Building Bridges for America is an active nationwide all-volunteer grassroots group that formed in March 2020. We were initially led by volunteer leads from the Pete for America campaign who were determined to immediately continue to use our grassroots skills, networks, and passions to work for progressive candidates from the White House to Georgia and local communities across the country. There are no days off, we work every day to provide programs for volunteers to continue the hard work of progress.
Our dedicated team trains volunteers and candidates and engages them in direct voter contact. In our first year and a half we hosted 263 events and courses with 8420 signups, we endorsed and supported 72 down-ballot candidates with over 225,000 texts sent, 12,000 postcards mailed, plus lit drops, and hosted phone banks. And we bring people together from across the US, notably in the crucial Midwest and rural areas. Our community building shows with many of our course attendees and volunteers showing up multiple times for an average of 7 events per person. Our event signups are growing as we gear up and move into 2022!
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what Drives us
our lenses
We strive to inform and engage ourselves in the work of delivering racial equity, bridging rural and urban communities, reforming our democracy, and creating a sense of belonging.
Who we are
Started by former grassroot leaders from the Pete Buttigieg Presidential campaign, our goal is to mobilize and empower grassroots leaders through leadership development, education, resource sharing, and opportunities for activism. Everyone is welcome whether experienced or new to progressive politics and causes.
Virginia
Kristi Kelly
Director, Days of Action
Nebraska
Wes Jensen
Director, Social Media and Director, Book Club
Wes is an avid sports fan (Go Huskers!), beer drinker & socializer, but defending democracy through local & national activism is just as important to him.
Indiana
Jenny Okamoto
Co-Director, Leadership Development
Jenny’s primary goal is to help people find their passion, talents, and strengths and help them to effect progressive change.
Indiana
Caz Margenau
Co-Director, Leadership Development
Caz gives people agency to take control by providing them with the know-how to take real world action. She is driven to strengthen our democracy and make progress a reality.
Maryland
Benedict Roemer
Director, Bridges to the Local
Benedict is an educator, learner, and advocate who seeks to build community and belonging for all residents of our cities, states, and country.
Kansas
Jodi Carter
Director, Heartland Movement
Jodi is a leading grassroots fundraiser and seeks to encourage political involvement with progressive campaigns and causes in the state of Kansas and the western half of Missouri.
Ohio
Melissa Hoin
Vetting Director, Roadmap for Progress
Melissa is a history and research nerd and avid sports fan who loves to connect inspirational candidates with volunteers to bring positive change to communities and politics.