Afdhel Aziz
Storyteller @goodisthenewcool Director @jayaflava on @natgeo +@geniusoftheplace Stay @8leynbaan Photoshoots @casa_de_paz_la Music @therealsaintroyale
Friday Flowers: This Friday, I want to send a heartfelt thank you to a very special group of people: the incredibly dedicated speaking agents, managers and bureaus, who have supported me on my journey over the last decade.
When I started speaking in 2016, I never dreamt that it would take me around the world, from North America to Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East.
(This clip of me is on stage in Dubai last year - a place to which I’m sending a lot of love right now in these troubled times).
Thanks to the belief of these wonderful folks, speaking has helped me spread my message of Purpose, love and courage, of inspiration, innovation and impact.
It’s helped me meet so many incredible people around the world, and it’s given me a chance to make a living (and a life), by letting my values drive my value.
Thanks for the last ten years - and here’s to the next ten!
Thank you to @speakersdotca @utaspeakers @leadingauthorities @gdaspeakers @bigspeak_speakers_bureau @gothamspeakers @allamericanspeakertoastmasters and many more.
#goodisthenewcool
#conspiracyoflove
#thepowerofpurpose
#makenosmallplans
Get ready for Jayaflava’s Crab Curry episode! Come with us to Jaffna to learn how to cook this iconic dish, and experience the beauty of the Jaffna Kite Festival. Catch up with the amazing chef Dharshan Munidasa from Ministry of Crab, and go hunting for mud-crabs in the Gangewadiya.
Find us on National Geographic India Friday nights at 8pm and Sundays at 1pm and on NatGeo India YouTube.
#jayaflava
#celebratingsrilanka #goodisthenewcool
We are walking on a dream after GoodCon LA 2025! Thank you to all our amazing partners from The Herds who stunned everyone with their amazing Gorillla guest to Homegirl Industries with their delicious tacos, and all our speakers and supporters who stepped up ! @utafoundation @elevateprize @xbox @imaginedocs @wiedenkennedy @goodmoneydaily @globalwholebeingfund @socialimpactfund and many others. Fantastic job by our incredible team @jasminethem_ @slezounik @jlalalaw and of course my brother in purpose @bobbyjonesonpurpose #goodisthenewcool #conspiracyoflove #makenosmallplans
How are we solving the Hope Gap? By making docuseries like ‘The Solutionaries’, focusing on the game-changing entrepreneurs tackling climate change with audacious innovation. People like Dr Lisa Dyson from @airprotein - making food from air.
Interested to bring this conversation to your team or event? Tap the link in bio for speaking inquiries.
#StoriesThatFillTheHopeGap #MakeNoSmallPlans #GoodIsTheNewCool #KeynoteSpeaker

Thank you, Sunday Times UK, for highlighting 8 Leyn Baan Street as one of the chicest places to stay in Galle Fort. Make sure you follow us over at @8leynbaan for the latest.

New York showed up for hope. 🧡
Last week, more than 230 people came together for GOODCon NYC, our Festival of Hope and Storytelling — a room full of brand leaders, creators, philanthropists, storytellers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers asking how stories can build more hope, not more noise.
From Sesame Workshop and children’s media to mental health, inclusive growth, democracy, conservation, climate innovation, play, public art, and bold new models for backing change, the day reminded us how powerful storytelling becomes when it is paired with action.
But what people keep talking about isn’t just the ideas.
It’s the feeling.
The honesty in the conversations.
The energy in the room.
The reminder that hope is not naive when it is practical, creative, and shared.
Thank you to every speaker, performer, partner, and attendee who brought so much heart to the day.
And deep gratitude to the partners who helped bring GOODCon NYC to life: The @utafoundation, @elevateprize, @landolakesktchn, @pmi_org, Goodstack, @planet.haus, @goodloophq, @socialimpactfund, @davidprizenyc, and Intuitive Communications.
More highlights coming soon. ✨
#GOODCon #HopeGap #StoriesThatFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #HopeGap #GOODcon #MakeNoSmallplans #NYC

New York showed up for hope. 🧡
Last week, more than 230 people came together for GOODCon NYC, our Festival of Hope and Storytelling — a room full of brand leaders, creators, philanthropists, storytellers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers asking how stories can build more hope, not more noise.
From Sesame Workshop and children’s media to mental health, inclusive growth, democracy, conservation, climate innovation, play, public art, and bold new models for backing change, the day reminded us how powerful storytelling becomes when it is paired with action.
But what people keep talking about isn’t just the ideas.
It’s the feeling.
The honesty in the conversations.
The energy in the room.
The reminder that hope is not naive when it is practical, creative, and shared.
Thank you to every speaker, performer, partner, and attendee who brought so much heart to the day.
And deep gratitude to the partners who helped bring GOODCon NYC to life: The @utafoundation, @elevateprize, @landolakesktchn, @pmi_org, Goodstack, @planet.haus, @goodloophq, @socialimpactfund, @davidprizenyc, and Intuitive Communications.
More highlights coming soon. ✨
#GOODCon #HopeGap #StoriesThatFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #HopeGap #GOODcon #MakeNoSmallplans #NYC

