Breaking Barriers

About The Guest(s):

• Reggie Sanders: Former Major League Baseball player, played for 17 years, won the World Series with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, currently works for the Kansas City Royals in their front office.
• Dmitri Young: Former Major League Baseball player, played for 13 years, won the National League Comeback Player of the Year in 2007, currently works in amateur baseball and coaching.
• Brian Jordan: Former Major League Baseball player, played for 15 years, also played in the NFL for 3 years, runs the Brian Jordan Foundation and writes children's books.
• Greg Goodwin: Grassroots organizer for amateur baseball, former high school coach and scout for the Dodgers and Marlins, founder of the M Memory Involvement Prospect organization.
• Ernest Radcliffe: Head coach at Morgan Park High School, runs the Show Baseball program, focused on helping young people achieve their dreams through sports and education.

Summary: During the show, MLB Legends discussed the lack of diversity in Major League Baseball and the challenges black players face. They discuss the need for more representation in decision-making positions and the importance of creating opportunities for young black players. The conversation reviews thes the role of education and financial literacy in creating generational wealth and the need for more support and resources for black players in the sport.

Key Takeaways:

• Lack of diversity in decision-making positions in Major League Baseball is a major issue that needs to be addressed.
• There is a need for more opportunities and resources for young black players in baseball.
• Education and financial literacy are crucial in creating generational wealth for black players.
• Grassroots programs and organizations play a vital role in developing and supporting young black players in baseball.

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About The Guest(s):

• Preston Wilson: Former professional baseball player who played 10 seasons in the major leagues, won the World Series in 2006, and was an All-Star in 2003.
• Ray Burris: Former professional baseball player who played 15 years in the big leagues and is currently involved in developing young athletes.
• Michael Tucker: Former professional baseball player who played 13 years in the big leagues and is now focused on helping young kids through camps and clinics.
• Marcus Nettles: Former college baseball player and current state trooper in Illinois. He runs the Marcus Nettles Project, a foundation that helps the community, youth, and police.

Summary: Former professional baseball players Preston Wilson, Ray Burris, Michael Tucker, and Marcus Nettles discuss the lack of African American representation in baseball and the challenges faced by Black players. They highlight the importance of money and resources in increasing diversity in the sport, as well as the need for more Black coaches and mentors. They were authentic about Major League Baseball’s systemic strategy of recruiting Latine players for pennies on the dollar, which has a disparate impact on American born Black players who are not seen, recruited, and drafted. The conversation also touches on the role of ownership in driving change and the need for long-term investment in Black communities. The guests emphasize the importance of building relationships and providing support to young Black athletes to help them succeed in baseball and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

• Lack of financial support and scholarships for Black baseball players has contributed to the decline in African American representation in the sport.
• The scarcity of Black coaches and mentors in baseball limits opportunities and development for Black players.
• Ownership changes and increased investment in Black communities are needed to drive diversity and inclusion in baseball.
• Building relationships and providing resources and support to young Black athletes is crucial for their success in baseball and beyond.

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About The Guest(s):

Earnest “Coach E” Horton is the Founder and CEO of Black Baseball Media, a high-profile company based in Chicago that focuses on providing opportunities for minorities in the game of baseball. He is also a baseball coach and is passionate about helping young players develop their skills on and off the field.

Summary:

Coach E discusses the need to attract more minorities to the game of baseball at an earlier age. He believes that the major league level needs to make changes to the game to make it more exciting and appealing to young players. He also emphasizes the importance of visibility, marketing, and funding for black baseball programs.

Coach E was an amazing baseball player, receiving a scholarship to play at the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff from 2005-2009. After graduating, he came home and began teaching and coaching baseball to fill a need in his community. He shares his experiences through coaching and mentoring young players and explains how his organization is working to provide resources and opportunities for minority players in the game of baseball.

Key Takeaways:

• The major league level needs to attract minorities at an earlier age by making the game more exciting and appealing.
• Visibility, marketing, and funding are crucial for black baseball programs to thrive.
• African American players need to understand the business side of baseball to succeed.
• Collaboration and allyship are essential for creating meaningful change in the game of baseball.

