About
Imperative 21 was built on the belief that narrative power can only be built through radical collaboration. By bridging the energies, interests, and capabilities of business leaders, movements, and culture shifters, the network worked to activate a community of allies around a shared vision of a just economy that creates shared wellbeing on a healthy planet.
Across the global network, Imperative 21 coordinated partners around a consistent set of values, creating the cultural space needed for business leaders and policymakers to lead change inside their organizations and drive systemic change together.
Imperative 21 was made possible by a founding group of network stewards whose vision and commitment gave the work its foundation. B Lab, B Team, CECP, Common Future, Conscious Capitalism, GIIN, Just Capital, and Participant believed that a different kind of economy was possible, and that the power to shape it lay in changing the story.
Leadership
Akira Nakahara
Chief Executive Officer
Akira brings years of experience working with business leaders, cultural innovators, and movement builders to translate big ideas into narratives that shape public conversation. Known for bridging sectors and creative disciplines, he helps leaders find the story that drives clarity, influence, and action. Akira is a co-founder of NewWorld, a narrative strategy agency that brings cultural intelligence, creative storytelling, and strategic innovation to build trust, shape narratives, and grow influence for leaders working to transform how power works and who it works for. He is based in NYC.
akiranakahara.com →
Jay Coen Gilbert
Executive Chair
Jay Coen Gilbert is co-founder of B Lab and the B Corporation movement, with nearly 8,000 companies across 80 countries. He is also co-founder of White Men for Racial Justice, an anti-racist pro-justice community of practice. Prior, Jay co-founded AND 1, a global basketball footwear, apparel, and entertainment company. Jay grew up in NYC and graduated from Stanford University.
Strategic Partners
