Through July 4, The Post, in partnership with the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, is highlighting Americans sharing their personal views on what the American dream means in 2026. One of those voices is Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, senior vice president for business affairs at ABC News and author of the new book “Power Reimagined: My Mission to Get It, Grow It, and Give It Away.”
For me, the American dream is the chance to take an empty canvas and shape my life into something meaningful — to turn hardship into possibility, and to transform what once felt like an obstacle into a real opportunity.
I grew up facing challenges in Harlem, New York. I was one of six children raised in Manhattan public housing, in a neighborhood that carried echoes of the Harlem Renaissance while also sitting at the heart of the crack cocaine epidemic. Even with those difficulties, Harlem always gave me a sense of energy and promise. It taught me early that I had to be alert, willing to defend myself when necessary and deeply committed to pursuing the education I would need to build a successful life.
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From the time I was young, I knew I wanted to attend law school. I read about leaders such as Barbara Jordan, the congresswoman from Texas, and Shirley Chisholm, the congresswoman from Brooklyn, New York. Their examples helped me see the law as a tool for helping people express ideas, speak up and address the problems affecting our communities. At first, I planned to become a human rights lawyer. Later, I realized I also had a strong interest in media, so I found a way to bring those passions together by working on human rights delegations while practicing media law.
To me, the American dream is not only about what you are able to achieve or receive. It is also about what you contribute and give back. That, more than anything, is what matters most to me.
The American Dream Video Project presents real-life stories that highlight different routes to opportunity. Featured at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD), the series is part of the Center’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. MCAAD, Washington, DC’s newest cultural institution, features interactive exhibits and narratives centered on the pursuit of the American Dream. To learn more, visit mcaad.org.