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Reshonda Young is the co-founder of Bank of Jabez, a Black-owned bank and community development financial institution (CDFI) in Waterloo, Iowa. She is also the director of 24/7 Black, a Black business entrepreneurship accelerated program that helps Black business owners develop and market their ideas.

Reshonda is a native of Waterloo, Iowa, and has been an active voice in advocating for pay equity, equitable healthcare, and other issues that benefit working families.

Summary:

Reshonda Young, co-founder of Bank of Jabez, joins the Breaking Barriers podcast to discuss her journey as a Black woman entrepreneur in Iowa and her mission to provide access to capital for Black business owners. She shares her experiences with discrimination in the banking industry and her fight for equitable lending practices. Reshonda also talks about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the financial sector and her plans to launch the bank in the first quarter of next year. She emphasizes the need for Black-owned businesses to have access to capital and the role of venture capital in supporting their growth. Reshonda's inspiring story and dedication to making a difference serve as a reminder to never give up on your dreams and to always strive for greatness.

Key Takeaways:

• Reshonda's four for 40 plan: four years of college for 40 years of a good job.
• Discrimination in the banking industry and the need for Black-owned banks.
• The importance of access to capital for Black business owners.
• The role of venture capital in supporting the growth of Black-owned businesses.
• The impact of Reshonda's work in advocating for equitable lending practices.

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About The Guest(s): Charity is the Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation and has been involved in nonprofit work for many years. She is passionate about advocating for libraries and protecting intellectual freedom.

Summary: Charity discusses the issue of book banning and censorship in libraries. She explains that book banning is a form of censorship that silences marginalized voices and restricts access to information. She highlights the importance of allowing individuals to see themselves in print materials and the value of diverse representation in libraries.

Charity also addresses the misconception that libraries allow access to explicit content on public computers and emphasizes the importance of behavior policies in maintaining a safe and inclusive environment. She shares insights on the increase in book challenges and bans and the need for proactive measures to protect libraries, publishers, authors, and librarians.

Key Takeaways:

• Book banning is a form of censorship that silences marginalized voices and restricts access to information.
• The largest percentage of banned books are about race or LGBTQ issues by Black or LGBTQ authors.
• Libraries should provide diverse representation in their collections to allow individuals to see themselves in print materials.

BANNED BOOK RESOURCES

Banned & Challenged Books Data - https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/book-ban-data

Censorship by the Numbers for 2022 data.-https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/by-the-numbers

Books Unbanned - https://www.spl.org/programs-and-services/teens/books-unbannedhttps://www.bklynlibrary.org/books-unbanned

Office of Intellectual Freedom https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif

Freedom to Read Foundation https://www.ftrf.org/

Unite Against Book Bans https://uniteagainstbookbans.org T

op 13 Challenged Books for 2022 https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/frequentlychallengedbooks/top10

United for Libraries - https://www.ala.org/united/advocacy/challenges

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• Andre Wright's journey as a designer and activist has been driven by his passion for empowering underrepresented people.
• Humanize My Hoodie is a global fashion activism movement that uses clothing to inspire, empower, and spark important conversations.
• Authenticity and staying true to oneself are crucial in the pursuit of success and making a positive impact.

About The Guest(s): Robert L. Smith is a native of Dallas and a long-time advocate for equity in sports and education. He played football at the University of Iowa and has had a successful career as an NCAA Big Ten football official. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Educational Opportunity Programs and Special Community Services at the University of Northern Iowa.

Summary: Robert L. Smith shares his journey as a black athlete and his experiences advocating for equity in sports and education. He emphasizes the importance of staying focused and engaged in the fight for equality, even in the face of legislation and policies that seek to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. He highlights the impact of influential figures like Hayden Fry and Brooke Fulbright in shaping his perspective and the need for representation and economic empowerment in the black community. Smith also discusses the challenges of navigating conversations about race and the importance of building relationships and understanding different perspectives.

