Breaking Barriers

Happy 5 year anniversary to Top RANK! We are so glad to be helping all of the organizations and communities we have had the opportunity to collaborate with on advancing DEI&B, and we look forward to continuing the journey. WOW has the world changed since 2018! What has happened?

Why are we in so much turmoil in America and globally?

Are we being honest about what we see?

Are we seeking to understand the truth?

Are we willing to talk about it? So many questions, so many answers needed. However, we believe one thing is for certain: that real talk about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is at the root of every answer. So in true Top RANK fashion, we go there.

In this episode:We delve into the challenges of discussing politics and social issues, acknowledging the generational divide and defensive mentalities that hinder productive conversations.

We discuss the power of millennials and Gen Z in shaping the political and social landscape of the future, highlighting the resilience and leadership potential of youth throughout history, and the need to support and amplify their voices.

We spoke truth to power with facts about false narratives that stir up racial divide (can you say “CRT”?)Why has there been an avalanche of laws and policies passed in America to blatantly block the ability of educators to tell the truth about U.S. history?

Why are the politicians who resist these laws not responding in stronger fashion?

We emphasize the importance of engaging with politicians who align with our values and concerns, including environmental issues like climate change. Additionally, we explore the recent firings of media personalities Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon, questioning whether they were a result of the media going too far or a form of damage control. Our episode concludes with a call to shift the focus from individual figures to our collective responsibility as viewers and society.

A jam packed episode that you don’t want to miss!

Send your DEI&B questions to [email protected], To learn more about Top RANK please visit toprankculture.com or follow us on social media.

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In this episode of Breaking Barriers, co-hosts Anthony Arrington and Nick Ford welcomes Heather Schott, the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Krause Group, the parent company for a diverse set of businesses that include convenience retail, logistics, Italian wineries, and hospitality, real estate, agriculture, and soccer clubs. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Heather holds two undergraduate degrees in mathematics and business from Morningside College and a Diversity Inclusion Leader certificate from The Conference Board.

During the conversation, they discuss the importance of considering intent versus impact in marketing to diverse populations and avoiding tokenism. Heather, a self-described LGBTQ human, is riveting as she talks about her lived experience. A proud mother of two, she opens up about one of her main whys for the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work —her adopted children and the custody battles she had all the way up to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Heather provides valuable insight into today’s global debate on transgender humans in sports and whether they should only be able to participate in organized sports with the group defined by their assigned sex at birth. They emphasize that the voice of many can influence change. While underserved populations have differences, they are all fighting the same battle for equality and have a powerful impact when working together. Heather gives the example of how Black transgender humans have been at the forefront of transgender activism in America.

In educating listeners on the value of proximity and getting to know people before judging them, Heather tells the story of her 80-year-old neighbor who had initial trepidation when first learning about Heather’s family structure. However, after getting to know Heather and having some of the best conversations with each other, her neighbor learned that “LGBTQ people like power tools too”—and they have a great friendship.

The speakers emphasize the importance of identifying the root causes of issues through the voice of the people and then driving development that all employees can utilize to foster the right culture and inclusion. When she started at Krause, Heather informed her leadership team that this work was not a solo effort and that participation as a team was crucial for sustainability. She aimed to disrupt conventional thinking, challenge the status quo, and ensure the work was sustainable, with the team propelling it, not just her.

The speakers then discussed how organizations could best integrate DEI&B into their culture and training programs. They suggested that the first step is to establish a strong partnership with the talent development team and observe how DEI&B is embedded in the culture on a daily basis. They cautioned against attempting to resolve problems through training, surveys, and other initiatives without first identifying the root causes of the issues.

To do this, organizations must examine underlying issues, such as power dynamics, biases, and disparities in resource access. By comprehending these root causes, organizations can devise more effective and lasting solutions. Want to connect: Send your DEI&B questions to [email protected],

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Anthony Arrington, Nick Ford, and Joy Briscoe discuss how to approach race-related issues in the workplace.

Joy passionately urges listeners to stay vigilant and be attuned to the subtle behaviors that could indicate discriminatory treatment. She empowers her audience to take action and be the catalyst for change.

Two distinguished Navy veterans, John Cordle and Keith Green, come forward to share their personal experiences of discrimination in the military. Cordle, a retired captain and a proud recipient of the US Navy League's Captain John Paul Jones Award for inspirational leadership, along with Green, the author of the acclaimed book "Black Officer White Navy," reveal the various challenges they encountered and their unwavering determination to succeed despite all odds. Through their remarkable stories, Cordle and Green offer invaluable insights and inspiring examples of courage and perseverance in the face of adversity.

In this episode, Keith shares his personal experience of being racially targeted as a leader in the US Navy. Despite facing discrimination, he refused to give up and ultimately found the strength to overcome the struggle.

He recounts his fight against discriminatory treatment by creating a powerful spreadsheet that showcased the negative impact on both the mission and national security.

Whether you're facing discrimination in your workplace or simply want to learn more about creating a more inclusive environment, this episode is a must-listen.

Want to connect:

Keith’s Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/in/reuben-green-6aa9037b

Jon’s Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cordlejp/

Send your DEI&B questions to:

[email protected], To learn more about Top RANK please visit topranktalentsolutions.com or follow us on social media.

