Our Story

Begins in 2016 with two groups starting independently of one another, on opposite coasts of the United States. Coincidentally, both founders choose the same name “Crossing Party Lines.”

Coincidence in a name brings Lisa and Kareem together. A shared vision leads them to build a national grassroots platform for all Americans, regardless of political values and perspectives. They stand together now, alongside their energetic teams and over 2,000 Crossing Party Lines members, sharing their vision for open, civil, and respectful conversation to cross political divides in our nation.

Lisa Swallow

Lisa Swallow is an author and former Training Developer and Technical Communicator in Portland, Oregon. Inspired by difficult political conversations with a cousin, her goal is to leverage knowledge of communication styles and nonviolent communication to help others create civil, respectful discourse around politics of the day.

Kareem Abdelsadek

Kareem Abdelsadek is a Federal Management Consultant on the east coast, who works in Washington, DC, and New York City, NY. He is driven by civic duty to apply his US government experience building diverse teams to rally around shared missions. His goal is to build a shared American vision of community through political conversation.

Working Together With A Shared Vision

OUR VISION

A Better America
A Better You

The techniques we use in Crossing Party Lines have the potential to bridge divisions in our lives and politics.

OUR MISSION

Create respectful exchanges among Americans with dissimilar ideologies to encourage civic engagement.

OUR APPROACH

Respectful Discourse In Action

Talk So Others Will Listen…

Learn techniques for talking about issues and ideas that are critical to you, and possibly the future of this country.

Listen So Others Will Talk…

Learn how to listen to others, even if you disagree, so that they will talk about their ideas and beliefs.

UNITED
FOR ALL

Crossing Party Lines is led by a group of Americans who are passionate about exploring political issues and values.

MEET THE TEAM

Join a Meetup Near You…

and let Your Voice be heard

EVENTS ON MEETUP.COM