Until July 4, the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream is showcasing American individuals articulating their visions of the American Dream in 2026. Notable contributors include Khadija Sharif-Drinkard, who serves as the senior vice president of business for ABC News and has authored “Power Reimagined: My Mission to Get It, Grow It, and Give It Away.”
For me, the American Dream represents the chance to design your life like an artist with a blank canvas. It’s about transforming challenges into opportunities—something that feels both daunting and exciting.
Khadija Sharif-Drinkard, who grew up in a housing project in Harlem, reflects on her youth surrounded by the duality of the Harlem Renaissance and the crack cocaine crisis. Even amid those challenges, she found a sense of potential—there was so much to be excited about. Navigating life there taught her to balance advocacy for herself with a determination to seek the educational paths necessary for success.
From a young age, she aspired to enter law. Inspired by prominent figures like Barbara Jordan and Shirley Chisholm, she viewed law as a means to empower communities, to articulate the necessary changes. Initially, she aimed to become a human rights lawyer but eventually discovered a passion for media, leading her to blend the two fields by focusing on media law while advocating for human rights.
The American Dream, in her view, isn’t solely about personal gain but rather about contributions to others. That, she believes, is perhaps the most significant aspect.
The American Dream Video Project shares genuine narratives that highlight the journey to opportunity. This initiative, featured by the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, is part of celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. The center, based in Washington, DC, is a new cultural establishment offering interactive experiences and stories about achieving the American Dream.
