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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
Today we welcome Mia Birdsong, a pathfinder, writer, and facilitator who engages the leadership and wisdom of people experiencing injustice to chart new visions of American life. As the Founding Executive Director of Next River, she nourishes communities toward a liberated future.
In her book "How We Show Up" and the podcast miniseries "More Than Enough," she highlights community vitality and the guaranteed income movement. Previously, Mia was Co-Director of Family Story and Vice President of the Family Independence Initiative, promoting new narratives and leveraging data to support low-income families.
Her public dialogues, TED talks, and other initiatives spotlight marginalized voices as leaders of change. A Senior Fellow at the Economic Security Project and a Future Good Fellow, Mia lives in Oakland, tending to bees, chickens, and plants on the occupied land of the Chochenyo Ohlone people.
In this episode, Darren and Mia discuss what constitutes something as radical, a future without poverty, and finding joy and optimism in activism.
This is Dreaming In Color.
Jump straight into:
(00:22.7) Introduction of Mia Birdsong, Founding Executive Director of Next River.
(06:27.5) Cracked open: Mia shares her educational beginnings in Rochester and how an unexpected Public Enemy cassette tape on a school bus ignited her path to activism.
(09:19.9) Critical Resistance and Mia’s journey to becoming an abolitionist.
(12:04.2) The American dream vs. the collective dream.
(13:43.1) Ending poverty is not a problem of lacking solutions, but of lacking belief. Mia Birdsong explores her initial efforts advocating for a guaranteed income.
(20:59.9) Dismantling power structures and moving beyond wealth and power hoarding.
(22:51.2) We explore Mia’s work with Next River and her unwavering commitment to guaranteed income, guaranteed housing, education and universal healthcare.
(26:02.6) What is radical? Mia shares how many “unattainable radical beliefs” are actually being successfully performed all over the world and how discovering these stories of small communities implementing these systems for themselves inspires her work.
(29:38.2) The path of least resistance: Mia discusses finding strength in vulnerability and staying optimistic vs. falling into cynicism.
Episode Resources
Keep up with Mia on Twitter, Instagram, & LinkedInLearn more about Mia through her website.Order Mia’s book “How We Show Up” here. Listen to Mia’s podcast “More Than Enough” here. Watch Mia’s TEDX Talk “The Story We Tell About Poverty Isn’t True” here.
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, we sit down with Naomi Ostwald Kawamura, the Executive Director of Densho, an organization devoted to documenting the testimonies of Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II. Naomi has a rich background, with a BFA in Metal Design from the University of Washington, a Master’s in Education from Harvard, and a PhD from the University of British Columbia, where she studied the intergenerational transfer of memory in Japanese-American and Japanese-Canadian communities. Before Densho, she led the Nikkei Place Foundation and held key roles at the San Diego History Center and the California Center for the Arts. Naomi is passionate about addressing the challenges faced by community history organizations, especially concerning the legacy of Japanese American WWII incarceration, and has shared her insights in various publications, including an upcoming book on ethnic diversity and national identity in history education.
Join this conversation as Naomi explores themes of heritage, resilience, and storytelling. She discusses her upbringing as the daughter of Japanese immigrants in California and her parents' encouragement to embrace both her Japanese and American identities. Naomi shares her family's history, including her father and grandfather's survival of the American atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and emphasizes the importance of making history relevant for younger generations. Listen as she highlights the challenges of preserving oral histories, the role of technology in accessibility, and the power of art in conveying complex emotions and histories.
This is Dreaming In Color.
Jump Straight Into:
(00:22.2) Introduction of Naomi Ostwald Kawamura, Executive Director of Densho.
(01:37.9) Naomi reflects on an inspirational visit to the Meiji Jingu Shrine.
(02:45.7) Naomi discusses her roots and the immigration story of her parents.
(06:07.2) Naomi connects her history to the bombing of Hiroshima.
(07:52.6) Being a light in the darkness: Naomi shares how her family’s history inspires her work.
(12:15.6) Naomi dives into memory research and discusses collecting stories from diverse perspectives to honor and preserve each viewpoint, thereby creating comprehensive historical narratives.
Episode Resources:
Connect with Naomi through LinkedIn.Learn more about Densho through their website.Read Naomi’s interview with Densho here. Read Naomi’s Densho article “Building Community and Connection that Transcends Borders” here.Watch Naomi’s town hall on community and connections here.August 6th and 9th, 2024, mark the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This New York Times Op-Ed presents survivor testimonies and underscores the significance... -
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode of Dreaming In Color, guest host Angela Maldonado, a partner at Bridgespan, welcomes Tarik Ward, Director of Global Strategic Operations and U.S. Programs at ELMA Philanthropies. As the manager of digital and physical infrastructure for ELMA Philanthropy Services, Tarik oversees their operations in New York, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Kampala. He also directs U.S. programming for the ELMA Music Foundation, ELMA U.S. Foundation, and ELMA Caribbean Foundation.
