Cultivating the Next Generation of Creators
Design For Social Good
We jumpstart careers for Creatives of color to enter the design industry as leaders by educating them with advanced tech skills.
Creativity for growth and economic success.
Our Mission
To provide vital access, professional opportunity, and tech literacy to under-resourced students and job seekers of color.
Who We Help
Job Seekers ages 18+ including Women of Color (Black, Latino/a/x, Southeast Asian, Pacific Islanders), ESL / Immigrant / DACA, International & Community College Students, LGBTQIA+ and Creatives with Disabilities.
Our Vision
To develop empathetic design leaders who will make a global difference.
What We Teach
– User Experience (UX) Design
– User Interface (UI) Design
– Product Design
– Visual Design
– Graphic Design
– Tech & Digital Literacy
Oakland mindset since 2009
Priority Strategies
Digital Equity and Tech Inclusion
We believe that technological advancement should benefit society as a whole, not just a privileged segment of the population.
Inclusive Economic Mobility
We deliver the technical expertise, growth mindset, and professional resources required for students to secure meaningful lifelong work.
Creative Workforce Development
We provide project-based academic learning and industry design skills training to prepare diverse job seekers for career placement.
Racial and Social Justice
We amplify art and design for racial justice to inspire community, raise consciousness, and motivate Creatives to ignite social change.
Arts and Movement Building
We inspire creativity, courage, and capacity to spark participation, development, and sustainability for communities of color.
Team
Shaun Tai
Co-Founder, Executive Director & Product Lead, BRIDGEGOOD
For 15 years, five-time 40-Under-40 award recipient, Shaun Tai, dedicates himself to enhancing tech opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and Designers of Color. A digital literacy pioneer, Shaun received a Master’s in Architectural & Urban Design and a BS in Advertising from San Jose State University. Prior to SJSU, Shaun graduated with honors from Cal State East Bay with a BA in Digital Arts and was named “Distinguished Young Alumnus” of the academic year 2014-15 – the university’s most prestigious honor.
Yudy Herrera Orellana
Program Manager, BRIDGEGOOD
Emeritus Team Member
Yudy Herrera Orellana is responsible for organizing programs and activities in accordance with the mission and goals of BRIDGEGOOD. Working alongside the Executive Director, she helps develop new programs to support our strategic direction. In 2018, Yudy spearheaded the City of Oakland BRT Business Technical Assistance initiative, providing design and marketing support for over 100 Spanish speaking small businesses. She believes in the power of art and technology to improve the lives of underrepresented Latino communities.
Trung Huynh
Engineer, BRIDGEGOOD
Emeritus Team Member
Trung is BRIDGEGOOD’s dedicated full stack engineer responsible for leading and maintaining our Rails + Angular web application, BRIDGEGOOD.com.
In addition to mentoring design students, he increases the app performance and continues to develop features created by BRIDGEGOOD UX Design Apprentices.
Daniel Bao
Bookkeeper, BRIDGEGOOD
Daniel has been working with BRIDGEGOOD since the very beginning in July of 2009. His vast experience in the nonprofit sector advancing LGBTQ rights spans over 30 years.
Daniel received his master’s degree in Latin American studies from Stanford University in 1990.
Board & Advisors
Wilson Tai
Creator Producer, Metrotuned
Legacy Advisor & Co-Founder, BRIDGEGOOD
As a Culture Creator, Wilson dedicated 12 years as an advisor, student mentor, and recruiter vetting developers to build the BRIDGEGOOD web application. He built brand awareness and engagement through storytelling, strategy, directing, curating, and producing content. Wilson was responsible for coining the growth slogan, “I’m a BRIDGEGOOD Creative.”
Chelsea Seabron
Director, Social and Community Impact (Jordan Brand), Nike
Former President & Advisor, Board of Directors, BRIDGEGOOD, 2015-2019
Formerly a Board Officer (President) at BRIDGEGOOD and Manager at Google.org, Chelsea is a relentless creative problem solver who continues to deliver social impact through intentional experiences. Her career goals are to increase awareness, tech access, and opportunity for the most marginalized populations.
Joseph Gross
President & CEO, Sustainable Systems
Legacy Advisor, BRIDGEGOOD
Joe co-founded Sustainable Systems in 1994, with the goal of putting the craft of business in the service of economic, social, and ecological justice. In 1998, he launched Oakland’s first tech incubator/accelerator and in 2012, Joe helped launch the East Bay Broadband Consortium. In BRIDGEGOOD’s early years, he worked with Executive Director Shaun Tai, providing advice, consultation, and essential resources.
Donald Tamaki
Senior Counsel, Minami Tamaki LLP
Legal Advisor, BRIDGEGOOD
For over 40 years, Donald has specialized in providing value-driven legal counsel to entrepreneurs, privately-held companies, and nonprofit corporations. His special focus is on commercial leasing, personnel and employment law, corporate governance and other internal practices, licensing, and acquisition. For 17 years straight Donald has been selected to Northern California Super Lawyers receiving the highest rating for competency and ethics.
Dr. Andreas Weigend
Director, Social Data Lab
Former Chief Scientist, Amazon
Senior Advisor, BRIDGEGOOD
Andreas is an expert on big data, consumer behavior, and social-mobile technologies. He formerly worked as the Chief Scientist at Amazon, where he helped establish the company’s data strategy and develop a culture of innovation. Andreas received his Ph.D. in physics from Stanford and currently teaches at UC Berkeley and at Fudan in Shanghai.
MC Hammer
American Icon & Entrepreneur
Honorary Advisor, BRIDGEGOOD
Considered a cultural and entertainment pioneer, MC Hammer is the first hip hop artist to achieve diamond status for an album. He is a proud supporter of BRIDGEGOOD since its founding as Oakland Digital Arts and Literacy Center Inc. Recognizing the importance of creativity, Hammer helps connect our nonprofit with like-minded innovators and creative thought leaders both locally and internationally.
