Shaun Tai on Mentor
• – • Groundfloor Oakland
About the speaker
Shaun Tai is a designer, philanthropist, and social entrepreneur with two decades of transformative work across creative industries, community development, and tech education - dedicated to designing opportunities for underrepresented communities. As Executive Director of BRIDGEGOOD, Shaun leads with a mission of design equity and creative empowerment, delivering tuition-free User Experience (UX) training, career coaching, and open studio access to thousands of Bay Area creatives each year.
His roots in Oakland run deep: Shaun’s family has operated a small business in the town since 1969, and since 2009, he has led Inspire Oakland, a citywide design challenge spotlighting youth creativity through public art and billboards. From pioneering internet car culture in the ’90s with his brother to opening BRIDGEGOOD’s landmark design studio at Jack London Square, Shaun’s career blends technology, art, and civic impact.
Backed by partners like Adobe, Google.org, and the Golden State Warriors - and powered most importantly by the young talent from East Bay neighborhoods - Shaun has helped launch the careers of over 900 creatives of color, with alumni collectively earning more than $69 million. He’s not just designing programs: Shaun Tai is helping shape the Bay Area’s creative future through #DesignForSocialGood.
Local partners
Mama Dog Studios is designed for creative professionals who demand a great client experience and high technical performance, including high quality sync-sound audio capture.
At Groundfloor, we bring people together–whether it’s to work alongside others, socialize at events, or simply hang out. It’s a place where you can be a part of your community and be around good people.
Groundfloor Oakland is located in the heart of the Temescal neighborhood, one of Oakland’s oldest and most distinctive neighborhoods.
Teas With Meaning is an organic loose leaf and tea infused products company based in Oakland, California. “Magic is the main ingredient,” Mitchell often says. The magic of her teas are that they have multiple uses outside of an organic, fresh cup of tea to sip. Whether in baths, yoni steams, your favorite yogurt or plant compost, TWM herbs can be enjoyed after the initial brew. TWM also sells handcrafted ceramic mugs, tea-infused chocolates, tea-infused custom candles, wood-burn coasters and more; as partnerships and collaborations with other women and/or black owned small businesses.
GASH Productions is a Black & Queer-owned creative brand based in Oakland, CA, specializing in visual storytelling that captures the depth and intimacy of moments, people, and places. Rooted in the belief that every story deserves to be seen and celebrated, GASH Productions bridges artistry and impact through video, photography, and innovative media to inspire change and honor diverse narratives.
Additional details
What you can expect:
8:30am: Doors open (come early to get coffee & breakfast!)
9:00am – 9:10am: Host greeting & Talk starts
9:10 – 9:30am: Speaker delivers a 20-minute talk
9:30am – 9:40am: Q&A
9:40am – 10am: Gratitude, give-aways, and mingle
10:00am: See you next month!
Location
Hosted at
Groundfloor Oakland
4055 Telegraph avenue
Oakland, California United States 94609
When
–
Event Lead Duane Horton
Event Lead Carolina Quintanilla
Event Lead Jay Gash