Tarik's innovative approach has significantly expanded the reach and impact of the ELMA Music Foundation both in the U.S. and South Africa. His collaborations with organizations using music for youth development are transforming lives and creating brighter futures.
With a career journey as diverse as it is impressive, Tarik has worked as a flight controller for the International Space Station at NASA, a consultant at Deloitte focusing on education and early childhood development nonprofits, and as the COO of the Commit! Partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to quality education access in Dallas, Texas.
Tarik holds a B.S. in aerospace engineering from MIT, an M.B.A., and an M.A. in education from Stanford University. Beyond his professional achievements, he is a passionate trumpet player and has amassed a digital music collection of nearly 100,000 songs.
Join us as we dive into Tarik's journey, explore his insights on the educational potential of music, and discover how his work is making a global impact.
Jump Straight Into:
(00:22.1) Introduction of Angela Maldonado, Partner at Bridgespan.
(00:52.1) Introduction of Tarik Ward, Director of Global Strategic Operations and U.S. Programs at ELMA Philanthropies.
(01:55.1) Tarik reminisces on the memory of his mother and how she inspired him to dream and learn music.
(06:22.8) Tarik takes us on his journey from musician, to MIT student to eventually flying spaceships for NASA.
(11:56.6) Tarik tells us how he met his wife and how she inspired his journey to Stanford and eventually into education and non-profit work.
(18:28.9) Tarik talks about his non-traditional approach to funding and how he builds relationships with other leaders of color.
(22:19.1) Tarik comments on the current state of philanthropy and paints us a picture of what he hopes the future will look like.
Episode Resources:
Connect with Tarik through LinkedIn.Learn more about ELMA Philanthropies through their website. Follow Tarik on Twitter.Read Tarik’s interview with Entartain Impact here. Learn more about Jamaican composer and musician Ansel Collins here and follow him on Instagram here. Listen to the Dreaming In Color Spotify Playlist here.
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, we welcome Jamie Allison, Executive Director of the Walter & Elise Haas Fund. In her tenure at Walter & Elise Haas Fund Jami ensures its work aligns with community values and catalyzes change. She focuses on organizational leadership, strategy, and governance, prioritizing staff well-being and grantmaking that promotes liberation and transformation. With over 20 years in philanthropy and experience in the public sector, Jamie leverages her expertise to drive real change. Inspired by community leaders, she aims to create a more just society. Born in Chattanooga, TN, and a San Francisco resident for over 20 years, Jamie loves adventure, attending music and film festivals, soccer matches, and traveling.
Join this insightful discussion as Jamie explores trust-based philanthropy and its transformative impact on communities, particularly for leaders of color. Listen as Jamie describes her journey from Tennessee to the Bay Area, reflects on the cultural significance of the region, and emphasizes the importance of supporting nonprofit leaders by maintaining joy, recognizing progress, and navigating burnout challenges.
This is Dreaming In Color.
Jump straight into:
(00:22.0) Introduction of Jamie Allison, Exective Director of the Walter & Elise Haas Fund.
(01:29.5) Jamie shares the words of interfaith civil-rights leader, Valerie Kaur.
(04:02.1) Jamie confesses her love for the Bay Area and takes us her journey from Tennessee to California.
(09:24.5) We learn more about Jamie’s tenure at the Walter & Elise Haas Fund and how the revolution of 2020 impacted her leadership.
(14:02.2) Jamie reflects on the work of Mia Birdsong and how it has framed her outlook on liberation.
(18:27.3) Making contributions vs. making commitments
(21:16.6) Jamie’s take on avoiding burnout for leaders in the social sector by providing multi-year grants vs. one time grants.
(29:24.9) Jamie reflects on the fullness of time.
(36:37.9) Music as joy: Jamie shares how her involvement with SF Jazz brings her joy and energy that lasts for days.
(38:04.8) The privilege and responsibility of being an elder.
Episode Resources:
Connect with Jamie Allison on LinkedInLearn more about the Walter & Elise Haas Fund hereLearn more about SF Jazz here.Listen to the Dreaming In Color Spotify Playlist here.
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, our guest host, Jasmine Reliford, a Manager at Bridgespan, welcomes Rukaiyah Adams, a distinguished financier from Portland and CEO of 1803 Fund.
Listen as Rukaiyah talks about navigating her career and the challenges of investing in community wealth. Rukaiyah shares her reflections on the unique history of Portland's Albina neighborhood, the effects of systemic racism, and the importance of building a beloved community. Emphasizing the contributions and resilience of Black women, the conversation explores the creation of the 1803 Fund, a venture designed to empower Black Portlanders through strategic investment, advocacy, and inclusive planning. They also discuss the personal sacrifices and triumphs involved in leading such an initiative, underscoring the significance of collective achievement over individual success.