New York showed up for hope. 🧡
Last week, more than 230 people came together for GOODCon NYC, our Festival of Hope and Storytelling — a room full of brand leaders, creators, philanthropists, storytellers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers asking how stories can build more hope, not more noise.
From Sesame Workshop and children’s media to mental health, inclusive growth, democracy, conservation, climate innovation, play, public art, and bold new models for backing change, the day reminded us how powerful storytelling becomes when it is paired with action.
But what people keep talking about isn’t just the ideas.
It’s the feeling.
The honesty in the conversations.
The energy in the room.
The reminder that hope is not naive when it is practical, creative, and shared.
Thank you to every speaker, performer, partner, and attendee who brought so much heart to the day.
And deep gratitude to the partners who helped bring GOODCon NYC to life: The @utafoundation, @elevateprize, @landolakesktchn, @pmi_org, Goodstack, @planet.haus, @goodloophq, @socialimpactfund, @davidprizenyc, and Intuitive Communications.
More highlights coming soon. ✨
#GOODCon #HopeGap #StoriesThatFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #HopeGap #GOODcon #MakeNoSmallplans #NYC

New York showed up for hope. 🧡
Last week, more than 230 people came together for GOODCon NYC, our Festival of Hope and Storytelling — a room full of brand leaders, creators, philanthropists, storytellers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers asking how stories can build more hope, not more noise.
From Sesame Workshop and children’s media to mental health, inclusive growth, democracy, conservation, climate innovation, play, public art, and bold new models for backing change, the day reminded us how powerful storytelling becomes when it is paired with action.
But what people keep talking about isn’t just the ideas.
It’s the feeling.
The honesty in the conversations.
The energy in the room.
The reminder that hope is not naive when it is practical, creative, and shared.
Thank you to every speaker, performer, partner, and attendee who brought so much heart to the day.
And deep gratitude to the partners who helped bring GOODCon NYC to life: The @utafoundation, @elevateprize, @landolakesktchn, @pmi_org, Goodstack, @planet.haus, @goodloophq, @socialimpactfund, @davidprizenyc, and Intuitive Communications.
More highlights coming soon. ✨
#GOODCon #HopeGap #StoriesThatFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #HopeGap #GOODcon #MakeNoSmallplans #NYC

New York showed up for hope. 🧡
Last week, more than 230 people came together for GOODCon NYC, our Festival of Hope and Storytelling — a room full of brand leaders, creators, philanthropists, storytellers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers asking how stories can build more hope, not more noise.
From Sesame Workshop and children’s media to mental health, inclusive growth, democracy, conservation, climate innovation, play, public art, and bold new models for backing change, the day reminded us how powerful storytelling becomes when it is paired with action.
But what people keep talking about isn’t just the ideas.
It’s the feeling.
The honesty in the conversations.
The energy in the room.
The reminder that hope is not naive when it is practical, creative, and shared.
Thank you to every speaker, performer, partner, and attendee who brought so much heart to the day.
And deep gratitude to the partners who helped bring GOODCon NYC to life: The @utafoundation, @elevateprize, @landolakesktchn, @pmi_org, Goodstack, @planet.haus, @goodloophq, @socialimpactfund, @davidprizenyc, and Intuitive Communications.
More highlights coming soon. ✨
#GOODCon #HopeGap #StoriesThatFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #HopeGap #GOODcon #MakeNoSmallplans #NYC

New York showed up for hope. 🧡
Last week, more than 230 people came together for GOODCon NYC, our Festival of Hope and Storytelling — a room full of brand leaders, creators, philanthropists, storytellers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers asking how stories can build more hope, not more noise.
From Sesame Workshop and children’s media to mental health, inclusive growth, democracy, conservation, climate innovation, play, public art, and bold new models for backing change, the day reminded us how powerful storytelling becomes when it is paired with action.
But what people keep talking about isn’t just the ideas.
It’s the feeling.
The honesty in the conversations.
The energy in the room.
The reminder that hope is not naive when it is practical, creative, and shared.
Thank you to every speaker, performer, partner, and attendee who brought so much heart to the day.
And deep gratitude to the partners who helped bring GOODCon NYC to life: The @utafoundation, @elevateprize, @landolakesktchn, @pmi_org, Goodstack, @planet.haus, @goodloophq, @socialimpactfund, @davidprizenyc, and Intuitive Communications.
More highlights coming soon. ✨
#GOODCon #HopeGap #StoriesThatFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #HopeGap #GOODcon #MakeNoSmallplans #NYC

