Unleashed Potential: A Conversation Between Fred Blackwell and Regina Jackson

Across the Bay Area, young people—especially youth of color from historically underinvested communities—are coming of age in a moment defined by deep inequities, rapid economic change, and profound social challenges. While the region boasts immense wealth and innovation, it also holds some of the nation’s starkest disparities in housing, education, health and opportunity. Our young people are growing up in the shadow of systems that too often overlook their brilliance. Yet we know the truth: these young people are not problems to be solved, they are leaders waiting to be unleashed. 

This conversation with Regina Jackson is not just about a book—it’s about a blueprint for closing that gap, for building a region where every young person can rise, lead, and thrive. And she says the urgency is real: The choices we make in this decade will shape our youths’ opportunities for a lifetime.
Youth in communities like East Oakland, Bayview-Hunters Point, and Richmond often face:

• Displacement and loss of cultural anchors due to gentrification
• Limited access to mentorship and leadership pathways that reflect their identities and lived experiences
• Systemic inequities in education, economic mobility, and civic influence

At the same time, these youth carry extraordinary resilience, creativity and leadership potential. But potential alone is not enough—it must be recognized, nurtured and resourced to thrive. Without intentional investment and support, do we risk losing a generation’s capacity to lead us toward a more equitable future?

About the Speakers

Regina Jackson’s work at the East Oakland Youth Development Center has transformed thousands of lives by combining mentorship, cultural pride, academic readiness, and civic engagement. She is the author of the new book Unleashed Potential: How Youth Lead the Way to a Stronger Future, which distills decades of wisdom into actionable guidance for leaders, educators, parents and policymakers. 

Fred Blackwell and the San Francisco Foundation have made advancing racial equity and economic inclusion core to their mission, championing systemic change that aligns directly with Jackson’s vision.

A Psychology Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums.

ORGANIZERPatrick O'Reilly & Veronica OrtegaNOTES

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