Los Angeles is such a great meritocracy. Where can someone with

Host: The room feels warm, with the soft glow of evening light casting a welcoming atmosphere. Outside, the world continues its usual rhythm, but inside, there’s a sense of reflection as if the conversation is about to explore the deeper aspects of opportunity and gratitude. Jeeny sits at the table, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her cup, her expression thoughtful. Jack stands near the window, arms crossed, looking out at the street below.

Jeeny: (her voice gentle, yet filled with curiosity) “You ever think about how certain places or opportunities can change the course of our lives? How sometimes, it’s not about where we come from, but about how we’re received and the chances we’re given once we’re there?”

Jack: (glancing over at her, his voice dry, but intrigued) “Opportunities and how they shape us? Yeah, it’s funny how some places seem to be more open to giving people a shot, no matter their background. What got you thinking about it?”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, a small smile forming as she shares her thought) “I was thinking about something Eli Broad said: ‘Los Angeles is such a great meritocracy. Where can someone with my background - don’t have the right family background, the right religion, the right provenance or whatever you want to call it - I come here and I’m accepted. The city’s been good to me. And I want to give back.’ It made me reflect on how certain places, like Los Angeles, can provide opportunities to people who might not fit traditional molds, and how they can rise above their backgrounds if given the chance.”

Jack: (pauses, considering her words carefully) “So, he’s saying that Los Angeles, with all its diversity and openness, allowed him to thrive despite not coming from a privileged background? That the city itself offered him the opportunities to succeed, and now he feels a responsibility to give back?”

Jeeny: (smiling more deeply now, her eyes steady as she explains further) “Exactly. Broad’s point is that Los Angeles, as a meritocracy, values what people can do rather than where they come from. It didn’t matter that he didn’t have the 'right' background—what mattered was his ability, his drive, and his ideas. And now, after finding success, he wants to contribute to the city that gave him the chance to grow and succeed.”

Host: Jeeny’s words seem to settle in the room, a quiet reflection on the power of opportunity and the responsibility that comes with success. Jack stands still, his expression softening as he processes the deeper meaning behind Broad’s statement. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, the conversation feels grounded in a deeper appreciation for merit and the power of places that foster growth.

Jack: (his voice quieter now, almost reflective) “I see what he means. It’s not just about where you come from, but about being in the right place that values what you bring to the table. Los Angeles seems to have this reputation for welcoming people from all walks of life and giving them the opportunity to succeed, no matter their past.”

Jeeny: (nodding, her voice calm, yet filled with quiet strength) “Exactly. The power of places like Los Angeles lies in their ability to provide opportunities to people who might have been overlooked elsewhere. It’s about being accepted for who you are and what you can offer, not based on your background or origins. And once you’ve found success, there’s this natural urge to give back and contribute to that same environment that helped you rise.”

Jack: (pauses, a small smile forming on his face as the idea sinks in) “It’s liberating, isn’t it? To realize that our potential doesn’t have to be limited by where we come from. In the right environment, we can achieve things that we might never have thought possible, and that gives us the chance to make a positive impact on others, too.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice gentle, yet filled with wisdom) “Exactly. It’s about the power of acceptance and the importance of creating spaces where anyone, regardless of their background, can succeed. And when we experience that success, the best way to honor it is by giving back and creating those opportunities for others.”

Host: The room feels lighter now, as though the conversation has shifted into something more empowering, more aligned with personal growth and responsibility. Jack turns from the window, his posture more relaxed, his thoughts clearly reflecting on the power of opportunity and the importance of contributing to the community. Jeeny watches him, content in the realization that places of opportunity, like Los Angeles, offer more than just a chance to succeed—they offer the possibility to make a meaningful difference for others. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, there’s a shared understanding that success is not just about what we achieve, but about how we use that success to give back to the community that helped us thrive.