New York showed up for hope. 🧡
Last week, more than 230 people came together for GOODCon NYC, our Festival of Hope and Storytelling — a room full of brand leaders, creators, philanthropists, storytellers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers asking how stories can build more hope, not more noise.
From Sesame Workshop and children’s media to mental health, inclusive growth, democracy, conservation, climate innovation, play, public art, and bold new models for backing change, the day reminded us how powerful storytelling becomes when it is paired with action.
But what people keep talking about isn’t just the ideas.
It’s the feeling.
The honesty in the conversations.
The energy in the room.
The reminder that hope is not naive when it is practical, creative, and shared.
Thank you to every speaker, performer, partner, and attendee who brought so much heart to the day.
And deep gratitude to the partners who helped bring GOODCon NYC to life: The @utafoundation, @elevateprize, @landolakesktchn, @pmi_org, Goodstack, @planet.haus, @goodloophq, @socialimpactfund, @davidprizenyc, and Intuitive Communications.
More highlights coming soon. ✨
#GOODCon #HopeGap #StoriesThatFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #HopeGap #GOODcon #MakeNoSmallplans #NYC

New York showed up for hope. 🧡
Last week, more than 230 people came together for GOODCon NYC, our Festival of Hope and Storytelling — a room full of brand leaders, creators, philanthropists, storytellers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers asking how stories can build more hope, not more noise.
From Sesame Workshop and children’s media to mental health, inclusive growth, democracy, conservation, climate innovation, play, public art, and bold new models for backing change, the day reminded us how powerful storytelling becomes when it is paired with action.
But what people keep talking about isn’t just the ideas.
It’s the feeling.
The honesty in the conversations.
The energy in the room.
The reminder that hope is not naive when it is practical, creative, and shared.
Thank you to every speaker, performer, partner, and attendee who brought so much heart to the day.
And deep gratitude to the partners who helped bring GOODCon NYC to life: The @utafoundation, @elevateprize, @landolakesktchn, @pmi_org, Goodstack, @planet.haus, @goodloophq, @socialimpactfund, @davidprizenyc, and Intuitive Communications.
More highlights coming soon. ✨
#GOODCon #HopeGap #StoriesThatFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #HopeGap #GOODcon #MakeNoSmallplans #NYC

New York showed up for hope. 🧡
Last week, more than 230 people came together for GOODCon NYC, our Festival of Hope and Storytelling — a room full of brand leaders, creators, philanthropists, storytellers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers asking how stories can build more hope, not more noise.
From Sesame Workshop and children’s media to mental health, inclusive growth, democracy, conservation, climate innovation, play, public art, and bold new models for backing change, the day reminded us how powerful storytelling becomes when it is paired with action.
But what people keep talking about isn’t just the ideas.
It’s the feeling.
The honesty in the conversations.
The energy in the room.
The reminder that hope is not naive when it is practical, creative, and shared.
Thank you to every speaker, performer, partner, and attendee who brought so much heart to the day.
And deep gratitude to the partners who helped bring GOODCon NYC to life: The @utafoundation, @elevateprize, @landolakesktchn, @pmi_org, Goodstack, @planet.haus, @goodloophq, @socialimpactfund, @davidprizenyc, and Intuitive Communications.
More highlights coming soon. ✨
#GOODCon #HopeGap #StoriesThatFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #HopeGap #GOODcon #MakeNoSmallplans #NYC

New York showed up for hope. 🧡
Last week, more than 230 people came together for GOODCon NYC, our Festival of Hope and Storytelling — a room full of brand leaders, creators, philanthropists, storytellers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers asking how stories can build more hope, not more noise.
From Sesame Workshop and children’s media to mental health, inclusive growth, democracy, conservation, climate innovation, play, public art, and bold new models for backing change, the day reminded us how powerful storytelling becomes when it is paired with action.
But what people keep talking about isn’t just the ideas.
It’s the feeling.
The honesty in the conversations.
The energy in the room.
The reminder that hope is not naive when it is practical, creative, and shared.
Thank you to every speaker, performer, partner, and attendee who brought so much heart to the day.
And deep gratitude to the partners who helped bring GOODCon NYC to life: The @utafoundation, @elevateprize, @landolakesktchn, @pmi_org, Goodstack, @planet.haus, @goodloophq, @socialimpactfund, @davidprizenyc, and Intuitive Communications.
More highlights coming soon. ✨
#GOODCon #HopeGap #StoriesThatFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #HopeGap #GOODcon #MakeNoSmallplans #NYC

Checking out the incredible Nigo retrospective at the London Design Museum.

