In this episode, Walter speaks with Rick Banks, the Senior Program Manager of African American Affairs with the Milwaukee County Office of Equity. Rick was inspired to get involved in leadership after witnessing the election of Barack Obama and studying Economics during the 2008 recession.

They discuss initiatives to increase recognition of black culture in the county, support cultural institutions, and improve African-American health. Rick shares how the non-profit organization MKE Black started from an idea to create a database of black-owned businesses on a website or mobile app that eventually grew into a nonprofit organization supporting business development for local black businesses.

Tune in to hear an inspirational, thought-provoking conversation between Walter and Rick as they discuss why solidarity is essential in a segregated city, how homeownership and housing stability are key, what economic development can do for black Milwaukee's future success, and why leadership succession planning is important for long-term movement sustainability.

In this episode, Walter Lanier talks to Kendra Ingram, who is moving from Milwaukee to Pittsburgh to become the CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, which is a performing arts organization that also has a bit of a visual arts element.

Kendra highlighted the necessity for leaders to drive improvement and progress by taking a leadership role in Arts and Culture and how it could have great impact. She pointed out that money is not everything, as having core values that align with those making decisions for you can be crucial to finding career fulfillment.

Listen to Kendra to learn more about the importance of being intentional in diversifying your network and breaking out of your circle to gain insights from different types of people. Connections beyond your innermost circle can push your understanding and personal growth further. That’s why diversity of thought within network relations should not be understated.

In this episode, Walter Lanier talks to Bro. Keith Stanley, who is moving to Charlotte to become the president and CEO of University City Partners. They discuss the work Stanley has done in Milwaukee with Near West Side Partners, including reducing crime and increasing investment in Black-owned businesses.

Bro. Keith discusses how he will replicate this model in Charlotte, with a focus on private investment from anchor institutions like universities and hospitals. They examine the challenges and opportunities for Black leadership and stress the importance of knowing when to speak up or speak out, and recognizing the role one plays in their position.

Listen to learn about the quality and potential of Black leadership in Milwaukee. Bro. Keith says that those who can make it here are dynamic people and hear him also talk about some things he still wants to do before he leaves, including helping those suffering from mental illness or addiction.

Dr. Jeanette Mitchell is the founder of the African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee (AALAM), an initiative addressing the development and sustainability of Black leadership throughout Milwaukee. She is also the Chief Creative Officer of Leadership by Dr. Jeanette, a consultancy focused on engaging in creative partnerships to direct, design and manage leadership development programs throughout the Greater Milwaukee community. Along with host Walter Lanier, the President & CEO of AALAM, they talk about the journey of AALAM and their vision to help African American Leaders to be elevated.

Sherri Jordan is a Deputy Director in the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) at Milwaukee County. DAS deals with IT, budgeting, finances, economic development, procurement, risk management - some of the more important aspects of Milwaukee County. Sherri talks about what they are doing through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Milwaukee County’s vision is to become the healthiest county in Wisconsin. They are very strategic and very intentional about all of their policies. What are the steps they have been taking to reach this goal? Listen to this episode and find out.

Corry Joe Biddle is the Executive Director of FUEL Milwaukee, a community engagement group for young professionals who live and work in the Milwaukee region. FUEL is branded as a stand-alone program but is a service of the Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC). Through in-person events with diverse speakers, they have been trying to signal to everyone that Milwaukee is for all of us, and every part of Milwaukee is for you, not just one little piece. Their work is more virtual now, but their mission is still the same - connecting, engaging, loving Milwaukee, and making it better for everybody.

According to Corry Jo, the culture that you create in your organization is all about what is acceptable, what is not acceptable, and how you respond to acceptable and not acceptable. What tone are you setting for equity, diversity, and inclusion? It is not just about diversity. It does not mean that because you’re in the room you are included and your voice matters. Let’s get as many leaders as possible because leaders create more leaders, and that creates sustained change over time.

Nikki Purvis is Chief Equity officer of the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the City of Milwaukee. The Office of Equity and Inclusion is very new as of January 1st, 2021, and it will work on addressing, eradicating, and dismantling racism within the city government.

According to Nikki, just because this office is new, it does not mean that they have not been engaged in the work. They have developed a Racial Equity Action Plan, and the creation of this Office is a part of that plan. It is about creating the infrastructure so that they can be impactful and start to create some change. Our goal, our task is to implement our action plan but also to identify policies, programs, and procedures and to identify what should change. If you want different outcomes, you have to make sure that you have all those diverse voices at the table. You have to have all three (diversity, equity, and inclusion) working in sync with one another. They intermingle.

If you have ideas, thoughts, or you want to help, feel free to email us. And you can always share with your elected officials your thoughts and opinions about how we move forward in this work.

Dr. Jeanette Mitchell grew up in St. Lewis, Missouri and moved to Milwaukee at high school. She spent 30 years at telephone company AT&T, where she has learned how to be a manager, how to be a leader. She left the company as the highest-ranking black woman. As the Program Director at Cardinal Stritch University she established the Leadership Center, through which she helped design and manage several leadership development programs. She is the founder of African American Leadership Program, and African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee. For Dr. Jeanette, Leadership is influence. Influence of yourself and other towards the goal that is mutually beneficial, morally and ethically. But you first have to get right with you and then as you get right with you, you get right with others. And yes, her blackness is an asset.

Dr. Vanessa Hintz is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor at Alverno College. She is the Founder of Vivid Insights Consulting, LLC, in Milwaukee. She is also a Diversity and Equity Consultant.

As black people, we have a legacy of exhaustion. Rest, taking a break, is a key to connecting to the wisdom of our ancestors in creating a new world. But, then, rest may be connected to a negative “You’re lazy, you do nothing” stereotype. How to fight against those negative stereotypes, cycle of racial stress and microaggression? How to take care of ourselves and recover when our old wounds get open again. How to find rest and process the trauma? Find out in this conversation with Dr. Vanessa Hintz.

Elzie Flenard has run several different businesses over the years, but he always knew he wanted to start his own business. He wanted to learn business from people who are actually running businesses so, he first started internet radio station and then switched to internet podcast with the show Enterprise NOW!. He has learned from his guests and grown his business. Now, he is the Mayor at the Podcast Town. In this episode Elzie shares his path to success and gives some very important guidance and thoughts on business challenges.