About
“Let me document your cause and present it to the world.” – Shaun Tai
Shaun Tai is active in the technology, entertainment, and non-profit sectors as a marketeer, creative and strategist.
Brief Bio:
Shaun Tai is the founder and Executive Director of Oakland Digital (ODALC), a volunteer-driven California 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, public benefit organization that makes Internet education more relevant and provides low-income communities with the tools they need to be effective 21st-century citizens and productive members of the increasingly digital economy.
In 2008, Shaun Tai successfully documented the history of Bay Area urban music, creating an online campaign that exceeded 14-million video views. The project opened his eyes to a lack of positive role-models and opportunities afforded to young adults in East Bay inner-city communities—a realization that would play a large part in his decision to create Oakland Digital.
Shaun Tai has taught at San Jose State University, where he received a B.S in Business Marketing (Magna Cum Laude) and an M.A in Architectural & Urban Design (4.0 GPA). In 2002, Shaun Tai graduated honors from California State University, East Bay with a B.A in Graphic Design. At Oakland Digital, his success in digital entrepreneurship is lent to the task of helping Oakland citizens use technology to succeed in their own ventures.
“I love Oakland (CA) and I admire what Oakland stands for: diversity, art, and cultural understanding,” says Shaun Tai. “Oakland Digital educates, inspires, and empowers Oaklanders by helping them understand technology and through digital literacy, positively impact their lives and economic well-being.”
Specialties:
- Creative Strategy: planning, directing and executing campaigns.
- Tech Philanthropy: devoting resources to promote technology for social good.
- eMarketing: creating, communicating and delivering value to the customer, online.
Summary of Activity:
2011: October 27th, Shaun Tai recognized by California State University East Bay as a ‘Hometown Hero’ featured on Comcast Newsmakers / CNN Headline News [csueastbay.edu, 2011].
2011: March 25th, Shaun Tai organized the first ever “Social Media for Small Business” at Oakland City Hall aimed at helping economically disadvantaged small business owners [examiner.com, 2011].
2010: October 2nd, Shaun Tai’s video “Tweedia Day 2010: Warriors Media Day” was the second most tweeted video in sports [ZOCIALtv, 2010].
2009: July 31st, Shaun Tai founded Oakland Digital Arts & Literacy Center (ODALC), a technology non-profit organization that empowers low-income citizens to participate in the digital economy [irs.gov, 2009].
2008: Shaun Tai successfully documented the history of Bay Area hip-hop culture, creating an online campaign that exceeded 14-million video views [Pushin' The Bay TV / SFBG, 2009].
2007: McCall Design Group partnered with Shaun Tai on an award-winning, green-building design for affordable and sustainable second-unit housing in Northern California [Public Architecture, 2007].
2003-2006: Shaun Tai obtained his second and third education degrees: Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing and Masters of Arts in Architectural & Urban Design [San Jose State University, 2006].
1998-2002: Shaun Tai obtained his first education degree: Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design [California State University East Bay, 2002].
2001: Shaun Tai co-founded an award-winning automotive group that was the sole influence for the $155-million grossing, blockbuster box-office commercial success, “The Fast and the Furious” [Guardian UK / The Guardian, 2001].