Checking out the incredible Nigo retrospective at the London Design Museum.

Checking out the incredible Nigo retrospective at the London Design Museum.

Checking out the incredible Nigo retrospective at the London Design Museum.

Checking out the incredible Nigo retrospective at the London Design Museum.

Checking out the incredible Nigo retrospective at the London Design Museum.

This is my friend @_murugiah . He’s an amazing Sri Lankan artist who’s debut show is opening at the Quentin Blake Gallery soon (see second image for the poster). Please check it out!

This is my friend @_murugiah . He’s an amazing Sri Lankan artist who’s debut show is opening at the Quentin Blake Gallery soon (see second image for the poster). Please check it out!

This is my friend @_murugiah . He’s an amazing Sri Lankan artist who’s debut show is opening at the Quentin Blake Gallery soon (see second image for the poster). Please check it out!

GoodCon New York City: Where do I start?
Two hundred people walked into a room this week — artists, founders, organizers, executives, dreamers with spreadsheets, builders with manifestos — and for one day, the noise of the world went quiet.
What filled the silence was something rarer than optimism. It was evidence. Proof that the people stitching the future back together are already among us, already at work, already winning more than the headlines let on.
Ten years ago, Good is the New Cool was an idea with a question mark at the end of it. Could purpose and culture share a stage? Could doing good and being cool stop pretending to be strangers? A decade later, we have our answer.
What unfolded inside that room defied any single description.
Broadway voices that pulled the air out of the room — and gave it back richer. A red, furry sage named Elmo, reminding a room full of adults what we’d forgotten about kindness. Voices from the frontlines of mental health, climate, equity, and community — not pitching, but witnessing. A rock-paper-scissors tournament that turned 200 strangers into one laughing organism. Hip-hop as healing practice. The Kiki ballroom scene — that radiant, defiant inheritance of Black and brown queer and trans genius — turning the floor into church. And the good folks from PlanetHAUS building a Gifting Garden of sustainable products for everyone to sample.
Culture and commerce, sitting at the same table for once. Creativity and conscience, holding hands instead of arm-wrestling.
It was the kind of day you don’t summarize. You metabolize. And I’m still metabolizing it now.
Thank you to my partners in purpose Bobby Jones Lucia Slezakova Jasmine Them India Woolmington Kelly Vogt Campbell Julia Collins Jake Siegler and the whole Neuehouse NYC team.
Thank you to our generous sponsors UTA FOUNDATION Land O’Lakes, Inc. Project Management Institute Social Impact Fund Elevate Prize Foundation Goodstack Good-Loop The David Prize Intuitive Communications LLC.
#GoodCon #GoodIsTheNewCool #FillTheHopeGap #PurposeDriven #CultureChange ForcesForGood

GoodCon New York City: Where do I start?
Two hundred people walked into a room this week — artists, founders, organizers, executives, dreamers with spreadsheets, builders with manifestos — and for one day, the noise of the world went quiet.
What filled the silence was something rarer than optimism. It was evidence. Proof that the people stitching the future back together are already among us, already at work, already winning more than the headlines let on.
Ten years ago, Good is the New Cool was an idea with a question mark at the end of it. Could purpose and culture share a stage? Could doing good and being cool stop pretending to be strangers? A decade later, we have our answer.
What unfolded inside that room defied any single description.
Broadway voices that pulled the air out of the room — and gave it back richer. A red, furry sage named Elmo, reminding a room full of adults what we’d forgotten about kindness. Voices from the frontlines of mental health, climate, equity, and community — not pitching, but witnessing. A rock-paper-scissors tournament that turned 200 strangers into one laughing organism. Hip-hop as healing practice. The Kiki ballroom scene — that radiant, defiant inheritance of Black and brown queer and trans genius — turning the floor into church. And the good folks from PlanetHAUS building a Gifting Garden of sustainable products for everyone to sample.
Culture and commerce, sitting at the same table for once. Creativity and conscience, holding hands instead of arm-wrestling.
It was the kind of day you don’t summarize. You metabolize. And I’m still metabolizing it now.
Thank you to my partners in purpose Bobby Jones Lucia Slezakova Jasmine Them India Woolmington Kelly Vogt Campbell Julia Collins Jake Siegler and the whole Neuehouse NYC team.
Thank you to our generous sponsors UTA FOUNDATION Land O’Lakes, Inc. Project Management Institute Social Impact Fund Elevate Prize Foundation Goodstack Good-Loop The David Prize Intuitive Communications LLC.
#GoodCon #GoodIsTheNewCool #FillTheHopeGap #PurposeDriven #CultureChange ForcesForGood