This is Dreaming In Color.
Jump Straight To:
(01:05.2) Introduction of Rukaiyah Adams, CEO of 1803 Fund.
(03:18.6)) Water In Motion: Rukaiyah discusses her love for Portland and how her family came to set roots in the city that, like water in motion, is always in motion.
(09:16.5) Rukaiyah discusses being an example of policy outcome and the excellent education she experience attending school in Portland’s Albina neighborhood.
(14:00.6) Money as a measure of energy: Rukaiyah explains the different forms of capital and how she strives to be the capitalist that teaches the next generations to convert creative or socia captial into financial capital for collective benefit.
(19:00.9) “Woe is me” vs. “whoa, it’s me.” Rukaiyah embraces her struggle and reflects on the heroism of Black women in the industry and the sacrifices they endure to reach career and life milestones.
(22:09.9) Rukaiyah explores the difference between working for freedom vs. working for liberation.
(37:09:9) We learn the origin story behind 1803 Fund.
Episode Resources:
Connect with Rukaiyah on LinkedInLearn more about 1803 Fund through their websiteLearn about the history of Portland’s Albina neighborhood here.Learn more about Albina Vision Trust through their website. Watch Rukaiyah’s TEDx Talk “A Love Letter to Portland.”Watch Rukaiyah’s TEDx Talk “Homegirls’ Guide to Being Powerful”Explore the Alvin Ailey Dance theatre Rukaiyah references here.Listen to the Dreaming In Color Spotify Playlist here.
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, we welcome Frankie Miranda, the first openly gay President and CEO of the Hispanic Federation. During Frankie’s tenure at the Hispanic Federation, he has expanded operations to several states and Puerto Rico, launched disaster relief projects after Hurricanes Maria and Irma, and established the ACT Initiative to support Latinx LGBTQ+ communities. He also oversees their annual gala, raising over $3 million each year. Previously, he held senior roles at New York Univision TV stations and worked on several political campaigns. Frankie serves on the New York State MTA Board, Comcast's Corporate DEI Advisory Council, and is a trustee of Fundación Banco Popular.
Join us for an engaging conversation with Frankie Miranda as he shares his personal and professional journey. Raised in a small town in Puerto Rico and educated at NYU, Frankie reflects on his upbringing, his family's sacrifices, and his experiences with his queer identity, and how these have shaped his work at the Hispanic Federation.
Tune in to hear about the importance of culturally competent voter outreach and the vital role of grassroots organizations in supporting Latinx communities. Frankie's story of perseverance, human rights advocacy, and his vision for an inclusive America underscore this insightful discussion.
This is Dreaming In Color.
Jump straight into:
(00:22.1) Introduction of Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation.
(01:54.2) Frankie starts the conversation with an invocation in Spanish and English.
(04:03.0) Frankie takes us back to his humble beginnings in a small mountain town in Puerto Rico.
(10:21.8) From Puerto Rico to New York: how Frankie’s background in theatre led him to one of the best theatre programs in the nation, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
(15:50.7) Post-grad life: the year is 1998 and Frankie lands a position as Production Coordinator for the Hispanic Federation where his queer identity is embraced and utilized to support their AIDS prevention and education program.
(17:13.2) Frankie delves into the deportation of his life partner and how the Hispanic Federation encouraged him to fight back, leading him to the Supreme Court.
(21:35.9) Frankie and Darren discuss the importance of mentorship in bringing about impactful change for generations to come
(26:32.3) Frankie discusses beauty in the complexity of Hispanic cultures and identities and how embracing those differences helps the organization promote civic engagement within the Latinx community.
Episode Resources:
Connect with Frankie on LinkedIn.Learn more about Hispanic Federation at their website.Learn more about United States vs. Windsor here.Listen to the Dreaming In Color Spotify Playlist here.
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, Nithin Iyengar, Partner at Bridgespan and head of the San Francisco office, sits down with longtime friend, Liz Thompson, the President, Co-founder, and CEO of The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group (The CAFE Group), which supports leaders of color through financial and programmatic aid. The CAFE Group aims to create a pathway from college intern to established leader, leveraging community genius to drive systemic change.
Liz's nonprofit career began in 1993 as the founding Executive Director of City Year Chicago, influencing the AmeriCorps Program's development. She later expanded the Early Head Start program at Family Star Montessori School in Denver as its Executive Director. Before her nonprofit work, Liz had a successful decade-long career with Ameritech Corporation.
In this intimate conversation, Liz Thompson discusses her journey from growing up in Cabrini Green to becoming a transformative figure in philanthropy. Liz and Nithin explore themes of radical love, leadership, and service. Liz shares her experiences with challenging philanthropic relationships, her dedication to supporting Black educational visionaries who she likes to call Luminaries, and the founding of the CAFE Group. She guides us through the significance of authentic relationships, collective action, and the joy of giving. Liz reflects on her mentors, the future of education, and the emotional weight of her work before giving insights on self-care, the essence of freedom, and the power of love in her life and work.