Key Takeaways:

• Keep your eyes on the prize and stay focused on the fight for equality.

• Representation and economic empowerment are crucial for the Black community.

• Black people need white allies to work together and create change.

• It is important to have open and honest conversations about race and challenge negative stereotypes.

• Building relationships and understanding different perspectives is essential for progress.

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Checkout the full show: ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyoCvyghdPQ&t=55s

Vince and Chris are experts in the field of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. They have a unique and authentic approach to addressing culture issues within organizations. They challenge traditional methods and focus on understanding the root causes of diversity and belonging challenges.

Summary:

Vince and Chris discuss their authentic approach to addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within organizations. They explain that traditional methods, such as surveys, have not been effective in creating meaningful change. Their approach involves engaging and interacting with people within the organization to understand the culture at its core. This can be uncomfortable for some, as there are no canned questions or predetermined solutions. They emphasize the importance of building trust with leaders and creating a brave space for open and honest conversations.

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In this episode of Breaking Barriers we interview Alfred Ramirez. Alfred Ramirez is a keynote speaker, coach, trainer, and facilitator for public and private organizations.

He has held various positions in the public and private sectors, including serving as President Clinton's White House Associate Director of Presidential Personnel and the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

During the show we discussed the evolution of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) field and the impact of the George Floyd surge on the approach to DEI work. The conversation emphasizes the importance of expanding our hearts with empathy and compassion and highlights the need for self-care and mindfulness in the DEI space. Alfred also shares his personal experiences of facing racism and discrimination and offers advice on how to equip children to respond to these challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• The DEI field has evolved from compliance and affirmative action to a focus on hiring and training, and now includes concepts like belonging and accessibility.
• The George Floyd surge has allowed for more open conversations about racism and white privilege, but there is pushback and attempts to silence these discussions.
• It is important to prioritize self-care and wellness in the DEI space to avoid burnout and continue the work.
• Children should be taught how to respond to racism and discrimination in a respectful and assertive manner, rather than meeting aggression with aggression.
• It is crucial to recognize the impact of trauma on individuals and communities of color and to provide support and resources for mental health.

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In this episode, we had the privilege of having an inspiring conversation with the founders of TurnSignl, an innovative tech company that's making waves in the social justice space.

Jazz Hampton, Andre Creighton, and Michael are three Black men who decided to use their skills and backgrounds in law, finance, and technology to create a platform that could truly impact and change the institution of fair and transparent policing.

TurnSignl is a Minnesota-based tech company that provides real-time legal guidance from an attorney to drivers during traffic stops, all while their camera records the interaction. This brilliant idea was born out of the tragic loss of Philando Castile–who the founders knew personally—and the global outcry following the death of George Floyd. The founders saw a need for a tangible solution to make interactions with law enforcement safer and less stressful for everyone involved. The use of technology resources to overcome the hurdles in the criminal justice system is a niche field called justice technology (aka, “justice tech”), and TurnSignl is on the cutting edge of these efforts.We delved into the challenges they faced in bringing this innovative solution to life, from gaining buy-in from law enforcement to navigating the slow-to-innovate legal profession.

Despite these hurdles, they've managed to create a tool that not only serves as an accountability measure during traffic stops but also provides guidance during other stressful situations like car accidents.We also discussed the importance of keeping the momentum of the social justice movement going, even as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion budgets are being slashed in many organizations.

The founders of TurnSignl believe that their platform is more than just a DEI benefit; it’s a tool for health and wellness, helping to reduce the stress, fear, and anxiety that can come from interactions with law enforcement. As three Black men who have all experienced these interactions and feelings firsthand, this is a transformative social mission.This episode is a testament to the power of innovation, determination, and the belief that we can all be a part of the change we want to see in the world. So, whether you're an entrepreneur, an activist, or just someone who cares about social justice, this episode is sure to inspire and motivate you.Remember, our diversity, our differences, when joined together by a common set of ideals, make us stronger than ever.

So, let's keep breaking barriers and making changes. Until next time, stay bold, stay energized, and keep striving for a more inclusive and equitable world.

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