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

Welcome to all job seekers aged 18 and above, including women of color (Black, Latino/a/x, Southeast Asian, Pacific Islanders), ESL / immigrant / DACA recipients, international and community college students, LGBTQIA+ individuals, 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.

BRIDGEGOOD-Unity-Forever

Teamwork makes the dream work

BRIDGEGOOD Leadership

Leadership & Team

Shaun Tai

Co-Founder & Executive Director, BRIDGEGOOD

Shaun Tai is a digital literacy pioneer and five-time 40-Under-40 award winner with a passion for improving tech opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and Designers of Color. For over 15 years, he has dedicated his career to empowering underrepresented communities.

Shaun holds a Master’s in Architectural & Urban Design and a BS in Advertising from SJSU. Prior to that, he graduated with honors from CSUEB with a BA in Digital Arts and was named “Distinguished Young Alumnus” for the 2014-15 academic year.

Shaun’s leadership to advance design for social good earned him a prestigious Jefferson Award in 2023. CBS News/KPIX recognized his contributions with one of five coveted Silver Medals. 

Pronouns: he/him/his

Daniel Bao

Bookkeeper, BRIDGEGOOD

Daniel Bao has a long-standing experience of over 30 years in the nonprofit sector and community wellness.

Daniel has been associated with BRIDGEGOOD since its inception in July 2009, and has been working closely with its Board of Directors and Executive Staff. His expertise in advancing LGBTQ rights is noteworthy, and he has contributed significantly towards the betterment of the community.

Daniel received his master’s degree in Latin American studies from Stanford University in 1990, which has helped him gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and social aspects of the region.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Board Member, 2014-2018
Google
Board Officer - Secretary, 2017-Present
Favorite Medium
Cathy Kuzia
Board Member, 2009-2011
Swirl
Daniel Novick, AIA
Founding Board Member, 2009-2011
Mackenzie
Doris Newsome
Legacy Board Member, 2009-2011
Kaiser Permanente
Erica Hong
Board Member, 2014-2018
Twitter, Netflix
Gert Lombard
Board Member, 2015-2019
Twitter, Google
James Fong
Emeritus Board Member, 2009-2015
Bank of America
Kate McKenzie
Board Member, 2015-2019
The Climate Change Litigation Initiative
Emeritus Board Member, 2013-2023
Twilio / Twilio.org
Linda Poeng
Emeritus Board Founder, 2009-2023
The Clorox Company, VF Corporation
Lisa Sy
Board Member, 2017-2019
Facebook
Board Officer - President, 2019-Present
Western Digital
Mai Sese
Founding Board Member, 2009-2011
Archdiocese of San Francisco
Board Officer - Treasurer, 2010-Present
Saatchi & Saatchi, Caldecott Properties
Masai Davis
Founding Board Member, 2009-2011
Legal Services for Prisoners with Children
Emeritus Board Member, 2017-2023
US Bank
Min Wang
Board Member, 2010-2012
Yanfeng Visteon
Norman Weekes
Board Member, 2009-2011
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Rita Forte
Board Member, 2012-2016
The Olive Street Agency
R. Shay Miles
Board Member, 2012-2016
The North Face, a VF Company
Tim Rosenblatt
Board Member, 2013-2019
BlackRock
Emeritus Board Member, 2013-2021
Bank of the West
Valerie Wiggins
Board Member, 2012-2014
San Francisco Housing Development Corporation
Board Officer - Vice President, 2022-Present
Beyond
Board Member, 2022-Present
Kaiser Permanente
Hilda E. Mendoza
Team Member, 2013-2015
Program Associate (Business Development)
Team Member, 2018-2020
Program Associate (Visual Designer)
Morganne Whaley
Team Member, 2019-2020
Program Intern (Event Coordinator)
Mubarak Haruna
Team Member, Q2 2022
Program Ambassador (Business Development)
Alexsys Hornsby
Team Member, Q1 2022
Program Ambassador (Researcher)
Arlyn Elopre
Team Member, Q3 2022
Program Ambassador (High School Internship)
Team Member, 2022-Present
Program Advocate (Engineer)
Team Member, 2022-Present
Program Manager
Team Member, Q3 2022
Program Ambassador (UX & Visual Designer)
Team Member, 2021-2023
Program Ambassador (Visual Designer)
Emeritus Team Member, 2016-2022
Program Manager
Emeritus Team Member, 2017-2021
Full Stack Engineer
Team Member, 2022-Present
Atlanta Design Lead
Jemena Tabayoyong
Team Member, 2022-2023
Integration Strategist (Intern)
Board Member, 2023-Present
Design Strategist & Researcher
Board Member, 2023-Present
Free Association
Team Member, 2022-2023
Content Design Ambassador
Team Member, 2022-2023
Product Design Ambassador
Diego Muñoz
Team Member, 2022-2023
Program Ambassador (Digital Media Artist)
Board Member, 2023-Present
Smartsheet
Christopher Cruz
Team Member, 2022-2023
Program Ambassador (Illustrator)
Team Member, 2023-Present
Program Ambassador (Design Coordinator)
Team Member, 2022-Present
Program Ambassador (Visual Designer)
Team Member, 2022-2023
Program Ambassador (Visual Designer)
Board Member, 2023-Present
Medical Social Worker (MSW, ACSW)
Board Member 2023-Present
Vice President, Mortgage Loan Advisor

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. 

#GratitudeAttitude to Investors & Partners