On the eve of Election Day, this episode dives into the essential issues driving tomorrow's vote and the critical reasons why showing up to the polls matters. Anthony and Joy discuss reproductive rights, equity in leadership, and the challenges surrounding voting rights—emphasizing the need for continued advocacy for marginalized voices. We also explore the impact of systemic issues, from the role of empathy in global crises to the ripple effects of justice in our communities. Make your voice count!

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In this episode of Breaking Barriers, recorded at the Empowerment Symposium in Iowa City, Anthony, Nick, and Joy explore racial equity, economic development, and generational shifts in the workplace. They discuss the courage needed for organizations to stand for racial justice, the importance of empowering women of color in economic development, and the generational focus on equity and work-life balance. The episode also touches on bridging gaps in education and addressing white privilege in personal conversations.

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About the Guest(s):

Michele Sullivan is a renowned speaker, author, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Born with a rare form of dwarfism, Michele has overcome numerous challenges throughout her life and has become a strong advocate for equal opportunities for all. She had a successful career at Caterpillar, where she served as the Director of the Caterpillar Foundation, leading global philanthropic efforts. After retiring, Michele continued her work in the nonprofit sector and became involved with organizations such as the One Campaign, focusing on social impact and poverty alleviation. She is also the author of the book "Looking Up," where she shares her inspiring journey and encourages others to embrace their differences and make a positive impact in the world.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, host Nick Ford and co-host Joy discuss the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) with guest Michele Sullivan. Michele shares her personal journey as a little person and how she found support and inspiration through organizations like Little People of America. She also talks about her career at Caterpillar and her role as the Director of the Caterpillar Foundation, where she focused on social impact and philanthropy. Michele emphasizes the need for collaboration and understanding in today's polarized world and encourages listeners to embrace their differences and work together to create positive change.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace Differences: Michele highlights the importance of embracing differences and recognizing the value that each individual brings to the table. She encourages listeners to focus on collaboration and understanding rather than division.
• Three-Legged Stool: Michele introduces the concept of the three-legged stool, which represents the collaboration between the private sector, the nonprofit sector, and the public sector. She emphasizes the need for these sectors to work together to create exponential change and address societal challenges.
• Grassroots and Grass Tops: Michele discusses the importance of grassroots efforts and community involvement in creating change. She also highlights the significance of grass tops advocacy, which involves working with government and policy-making entities to drive systemic change.

Resources:

• Little People of America - Website
• Caterpillar Foundation - Website
• The One Campaign - Website

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About the Guest(s):

Kameron Middlebrooks is a highly driven individual dedicated to advocating for civil rights and social change. His career began when he served as a youth representative on the NAACP board of directors before transitioning to a leading role within the organization. Kameron has a rich history of organizing and mobilizing communities, including registering over 15,000 voters during his tenure. He has previously worked for Barack Obama's Campaign. Currently, he serves as the Field Director for the Reform Alliance in Iowa, where he is focused on transforming the supervision system within the American justice system and has played a pivotal role in passing transformative legislation.

Episode Summary:

In this enlightening episode, hosts Anthony Arrington and Joy Briscoe engage in an insightful discussion with Kameron Middlebrooks about his work with the Reform Alliance, the importance of community safety, and the path to changing the criminal justice system. Kam shares his journey from early days with the NAACP to his current role, highlighting the significance of building coalitions and engaging in deliberate conversations to address public safety and reform in the justice system.

The discussion navigates through the political landscape of Iowa, emphasizing the necessity of bipartisan support to implement meaningful change. Kam outlines the innovative approach employed by the Reform Alliance to incentivize positive behavior and reduce recidivism among those on probation, detailing a bill with the potential to drastically impact the lives of thousands of Iowans positively.

Key Takeaways:

• The Reform Alliance focuses on transforming the supervision system in America and aims to pass legislation to aid in effective criminal justice reform.
• No permanent friends, no permanent enemies, only permanent issues: Staying mission-focused helps in bridging ideological divides in policy work.
• Coalition building and engaging both sides of the political aisle are crucial strategies for driving legislative change, especially in states like Iowa.
• Education and workforce development are often used as alternative angles to discuss criminal justice reform, highlighting common goals across different political spectrums.
• Meek Mill's case was a catalyst for the formation of Reform Alliance, emphasizing the disparity within the justice system, even for the affluent and influential.