GoodCon New York City: Where do I start?
Two hundred people walked into a room this week — artists, founders, organizers, executives, dreamers with spreadsheets, builders with manifestos — and for one day, the noise of the world went quiet.
What filled the silence was something rarer than optimism. It was evidence. Proof that the people stitching the future back together are already among us, already at work, already winning more than the headlines let on.
Ten years ago, Good is the New Cool was an idea with a question mark at the end of it. Could purpose and culture share a stage? Could doing good and being cool stop pretending to be strangers? A decade later, we have our answer.
What unfolded inside that room defied any single description.
Broadway voices that pulled the air out of the room — and gave it back richer. A red, furry sage named Elmo, reminding a room full of adults what we’d forgotten about kindness. Voices from the frontlines of mental health, climate, equity, and community — not pitching, but witnessing. A rock-paper-scissors tournament that turned 200 strangers into one laughing organism. Hip-hop as healing practice. The Kiki ballroom scene — that radiant, defiant inheritance of Black and brown queer and trans genius — turning the floor into church. And the good folks from PlanetHAUS building a Gifting Garden of sustainable products for everyone to sample.
Culture and commerce, sitting at the same table for once. Creativity and conscience, holding hands instead of arm-wrestling.
It was the kind of day you don’t summarize. You metabolize. And I’m still metabolizing it now.
Thank you to my partners in purpose Bobby Jones Lucia Slezakova Jasmine Them India Woolmington Kelly Vogt Campbell Julia Collins Jake Siegler and the whole Neuehouse NYC team.
Thank you to our generous sponsors UTA FOUNDATION Land O’Lakes, Inc. Project Management Institute Social Impact Fund Elevate Prize Foundation Goodstack Good-Loop The David Prize Intuitive Communications LLC.
#GoodCon #GoodIsTheNewCool #FillTheHopeGap #PurposeDriven #CultureChange ForcesForGood

GoodCon New York City: Where do I start?
Two hundred people walked into a room this week — artists, founders, organizers, executives, dreamers with spreadsheets, builders with manifestos — and for one day, the noise of the world went quiet.
What filled the silence was something rarer than optimism. It was evidence. Proof that the people stitching the future back together are already among us, already at work, already winning more than the headlines let on.
Ten years ago, Good is the New Cool was an idea with a question mark at the end of it. Could purpose and culture share a stage? Could doing good and being cool stop pretending to be strangers? A decade later, we have our answer.
What unfolded inside that room defied any single description.
Broadway voices that pulled the air out of the room — and gave it back richer. A red, furry sage named Elmo, reminding a room full of adults what we’d forgotten about kindness. Voices from the frontlines of mental health, climate, equity, and community — not pitching, but witnessing. A rock-paper-scissors tournament that turned 200 strangers into one laughing organism. Hip-hop as healing practice. The Kiki ballroom scene — that radiant, defiant inheritance of Black and brown queer and trans genius — turning the floor into church. And the good folks from PlanetHAUS building a Gifting Garden of sustainable products for everyone to sample.
Culture and commerce, sitting at the same table for once. Creativity and conscience, holding hands instead of arm-wrestling.
It was the kind of day you don’t summarize. You metabolize. And I’m still metabolizing it now.
Thank you to my partners in purpose Bobby Jones Lucia Slezakova Jasmine Them India Woolmington Kelly Vogt Campbell Julia Collins Jake Siegler and the whole Neuehouse NYC team.
Thank you to our generous sponsors UTA FOUNDATION Land O’Lakes, Inc. Project Management Institute Social Impact Fund Elevate Prize Foundation Goodstack Good-Loop The David Prize Intuitive Communications LLC.
#GoodCon #GoodIsTheNewCool #FillTheHopeGap #PurposeDriven #CultureChange ForcesForGood

GoodCon New York City: Where do I start?
Two hundred people walked into a room this week — artists, founders, organizers, executives, dreamers with spreadsheets, builders with manifestos — and for one day, the noise of the world went quiet.
What filled the silence was something rarer than optimism. It was evidence. Proof that the people stitching the future back together are already among us, already at work, already winning more than the headlines let on.
Ten years ago, Good is the New Cool was an idea with a question mark at the end of it. Could purpose and culture share a stage? Could doing good and being cool stop pretending to be strangers? A decade later, we have our answer.
What unfolded inside that room defied any single description.
Broadway voices that pulled the air out of the room — and gave it back richer. A red, furry sage named Elmo, reminding a room full of adults what we’d forgotten about kindness. Voices from the frontlines of mental health, climate, equity, and community — not pitching, but witnessing. A rock-paper-scissors tournament that turned 200 strangers into one laughing organism. Hip-hop as healing practice. The Kiki ballroom scene — that radiant, defiant inheritance of Black and brown queer and trans genius — turning the floor into church. And the good folks from PlanetHAUS building a Gifting Garden of sustainable products for everyone to sample.
Culture and commerce, sitting at the same table for once. Creativity and conscience, holding hands instead of arm-wrestling.
It was the kind of day you don’t summarize. You metabolize. And I’m still metabolizing it now.
Thank you to my partners in purpose Bobby Jones Lucia Slezakova Jasmine Them India Woolmington Kelly Vogt Campbell Julia Collins Jake Siegler and the whole Neuehouse NYC team.
Thank you to our generous sponsors UTA FOUNDATION Land O’Lakes, Inc. Project Management Institute Social Impact Fund Elevate Prize Foundation Goodstack Good-Loop The David Prize Intuitive Communications LLC.
#GoodCon #GoodIsTheNewCool #FillTheHopeGap #PurposeDriven #CultureChange ForcesForGood

