One of the only organizations of its kind in Michigan, The Breaking Bread Village, created by Erin Patrice at the start of the pandemic, is gaining international attention on its second birthday.
The organization promotes honest conversations on some of society's current and most difficult topics and continues to gain followers as people are refreshed by its vision.
At The Breaking Bread Village, Patrice, who is also the host, aims to engage in thoughtful dialogue with people from all different races, backgrounds and cultures — thus demonstrating more similarities among individuals than once believed to be.
"You can separate as much as you want, but we are literally all in this together," Patrice said. "And, until we realize that and listen to each other and have some empathy, it’s not going to get any better."
"I have a big picture of what I want to see in the world I live in," Patrice said in a 2021 interview with the Daily News. "And, I know that I can’t light the whole world on fire, but what I can do is light a little torch in my space. That’s what I’m trying to do with The Breaking Bread Village. I’m trying to light that fire in my environment and help the people around me better see the other people around them."
Patrice's goal to light the "whole world on fire" may come to fruition as The Breaking Bread Village has been invited to attend the "biggest Black history expo and cultural market in Europe." The expo is hosted by an organization called Black History Activity Books and is set to feature guest speakers, performances and more than 200 exhibitors.
Patrice would represent The Breaking Bread Village at the event in Birmingham and has done so at various events across the United States. Many of her speaking engagements focus on the importance to foster transparent and empathetic conversations.
This spring, Patrice traveled to Cincinnati to host a live show. The next live show is expected to be either in Washington or Indianapolis.
Saginaw Valley State University honored Patrice in January with the 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Award for her community work with The Breaking Bread Village which exemplifies the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision.
Originally based on the idea that "it takes a village," The Breaking Bread Village has intentionally created a safe space that is free of judgment.
Discussing complex issues like racial inequality, politics and gender inclusivity can be difficult, but the conversations are critical and happening at The Breaking Bread Village, Patrice said. She uses two "very powerful tools," which are listening and empathy, to bridge gaps and create bonds between people who normally would not have them.
One of the most positive experiences Patrice has had so far in her year-long journey with The Breaking Bread Village was going to the home of one of the first American educators on diversity, 87-year-old Jane Elliott.
Known for her "Blue eyes/Brown eyes" exercise, which she first conducted with her third-grade class in 1968, Elliott sat down with Patrice to "break bread" and discuss the state of our nation today. Elliott is excited to see what gaps The Breaking Bread Village continues to bridge between people who may believe they are too different from each other to ever agree on anything.
"What I loved about it was that we didn’t agree on everything, but we were able to talk about it with love and hope," Patrice said. "It was like talking to an old friend, very chill yet powerful and something that I will never forget. I adore her."
Archived conversations, including the one with Elliott, can be viewed on The Breaking Bread Village’s website. Other conversations feature topics like abortion, gun control, being a Muslim in America and much more. The conversations are live-streamed to Facebook and YouTube concurrently.
The Breaking Bread Village is underneath the umbrella of another one of Patrice’s efforts called 4 Steps 2 the Sun, which is a community outreach organization focused on "bringing voice to those that need help being heard, giving those blinded by misunderstandings the sight to see otherwise and light and love to those trapped in the dark."
To donate to The Breaking Bread Village so it has the funds to travel to the United Kingdom, visit here.
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May 13, 2022 at 03:14AM
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The Breaking Bread Village gains international attention on two-year anniversary - Midland Daily News
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