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In this episode, our guest is Desiree Coleman Fry, an accomplished executive who helps moms balance work, wellness, and womanhood. She is a recipient of the 2022 DNI Champion Award and 2019 Rising Star and DNI Award and has been featured in prominent media outlets like the New York Times, Business Insider, and PBS.

During our conversation, Desiree shared her inspiring journey as a working mom and how she manages to juggle all of her roles and responsibilities. She discussed her advocacy for workplace equity and how she helps mothers live abundantly, love their babies, and level up in their career.

We also delved into the concept of the concrete ceiling, which is a term used to describe the additional barriers that women of color face in the workplace. Desiree shared her thoughts on the importance of recognizing this barrier and gave credit to the author of the article in the Sanford Social Innovation Review that introduced the concept. She also referenced the term "Me Search" and how it made her feel seen.

We highlighted the punishment gap and how people of color and other marginalized identities are punished more harshly for making the same mistakes. It was noted that while progress has been made in terms of gender and racial equality, there is still a long way to go. We discussed the need to normalize looking into the environments that create the feelings of not belonging and to stop telling women they have imposter syndrome.

For more episodes like this, tune in to Top RANK’s Breaking Barriers, where we explore the challenges and opportunities of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Want to connect with Desiree Coleman-Fry

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/desireescoleman/

Website - https://desireescoleman.com/

Send your DEI&B questions to [email protected],

To learn more about Top RANK please visit topranktalentsolutions.com or follow us on social media.

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In this episode of the Breaking Barriers DEI&B Podcast, co-hosts Anthony Arrington, Nick Ford, and Joy Briscoe are joined by the first Black mayor of Waterloo, Iowa, Mayor Quentin Hart. They discuss the importance of joining diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging together with a common set of ideals, Mayor Hart's work in Waterloo and beyond, and how a Black mayor deals with the expectations of their community.

Mayor Hart is a well-known figure in Iowa and has made significant contributions to the Cedar Valley community over his career. In the conversation, he discusses how people want someone they can identify with, someone from their own community. He explains that the people are looking for economic justice, good neighborhoods, and economic development.

Mayor Hart shares how working with his team has been the key to rebuilding the community. The work being done in Waterloo, IA is outstanding. So much so that he was told by their Honeywell partner as part of the Smart City initiative that Waterloo is “punching above its weight”.

As a Black man, Mayor Hart has had to deal with a lot of pressure from the community, especially with the criminal justice system. He explains how he has grown and matured over time, and now focuses on being his best self and doing the best he can to benefit the community. He approaches the office with respect and love, and feels as if it is his purpose to serve in this capacity. He acknowledges the challenges and disappointments that come with the role, but remains determined to roll his sleeves up and continue to focus on what matters most.

Join us for the next episode of the Breaking Barriers DEI&B Podcast. Don't forget to share with your friends and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for listening!

Want to connect with Major Hart

Facebook - https://bit.ly/BB_Hart

City of Waterloo - https://bit.ly/3YY4k4A

Send your DEI&B questions to [email protected],

To learn more about Top RANK please visit topranktalentsolutions.com or follow us on social media.

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You feel you're being taken advantage of or feel like you're being exploited.

"I'm sick of racism, and when I read other people's experiences, I simply become enraged."

Why is it that people are now able to see why there is so much anger?

We bring to you the story of Sharon Hurley-Hall, who has been writing about racism for years, but it was the George Floyd incident that brought all of her life's experiences into sharp focus. Sharon shares with us her journey and the anger she feels towards the systemic racism that exists in our world.

Join us as we delve into the importance of rethinking what it means to have an equal workplace and how critical it is to re-evaluate our biases and assumptions. We explore the idea of a company without C-suite titles, a single pay scale, and a reparations pay scale. Don't miss this insightful conversation on Breaking Barriers.

“ We have no C-suite titles, a single pay scale, and a reparations pay scale”.

Sharon’s company is redefining what it means to create an environment of equity in the workplace. She shares with us how they are creating a more fair, transparent and equitable workplace.

Sharon gives real direction on how you can move beyond the lip services of DEI&B to do the real work.

Want to connect with Sharon Hurley-Hall

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonhh/

Website - https://sharonhh.com/

Send your DEI&B questions to [email protected],

To learn more about Top RANK please visit topranktalentsolutions.com or follow us on social media.

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uilding a relationship is an essential step in the process of developing self-awareness. By connecting with others, we are able to gain new perspectives and understand different viewpoints. This in turn allows us to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our own thoughts, beliefs and actions. This self-awareness is crucial in creating an environment and spaces that are inclusive of all people.

When we are able to truly listen and hear others, without judgment, we create a space that is safe and welcoming for everyone to express themselves. This allows for a diversity of ideas and perspectives to be shared, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the world around us. By valuing and loving the unique perspectives of others, we foster a sense of community and belonging.

Future Cain is an expert in leadership, education, wellness, social emotional intelligence, and equity with over 20 years of experience. she believes in the importance of self-awareness, authenticity and the wellness of all. She offers to strategize and collaborate with organizations to promote social emotional leadership, innovation, and equity. Future’s mission is to ensure all people are living and leading well.

Want to connect with Future Cain

Linkedin - bit.ly/Futurecain

Website - bit.ly/3Hh28zt

Send your DEI&B questions to [email protected],

To learn more about Top RANK please visit topranktalentsolutions.com or follow us on social media.

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