Bridging the Gap

Bridge Building

Being able to have conversations with people who have differing perspectives is an important skill to have鈥攚hich is why Bridging the Gap was created. In a world where our beliefs and opinions seem so polarized, it鈥檚 important that students and leaders are able to have courageous conversations that build connections rather than walls that separate us. We believe in the Bridging the Gap program because of the impact it鈥檚 had on students who come from various backgrounds and how they actively listen to others.

Origin Story

Bridging the Gap began in January 2020, as a partnership between 蜜桃传媒 and Oberlin College first formed to pilot the program. It employed a skills-based approach centered on relationship-building, intellectual humility, and open-mindedness, and still does today. The idea for participants is to engage in deep discussions, navigate difficult topics while prioritizing listening, understanding, and finding common ground鈥攁ll without the expectation of changing minds.

90% of Americans say there are very strong conflicts between people who support different political parties.

74% of Americans say discrimination based on their race or ethnicity is a serious problem in their society.

Breaking Free from Fear

鈥淭hrough Bridging the Gap, I have seen remarkable truth uncovered. I am no longer afraid of exploring my judgment and times that I ride the waves of ignorance, misunderstanding and assumption, and I invite others to do the same in love. Because of Bridging the Gap, I have become a critical participant in the contemporary world 鈥� even before I've crossed the graduation stage.鈥�

Elizabeth Stewart, Class of 2021

Making a Lasting Impact

National Model for Bridge Building 路 400+ Student Leaders Trained

Since we鈥檝e piloted the program, BTG has expanded into a national model for bridge-building on college campuses, fostering meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding across differences. We鈥檝e developed it into a semester-long course at SAU, and we鈥檝e incorporated it into our Core 100 program, ensuring every student that attends Spring Arbor is taught BTG skills regardless of their major. Over 400 student leaders have been trained in BTG skills that prepare them to navigate difficult conversations and foster inclusive communities on campus.

Jackson Police Department 路 Henry Ford Health-Jackson 路 Jackson County ISD

We have provided formal training to Henry Ford Health鈥揓ackson through a certificate program designed to equip their healthcare professionals with essential skills in bridge-building and active listening. In addition, we have been in contact with the Jackson Police Department and the Jackson County ISD about becoming official partners. Representatives from both organizations have visited campus to participate in sessions focused on bridge-building and active listening.

Students listening intently to Simon Greer speak in classroom.

Making Deeper Connections

鈥淭his program has helped strengthen the connections I already have with my coworkers, friends, and family. It鈥檚 helped me feel comfortable in the emergency department empathizing with people, listening, and sharing my own experiences to de-escalate situations or connect deeper with people.鈥�

Anthony Jackson, Director of Emergency Services, Henry Ford Health - Jackson

Isreality Film | Simon Greer

Through the film, Israelity, Simon Greer and The Nantucket Project have partnered to bring together a group of people who possess significant networks and varying perspectives. This group of people traveled to Israel to explore the historical context and conflict happening between Israel and Palestine. The goal of this film is to help foster fair conversations about Israel and hearing from diverse opinions.

蜜桃传媒 does not necessarily endorse or support the views, opinions, or content of The Nantucket Project or what is presented in this film.

Watch the Full Isreality Trailer

Looking Toward the Future

Bridging the Gap Institute

The Bridging the Gap Institute is the hub for our academic and professional training efforts focused on bridge-building, active listening, and constructive dialogue. Born out of our original 3-week undergraduate J-term course, the Institute now offers a semester-long course for undergraduates and has expanded to include components in our graduate nursing programs鈥攅quipping future healthcare leaders with vital communication and empathy skills.

We鈥檝e also partnered with Henry Ford Health鈥揓ackson to launch a certificate training program designed to prepare healthcare professionals for meaningful engagement across differences. Building on this success, we are currently developing additional credentialing opportunities specifically for HFHJ physicians.

Beyond healthcare, the Bridging the Gap Institute is exploring training partnerships with faith institutions, schools, and local law enforcement agencies. Representatives from the Jackson Police Department and Jackson County ISD have already participated in on-campus bridge-building sessions, and conversations continue about future collaboration.

The Institute is committed to equipping individuals and organizations with the tools they need to foster understanding, build trust, and promote healing within their communities. There will be more information to come, so stay tuned!

Executive Director, Bridging the Gap Institute

_______________________________________________________

Kevin Brown

Chief Bridge Building Officer

[email protected]

Who鈥檚 talking about Bridging The Gap?

Seeking to have conversations that bridge the gap between those who have different ideals and beliefs, both religious and political.

Interfaith education and engagement can help bridge gaps between different groups at a time where the country is divided like never before.

It鈥檚 about going deeper and truly hearing a person when they speak. It鈥檚 about being curious without sacrificing or compromising your own convictions. It鈥檚 about keeping an open mind and looking for common ground, even when it seems unlikely.

Conservative and liberal foundations are putting money into a cadre of nonprofits working to help Americans find common ground on political and public policy matters.

For bridge-builders in the U.S., the way forward is to engage deeply across lines of difference.

蜜桃传媒 will offer the 鈥淏ridging the Gap鈥� program for the second time this January, with both Oberlin College and Cornerstone University participating.

Two reputations, two narratives, one goal: to listen, learn and value each other.

At 32:50 Bridging the Gap is mentioned on an episode of 鈥淪way,鈥� with Kara Swisher and Oberlin鈥檚 president, Carmen Twillie Ambar.

For this week鈥檚鈥淭ell Me Something Good鈥� report, anchor Chivon Kloepfer introduces us to a program gaining popularity with the sole purpose of talking through those heated topics, finding common ground, and helping the next generation of leaders learn, grow, and problem solve.

Bridging the Gap at scale. The program is on nearly 200 college campuses.