The Power of Bridging

“A revered scholar and beloved educator, john a. powell inspires us to believe in a world of belonging―and shows us how to labor for it. In his masterful new book, powell teaches that separateness is an illusion: in the face of cruelty and injustice, we can choose to succumb to fear and despair―or find the courage to forge connections with others, the earth, and ourselves in order to transform the world from the inside out. Wise and visionary, The Power of Bridging is your essential guide for building a world of belonging, right where you are.” ―Valarie Kaur, bestselling author of See No Stranger and Sage Warrior

“john a. powell’s vision for a world where we all belong is powerful and compelling, in large part because it's rooted in decades of values-based work advocating for civil and human rights. His ideas have inspired shifts in policy that have transformed people's daily lives, and his approach to justice questions has influenced countless activists and policymakers alike." ―Michelle Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of The New Jim Crow

“With careful attention to the realities of fragmentation and the stories that reproduce it, john a. powell points us toward a better story―what he calls a ‘bridging story’―that can help us find a bigger ‘we.’ This is the kind of work we need to build toward a Third Reconstruction of America.” ―Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, author of White Poverty and The Third Reconstruction

“At a moment of great division and turmoil, john a. powell leads us toward each other, asking us to imagine a world many of us cannot: one where we all feel a deep sense of belonging and connection. This brilliant book is a must-read for all practitioners of social change, and everyone committed to preserving and expanding multiracial democracy.” ―Deepak Bhargava, president of The JPB Foundation, coauthor of Practical Radicals

“We need john a. powell’s call to bridging and belonging now more than ever. At a time when it seems as if our social fabric is broken and coming undone, powell lays out an intimate vision that is as inspiring as it is practical. Through an engaging narrative, this book empowers us all to become bridgers so we can all belong.” ―Rabbi Jonah Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

“The Power of Bridging gives us the understanding and tools we need to recover the innate bonds we as human beings have with each other and invites us to actively build bridges across the generational, cultural, political, and ideological divides that shape our world. Both timely and timeless, this is a unique guide to help us navigate the challenges we face as a society.” ―Ai-jen Poo, cofounder and president of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, cofounder and director of Caring Across Generations, author of The Age of Dignity

“An insightful and moving exploration of belonging, bridging, and interconnectedness, this book challenges readers to embrace empathy and understanding in a world where everyone deserves to feel valued and accepted. A thought-provoking read by one of the most inspirational thinkers of our time who inspires us to have courageous conversations and encourages the critical shift towards a more inclusive and compassionate society.” ―Kumi Naidoo, former secretary general of Amnesty International and executive director of Greenpeace

“The Power of Bridging is a page turner I would recommend to everyone. I was stunned how similar john's background was to my own, and though we took different paths in life, we somehow wound up in the same place in many ways. For sure, there is a wide gulf between my world, john’s, and many others―which is why bridging is so necessary. All people are all places, and this book teaches us new skills of engagement that anyone can apply in their daily lives.” ―Pastor Bob Roberts Jr., founder of GlocalNet, cofounder of the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network

“In The Power of Bridging, john a. powell shows us how to expand the tables we occupy by building bridges with those society has othered. By doing this, we can save the world we have and leave a better one for future generations. powell has personally changed my own life and approach to being human. His invitation to bridge, and innovation around social change, is a game changer that will be studied beyond our time.” ―Ben McBride, cofounder of Empower Initiative, author of Troubling the Water