GoodCon New York City: Where do I start?
Two hundred people walked into a room this week — artists, founders, organizers, executives, dreamers with spreadsheets, builders with manifestos — and for one day, the noise of the world went quiet.
What filled the silence was something rarer than optimism. It was evidence. Proof that the people stitching the future back together are already among us, already at work, already winning more than the headlines let on.
Ten years ago, Good is the New Cool was an idea with a question mark at the end of it. Could purpose and culture share a stage? Could doing good and being cool stop pretending to be strangers? A decade later, we have our answer.
What unfolded inside that room defied any single description.
Broadway voices that pulled the air out of the room — and gave it back richer. A red, furry sage named Elmo, reminding a room full of adults what we’d forgotten about kindness. Voices from the frontlines of mental health, climate, equity, and community — not pitching, but witnessing. A rock-paper-scissors tournament that turned 200 strangers into one laughing organism. Hip-hop as healing practice. The Kiki ballroom scene — that radiant, defiant inheritance of Black and brown queer and trans genius — turning the floor into church. And the good folks from PlanetHAUS building a Gifting Garden of sustainable products for everyone to sample.
Culture and commerce, sitting at the same table for once. Creativity and conscience, holding hands instead of arm-wrestling.
It was the kind of day you don’t summarize. You metabolize. And I’m still metabolizing it now.
Thank you to my partners in purpose Bobby Jones Lucia Slezakova Jasmine Them India Woolmington Kelly Vogt Campbell Julia Collins Jake Siegler and the whole Neuehouse NYC team.
Thank you to our generous sponsors UTA FOUNDATION Land O’Lakes, Inc. Project Management Institute Social Impact Fund Elevate Prize Foundation Goodstack Good-Loop The David Prize Intuitive Communications LLC.
#GoodCon #GoodIsTheNewCool #FillTheHopeGap #PurposeDriven #CultureChange ForcesForGood

Friday Flowers: a huge bouquet of thanks to my dear friend Julia Collins and her awesome team for pulling off an incredible San Francisco climate week event at sweat PlanetHAUS. A mind blowing experience of seeing an entire lifestyle of products that were sustainable ethical and super cool, coupled with inspiring talks on stage. Thanks for letting me be part of it!
#goodisthenewcool
#planethaus
#thepowerofpurpose
#makenosmallplans

Friday Flowers: a huge bouquet of thanks to my dear friend Julia Collins and her awesome team for pulling off an incredible San Francisco climate week event at sweat PlanetHAUS. A mind blowing experience of seeing an entire lifestyle of products that were sustainable ethical and super cool, coupled with inspiring talks on stage. Thanks for letting me be part of it!
#goodisthenewcool
#planethaus
#thepowerofpurpose
#makenosmallplans

Friday Flowers: a huge bouquet of thanks to my dear friend Julia Collins and her awesome team for pulling off an incredible San Francisco climate week event at sweat PlanetHAUS. A mind blowing experience of seeing an entire lifestyle of products that were sustainable ethical and super cool, coupled with inspiring talks on stage. Thanks for letting me be part of it!
#goodisthenewcool
#planethaus
#thepowerofpurpose
#makenosmallplans

We are off to a great start and it’s only the beginning! Thank you @forbes and @afdhel for the incredible article 💛

We are off to a great start and it’s only the beginning! Thank you @forbes and @afdhel for the incredible article 💛

We are off to a great start and it’s only the beginning! Thank you @forbes and @afdhel for the incredible article 💛

We are off to a great start and it’s only the beginning! Thank you @forbes and @afdhel for the incredible article 💛

