The Breaking Bread Village live show is scheduled for October 11

“You can split up as much as you want, but we’re literally all in this together,” Patrice said. “Until we realize that and listen to each other and have empathy, it’s not going to get better.”

Patrice created the Village at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and is grateful to host his third live show with the Midland Area Community Foundation Cultural Awareness Coalition free of charge for attendees.

“The live broadcasts are a continuation of the connection where we can share our thoughts and our point of view but also the space,” Patrice said.

The show is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11 at the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library in Midland. It will open with a virtual foreword by one of America’s first female diversity educators, Jane Elliott, 87, according to Patrice. The pre-show begins at 6:30 p.m. to give people a chance to connect and talk before the panel discussion and includes a musical performance by well-known Saginaw artist.

The roundtable with participants from very different backgrounds and beliefs will focus on the theme “agree to disagree”, chosen by the Cultural Awareness Coalition. One of the panelists scheduled to participate is Michigan gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelly.

“I appreciate that he talks and serves a purpose,” Patrice said.

Patrice plans to ask the panelists if agreeing to disagree is healthy and doable. She referenced the quote: “Differences are not a failure of humanity, differences are a test of our humanity.”

Participants in the live audience can feel free to participate in the “courageous conversations”. According to Patrice, asking the panel questions and participating is what attendees of the first live show enjoyed the most.

Patrice encourages people who plan to attend to RSVP on Facebook. By doing so, you will be entered into a giveaway that will take place during the live show.

“WOW! Can a conversation actually be an event? That answer is YES!!!” Read a review of the Village’s first live show. “I attended the live event last night and was so impressed! It was a breath of fresh air! People were having difficult conversations and listening actively and respectfully to each other, even if they had opposing or different views. We need more of that in our society, especially now than ever, given how divided our country is.”

To kick off Patrice’s Neighborhood Week in the Community, which is a celebration of inclusion that officially runs from September 26 to October 2, she honored seven recipients of the Village’s first “Celebrating You Awards” on Friday, September 23.

The Breaking Bread Village celebrates the seven recipients of its first “Celebrating You Awards” on Friday, September 23, 2022.

“I believe they all sowed seeds in the community, so I want to sow them again.”

Midland residents can view an updated list of next week’s events on the Midland Area Community Foundation website.

To get involved with the Village or make a donation, visit its website at tbbv.org.