About us

Built on the belief that listening changes everything

Candidly Speaking is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2017. We facilitate honest, meaningful conversations across communities, schools, and organizations. Our program brings together people from all backgrounds to share life experiences, build empathy, and develop the communication skills that lead to more connected communities and workplaces. The best way to understand what we do is to join us at the next community event.

Our approach

A proven format for real conversation

We use a proven format for guided dialogue that produces real connection and strengthens community bonds. Using small breakout groups, we build spaces where participants can freely exchange insights and share personal experiences.

Every voice is honored, and every conversation is guided by skilled facilitators trained to keep dialogue constructive and real.

Our impact

After every event, we ask participants to describe their experience in one word. The most common responses: Connected. Aware. Uplifted. Curious. Empowered. Open.

Our story

How Candidly Speaking started

Adolpha Cole

Founder and Director

Candidly Speaking was founded in 2017 by Adolpha Cole, inspired by the genuine friendships that form when people take the time to truly listen to one another. Starting as a monthly community event in San Jose, the program grew into a full curriculum for schools and organizations across the U.S. What started with one room has reached over 3,500 participants around the world.

Marketing leader and published author, Adolpha has over 20 years of B2C marketing experience. She specializes in product messaging, brand awareness, and staying ahead of lifestyle and culture. She founded Candidly Speaking as an experiential program to help students, communities, and organizations build understanding, trust, and genuine connection through meaningful conversations. Adolpha holds a BA in Broadcast Journalism from Georgia State University and a Specialized Associate Degree in Film and Video Production from Full Sail University.

Board

Board members

Deka Dike

Chief Financial Officer

A Vice President and Mortgage Loan Advisor at U.S. Bank, Deka brings expertise in mortgage banking, team leadership, and financial strategy to the Silicon Valley market. She is also the founder of Omatochi, an in-home senior care startup, and serves on the board of Nigeria's Iniso Foundation, which supports disenfranchised youth. Deka holds a degree in Marketing and Business Administration from Imo State University, Nigeria, and an MBA from Cal State East Bay.

Shawnté Spears

Vice President & Secretary

With over 20 years of experience in commercial lending, banking, and municipal housing finance, Shawnté has dedicated her career to addressing social and racial disparities through policy and community service. She previously served as a Housing Policy and Planning Administrator with the City of San José, leading its Affordable Housing finance team. Shawnté holds a B.S. in Political Science and History from Illinois State University and an MBA in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix.

Staff

Our team

Malak Baker, LMSW

Program Manager & Dialogue Facilitator

Malak is a Licensed Master Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in youth-serving nonprofits, where she has designed and implemented programs spanning workforce development, life skills, and mental health. At Candidly Speaking, she leads day-to-day program operations and serves as the curriculum designer and lead trainer for Youth in Dialogue, the organization’s facilitator training program for youth ages 14 to 25.

Sophia Caramagno

Education Liaison

Sophia supports Candidly Speaking's work in schools, helping educators bring structured dialogue and communication skills into classrooms across the country.

Janice Leung

Operations Manager

Janice keeps the behind-the-scenes work of Candidly Speaking running with care and precision, supporting operations across events, partnerships, and programs.

Nicole Farkouh

Lead Dialogue Facilitator

Nicole is an internationally certified facilitator, trainer, and mediator with over 15 years of experience working with nonprofits, educational institutions, government organizations, and foundations. She also leads CultureWonk, her own consulting practice focused on organizational effectiveness and group facilitation. At Candidly Speaking, she brings her expertise in cross-cultural dialogue to lead conversations that help participants feel genuinely heard and understood.

Our facilitators

Every event is led by a trained Dialogue Facilitator and also includes Room Facilitators to help keep the conversation flowing. Our facilitators are skilled at creating the conditions for honest conversation, navigating disagreement when it arises, and guiding groups toward genuine connection.