In 1992, Eddie Murphy played Marcus Graham — a sharp, ambitious Black ad executive who owned every room he walked into.
In real life, those rooms were almost impossible to get into.
Lincoln Stephens decided to change that. In 2007 he co-founded the @mgproject (Marcus Graham Project) — a bootcamp that took young Black and brown creatives and put them inside real client work, with real stakes, from day one. Over a thousand alumni later, they're at Nike, Spotify, Disney, Wieden+Kennedy.
Now, with new grad unemployment at its highest since 2020 and the industry shedding entry-level jobs, Stephens is asking a harder question — not just how do you train the talent, but where does it go? His answer is Locomotus: an on-demand platform that deploys MGP-trained creative teams directly to brands and businesses, including the 194,000 Black-owned businesses generating $212 billion in revenue that the industry has never properly served.
To read @afdhel's latest story tap the link in the bio.
#StoriesThaTFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #MarcusGrajamProject
#MakeNoSmallPlans
Image courtesy: Marcus Graham Project, Dallas Mavericks

In 1992, Eddie Murphy played Marcus Graham — a sharp, ambitious Black ad executive who owned every room he walked into.
In real life, those rooms were almost impossible to get into.
Lincoln Stephens decided to change that. In 2007 he co-founded the @mgproject (Marcus Graham Project) — a bootcamp that took young Black and brown creatives and put them inside real client work, with real stakes, from day one. Over a thousand alumni later, they're at Nike, Spotify, Disney, Wieden+Kennedy.
Now, with new grad unemployment at its highest since 2020 and the industry shedding entry-level jobs, Stephens is asking a harder question — not just how do you train the talent, but where does it go? His answer is Locomotus: an on-demand platform that deploys MGP-trained creative teams directly to brands and businesses, including the 194,000 Black-owned businesses generating $212 billion in revenue that the industry has never properly served.
To read @afdhel's latest story tap the link in the bio.
#StoriesThaTFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #MarcusGrajamProject
#MakeNoSmallPlans
Image courtesy: Marcus Graham Project, Dallas Mavericks

In 1992, Eddie Murphy played Marcus Graham — a sharp, ambitious Black ad executive who owned every room he walked into.
In real life, those rooms were almost impossible to get into.
Lincoln Stephens decided to change that. In 2007 he co-founded the @mgproject (Marcus Graham Project) — a bootcamp that took young Black and brown creatives and put them inside real client work, with real stakes, from day one. Over a thousand alumni later, they're at Nike, Spotify, Disney, Wieden+Kennedy.
Now, with new grad unemployment at its highest since 2020 and the industry shedding entry-level jobs, Stephens is asking a harder question — not just how do you train the talent, but where does it go? His answer is Locomotus: an on-demand platform that deploys MGP-trained creative teams directly to brands and businesses, including the 194,000 Black-owned businesses generating $212 billion in revenue that the industry has never properly served.
To read @afdhel's latest story tap the link in the bio.
#StoriesThaTFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #MarcusGrajamProject
#MakeNoSmallPlans
Image courtesy: Marcus Graham Project, Dallas Mavericks

In 1992, Eddie Murphy played Marcus Graham — a sharp, ambitious Black ad executive who owned every room he walked into.
In real life, those rooms were almost impossible to get into.
Lincoln Stephens decided to change that. In 2007 he co-founded the @mgproject (Marcus Graham Project) — a bootcamp that took young Black and brown creatives and put them inside real client work, with real stakes, from day one. Over a thousand alumni later, they're at Nike, Spotify, Disney, Wieden+Kennedy.
Now, with new grad unemployment at its highest since 2020 and the industry shedding entry-level jobs, Stephens is asking a harder question — not just how do you train the talent, but where does it go? His answer is Locomotus: an on-demand platform that deploys MGP-trained creative teams directly to brands and businesses, including the 194,000 Black-owned businesses generating $212 billion in revenue that the industry has never properly served.
To read @afdhel's latest story tap the link in the bio.
#StoriesThaTFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #MarcusGrajamProject
#MakeNoSmallPlans
Image courtesy: Marcus Graham Project, Dallas Mavericks

In 1992, Eddie Murphy played Marcus Graham — a sharp, ambitious Black ad executive who owned every room he walked into.
In real life, those rooms were almost impossible to get into.
Lincoln Stephens decided to change that. In 2007 he co-founded the @mgproject (Marcus Graham Project) — a bootcamp that took young Black and brown creatives and put them inside real client work, with real stakes, from day one. Over a thousand alumni later, they're at Nike, Spotify, Disney, Wieden+Kennedy.
Now, with new grad unemployment at its highest since 2020 and the industry shedding entry-level jobs, Stephens is asking a harder question — not just how do you train the talent, but where does it go? His answer is Locomotus: an on-demand platform that deploys MGP-trained creative teams directly to brands and businesses, including the 194,000 Black-owned businesses generating $212 billion in revenue that the industry has never properly served.
To read @afdhel's latest story tap the link in the bio.
#StoriesThaTFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #MarcusGrajamProject
#MakeNoSmallPlans
Image courtesy: Marcus Graham Project, Dallas Mavericks