Resources:

• Kam Middlebrooks's email: [email protected]
• Reform Alliance Website: reformalliance.com

Iowans United for Opportunity coalition website:iowansunited.com

About the Guest(s):

Dana James is a prominent figure in the journalism industry, particularly championing the voice of the Black community in Iowa. She stands as the publisher and founder of Black Iowa News, which is currently the only Black-owned newspaper in Iowa. With her background as a former reporter for the Des Moines Register, Dana brings her extensive experience to the forefront in her current pursuits. Beyond her editorial capacities, she's the treasurer of the Iowa Association of Black Journalists and has vast involvement within the realm of written media, including a column titled "New Black Iowa." Dana is also a member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative and co-hosts the "Being Heard" podcast alongside Lya Williams. Her diligent work showcases her unwavering commitment to amplifying Black perspectives, showcasing the Black community, and advocating for others.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Dana James speaks up about the challenges and triumphs of running Black Iowa News, which illuminates the Black Iowan perspective on current issues. This conversation delves deep into the importance of representation in media, the handling of Black stories by news outlets, and the role of journalism in addressing community-specific needs concerns.

Dana reveals how the events of the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd catalyzed her return to journalism, with Black Iowa News coming into being as a necessity to sound the alarm for her community when others wouldn’t. Offering her insights via a digital platform, Dana emphasizes the mission to facilitate interconnection within the dispersed Black communities across Iowa state. This episode, thriving on transparency and empowerment, underscores Dana's commitment to amplifying Black voices in a state that often overlooks its Black population's issues and triumphs.

Key Takeaways:

• Dana James challenges mainstream media's representation of Black communities, emphasizing the need to surface personalized Black narratives.
• Her paper, Black Iowa News, aims to bridge gaps across Black communities in various Iowa locals, striving for statewide collaboration and support.
• Despite the obstacles facing the newspaper industry, Dana persistently drives her business forward, acknowledging the multi-fold support she receives from the community and beyond.
• The discussion reveals a critical view of the "Iowa nice" mentality, scrutinizing its potential to silence oppression rather than fostering true community support.
• Dana emphasizes the significance of using one's voice and platform to tirelessly combat systemic issues and foster generational progress within the Black community in Iowa.

Resources:

• Black Iowa News Website: blackiowanews.com
• Facebook Page: Black Iowa News
• Social Media: Black Iowa News on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter

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About the Guest(s):

• Dr. Ladrina Wilson: CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, with a background in higher education administration and a passion for community service.
• Nicole Sallis: Director of Communications for Grow Cedar Valley, with experience in fashion, entertainment, branding, and marketing.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Dr. LaDrina Wilson and Nicole Sallis discuss their experiences as black women in leadership roles in economic development and chamber organizations in Iowa. They highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in these roles, as well as the challenges they face. They also emphasize the need for diverse voices at the table to attract businesses, address workforce gaps, and create a more inclusive community.

Key Takeaways:

• Economic development and community development are closely intertwined, and it is important to have diverse voices at the table to address social issues, workforce gaps, and attract businesses.
• Black women in leadership roles face unique challenges, including biases and stereotypes, but they bring valuable perspectives and insights to the table.
• It is important to be authentic and true to oneself while navigating a career as a black woman, and to find a balance between calling out and calling in others to promote diversity and inclusion.
• Transparency is often overused, and it is important for individuals to do the personal work of identifying what authenticity means to them as they progress in their careers.
• Allyship is crucial in creating a more inclusive community, and it is important to bring diverse voices into the room and support each other's efforts.

Resources:

• Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce: Website
• Grow Cedar Valley: Website

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About the Guest(s):

Jasmine Briscoe is a young, driven professional making her mark from Iowa all the way to New York City. She graduated with an IB diploma from the first International Baccalaureate program in Waterloo, Iowa, and moved on to attend NYU as an MLK scholar, majoring in psychology and sociocultural analysis with a concentration in intersectionality. She now works in public health research, focusing on vaccine hesitancy in historically underserved groups and advocating for equitable healthcare, especially for the black and queer communities.

Episode Summary:

In this candid conversation, "Breaking Barriers" welcomes the remarkable Jasmine Briscoe, for a discussion on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The episode delves deep into Jasmine's experiences as a young, black, queer individual navigating challenges and achieving milestones both academically and professionally.