This is Dreaming In Color.
Jump Straight Into:
(1:14:3) Introduction of Liz Thompson, CEO of CAFE Group
(4:52:2) Liz reflects on growing up in her beloved Cabrini Green community in Chicago.
(11:28:9) Liz shares the origin story of how she Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education with her husband.
(12:58:7) We explore the inspiration behind the origins of the 1954 Project.
(16:59:5) Liz and Nithin discuss creating strategy that changes the philanthropic landscape.
(27:30:6) Liz paints a picture of how she imagines the future of education.
Episode Resources
Connect with Liz on LinkedIn hereLearn more about CAFE Group here. Learn more about the 1954 Project here and read Bridgespan’s case study about it here.Listen to the Dreaming In Color Spotify Playlist here.
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, we welcome Erika Alexander, an actress known for iconic roles like Maxine Shaw in Living Single, Detective Latoya in Get Out, Cousin Pam in The Cosby Show and many others. Outside of acting, Erika wears many hats including activist, entrepreneur, creator, producer, and director.
In 2017 Erika founded Color Farm Media, a media company dedicated to building an ecosystem that fosters greater equity, inclusion, and diversity in media and that empowers and elevates voices who are underrepresented, overlooked, and undervalued. Some of Color Farm’s social impact films include John Lewis: Good Trouble and The Big Payback, about the reparations movement.
Join this conversation as Darren and Erika discuss the significance of her iconic character Maxine Shaw from Living Single and how that led to the so-called “Maxine Shaw Effect” which inspired many young women to pursue careers in leadership and law.
Listen as we explore the intersection of storytelling and electoral politics and examine how narratives shape public perception and policy reinforcing the need for philanthropy and the social sector to support storytellers and create spaces for diverse narratives to thrive.
This is Dreaming In Color.
Jump straight into:
(00:25.7) Introducing Erika Alexander: Actress, Producer, Director, and Founder of Color Farm Media.
(03:36.4) Erika’s early beginnings in the Southwest.
(05:25.9) We explore the early ideas of futurism spreading through the words of pastors, clergy & teachers.
(06:08.5) The Maxine Shaw Effect - how Erika’s portrayal of Maxine Shaw inspired leaders like Stacey Abrams, Ayanna Pressley, and Mayor de Blasio
(9:58.1) American Fiction and creating complex narratives for Black characters in media.
(12:14.6) Erika delves into the work of ColorFarm Media.
(13:48.8) We dive into the influence of storytelling in politics and Erika’s work on Capitol Hill.
(18:33.5) Architecting the third reconstruction: building new narratives and shedding old ones.
(20:46.4) Building a society around the sustainability of storytellers.
(22:27.6) Fusion politics, people being oppressed simultaneously and how we have the power to retell stories of the past through a different lens.
(23:16.5) Erika references the dark underbelly of the silent investors in media.
(25:36.7) Going within, how coping mechanisms turned darkness into light, into Black Futurism.
Episode Resources
Keep up with Erika on Twitter, Instagram, & FacebookLearn more about Erika through her websiteLearn more about Color Farm Media at their websiteListen to Erika’s podcast “Reparations: The Big Payback” on Apple Podcasts -
Y'all, I'm back! Welcome to Dreaming in Color, where we sit down with social change leaders of color to learn how their unique life experiences have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
I'm your host, Darren Isom, and this season I'm lucky to have a few of my Bridgespan colleagues dropping in to join me as guest hosts.
Join us for Dreaming in Color, available every Thursday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Christian Celeste Tate and Anum Qadir from The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, Christian interviews Robert Rooks, CEO of REFORM Alliance, founded after the unjust re-imprisonment of recording artist Meek Mill. Robert is one of the nation’s premier criminal justice reformers with over two decades of experience as a grassroots organizer, strategist, and movement leader.
Under Robert’s leadership, REFORM has won major legislative reforms to transform probation and parole systems in California, Georgia, and Mississippi and has lifted up the experiences of people on supervision to educate the public and build support for broader change.
Robert co-founded the Alliance for Safety and Justice before joining REFORM, expanding it to eight states with high incarceration rates and leading advocacy efforts for criminal justice reform nationwide, resulting in legislative wins like the Neighborhood Safety Act in Illinois. He directed successful campaigns such as Yes on Proposition 47 and Yes on Proposition 57 in California, which reduced incarceration rates and increased parole eligibility. Additionally, Robert played a key role in fundraising for Florida's Amendment 4, restoring voting rights for over one million individuals with past convictions.
Join this conversation as Robert paints a picture of what our society can look like if we “educate not incarcerate.”
This is Dreaming in Color.
