Through The Prism with Veronika Breton and Fanta Diop

Veronika Breton and Fanta Diop are both rising seniors at Middlebury College and Summer 2024 interns at Einhorn Collaborative, driven by a shared passion for fostering community and connection. Veronika, a Brooklyn native and Posse Scholar, brings her experience as a Student Government Director of Operations and Residential Assistant, where she has consistently sought out spaces that cultivate a sense of belonging. Her commitment to education and community-building was further honed as a Summer Teacher’s Assistant in the NYCDOE. Fanta, hailing from the Bronx, combines her double major in Political Science and Black Studies with a love for storytelling, which she channels through leadership roles in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Middlebury’s Student Government Association. An experienced photojournalist trained at the Bronx Documentary Center, Fanta’s work with Inspiring Minds NYC reflects her dedication to empowering youth and amplifying the vibrant narratives of her community. Together, they embody a deep-rooted commitment to equity, connection, and the power of shared stories.

Listen to an audio version of this interview.

What is one of your earliest memories of the power of human connection?

Veronika: I think mine is a little special because I’m a twin, and my first ever human connection is with her. Being a twin is super important because we are connected biologically and share the same wavelength. I know that no matter what’s happening, she gets me, and I get her. When important things were happening in our lives, like when my parents separated, she was the only person in the world who knew what I was going through. It made me value that connection as a safety net and sanctuary.

Fanta: First of all, I love that. I love the twins. Mine is a bit different. I often think about not my earliest but the first time I found a human connection on my own. Like Veronika, I was raised by a single mom, and one of her big things is "it takes a village to raise a child." So, I’ve always had people, whether related by blood or by choice, show me what it means to care about someone fully and unconditionally.

What values guide your personal life and your work?

Veronika: Growing up, every Friday, I was at my grandma’s house for dinner, and it taught me the importance of culture and community. In my personal and professional life, I seek spaces of community where culture is valued. I can’t imagine being in a space where I have to do it all alone.

Fanta: I would say empathy and openness. They guide how I walk through the world. In the work we’re doing, especially connecting with people in our generation, Gen Z, and people who hold different views, entering conversations with curiosity and empathy is the best way to connect with others and show up as your best self. Those are the two values I carry with me.

When did a person or experience change your mind about an idea or belief?

Fanta: I’d say my most valued experience is growing up in a traditional West African household where gender roles are very specific. But seeing my mom take on the role of being a single parent with pride and her head held high changed what I viewed as a nuclear family. It made me rethink my future and my happiness, showing me that they weren’t contingent on having a picture-perfect marriage. My mom showed me she could be happy outside of traditional values, which instilled in me the courage to explore other ways of living my life.

Veronika: Yeah, I think about my first year of college. Like Fanta, I’m a first-generation student, so I had a lot of imposter syndrome. I felt like I didn’t belong or wasn’t prepared. But there’s a program at Middlebury called "First at Midd," which pairs first-generation upperclassmen with incoming first-generation students. We talked about our lives, challenges, and experiences. It meant so much to me because I felt like I wasn’t alone, and it made me realize that I belonged there, that my experience was valuable, and that I had something to contribute to college.

What are you working on right now?

Fanta: Right now, we’re doing a huge research project for Einhorn Collaborative about what Gen Z cares about, our values, and what affects us most. We’ve spent the last ten, going on eleven, weeks conducting interviews with people from high school to three years post-graduation. We’re working on a comprehensive report to present to the team to help them better engage Gen Z.

Veronika: I think Einhorn is about addressing the crisis of social connection. We hear that America is so divided and polarized, and we’re trying to understand how to engage Gen Z as the next generation of bridgers — people who can cross lines of difference and engage with others who have opposing views. How can we have difficult conversations without them becoming hateful? We’re trying to figure out how to foster a socially cohesive society.

What is giving you hope or what positive visions do you have for our future?

Veronika: I think our participants are giving me hope. One of our last questions asked them to imagine their ideal society and the future, and they’re dreaming big. Our generation is ready to make change, and we’re tired of this divisive society. I’m excited and ready for a future with more emphasis on community and conversations. I have faith in our generation.

Fanta: I have to echo that. I have so much faith in our generation. From the 50 people we spoke to, I’ve never seen so many people in our age group care so much about our future and each other. It gave me an incredible sense of peace because sometimes it feels like the world is heading in a pessimistic direction. But we saw the complete opposite. Gen Z cares; we’re ready to show up, which gives me so much hope.