Transcript

CHARLES BLOW: Welcome to “Ideas at Ford with Charles Blow,” where we bring together some of the world’s best and most innovative thinkers.

[A montage featuring moments of Charles Blow in conversation with guests on stage.]

BILLIE JEAN KING: I always want each generation: to not just think about yourself, but to think about the groundwork you are laying for the next generations.

CHARLES BLOW: And should we be thinking about the heartland differently?

GABE BROWN: Let’s come together and find common ground for common good.

KEVIN BACON: The antidote for despair is always activism.

CHARLES BLOW: Can you share with this audience how you became so interested in this particular issue?

MATT DAMON: I realized had someone not had the foresight to sink this borewell within walking distance, this girl would not be in school.

VEDIKA BHANDARKAR: That’s the power of water.

JOYELLE NICOLE JOHNSON: I think you just have to make it as personal as possible.

STEPHANIE “SPARKLE” EDWARDS: We need to believe young girls and women.

JES TOM: As a comedian, I feel very strongly about, like, the gathering of real people in real life.

DR. ABDULEL-SAYED: You and I found each other and we got to have this amazing experience.

CHARLES BLOW: When we come together, sharing our unique perspectives, we can spark inspiration, motivation, and change.

Names of featured guests:

Billie Jean King & Clara Wu Tsai, Kevin Bacon & Gabe Brown, Matt Damon, Vedika Bhandarkar, & Kiki Tazkiyah, Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards & Aishah Shahidah Simmons 

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Past guests include Billie Jean King & Clara Wu Tsai, Kevin Bacon & Gabe Brown, Matt Damon, Vedika Bhandarkar, & Kiki Tazkiya, Stephanie “Sparkle” Edwards & Aishah Shahidah Simmons, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed & Jes Tom, Roy Wood Jr. & Joyelle Nicole Johnson.