Jump straight into:
(0:32) Introduction of Robert Rooks: CEO of REFORM Alliance.
(2:22) Robert shares how his upbringing inspired his passion for prison reform.
(7:26) Robert discusses how reform legislation in the last 20 years has made strides toward a better justice system and dreams about what the next 20 years will bring.
(9:03) We visit the story of Meek Mill’s unjust incarceration and how that spurred the beginnings of REFORM Alliance.
(13:53) Robert illustrates a picture of society with true reform.
(20:38) Abolition vs. reform
(22:10) We need everybody and how investing in community organizers is the pathway to change.
Episode Resources
Connect with Robert Rooks on LinkedIn and InstagramLearn more about the REFORM Alliance through their websiteFollow the REFORM Alliance on X, LinkedIn and InstragramRead about Robert’s work in Bridgespan’s report on philanthropy and the criminal legal system Learn more about Alliance for Safety and Justice through their websiteRead Robert’s interview with
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Christian Celeste Tate and Anum Qadir from The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, Anum sits down with Rebecca Dixon, President and CEO of the National Employment Law Project. Before taking the helm in 2020, Rebecca served on NELP’s Executive Management team as Chief of Programs. Since joining NELP in 2010, she’s advanced NELP’s growth and impact while serving in several positions, including policy analyst and senior staff attorney. During the Great Recession and its aftermath, Rebecca was a leader in winning unprecedented unemployment insurance coverage expansions in 20 states and multiple extensions of federal emergency unemployment insurance benefits for long-term unemployed workers.
In 2012, Rebecca was selected by the State of New York for its Empire State Leadership Fellows program and served in the Office of the Governor in its Labor and Civil Rights Division. She is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association; a board member of The American Prospect, Americans for Financial Reform, the Coalition on Human Needs, the Hope Enterprise Corporation, and the Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation; and a member of the Economic Analysis and Research Network in the South, the 2020 Aspen Institute SOAR Leadership Fellowship, and the 2021 National Academy of Social Insurance’s Unemployment Insurance Reform Working Group and COVID-19 Task Force.
Join us as Rebecca shares how her commitment to advancing workers’ rights is inspired by her lived experience growing up in rural Mississippi at the intersection of race, class, and gender.
This is Dreaming in Color.
Jump straight into:
(0:32) Introduction of Rebecca Dixon: President and CEO of the National Employment Law Project
(3:24) Rebecca illustrates how being a descendant of sharecroppers and her upbringing in rural Mississippi shaped her views on labor and fueled her passion for creating a standard of dignified work for all.
(12:39) Rebecca defines an equitable labor market.
(16:40) We explore how interest-based problem-solving is a great solution for creating a balanced workplace democracy.
(22:40) The importance of multi-generational support in the workplace.
(24:41) The dangers of occupational segregation.
Episode Resources
Connect with Rebecca Dixon on LinkedInLearn more about the National Employment Law Project through their websiteFollow the National Employment Law Project on Twitter and LinkedInRead Rebecca’s article Reversing Labor Laws Rooted In Slavery.Read more of Rebecca’s writing here.
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Christian Celeste Tate and Anum Qadir from The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, we speak with Brea Baker, a Freedom Fighter and Writer working on the frontlines for nearly a decade. She began as a student activist, contributing to #NextYale, a movement to address the legacy of white supremacy on Yale’s campus, the Women’s March of 2017 where she was the youngest national organizer, and the 2018 student walkouts against gun violence. In her professional career, Brea has contributed to dozens of electoral and advocacy campaigns. She advises storytellers, celebrities, and industry leaders on building our collective imagination and responding thoughtfully to social justice movements.
To add to that, Brea’s book, Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership is set to release on June 18th. Rooted traces the experiences of Brea’s own family’s history of having land violently taken from them and explores historic attacks on Black land ownership to better understand the racial wealth gap.
Join this conversation as Brea takes us on her family’s tumultuous journey of land ownership ultimately leading to the “Baker Acres”—a haven for her family, and a palace where they are surrounded by love, sustained by the land, and wholly free. Listen as she paints a picture of a world post-reparations.
This is Dreaming in Color.
Jump straight into:
(0:32) Introduction of Brea Baker: Freedom Fighter and Author.
(3:13) Land theft as the original sin that makes colonialism possible.
(4:18) Brea shares her origins as a student organizer.
(10:03) Brea’s delves into her family’s history and how the violent theft of her family’s land led to her activism.
(18:31) Brea paints a picture of reparations in its different forms—the physical, as in the restatement of land and wealth but also the emotional and spiritual, like holding space for grief and rage.
(27:20) Brea speaks on her role as an artist and writer and the responsibility of being society’s truth teller and recorder of history.
(30:52) Holding space for radical love.
