Meet Patrick Leblanc | Executive Director/Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Patrick Leblanc and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patrick, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought behind starting the Bridging the Gap Foundation was creating parity for individuals who are marginalized simply because of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or zip code providing access to quality mental health treatment options.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My passion for what I do has its foundation in lived experiences. As an African American male, I know first-hand the effects discrimination, doubt, racism, and rejection can have on one’s mental health. After years of suffering in silence, the effects began to negatively impact my physical health. I am proud of the day when I said, “enough!” I was determined to live a better more fulfilling life. That meant finding a therapist, someone to listen to my struggles and help me navigate my next steps. Omittingly, it was hard. Finding a black therapist, the affordability of therapy, and the cultural stigma associated with therapy in the black community were just a few of the barriers on the road to a better me.

My faith in Jesus Christ sustained me. Affirming the calling on my life, and remembering the promise made by God, motivated me to persevere. I realized that I am not alone. There are others just like me and just like God walks with me, He will walk with them. I cannot promise that the process will be without bumps in the road. The journey will help you to realize your limitations, deal with the normal stressors of life, and be a positive productive contributor to your community.

The Bridging the Gap Foundation strives to reduce the stigma of mental illness in marginalized communities of color by equipping community members across demographic lines to freely talk about and acknowledge mental health issues and increase understanding and acceptance of mental health through education and training. Change help-seeking behaviors by changing the way we think.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a foodie, so if someone was in town visiting me, I would take them to some good authentic Cajun restaurants like Aunt Irene’s in South Dallas and Bucky Moonshine’s in Deep Elm. I would take them on a morning walk in the Trinity Grove area across the Ron Kirk Pedestrian Bridge to experience the annual BTG WALK, bridging the gap between accessing mental health treatment between the North and South sides of the city. After the walk, I would take them to Soiree Coffee Bar for coffee and conversation.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give an enthusiastic shoutout to the donors and therapists supporting the Bridging the Gap Foundation. None of what we do happens without the generous support of our donors. Since 2022, the Bridging the Gap Foundation has been utilizing philanthropy to improve the mental health and well-being of underserved and overlooked populations by providing access to culturally competent licensed professional counselors.

All of the therapists providing professional counseling sessions for Bridging the Gap clients are private practice licensed clinicians in the State of Texas. Their work is invaluable! Providing guidance and hope during challenging times for individuals and families.

Website: https://btgf.org

Instagram: bridgingthegapfoundation

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/77378506/admin/dashboard/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067912902081

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bridgingthegapfoundation2058