In 1992, Eddie Murphy played Marcus Graham — a sharp, ambitious Black ad executive who owned every room he walked into.
In real life, those rooms were almost impossible to get into.
Lincoln Stephens decided to change that. In 2007 he co-founded the @mgproject (Marcus Graham Project) — a bootcamp that took young Black and brown creatives and put them inside real client work, with real stakes, from day one. Over a thousand alumni later, they're at Nike, Spotify, Disney, Wieden+Kennedy.
Now, with new grad unemployment at its highest since 2020 and the industry shedding entry-level jobs, Stephens is asking a harder question — not just how do you train the talent, but where does it go? His answer is Locomotus: an on-demand platform that deploys MGP-trained creative teams directly to brands and businesses, including the 194,000 Black-owned businesses generating $212 billion in revenue that the industry has never properly served.
To read @afdhel's latest story tap the link in the bio.
#StoriesThaTFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #MarcusGrajamProject
#MakeNoSmallPlans
Image courtesy: Marcus Graham Project, Dallas Mavericks

In 1992, Eddie Murphy played Marcus Graham — a sharp, ambitious Black ad executive who owned every room he walked into.
In real life, those rooms were almost impossible to get into.
Lincoln Stephens decided to change that. In 2007 he co-founded the @mgproject (Marcus Graham Project) — a bootcamp that took young Black and brown creatives and put them inside real client work, with real stakes, from day one. Over a thousand alumni later, they're at Nike, Spotify, Disney, Wieden+Kennedy.
Now, with new grad unemployment at its highest since 2020 and the industry shedding entry-level jobs, Stephens is asking a harder question — not just how do you train the talent, but where does it go? His answer is Locomotus: an on-demand platform that deploys MGP-trained creative teams directly to brands and businesses, including the 194,000 Black-owned businesses generating $212 billion in revenue that the industry has never properly served.
To read @afdhel's latest story tap the link in the bio.
#StoriesThaTFillTheHopeGap #GoodIsTheNewCool #MarcusGrajamProject
#MakeNoSmallPlans
Image courtesy: Marcus Graham Project, Dallas Mavericks
The Instagram Story Viewer is an easy tool that lets you secretly watch and save Instagram stories, videos, photos, or IGTV. With this service, you can download content and enjoy it offline whenever you like. If you find something interesting on Instagram that you’d like to check out later or want to view stories while staying anonymous, our Viewer is perfect for you. Anonstories offers an excellent solution for keeping your identity hidden. Instagram first launched the Stories feature in August 2023, which was quickly adopted by other platforms due to its engaging, time-sensitive format. Stories let users share quick updates, whether photos, videos, or selfies, enhanced with text, emojis, or filters, and are visible for only 24 hours. This limited time frame creates high engagement compared to regular posts. In today’s world, Stories are one of the most popular ways to connect and communicate on social media. However, when you view a Story, the creator can see your name in their viewer list, which may be a privacy concern. What if you wish to browse Stories without being noticed? Here’s where Anonstories becomes useful. It allows you to watch public Instagram content without revealing your identity. Simply enter the username of the profile you’re curious about, and the tool will display their latest Stories. Features of Anonstories Viewer: - Anonymous Browsing: Watch Stories without showing up on the viewer list. - No Account Needed: View public content without signing up for an Instagram account. - Content Download: Save any Stories content directly to your device for offline use. - View Highlights: Access Instagram Highlights, even beyond the 24-hour window. - Repost Monitoring: Track the reposts or engagement levels on Stories for personal profiles. Limitations: - This tool works only with public accounts; private accounts remain inaccessible. Benefits: - Privacy-Friendly: Watch any Instagram content without being noticed. - Simple and Easy: No app installation or registration required. - Exclusive Tools: Download and manage content in ways Instagram doesn’t offer.
Keep track of Instagram updates discreetly while protecting your privacy and staying anonymous.
View profiles and photos anonymously with ease using the Private Profile Viewer.
This free tool allows you to view Instagram Stories anonymously, ensuring your activity remains hidden from the story uploader.
Anonstories lets users view Instagram stories without alerting the creator.
Works seamlessly on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and modern browsers like Chrome and Safari.
Prioritizes secure, anonymous browsing without requiring login credentials.
Users can view public stories by simply entering a username—no account needed.
Downloads photos (JPEG) and videos (MP4) with ease.
The service is free to use.
Content from private accounts can only be accessed by followers.
Files are for personal or educational use only and must comply with copyright rules.
Enter a public username to view or download stories. The service generates direct links for saving content locally.