Episode Resources
Keep up with Brea on Twitter and InstagramLearn more about Brea through her website.Order Brea’s book Rooted here and read her writing in Elle, Refinery29, Harper’s Bazaar, and Sweet JulyLearn more about reparations through Bridgespan’s special collection
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Christian Celeste Tate and Anum Qadir from The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, we sit down with Arlan Hamilton, a trailblazing investor and founder of Backstage Capital and HireRunner.co. Arlan is also a serial entrepreneur, author, and prolific speaker.
In 2015 she started Backstage Capital to invest in founders who are people of color, women, and or LGBTQ. Since its inception, Backstage has raised nearly $30 million and invested in 200 startups led by underestimated founders.
Arlan also authored the book “It’s About Damn Time” chronicling her entrepreneurial journey, and hosts the popular podcast “Your First Million.” She is also the first, non-celebrity Black woman to grace the cover of Fast Company magazine. If that wasn’t enough, Arlan’s latest book, “Your First Million: Why You Don’t Have To Be Born Into A Legacy of Wealth To Leave One Behind.” is now available at any major book retailer.
Join us as Arlan details her triumphant ascent from homelessness to multi-millionaire venture capitalist and how being underestimated fueled her success.
This is Dreaming in Color.
Jump straight into:
(0:30) Introduction of Arlan Hamilton: Founder, Author, Speaker, and a trailblazing Venture Capitalist.
(2:21) From homelessness to venture capitalist - Arlan’s triumphant ascent to the top.
(4:33) How being an underestimated LGBTQ woman of color inspired her to help others like her get their ideas off the ground.
(13:23) Success as activism and the power of modeling success for others.
(13:45) The perks of believing in the underestimated and the ripple effects of how one tiny seed planted can flourish in unexpected ways.
(18:22) Advice to leaders: “be someone’s first yes.”
(21:49) Success vs. fulfillment. Defining what fulfillment looks like to you.
Episode Resources
Keep up with Arlan on LinkedIn, Twitter and InstagramRead Arlan’s books, “It’s About Damn Time” and “Your First Million: Why You Don’t Have to Be Born Into A Legacy of Wealth to Leave One Behind.” Learn more about Backstage Capital and HireRunner.coListen to Arlan’s podcast, “Your First Million”Email Arlan at [email protected]Support Arlan’s portfolio companies
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Christian Celeste Tate and Anum Qadir from The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, we welcome Michael Tubbs, who at the age of 26 became the youngest mayor of any major city in American history when he took the helm of his hometown of Stockton, California. The former Mayor is the founder of End Poverty in California, or EPIC, which works to eradicate poverty by elevating the voices of people experiencing it and the data-driven policies shown to work. He is also the founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income. He is a Rosenburg Foundation Senior Fellow and also serves as the Special Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom for economic mobility.
Join this conversation as Michael takes us on a journey towards prosperity for all. He talks about how growing up in Stockton, California helped him to better serve his community, the challenges he faced as mayor, and candidly shares how failure has shaped his success.
This is Dreaming in Color.
Jump straight into:
(0:32) Introducing Michael Tubbs: Founder of End Poverty in California and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, Rosenberg Foundation Senior Fellow and Special Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom
(4:43) Storytelling as the fuel for change and de-radicalizing narratives for the greater good.
(10:20) Challenging the narrative that exceptionalism is the key to success
(10:47) De-radicalizing the idea of guaranteed income for all.
(14:35) Challenging myth of meritocracy
(16:39) What are you willing to fail for? Overcoming failure and building courage.
(18:17) Defining your personal metric of success, finding your north star and knowing that your purpose doesn’t need to be tied to your position.
(23:48) Getting to know Michael Tubbs through rapid-fire questioning.
Episode Resources
Keep up with Michael on Twitter and InstagramLearn more about Michael through his websiteRead Michael’s autobiography, The Deeper The Roots: A Memoir of Hope and HomeLearn more about End Poverty in CaliforniaWatch the trailer for Stockton on My Mind, the HBO documentary about Michael’s journey as the Mayor of Stockton, California
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color: Next Gen, a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek. Join in on these candid, kitchen table conversations, where together, we can make a difference. We celebrate these leaders ingenuity, are inspired by their wisdom, and learn how collectively we can all strive to do and be better. This is Dreaming In Color: Next Gen.
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, we journey down to New Orleans during Essence Fest for Bridgespan’s very first live episode recording, a panel highlighting Black women in philanthropy moderated by Tonyel Edwards, a partner at The Bridgespan Group.
Join us as Tonyel hosts a kitchen table conversation with a panel of Black women leading some of the most innovative thinking on equitable philanthropy: Morgan Dawson, co-CEO of Threshold Philanthropy, Tynesha McHarris, co-Founder of Black Feminist Fund, Carmen James Randolph, founding President / CEO at Women’s Foundation of the South, and Susan K. Thomas, president of Melville Charitable Trust.
