Happy Holidays & Year-End Reflections

This is an end-of-year email that I sent out to our teams across our civic efforts.

Hi Teams,

As we prepare to break for time with family and friends, I want to share some 2024 reflections.

This was another challenging year for our world. Continued conflict in the Middle East rippled outward across the globe. Here in the US, we weathered a tumultuous election season; but despite the painful build-up, our nation pulled off a free and fair election. 

Amid what felt to so many like a period of division and devolution, we launched Builders to equip people worldwide to flexibly solve problems together. In partnership with Movement Partner, Lonnie Ali, we showed up in News Nation, Morning Joe, and Fox News with a message to unite and problem-solve. At TED, we magnified our Builders Media and Citizen Solutions as new and needed pathways for equipping citizens to overcome extreme patterns of thinking. 

Across the country, we amplified Builder voices and helped spur Builders to act. In towns and cities, we talked to everyday Builders for our On the Street interviews (which helped grow our online movement to 3.3-million strong). We partnered with Builders on the ground in Tennessee where 11 citizens realized their first legislative win, and we felt their leadership among our 322 Movement Partners. We shared their stories with the world in our TN11 documentary, which made its global premiere at the Nashville Film Festival . Through Frontline Builders , we thanked Builders for their compassion by donating over 1.1M products.

What about Builders in government? At the National Governors Association annual meeting, we met with elected officials dedicated to forging solutions rooted in common ground. Despite this, more is needed to hold our elected representatives accountable. Our inaugural Builders Power Rankings revealed that Dividers fared better in the elections than did Builders. Nevertheless, we began to show how citizens can change incentives. Five politicians promoted their Builders status, sharing their rankings proudly on social media.

We know that the future of our world lies in the hands of flexible problem solvers who respect all people. We know that when the world is falling apart the only way out is to build together. We know that people need both a political home and an identity that transcends politics. They need role models and practical tools not only to motivate them to build, but to also equip them to do that. That’s what we will continue to do in 2025 and beyond. 

Thank you for your continued partnership. Please enjoy a healthy and joyful holiday with your loved ones.

Warmest, DL