Bridge Builders®
Diversity Appreciation, Community Action, & Leadership
History of Bridge Builders®
Founded by community leader Rebecca Webb Wilson in 1988, the Bridge Builders program brought together 40 students from two schools - Briarcrest and Northside - in its first year. Today, the program serves roughly 1,500 high school juniors and seniors each year from more than 50 public, private, parochial, county and home schools across the Greater Memphis area and has even expanded to Montgomery, Alabama.
The mission of Bridge Builders is to develop among high school students a group of future leaders who can lay aside individual, social, economic and cultural differences and work for the benefit of all. Participants build the skills necessary to improve their self-confidence, strengthen their relationships, succeed in school and take action to build a healthy community - all while concentrating on three focus areas - diversity appreciation, community action, and leadership.
How To Participate in Bridge Builders
In order to become a member of Bridge Builders, you currently must be in your 10th grade year and understand that participation lasts for a full two years - with activities beginning the summer before your junior year and ending a month before you graduate from high school. There are also four main characteristics that are extremely important for any of our participants to possess. Those four are:
1.) Leadership Potential
2.) Parental Support
3.) Open-Mindedness
4.) Academic Stability
If you possess these four qualities then Bridge Builders would be a great program to be involved in. Additionally, it is a good idea to become familiar with your school's Bridge Builders sponsor. That sponsor is the liaison between the Bridge Builders staff and your school and will inform you of your specific school's Bridge Builders recruitment date. From January to April, there is an open recruitment for all interested students. It is highly suggested that you attend your school's recruitment session to receive pertinent information regarding membership. After learning about the program and making sure it is a good fit for you, you may then apply online via our online Bridge Builders application. Three recommendations are required as well as a photo (these can be submitted online). There is also an annual fee associated with participating in the program which is based on household income.
Wanna know what happens at a Bridge Builders Summer Conference?
Watch this short video to find out!
Your Bridge Builders Staff
Jicara Boone - Director (jboone@bridgesusa.org or
901.260.3779)
Alicia Davis - Program Specialist (adavis@bridgesusa.org or
901.260.3737)
Jenice Davis - Recruitment & Facilitation Specialist (jdavis@bridgesusa.org or
901.260.3719)
Megan Richardson - Recruitment Specialist (mrichardson@bridgesusa.org or
901.260.3759)
William Woods - Recruitment Specialist (wwoods@bridgesusa.org or
901.260.3747)