‘Bridge Builders gave the shy, nerdy me the confidence to lead others’
Bridges has been working with young people in Memphis for more than 90 years. Today, with its Bridge Builders program, Bridges inspires thousands of diverse youth from different socio-economic backgrounds across the Mid-South each year, helping them appreciate differences, strengthen leadership and individuality and encouraging them to work for change in their communities. They are empowered to reach across, lead the way and build our community.
Kevin Dean, executive director of Literacy Mid-South, graduated from Briarcrest Christian School in 1997. He has a bachelor’s in mass communications from the University of Memphis and a master’s in executive leadership from Christian Brothers University. Previously, he served three years as director of development at Hope House and five years as community service director at Volunteer Memphis. He credits Bridge Builders with opening his eyes to the realities and problems in Memphis and transforming him into someone passionate about solving those problems.
How did Bridge Builders transform you?
Bridge Builders gave the shy, nerdy me the confidence to lead others. The activities empowered me to step up to the plate, and the discussions forced me to have a voice. I learned that positive leadership is key in making real differences, and I understood that it was OK to be different. I’ve carried that with me to my adulthood.
What i s something you learned about your fellow Bridge Builders that surprised you?
I walked into Bridge Builders thinking that I understood myself and the world. I left humbled. That’s the greatest gift you can ever give a teen — helping them to realize they have a lot to learn.
What did you learn about your- self that most surprised you?
Being the middle- class kid going to an expensive school, I knew that I had a different starting point than others. But what I came to see were the privileges and opportunities that I had that other people didn’t have. We went to a community center in inner city Memphis to volunteer — I didn’t understand why we were sorting clothes, ‘Who were these for?’ I didn’t even get it until someone explained that people needed them.
What issues facing Memphis most need the kind of attention and leadership that Bridge Builders can provide?
We are one of the most re- ligious cities in America, but we’re so divided and so blaming. Bridge Builders helped me see that a Muslim person or an African American person or a poor person each have more similarities with me than differences.
We need positive people who believe in Memphis as one community, and Bridge Builders helped transform me into a person who believes that we can all make a difference if we come together.
How have you used the beliefs and values you developed as a Bridge Builder in your life and in your career?
Realizing that ultimately we all have the same core values has been so helpful in responding to the needs of the community and connecting to people on a more meaningful level. Bridge Builders made me face my own perception of who I was and who other people were in relation to me. I felt connected to the people in my city for the first time despite surface differences. It’s a feeling I still hold on to whenever I’m feeling disconnected.
What advice would you give to a young person going through Bridge Builders today?
Be a big fish here. Stay in Memphis and use what you are learning to do something great.