Tag: Bridge Conference

Belonging

By Janell Jordan

What is belonging and why do we often feel so far from it? Why are we telling ourselves that we don’t belong or that we are not wanted in a space when there is no evidence that that is remotely the case? Feeling alone in a room full of people is one of the loneliest feelings I have experienced. What I have also learned about these moments is that they are self-inflicted. Not always, but more often than not.   We are powerful storytellers. Something that unifies us is our constant weaving pieces of information, judgement, internal conflict, and emotions together to create stories about our existence, about people, … [ ]

Introducing Bridge closing keynote speaker Shontina Vernon

By Jimena Quiroga Hopkins, Thrive Paradigm

Young people play a critical role in shaping the world and fostering positive change in society. This means young people using their voice and agency to contribute to shape the narrative of what is just. Our closing keynote speaker at this year’s Bridge Conference understands this well.  Through her own story, which builds upon the power of intergenerational relationships, experiences with the juvenile justice system, and artistic talents that come to life as a theater artist, filmmaker, musician, and educator, Shontina Vernon has built a body of work grounded in telling the stories and elevating the voices of those most impacted … [ ]

Introducing Bridge keynote speaker Dr. Megan Ming Francis

By Jimena Quiroga Hopkins, Thrive Paradigm

This has truly been a year like no other, with the devastation and uncertainty brought on by the pandemic and the mass racial uprisings that make it inevitable for the country to reckon with centuries of systemic oppression. We are, in many ways, at a crossroads. It is a critical time. A time to look back with clear vision at what has brought us here, the progress that has been made, and the work that is still needed to create a society built on a foundation of equity and liberation.   As we come together this year at the 2020 Bridge Conference with this year’s … [ ]

Bridge values in practice—leadership and nourishing

By Makayla Wright

Makayla Wright, Youth Voice Organizing Manager with Soar, brings us their insights from deep work in youth leadership and youth development around how to integrate and practice values of leadership and nourishing in our work with youth. These are two of the core values guiding how we build and shape the Bridge Conference experience this year. Take a few moments to read the blog post below and listen as Makayla shares with us what these values look like in how we show up for young people and ourselves.   It has been five months since many of us started to quarantine in Washington. I’ve watched my work shift … [ ]

The seeds we sow and centering equity

By Janell Jordan

The 2020 Bridge Team decided on seven core values that help ground and inform how we intentionally move the work forward this year. We use these in our decision-making processes, to help inspire us, and push us towards bringing you a stronger conference each year. Our core values this year are:  Equity Belonging Leadership Change Nourishing Innovation Community  We are continuously trying to check ourselves as a team in not only what these values look like, but what they feel like as well. We don’t aspire to perform, but rather break ceilings. Centering equity is both a broad and specific … [ ]

Reflections on Bridge’s core values—innovation

By Janell Jordan

“For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people accountable for wrongdoing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed?”  ~ bell hooks    I started working on this year’s Bridge theme at end of February–when I thought I would be back in the office in two weeks max (almost laughable at this point); back when Breonna Taylor and George Floyd still had their breath — when so many folks laid content and complicit with their everyday life.   Having been a participant, a facilitator, and a support staff in previous years,  working in … [ ]