Jasmine opens up about her journey of self-discovery during her educational pursuits at NYU, acknowledging the influence of black queer feminist writers on her identity development. Moving from Iowa to the throes of New York, she has transitioned into a career focused on public health — a cause close to her heart. She discusses her commitment to advancing mental health access for marginalized groups, especially within the black LGBTQ community. The episode also highlights the systemic roadblocks faced by queer individuals and the importance of inclusive policy-making, drawing attention to the intersectionality of diverse liberation struggles.

Key Takeaways:

• The fusion of personal identity and professional purpose in Jasmine's journey from a student in Iowa to a public health researcher in New York.
• The significance of representation in literature and education for the self-affirmation of black, queer individuals.
• The impact of systemic discrimination against transgender and queer people, especially concerning anti-trans legislation.
• The necessity of queer liberation being acknowledged as intertwined with broader social justice movements.
• The role of generational advocacy and education in dismantling homophobic and transphobic ideologies.

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About The Guest(s):

Jeff Disterhoft is the former CEO of GreenState Credit Union, where he led the organization's growth and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. He has a background in finance and has been nationally recognized for his leadership in the industry.

Summary:

Jeff Disterhoft discusses the importance of diversity in homeownership and the impact it can have on future generations. He shares his personal journey of walking in the path of faith, family, friends (in that order), self-reflection and learning about racial disparities, which led him to prioritize diversity and inclusion in his organization. Jeff emphasizes the need for leaders to educate themselves, surround themselves with talented individuals, and be proactive in creating a culture of belonging. He also addresses the challenges of navigating diversity initiatives in a polarized society and offers insights on how to handle resistance and negativity.

Key Takeaways:

Increasing diversity in homeownership can have a significant impact on future generations.

Leaders should prioritize education and self-reflection to better understand racial disparities and biases.

Surrounding oneself with talented individuals and giving them resources can lead to positive change.

It is important to prioritize faith, family, and friends in retirement and be open to new opportunities.

Learning and growth require an open mind and a willingness to step out of one's comfort zone.

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About The Guest(s): Melanie Ryan is a leadership and culture development expert with over 20 years of experience. She is the founder of a nonprofit called Beck's Place and has a background in finance. Melanie is passionate about creating equitable teams and facilitating individual growth.

Summary: Melanie Ryan discusses her decision to leave her corporate job and dedicate her career to diversity, equity, and inclusion work. She emphasizes the importance of change management and guiding people through the process of change. Melanie shares personal experiences that shaped her commitment to social justice, including witnessing racism in Mississippi and advocating for her biracial and LGBTQ+ children. She highlights the need for systemic change and the challenges of navigating resistance and fear. Melanie also emphasizes the importance of self-care and setting boundaries in this work.

Key Takeaways:

• Fear of change is a universal human trait, and it can be a barrier to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
• It is important to be clear and set expectations when working with clients, and sometimes it is necessary to say no or end a project if the client is not ready for the work.
• Individual impact and creating safe spaces for marginalized communities can be a rewarding aspect of this work.
• Systemic change is the ultimate goal, but it requires a fundamental shift in the way we currently operate.
• Belonging is a key factor in increasing academic scores and overall well-being, and it is important to create spaces where everyone feels seen and heard.

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About The Guest(s): Kyle Roed is the Vice President of Human Resources at CPM Holdings and the Founder and CEO of Human Innovation LLC. He is also the Co-Founder of Disrupt HR in Cedar Valley and the creator and host of the Rebel HR Podcast.

Summary: Kyle Roed, Vice President of Human Resources at CPM Holdings, joins the Breaking Barriers podcast to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the manufacturing industry. He emphasizes the importance of looking beyond unemployment rates to assess workforce demographics and highlights the need for intentional strategies to address systemic barriers. Kyle shares his experience in implementing transformative changes in the workplace, such as removing a point system and creating inclusive policies. He encourages HR professionals to think outside the box, challenge the status quo, and be comfortable with discomfort in order to drive meaningful change.

Key Takeaways:

• Organizations have to address what is happening in the system to perpetuate barriers and demographics. The systems are working exactly as they are designed. So, the only way to fix this is to change the system.
• HR professionals should be honest about the lack of diversity in their organizations and develop intentional strategies to address it.
• Unemployment rates do not accurately reflect workforce demographics; labor force participation is a better indicator.
• Removing barriers, such as attendance policies, can create a more inclusive and productive work environment.
• Building coalitions and employee resource groups can help drive DEI initiatives within an organization.
• HR professionals have a responsibility to speak truth to power and create spaces where employees can truly belong.

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