City Government

The Bridge Group

By Laurie Searle

The Bridge Group started in 2017 in Serenbe, when a film called “America to Me,” was shown. It’s a film about race relations in a school in Chicago. It was so inspirational, viewers decided this had to happen more than once. So 10 African American men and 10 white men gathered to talk candidly about race. Since then they met and opened their hearts about life experiences that were the most wounding, along with their entrenched beliefs about race. The separation of cultures has begun to soften because these men have simply been talking together about the serious issues of race and spending time together. These talks created a bond of trust and deep friendships which will influence families and our neighbors in incredible ways for many years to come.

Presentaion During the City Council Meeting

The Bridge Greg Sudmeier and Joey Mitchell, co-founders and co-leaders of “The Bridge,” gave a brief presentation of their organization and their recent collaboration with the Chatt Hills Artist Co-op to create the Art Room at City Hall.

The foundational ethic of the Bridge is that, “There’s only one race. The human race.” They promote healing through regular connections and dialogue. And community involvement, like the Art Room.

They are grateful to the City of Chattahoochee Hills for the opportunity to participate in the Art Room project. Joey said, “When we spend time together, something else happens.” Bridge member Peter Clemens said, “There’s nothing quite like picking up tools together and doing something with them.”

The Bridge has had two educational trips to the Legacy Memorial and Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. If you would like more information contact: The Bridge: Joey Mitchell (770) 709-1776.