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Dreaming in Color

Dreaming in Color

By: The Bridgespan Group
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The equitable future we seek requires celebrating the genius of today’s leaders of color. In Dreaming in Color, hear from champions in the charge for equity and justice. Hosted by Darren Isom, a partner in the The Bridgespan Group’s San Francisco office, this podcast offers leaders of color space to share how they have leveraged their unique assets and abilities to embrace excellence, drive impact, and more fully define what success looks like. Grounded in both his New Orleans roots and his experience as a queer Black leader in the social sector, Darren invites listeners into the candid kitchen table conversations that have long helped shape the journeys of BIPOC leaders. Together, we embrace these leaders’ ingenuity, learn from their wisdom and wit, reflect on their words with authenticity and humor, and listen as we think of how we can collectively strive to do and be better. This is Dreaming in Color.Copyright 2026 The Bridgespan Group Economics Management Management & Leadership Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Dreaming of Place, Purpose, and Possibility

    Dreaming of Place, Purpose, and Possibility
    May 25 2026

    Stories of return are never just about geography—they’re about identity, belonging, and the futures people choose to build together.

    In this episode, we travel to Gorée Island for a conversation about history, connection, and possibility across Africa and its global diaspora. Wiatta Thomas, Co-Founder, Strategic Advisor, and Board President at Dare to Innovate, Dedo N. Baranshamaje, Interim Executive Director at Segal Family Foundation, and Tijan Watt, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Wuri Ventures, explore how culture, community, and creativity are shaping the continent’s future.

    Key Takeaways

    00:00 Introduction.

    01:42 Gorée Island’s history and the significance of the Door of No Return.

    02:16 Reframing the Door of No Return as a “door of return.”

    25:22 Community and family as central values shaping African cultural rhythms.

    26:00 Time as relational, starting when the community gathers.

    34:34 Building belonging through connections across African countries.

    39:02 Moving forward rather than choosing between East and West.

    41:10 The importance of building systems that connect Africans globally.

    44:32 Dialogue and shared perspectives as a path to understanding.

    Organizations and Institutions Referenced:

    Dare to Innovate – A global network and platform that supports leadership, innovation, and community building across the African diaspora.

    Segal Family Foundation – A philanthropic organization that supports African-led organizations focused on social impact and community development.

    Wuri Ventures – An investment and venture firm focused on supporting African entrepreneurship and innovation across the continent.

    Dream VC – A venture capital training institute that prepares and connects the next generation of investors focused on Africa’s startup ecosystem.

    Slush – A global startup and venture capital event that brings together founders, investors, and technology leaders.

    Other Resources:

    C.L.R. James – Trinidadian historian, journalist, and political thinker known for his writings on Pan-Africanism, colonialism, and Black political thought.

    #DreamingInColor #DEI #LeadersOfColor
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    41 mins
  • Dreaming of Collective Futures in the Age of AI

    Dreaming of Collective Futures in the Age of AI
    Apr 30 2026

    Welcome to Dreaming in Color LIVE, a special series within the Dreaming in Color universe, hosted by Darren Isom, a partner with The Bridgespan Group. This is our live conversation and convening series held in small rooms, at shared tables, recorded in real time with a live audience. The format is different, but the spirit is the same: the equitable future we seek requires celebrating the genius of today’s leaders of color. Later in the year, we will return with our rich Dreaming in Color one-on-one conversations. In the meantime, enjoy following us on the road as we wrestle with the boldest questions of our time.

    Today’s episode comes live from LA Tech Week. A future where technology reflects community, culture, and justice doesn’t happen by accident but through intention and imagination. We sit down with Ebele Okobi, Principal at Revolutionary Projects; Afua Bruce, Founder and CEO at ANB Advisory Group; and Will Drewery, Founder and CEO at Diagon Technologies. Together, they reflect on how identity, cultural intelligence, and lived experience inform the way they understand and reimagine technology. Alana Cheeks-Lomax and Gary Johnson, Co-Founders and CEO at UNTOLD kicks things off and closes us out.

    Jump straight into:

    00:00 Introduction.

    08:09 “Imagination is infrastructure” — the importance of envisioning before we build.

    13:18 The value of imagining new systems rather than reshaping the ones we’ve been given.

    18:29 AI can improve systems, but must not replace community and connection.

    22:13 Much of what we call AI is marketing, which is resource-intensive and widely misunderstood.

    25:32 Solidarity is essential, and creativity and art are strengths worth protecting.

    29:26 Our basic needs stay the same, and AI is becoming part of how we address them.

    33:36 We need real education on what AI actually means, not just how to use it.

    35:34 Respect expertise and fund the people already doing the work.

    38:03 Building community power starts with investing in each other.

    Resources

    UNTOLD website

    ANB Advisory Group website

    Diagon Technologies website

    #DreamingInColor #DEI #LeadersOfColor
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    45 mins
  • Dreaming of Stories That Move Systems

    Dreaming of Stories That Move Systems
    Apr 1 2026
    Stories shape how we see one another, and whether we believe change is possible.In this episode, we travel to the Foster Museum in Palo Alto to speak with Film Producer, CEO of 1Community, and Founder of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Scott Budnick; VP of Impact at 1Community, Rachel Cooke; and Tony Award-winning Performer/Writer/Director/Producer and Founder at Foment Productions, Sarah Jones. Together, they explore how storytelling across film, community organizing, and comedy can shift perception and create space for empathy.The conversation examines the role of narrative in criminal justice reform, the importance of hope and opportunity for transformation, and how humor can open minds in ways traditional advocacy often cannot.Jump straight into:00:00 Introduction.02:50 Why imagination can be one of the most powerful forms of liberation.06:21 Why laughter opens the mind and creates space for empathy.09:29 Reflection on how hope can transform people and reveal who they were always meant to be.16:38 The powerful film moment that led Scott Budnick to leave Hollywood and focus on justice reform.18:50 How stories can help us recognize the full humanity of others and resist defining people by their worst mistakes.24:01 A reflection on the importance of belonging and representation in shaping identity.37:54 Rachel Cooke argues that it’s time to create a new storytelling playbook for cultural change.38:19 Why leaning into community-driven storytelling may be key to building a more just future.ResourcesAnti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) - A nonprofit founded by Scott Budnick that supports formerly incarcerated individuals through advocacy, reentry programs, and leadership development.Foment Productions - Sarah Jones’s production company focused on storytelling that explores pluralism, culture, and social impact.One Community (1C) - An impact entertainment company that connects film and television storytelling with real-world community engagement and social change.Stanford film study – Researchers Jennifer Eberhardt PhD and Jamil Zaki PhD study racial bias and empathy. Scott Budnick references their Stanford study that examines how storytelling and films like “Just Mercy” can shift public attitudes.Films Mentioned in the Conversation:"12 Years a Slave" - The Oscar-winning historical drama about Solomon Northup’s life in slavery"Just Mercy" - A film about confronting wrongful convictions and injustice in the US legal system"Sell/Buy/Date" - A film written, directed, and performed by Sarah Jones based on her stage show, using multiple characters to explore themes of identity, gender, and sex work through storytelling and humor"The Hangover" - The hit, produced by Scott Budnick before he shifted to justice reform work, that became one of the most successful R-rated comedies ever"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" - A groundbreaking film blending live action and animation, that Rachel Cooke talks about#DreamingInColor #DEI #LeadersOfColor
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    51 mins
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