Dreaming in Color

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

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

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.

Resources
Anti-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

In this episode, we travel to Gorée Island in Dakar to speak with Tijan Watt, an entrepreneur and impact investor building a bold future for African innovation. Rooted in a transatlantic heritage that includes Tuskegee and Senegal, Tijan shares how both his African and Black American family history, HBCU education, and deep cultural pride shaped his path. Through his work with Wuri Ventures, Tijan champions local entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and creativity grounded in African realities. He reflects on moving to Senegal to invest in talent, nurture community, and reimagine development from within. For Tijan, meaningful innovation starts with love, local knowledge, and the freedom to imagine—and build—on your own terms.
JUMP TO’s
1:48 Jam Tan! Tijan shares the Pulaar phrase for “peace only” kicking off the conversation with peace.
5:50 The importance of Black excellence and the legacy of ancestors, including Tijan’s great-aunt Norma, a researcher on the polio vaccine.
9:21 Talking about his own academic and professional journey, including his time at Howard University.
11:46 Tijan shares his initial impressions of Senegal.
20:57 He explains the concept of entrepreneurial capital and the importance of taking risks and creating jobs in Africa.
40:09 Tijan discusses the concept of a "winning Senegal" and the importance of self-belief and positive change.
41:03 The need for African countries to take control of their own destiny.
42:07 Tijan discusses the future of innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa and the importance of creating spaces for entrepreneurs.
42:50 He emphasizes the need for African countries to leverage their cultural assets and create opportunities for young people and explore the continent’s “soft power”.
45:43 Darren wraps up the episode, and the season.

In this episode, we journey to Tunis to speak with Farah Mami, philanthropist, impact investor, and social entrepreneur committed to leading with heart, integrity, and deep cultural pride. Rooted in both Tunisia and France, Farah moves between worlds—geographically, spiritually, and professionally. She shares a powerful story of reclaiming authenticity, navigating the tensions of belonging, and redefining leadership on her own terms. As the chair of the Tunisia chapter of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) and a global advocate for women in business, she’s reshaping what leadership can look like when it’s grounded in care, equity, and spiritual alignment. Farah’s work aims to foster personal growth and community well-being. In this conversation she also reflects on the role of love as both anchor and fuel.
JUMP TO’s
00:43 Introducing Farah.
2:00 Farah’s invocation is a call for
05:30 Going between Paris and Tunis and the difficulty of living your true self in a culture of shaming.
15:10 The power of women to build communities.
19:20 The potential for women’s leadership to grow beyond where it is today
20:00 The importance of men’s support for women to change the narrative
23:00 Hear Farah’s ideas on becoming a successful entrepreneur and living a full life
24:30 What it will take for Tunisia to embrace opportunities and “go out to the world”
29:30 Tunisia holding space as a regional leader
30:00 The need for love and for safe spaces.