On October 4, 2026, RAFT for America will debut RIDE for America, a new pilot program launching in Western North Carolina. RIDE for America is a motorcycle-based extension of RAFT, built on the same goal: breaking down barriers and building trust between people with different life experiences and perspectives.
RIDE for America brings together individuals with diverse political backgrounds and a shared love of motorcycling for a full day of connection with people outside their everyday circles. Conversations before, during, and after a shared 100-mile ride along a scenic drive in the Smoky Mountains remind us that, despite our differences, we're stronger when we travel together. Participants take on the ride, the road, and the harder conversations — then join a broader host-community audience for a structured discussion.
The inaugural RIDE for America will focus on Trust in Elections, just weeks before citizens head to the polls for the midterms. Participants will explore the lived experience of trust - what builds it, what weakens it, how local election systems can become more visible and understood, and what people can do to strengthen election confidence in their own communities.
Team Democracy has engaged award-winning filmmaker, Kristi Kendall, to produce a video from the Nanatahala River RAFT event that will be shared widely across the community, and across social and traditional media outlets.
We are grateful to our sponsors whose donations make this event possible! If you, your business, or your organization is interested in sponsoring this, or any of our RAFT for America events, please reach out to amy@teamdemocracy.org.
Funding beyond what is necessary to run this event will be donated to organizations supporting family reconciliation efforts.
Thank you for your support!
The RAFT for America event on the Nantahala River is made possible through collaboration with:
