Woman Philanthropists: Bridgit Antoinette Evans Of Pop Culture Collaborative On How To Leave A Lasting Legacy With A Successful Nonprofit Organization
An Interview With Vanessa Morcom
Successful nonprofits also recognize the importance of nurturing leadership at every level. Everyone on a team is a leader, and effective organizations build platforms to support and grow leadership at every level. It’s essential to ask, “What do I need to grow as a leader, and how can I support others in doing the same?” At Pop Culture Collaborative, the focus is on creating leadership pathways for everyone in the team. This interconnected approach ensures that leadership is not just held by a few but is nurtured and shared across the entire organization, creating a more resilient and empowered team.
The contributions of women philanthropists have reshaped communities and catalyzed change, yet their stories often remain untold. Women bring unique perspectives and approaches to philanthropy, using their resources, networks, and influence to address a wide range of global challenges — from education and healthcare to social justice and environmental sustainability. How do these women navigate the complexities of philanthropy to achieve meaningful impact? In this interview series, we are talking to diverse women philanthropists who have initiated impactful projects or led significant charitable endeavors, to share their insights and inspire others to take initiative and help solve pressing global and local issues. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Bridgit Antoinette.
Since high school, Bridgit Antoinette Evans has been obsessed with one question: What is the relationship between a great story and widespread cultural change? She has explored this question of impact and scale from every angle: as an award-winning Off Broadway and international actor-producer, a social impact advisor to celebrity artist-activists, culture change strategy designer collaborating with renowned social justice leaders, and narrative researcher for global foundations. Today, Bridgit is a widely respected thought leader investigating this question as CEO of Pop Culture Collaborative, a $60+ million philanthropic fund and network of 300+ pop culture artists, social movement leaders, strategists, researchers, and donors laser-focused on producing stories and other experiences that transform the “narrative oceans” harming our communities and awaken public yearning for a just and pluralist society.
Thank you for making time to visit with us about a ‘top of mind’ topic. Our readers would like to get to know you a bit better. Can you please tell us about one or two life experiences that most shaped who you are today?
Two significant paths have led me to this moment and the work I do. As a daughter of the Deep South — my father is from Atlanta, and my mother is from Savannah, Georgia — social justice advocacy and Black cultural legacy was deeply imprinted on me and my sister.
My mother grew up in the Civil Rights era with her siblings who built their leadership as youth organizers within the movement. My sister and I were raised with a strong sense of this legacy, knowing that young people were not just part of the crowd but leaders advancing justice. This legacy instilled in us that whatever we chose to do and be in the world, we needed to make the world more just by doing it.
My father comes from a multigenerational, close-knit Black family. Many generations of my family lived in and around Atlanta before and after the Civil War, first as enslaved people and later as emancipated people who reconstituted their family and made a homestead in the Summerhill neighborhood of Atlanta. From them, I learned about the legacy of Black families who found each other — or chose each other — after being ripped apart and trafficked to different plantations. These bonds run deep.
The power of family, biological and chosen, is a guiding principle in my life, showing me that when we come together to resist injustice, we can win.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? We would love to hear a few stories or examples.
Three character traits have been instrumental in my success: a foundation in art, a strong capacity to vision forward, and a commitment to community-centered leadership.
My foundation in art has profoundly shaped my approach to leadership. I believe that art is a critical pathway to making change. My artistic perspective allows me to bring innovation and imagination into my work, inspiring others to think beyond the conventional and embrace new possibilities. The way artists, and particularly theater casts and companies, come together to make art also deeply influences my approach to workplace culture and collaboration. It’s not by coincidence that many staff members at the Pop Culture Collaborative were theater kids in high school.
I also have capacity to vision forward and be audacious in trusting my instinct of what is possible. This forward-thinking approach has been vital in my leadership journey. Whether it’s setting bold goals or pioneering new projects, I’ve learned to trust in the power of vision and to encourage others to see beyond the present.
Lastly, I’ve been fortunate to learn from BIPOC leaders, particularly women, who have shown me how to build teams, create community, and remix power dynamics within groups. These leaders, including my parents who were both leaders or large organizations, taught me the importance of taking care of people within a team. They transformed workplace culture by fostering environments of innovation and care. Additionally, artistic leaders and directors I’ve worked with in theater have shown me how to create a culture rooted in justice and dignity. They’ve demonstrated how to decenter traditional power structures and uplift women of color, queer people, disabled people, and immigrants as stewards of culture.
What’s the most interesting discovery you’ve made since you started leading your organization?
Over the past 15 years, I’ve developed a narrative systems methodology. This approach combines narrative research, wisdom gathering from throughout the field and communities, and a deep understanding of the cultural narratives shaping the audiences we aim to reach. This methodology involves understanding the cultural barriers that prevent people from embracing prosocial beliefs and behaviors as they move through the world right now. I’ve learned that by activating many storytellers to tell different stories, we can create a different cultural context in which millions of people can find the courage to navigate the world and their decisions in ways that generate more justice and dignity for all people.
One of the most fascinating discoveries I’ve made is how to operationalize this methodology in popular culture. It’s been a journey of testing and refining, but a key revelation came through our Becoming America initiative which has invested $8 million to build out networks of content creators, all designed to make a just and pluralist future feel possible, and even inevitable.
Through this work, I’ve learned what it takes to bring a bold vision to life — creating a new narrative ocean where people can consider new ways of being.
Can you please tell our readers more about how you or your organization intends to make a significant social impact?
The Pop Culture Collaborative is a philanthropic fund that supports the burgeoning pop culture narrative change field to transform the narrative oceans and build the narrative power of Black and Indigenous peoples, people of color, immigrants and refugees, and religiously diverse peoples, especially those who are women, queer, trans, young, and/or disabled. Our North Star is an American populace in which the majority of people are actively engaged in the hard, delicate, and ultimately joyful, work of belonging together in justice. At the core of our work is the belief that true belonging is only possible when people are willing to stand against injustice; forge authentic, accountable bonds across differences, and contribute to a culture of deep democracy in which we make choices every day in the best interests of all people, not just a small few people.
With this vision as our guiding star, we are resourcing a field that spans social movement leaders, narrative and cultural strategists, artists, entertainment industry executives, and philanthropic leaders. We bring these leaders together to collaborate on initiatives that shift the cultural narratives and build the narrative power needed to foster a pluralist society. We also invest in narrative infrastructure, to ensure that great stories can find their audiences and do the good work they are intended to do.
Every year, we support leadership cohorts — groups of individuals who embody the principles of pluralist leadership. We invest in these leaders, enabling them to be meaning-makers who can guide others through the complexities of our social and emotional lives. For example, our Pluralist Visionaries and Trans Futurists cohorts include trailblazing leaders who are leading the way toward a more just and inclusive society. We make sure they have the resources they need to guide people through these transformative times.
We also fund over 60 content creators per cycle. By investing in content, research, networks, and convening spaces, we create the infrastructure necessary for long-term cultural change.
As the only philanthropic fund focused on pop culture narrative change, we’ve invested $60 million into this work and are in the process of increasing the resources available to this field. We recognize that this cultural moment requires immense support for these leaders, and we are committed to helping them to continue making meaning at the forefront of transformational moments in our country.
What makes you feel passionate about this cause more than any other?
I am deeply passionate about narrative and cultural strategy work because I have a clear understanding of how systemic narrative harm is affecting us. It is blocking our ability to advance justice and create pathways to a more promising future for our country. Systemic narrative harm includes strategies designed to dehumanize certain groups, invalidate policies that protect them, and undermine their safety and security. These harmful narratives threaten livelihoods; it is a systems-level problem requiring systems-level solutions.
What drives my passion is the recognition that there are leaders in this space who are creating the narrative ecosystems and infrastructure needed to undo systemic narrative harm and build power for a just, plural, and joyful world. I believe in the transformative power of cultural narratives and the work of artists and storytellers to immerse people in new possibilities.
Without naming names, could you share a story about an individual who benefitted from your initiatives?
One of the organizations we’ve supported since the early days of the Pop Culture Collaborative began as a collective of Native American narrative change strategists and artists. Led by a visionary Native American woman, this organization started with a grant from us, which she often mentions was the foundation for opening their very first bank account. Pop Culture Collaborative was one of the first to recognize their potential, and we take pride in being partners at this early stage of their growth.
From there, we’ve watched this organization grow and thrive, building a team of strategists leading high-impact campaigns like the historic push to change the Washington football team’s name. Their work led to unprecedented levels of civic engagement within the Native American community, amplifying their voices and expressing their power.
We’ve also been able to introduce them to key networks we were seeding, like those working in TV writers’ rooms, ensuring that the stories reaching audiences were just and representative. This organization pushed the boundaries of the narrative landscape around pluralist culture and has since become a leading force in Hollywood. Today, they consult directly with major studios, showrunners, and writers to ensure authentic Native American stories are told in film and television.
In just six years, they’ve become a multimillion-dollar company, won prestigious awards, and received a $20 million gift to support Native storytellers. What started as a nonprofit has evolved into a major player in Hollywood, developing their own shows and projects, and applying the knowledge they’ve gained along the way.
We all want to help and to live a life of purpose. What are three actions anyone could take to help address the root cause of the problem you’re trying to solve?
One of the most impactful ways to help live a life of purpose is by investing in narrative change work at scale. This can be done by supporting grantees or partnering with funds like the Pop Culture Collaborative, which pools resources while amplifying impact. By creating conditions for the narrative change field to operate at scale, we can transform the cultural landscape.
Another crucial step is to recognize and amplify the narrative leaders in your life. Start by identifying the people in your life who are helping you make sense of the world, especially around critical issues like climate change, gender justice, and other societal challenges. These individuals are narrative leaders, grounding you in ways that help you navigate complex realities. By listening, learning from, and amplifying their voices, you contribute to the broader movement of cultural transformation.
We also must build narrative literacy and agency. We are all constantly immersed in narrative oceans — stories and cultural norms that shape how we see the world and make decisions. While some of these narratives empower us, many perpetuate systemic harm, creating instability and division. By developing narrative literacy, we can critically assess the stories we’re engaging with and discern whether they are helping us or diminishing our potential.
Based on your experience, what are the “5 Things You Need To Create A Successful & Effective Nonprofit That Leaves A Lasting Legacy?”
To create a successful and effective nonprofit that leaves a lasting legacy, several key elements must come together. At the core, a strong purpose rooted in systems change analysis is crucial. A successful nonprofit’s mission must address the root causes of injustice and pursue solutions that create lasting systemic change. United We Dream is at the forefront of immigrant justice, going beyond direct services to delve into the systemic reasons why immigrants are vilified and excluded from support structures, working tirelessly to dismantle these barriers and forge a society where immigrants can thrive.
Equally important is leadership modeled on transformational principles, drawing inspiration from the legacy of leaders of color who bring intersectional perspectives to justice. These leaders — especially Black women, trans, and disabled leaders — offer deep insight into how justice is experienced and enacted across multiple dimensions of identity. Nonprofits like The National Domestic Workers Alliance are inspired by this legacy, integrating community-building and intersectionality into their leadership practices. They are challenging traditional power structures by modeling leadership that is collaborative, inclusive and reflective of the people they serve.
Successful nonprofits also recognize the importance of nurturing leadership at every level. Everyone on a team is a leader, and effective organizations build platforms to support and grow leadership at every level. It’s essential to ask, “What do I need to grow as a leader, and how can I support others in doing the same?” At Pop Culture Collaborative, the focus is on creating leadership pathways for everyone in the team. This interconnected approach ensures that leadership is not just held by a few but is nurtured and shared across the entire organization, creating a more resilient and empowered team.
Adaptability is critical in today’s rapidly changing world; nonprofits must be able to pivot and adapt to the rapidly changing cultural and social currents. Having a strong North Star is critical, but so is the ability to be flexible when the moment demands it. During the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations like Caring Across Generations swiftly adapted to meet new challenges. What they initially envisioned as 20–30 year change goals, such as recognizing caregiving as critical infrastructure, were fast-tracked to reality in just a few years due to the pandemic’s urgency. Their nimbleness allowed them to seize the moment and drive forward transformative change.
Finally, a lasting nonprofit draws wisdom from the past to inform its future. This is Sankofa, an African Indigenous principle that is now a core value at Pop Culture Collaborative. We are creating systems to document and hold the lessons learned over time to ensure that the organization is not just reacting to the present but building a solid foundation of knowledge and wisdom. Pop Culture Collaborative consistently looks back to learn from its successes and failures, using this wisdom to shape strategies that address current challenges and prepare for future opportunities.
How has the pandemic changed your definition of success?
Before COVID, we often thought of success as achieving long-term, incremental changes over decades — systemic shifts that took years of groundwork. But the pandemic demanded a radical transformation of how we work, collaborate, and respond to crises. It showed us that success could be achieved much faster than we imagined. In 2020, organizations that were nimble and deeply rooted in community were able to adapt and gain years of progress in little time. The urgency of the moment accelerated progress in ways we hadn’t anticipated.
Now, success for me is about being flexible and ready to pivot when opportunities for deep change arise. It’s not just about staying committed to long-term goals but also recognizing when to seize a moment that can fast-track our vision for justice. The pandemic showed us that success is about having a strong foundation and the adaptability to evolve when the world demands it.
How do you get inspired after an inevitable setback?
When I experience failure, the first thing I do is call my mother. When I call her upset, she always reminds me of where we come from — she grew up in the Jim Crow South and was part of the Civil Rights era as a young person. She often tells me that change is a constant cycle. There have been harder challenges before this, and harder ones will come. This moment is part of a journey. Regaining that perspective, knowing I come from people who have faced and overcome incredible adversity, helps me reframe setbacks and prepare to face the next challenge.
In those moments, I also draw inspiration from my ancestors and the art that has shaped my vision of the world. I revisit the books, music, and films that originally inspired me to do this work — they help reground me in my purpose.
At Pop Culture Collaborative, I also lean on our team. We are a collective of brilliant, kind individuals all working toward the same mission, and in times of disappointment, we come together to process, reflect, and recalibrate. It’s in that communal space that I often find new energy, clarity, and hope.
We are very blessed that very prominent leaders read this column. Is there a person in the world who you would like to talk to, to share the idea behind your non-profit? He, she, or they might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
In high school, I had a torn-out magazine picture of Oprah Winfrey on my wall. Even back then, I had a strong sense that I wanted to work with her in my professional journey. I spent a lot of time studying her, the choices she made about building a platform for diverse storytelling, and the way her show created a kind of national “water cooler” that drove real social change. She brought both hard-hitting stories and uplifting stories from artists and changemakers to the mainstream.
I’ve also followed the evolution of her leadership and what she’s done beyond her show. If I could talk to her, I would love to have a deep and honest conversation about narrative change work — specifically about how we need to support content creators with a focus on changing the narrative oceans we all swim in. The media makers she uplifts and the platform she continues to build could have an enormous influence on dismantling systemic narrative harm. The ripple effect of her intentional involvement in helping to evolve and resource the narrative change field would be transformative.
You’re doing important work. How can our readers follow your progress online?
Readers can connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgitantoinetteevans/ and check out https://popcollab.org/.
Thank you for a meaningful conversation. We wish you continued success with your mission.
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Morcom is a millennial mom of three and founder of Morcom Media, a performance PR shop for thought leaders. She earned her degree in journalism and worked for Canada’s largest social enterprise. She can be reached at [email protected]
Woman Philanthropists: Bridgit Antoinette Evans Of Pop Culture Collaborative On How To Leave A… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.