Two best friends in upstate New York, Benjamin Smith and Marcus Ellis, wanted to do something to help spread love and positivity in their community so they posted a sign out front of one of their houses that read, "Black or White, Relax and Have a Beer."
Then the two encouraged community and neighborhood members to come hang out with them, drink some alcohol, and have honest conversations.
Smith said what makes change is good people and he's hoping by hosting these community 'meetings' it will help others understand each other better.
Ellis added on to that by saying, “I’m equal, just like you. I bleed, you bleed, I breathe, you breathe. This is the proper way of doing something. Unite, come together as a whole.”
Their signs grabbed the attention of country music star Brad Paisley who ended up shipping hundreds of dollars worth of beer to the two men. Paisley loved how they were getting the community to come together, recognize their differences, and begin appreciating one another.
The country singer actually called into one of their hangouts via Zoom to thank them for their efforts in bringing others together to help change the world we live in.
He also just released a new song titled "There's No I in Beer" and for him, this was the perfect depiction of that.