Welcome to the Don Lemon Show, everyone.

Darren Walker has spent more than a decade leading one of the most powerful philanthropic institutions in the world,

the Ford Foundation. He has redefined what it means to give, what it means to lead, and what

it means to hope. Now, as he prepares to step down, he has written a remarkable book, The

Idea of America, reflections on inequality, democracy, and the values we share. He joins me now. He is my friend.

He's here to talk about what he's learned, what he's leaving behind, and what comes next.

It's good to see you, my friend. Thank you, Don. How are you? I'm great, and I'm even better now

that I'm here with you. How much longer at the helm? Literally 10 days.

And? And I am feeling both relief, gratitude, and a sense of satisfaction.

You seem much more, you seem much calmer and much more present as if, for me, because

you always had something, you're always rushing off to some place.

I got to go here for this conference and have to travel over here for this.

Does that, is that what I'm feeling now?

It's like, okay, now I have some time for Darren and for life?

Well, I can see the finish line.

And that gives me a sense of relief and a sense that I can begin to think about what happens

next.

I mean, the curtain is going down on one of the most important parts of my life.

The Ford Foundation.

And the curtain is going to go up.

I don't know what that next act is going to be, but the curtain will be going up very soon.

We came from very similar beginnings.

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