, and educate.

Location: Gore 134
Availability: Free and open to the public

About the Presentation

Dani Reyes-Acosta will teach Derrick Downey Jr. and Christopher Watson (@thecatluminati) how to cook sustainable foods.

About the Presenters

Derrick Downey Jr., Daniel Mendoza, Dani Reyes-Acosta

Location: Teaching Kitchen, L.S. Skaggs Integrated Wellness Center

Register for free van transportation to and from the U, available at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot between Jewett and Foster. 

Location: Health Science Education Building at The Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah, 26 N 2000 E