San Francisco Business Times
SFBT names Forty Under 40: Shaun Tai, Oakland Digital

Shaun Tai
CEO, Oakland Digital

HQ:
Oakland

What the company does:
Not-for-profit design studio that trains community college students to create social marketing campaigns for under-resourced small business owners.

Accomplishments:
Tai founded Oakland Digital in 2009 and to-date the organization has positively impacted the lives of nearly 6,000 Oakland and East Bay students and entrepreneurs, boosting the local economy by $4.8 million by bridging the digital literacy and opportunity divide. Last year, Shaun launched BRIDGEGOOD.com, a platform funded by Google.org and the Golden State Warriors Community Foundation that connects early stage creatives to professional opportunities.

Age:
34

Education:
B.A. from Cal State East Bay, B.S. and M.A. from San Jose State

Proudest professional accomplishment:
Starting a non-profit (Oakland Digital) with just $300

Best advice received:
You can do better (thanks Mom)

Word that best describes you:
Underestimated

Most surprising fact about you:
I was a rapper

Favorite job perk:
Daily bike rides (lunch break) around Lake Merritt

Favorite causes:
Economic empowerment, digital divide, opportunity