Meet Nadine Bridges

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nadine Bridges. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nadine below.

Hi Nadine, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I was primarily raised by my father, who played a pivotal role in shaping my resilience. He instilled in my siblings and me the importance of supporting vulnerable populations, connecting with older adults, and standing up for ourselves and others. My father understood the unique challenges of raising Black children and worked hard to foster our confidence, empathy, and resilience.

When my mother left when I was 9, my father became both dad and mom. He learned how to braid my hair and even put extensions in! He made sure all of us were supported and loved, extending that love to others in the community who needed it, especially young men. I was also fortunate to have mentors, friends and some family who kept me going when I wanted to give up. As a first-generation student, I needed that support to help me through my undergraduate and graduate school years. Also, working with youth and young adults who live their lives with openness and courage has kept me grounded and committed to making a difference.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

For the past 20 years, I’ve dedicated myself to serving and advocating for vulnerable communities. My commitment to servant leadership is rooted in a deep respect and love for the human condition. I approach my work through a racial equity, social justice, and anti-oppressive lens. Over the course of my career, I’ve worn many hats—professor, counselor, mentor, volunteer, and activist. My journey also took me to Nicaragua, where I served in the Peace Corps, collaborating with local government officials, NGOs, police, and community leaders to create sustainable youth programs.

I hold a master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver, and my early career focused on youth development. In the last five years, I led the Community Health Division for Public Health, playing a critical role in the emergency response during the pandemic. Today, I am honored to serve as the first Black and female Executive Director of One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization advancing equality for LGBTQ+ Coloradans and their families.

At One Colorado, we work to ensure that LGBTQ+ Coloradans and their families are protected, whether through legislative advocacy, public education, health equity, or providing resources for our community and allies. This work is both rewarding and challenging, especially when advocating for rights tied to our own identity.

This year has been incredible for us. We successfully passed a referred measure in the Colorado Legislature, with bipartisan support in both the Senate and House, that will allow Coloradans to repeal Amendment 43—added to the state constitution in 2006 to ban same-sex marriage by defining marriage as between one man and one woman. On November 5th, Coloradans will have the chance to correct this wrong by removing the ban, ensuring that all Coloradans have the freedom to marry now and in the future. In addition to that, we led a coalition that blocked 30 harmful anti-trans initiatives from making it onto the ballot this year.

We have many upcoming GOTV (Get Out the Vote) events happening statewide. To get involved, please visit: Mobilize One Colorado Event (https://www.mobilize.us/onecolorado/event/676940/).

Our biggest event of the year, the Prism Awards, takes place on October 5th. This is a special night where we honor individuals and organizations that have advanced LGBTQ+ equality through healthcare, youth empowerment, community activism, and policy reform. This year, our guest speaker is V Spehar, and we’re honoring incredible people like Colorado Poet Laureate Andrea Gibson, community leader charlie amaya scott, entrepreneur and activist Jesse Daniels, and the inspiring Parasol Patrol, who protect our youth from anti-LGBTQ+ behavior. If you’d like to sponsor or buy tickets, visit: Prism Awards (https://www.one-colorado.org/events/prism-awards).

For more information about the Freedom to Marry campaign in Colorado, visit: Freedom to Marry Colorado (https://www.freedomtomarryco.com/).

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

One key piece of advice is to ask for help. You never know who might be willing to take you under their wing and support your growth. Finding mentors and being open to guidance can be life-changing.

Another crucial lesson is to take time for yourself and your family. This is something I still struggle with, but I’ve come to realize that the work won’t get done if I’m not putting my own well-being first. Prioritizing self-care is essential for sustainable leadership.

Finally, give yourself grace. Be willing to listen to opposing views and values and look for commonalities that can help move your efforts forward. None of us need an echo chamber. Growth comes when we push ourselves out of our comfort zones and engage with perspectives different from our own.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my father did was allow me to follow my dreams. He told my siblings and me that he didn’t care what we chose to do, as long as we loved whatever it was. He always reminded us that no matter what, he would love us, even if he didn’t always agree with our choices. When we asked for his insight, he would say, “I see things with 1953 eyes, and you see them through your generation’s lens. I can give you my thoughts, but there’s so much more you’ll come to know.” Sometimes, I just wanted him to give me the answer but have come to appreciate his desire to not let his answers be my truth and allow me to search for more and gain a better understanding beyond his thoughts.

I carry that wisdom with me everywhere, especially when working across generations. It’s a reminder that every perspective is valuable but also limited, and that’s how we grow together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.one-colorado.org/