Shaun Tai is the founder and Executive Director of Oakland Digital (ODALC), an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, public benefit corporation that provides digital literacy education to small businesses and professional development traning to students in Oakland, CA, and the East Bay.

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 Advertising Management (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 Digital Graphics. 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.”