Listen as these remarkable women discuss their pathway into philanthropy, the unique assets that come from being a Black woman leading in the space, and all of the ways they have navigated and changed the landscape of giving in support of a more just, equitable and colorful future.
This is Dreaming in Color.
Jump straight into:
(1:02) Starting things off with a James Baldwin Invocation
(3:55) Darren brings the words of Donald L. Hollowell into the space
(8:36) Introducing panel moderator Tonyel Edwards
(10:03) Learn about all the different hats our panelists are wearing as Black women
(19:14) Carmen references writer Toni Morrison - "As you enter positions of power and influence, dream before you think."
(34:40) Tynesha emphasizes the philosophy of being a “principled” leader.
(47:47) Power sharing, wealth redistribution and giving something up knowing that it’s not yours.
(51:45) “Hold your North,” and other thoughts on navigating the terrain of the philanthropic sector
(53:18) Best practices for building and leading in philanthropy.
(1:09:51) Rest as revolution
Episode Resources
Connect with our panelists through LinkedIn: Tonyel Edwards, Morgan Dawson, Tynesha McHarris, Carmen James Randolph, Susan K. Thomas.Learn more about the organizations these panelists lead: Threshold Philanthropy (Morgan Dawson), The Black Feminist Fund (Tynesha McHarris), Women’s Foundation of the South (Carmen James Randolph), Melville Charitable Trust (Susan K. Thomas)Discover the historical contributions of civil rights attorney Donald L. Hollowell Learn more about the work and contributions of the Black women in philanthropy named throughout the segment: Black Feminist Fund co-founders, Hakima Abbas and -
Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
Takema Robinson is a mother, entrepreneur, social justice strategist, and avid advocate for Black women and radical self-care. With more than two decades of experience in strategic philanthropy, policy, advocacy, and fundraising, she is the CEO and co-founder of Converge, a social justice consulting firm whose purpose is to accelerate the creation of a radically just new world where communities of color thrive. In addition, after the near-death experience of delivering a son at just 24 weeks, she also helped to form the National Birth Equity Collaborative, which works to decrease birth inequity for Black women across the US by raising awareness of Black infant prematurity and mortality and the growing Black maternal mortality crisis.
Join this conversation as Takema explores her family’s distinguished legacy and talks about how that, coupled with her experiences at Howard and The Hill, has shaped her and the work she does through Converge. Listen as she discusses leadership, radical-self care as an act of revolution, and dreams of what a radically just new world looks like.
Jump straight into:
(0:28) Introducing Takema Robinson, CEO and Founder of Converge.
(1:40) Takema offers up words from Toni Cade Bambara’s The Salt Eaters.
(3:36) Takema and Darren reminisce about their time together at Howard and how her experiences there paved the way to building Converge.
(5:09) Takema dives into her family’s legacy of activism and how the footsteps they’ve left behind have guided her activism.
(10:18) Radical self-care as a revolutionary act.
(13:01) How taking a sabbatical and moving out of the states were necessary in Takema’s self-care journey.
(19:14) Lessons in leadership.
(21:44) Motherhood, legacy, and maintaining optimism for the future.
(25:14) Dreaming of a radically just new world.
Episode Resources
Connect with Takema through LinkedInExplore Takema’s work and background though her websiteLearn more about Takema’s work with Converge for ChangeCheck out Takema’s article for Inside Philanthropy on the Greater New Orleans Funders Network “Radically Reimaging Philanthropy Through a Restorative Justice Lens”Read Toni Cade Bambara’s The Salt Eaters
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, we welcome Bridgit Antoinette Evans, a decorated artist, philanthropic executive, and thought leader in the field of narrative change. Through her ingenious use of pop culture techniques and narrative systems methodology, Bridgit has been at the forefront of promoting social justice. Since 2017, Bridgit has served as CEO of the Pop Culture Collaborative, the philanthropic resource and funder learning community working to transform the narrative landscape around people of color, immigrants, refugees, Muslims, and Indigenous peoples in America, especially those who are women, queer, trans, and disabled.
She has dedicated her career to the relentless investigation of the potential of artists and stories to drive change in society through Fuel We Power Change, the creative and strategic consultancy she founded in 2008, Bridgit's design and tested long-term culture change strategies in partnership with many of the nation's leading movement organizations, including the Save Darfur Coalition, Girls Are Not For Sale campaign, National Domestic Workers Alliance came across generation, ACLU and the Make It Work campaign.
Join this conversation as Bridgit takes us on a journey of how starting in theater at a young age helped to ignite her passion for storytelling and how it has enabled her to become a trailblazer in driving narrative change.
Jump straight into:
(0:28) Introducing Bridgit Antoinette Evans: CEO of the Pop Culture Collaborative.
(1:34) Bridgit shares an invocation from her imaginary mentor, Octavia Butler.
