With a heavy heart, the Center for Understanding in Conflict announces the sudden and tragic passing of Eric Butler, much too soon, two days before his 50th birthday. Eric profoundly affected our evolving work in the Center by educating us to talk honestly about race, life, and conflict. His fearlessness, emotional intelligence, and compassion for all human beings moved us and our “Real Talk” group to unforgettable, uncomfortable, and enlightening conversations about our differences and similarities.
“Our group met intensively for several years to discover our shared humanity beneath our racial differences,” said CUC Co-Founder Gary Friedman. “Eric’s humor and ability to reveal the pain that divided and ultimately brought us together. They were some of the most profound and wonderful moments in my life, and I think for the others, although Eric would not be happy for me to speak for others. The memory of his playful humor, righteous anger, and commitment to telling the painful truths we needed to hear will live forever. Because of his relationship with my son, Cassidy, and his family, his loss strikes a deep personal chord for me and my family.”
Eric Butler, founder of Talking Peace and a renowned leader in Restorative Justice, dedicated his life to healing through relationship building. As an educator and activist, Eric’s resilience and passion for making a difference profoundly impacted young people across the U.S. and beyond.
He began his career as a domestic violence counselor in New Orleans and, after surviving Hurricane Katrina, moved to Oakland, California. He facilitated Grief Circles in response to school violence and worked as a lead mediator with Youth Uprising. Eric was celebrated for his restorative justice work at Bunche High School with Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY). He later founded the “Talking Peace” model, emphasizing relationship building through shared values. His work has been featured in national publications and the film CIRCLES, highlighting his belief in the power of a single conversation to transform lives.