Dreams Deferred
Recession, Struggle, and the Quest for a Better World
By Brandolon Barnett
Dreams Deferred is an account of my journey to survive and escape poverty while also holding onto my dream of a career as a do-gooder through the Great Recession and beyond. It’s written in the hopes that my story will inspire and help others, even just one reader, to persevere. From scoping out spots to stay the night on the streets of San Francisco, to working to craft the product vision as a product leader ensconced in San Francisco tech, it’s my honest portrayal about what it took to get there - struggling to pay student loans, globe trotting on a low salary, building a life as an advisor, mentor, and investor to some of the most influential philanthropists and social impact institutions. Within these stories, which paint portraits of moving from hostel to hostel, struggling to eat as a grad student in London, seeing dreams become impossible, and personal suffering after the death of a mother I was not able to support, Dreams Deferred seeks to provide practical advice on strategizing to get to the next place in your career and find your 100% life while not ignoring all the innovative ways that you, me - and anyone - can transform this world into something better than it was when we found it.
Bringing Tech-for-Good to Life From the Stage
Brandolon Barnett is a sought-after speaker on the intersection of technology, equity, and social impact. Drawing from 15+ years building tech-for-good products and organizations, he brings frameworks, stories, and provocation to conferences, universities, corporate events, and nonprofit convenings.
AI & The Future of Social Impact
What it means for nonprofits, foundations, and civic organizations when AI becomes accessible — and what happens if the social sector is left behind.
Tech for Good: Beyond the Buzzword
A real-world exploration of what it takes to build technology that actually serves underrepresented communities — and why most tech fails to do so.
Building While Dreaming Deferred
A personal story and leadership framework for changemakers who are building the future from the margins — even when the system wasn't built for them.
Innovation as a Justice Practice
How organizations can bake equity into their product and technology strategy — not as an afterthought, but as the core design principle.
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"Brandolon brings the rare combination of technical depth and human storytelling. He doesn't just talk about innovation — he makes you believe it's possible in your own organization."— Conference Attendee, Tech for Good Summit
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Inquiries for keynotes, workshops, panels, and university visits welcome. Limited availability — reach out early.
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