(4:23) Bridgit tells us of her family’s impressive legacy and contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.
(7:37) Bridigit explains how participating in theater at a young age helped her develop her voice and spark a curiosity for storytelling.
(11:56) Bridgit remembers her first role in New York, Lady in Red in For Colored Girls.
(18:57) Surviving American Culture
Episode Resources
Connect with Bridgit through LinkedInLearn more about Bridgit’s work at the Pop Culture CollaborativeRead Octavia Butler’s “Positive Obsession”Check out Bridgit’s article with the Nonprofit Quarterly on BIPOC-led narrative change, “The Vital Connection: BIPOC-Led Narrative Change and Pluralist Democracy” Listen to Bridgit’s conversation with the Ford Foundation’s Hilary Pennington on empowering communities and connecting people from diverse backgrounds
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, we sit down with Javier Torres, an anti-racist philanthropic leader committed to liberated and self-determined futures for all people. His work centers on caring for people and community while investing in imagination, narrative change and power building. Most recently, Javier served as the Director of Thriving Cultures at Surdna and is a founding design team member of both the BIPOC Storytelling Fund and the Constellations Narrative and Culture Fund. He also serves as a funding and evaluation partner for the Mosaic Fund and Network at the New York Community Trusts.
Join us as Javier shares how his family legacy and lived experiences have shaped his unique approach to philanthropic work, his dreams for the future of arts funding, and how a young coworker inspired him to change his leadership style.
Jump Straight Into
(0:28) Introduction of Javier Torres, an anti-racist philanthropic leader whose work focuses on investing in liberated and self-determined futures for all people.
(1:22) Javier shares inspiring words from Bell Hooks, Adrian Maree Brown and Octavia Butler.
(4:52) Javier discusses the legacy of his family’s commitment to activism and how the generations before him have prepared him to lead today.
(13:07) Javier guides us through his experience as a misfit in philanthropy and how he harnessed his differences to mold his approach to the work.
(19:48) Art and culture and how those entities act as catalysts for shifting the narrative.
(24:37) Javier hones in on the drawbacks of philanthropy and discusses his commitment to bringing funding to diverse stories.
(29:14) Dreaming of building a love economy - Javier shares his hopes and dreams for the future.
(34:55) Slowing down in a society obsessed with productivity and how modeling rest as a leader can serve as a radical act.
Episode Resources
Connect with Javier through LinkedInLearn more about the Surdna Foundation’s Thriving Cultures programRead Javier’s Q&A with Inside Philanthropy as the Director of Surdna’s Thriving Cultures programCheck out Darren and Javier’s recent interview with Cyndi Suarez for the Nonprofit QuarterlyListen to the musical works of New Orleans’ Big Freedia and Wynton Marsalis
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Welcome to Dreaming in Color, a show hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group, that provides a space for social change leaders of color to reflect on how their life experiences, personal and professional, have prepared them to lead and drive the impact we all seek.
In this episode, we speak with Sharif El-Mekki, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Black Educator Development, which is working to revolutionize education by dramatically increasing the number of Black educators to better reflect the students they serve, ensuring teaching practices unleash the power of diverse cultural insights and anti-discriminatory mindsets, and liberating education policy from constraints–real and imagined.
Join this conversation as Sharif guides us through the journey of how his Masjid and African Free School education served as the catalyst for his distinguished teaching career and activist for education justice.
Jump Straight Into
(0:28) Introduction of Sharif El-Mekki, Founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development.
(0:57) Sharif shares inspiring thoughts from the Grammy-nominated poet, Amir Sulaiman: “we are all going to be ancestors someday, act accordingly.”
(5:23) Sharif recalls his anti-racist and pro-black schooling and how that impacted his development of pedagogies that promote positive racial identity development.
(6:44) Sharif reflects on words from Dr. Alfred Tatum on the notion of students becoming proficient vs. advanced in subject matter.
(9:52) Sharif explores how activism and education go hand-in-hand: “every lesson plan you write is a political document and every time you teach.”
(16:14) Reflecting on the idea of Intellectual genealogy and being able to trace back your school of thought to its source and using that as a framework to change the narrative.
(20:51) Sharif recalls how a traumatic incident inspired him to change his path from lawyer to educator.
(28:34) Sharif tells us about how his Islamic faith and its focus on reading, understanding, and study serves as a framework for inspiring his work
Episode Resources
Connect with Sharif through LinkedInKeep up with Sharif on TwitterLearn more about Sharif’s work at the Center for Black Educator DevelopmentListen to Sharif’s talk for The Moth, “Afros, Boxers, Handcuffs, and Guns”Read Bridgespan’s article for SSIR, “What Everyone Can Learn From Leaders of Color”Read Sharif’s recent articles in Education Week and the Philadelphia InquirerWatch Sharif’s TED Talk on “Reviving the Legacy of the Black teaching tradition”
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