Broken Office Chair

In this episode, Bessie is joined by Stephanie Skora and Raeghn Draper to talk about the upcoming local elections in Chicago. They cover topics ranging from our right to vote or not vote as we see fit, voting based on personal values, single-issue voting, the importance of local elections, and so much more!

Stephanie Skora is a writer, educator, speaker, organizer, and non-profiteer based in Chicago, Illinois. She lives as a Stone Top hard femme trans Lesbian and working-class anti-Zionist Ashkenazi Jew, and mobilizes her identities to work in solidarity with Palestinians, to queer Jewish spaces, and to fight for justice and liberation for all trans people. Stephanie is the Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of Brave Space Alliance, serves as Board Treasurer for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, and is the author and editor of the "Girl, I Guess" Progressive Voter Guide. When not working or organizing, Stephanie can be found enjoying the pleasures of life for a Virgo: food, love, and being right.

Raeghn Draper is a Chicago storyteller, digital strategist, and organizer. They craft compelling copy that brings brands to life through powerful language. They are passionate about advocating for hospitality workers and challenging toxic cultures in the industry. With 12+ years of experience, they draw inspiration from diverse perspectives and utilize the world around them to bring dreams to life through words.

To check out the Girl I Guess voter guide, visit: www.stephanieskora.com/voter-guide

**Please Note: As a 501c3 organization, we do not endorse or support any political candidates or parties. The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Alternatives. We aim to provide a platform for diverse perspectives and encourage critical thinking and informed discourse.

This special episode of Broken Office Chair was recorded in front of a live audience at Alternatives' Cocktails and Complicity event.

In this episode, host Besie Alcantara is joined by Leslé Honoré and Ayoka Samuels to discuss everything from racist standards of professionalism to unfair expectations placed upon women of color in leadership.

In this episode of Broken Office Chair, Bessie sits down with Vu Le, writer of the blog NonprofitAF.com to talk about funding ethics, progressive vs conservative funders, zodic signs in nonprofit leadership, advocacy, and much more.

Vu Le (“voo lay”) writes the blog NonprofitAF.com. He is the former executive director of RVC, a nonprofit in Seattle that promotes social justice by supporting leaders of color, strengthening organizations led by communities of color, and fostering collaboration between diverse communities. Vu is a founding board member of Community-Centric Fundraising, a movement that aims to ground fundraising practices in racial equity and social justice. Vu was born in Vietnam. He and his family came to the US when Vu was eight. He spent several years in Seattle, attending elementary and middle school, before moving to Memphis, Tennessee for high school and St. Louis for college and graduate school. He has a BA in Psychology and a Master in Social work. He is a vegan, a father of two kids (ages eight and five), and a staunch defender of the Oxford Comma.

Please note guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bessie or Alternatives

In this episode of Broken Office Chair, Bessie is joined by analía rodríguez to discuss the future of philanthropy, and what transitioning from Executive Director at a nonprofit to Philanthropic Program Officer looked like.

analía rodríguez (they/them/elle) is a longtime community organizer and immediate former executive director of the Latino Union of Chicago, a grassroots community organization that fights wage theft and advocates for improved temporary worker conditions.

analía lives in Little Village. In their role as Leadership Investment Program Officer at Field, rodríguez (who does not capitalize their name) is primarily responsible for managing Field’s signature Leaders for a New Chicago program, an innovative partnership between the Field and MacArthur Foundations, which recognizes past accomplishments and promotes leaders and their organizations, and whose influence informs decision-making in Chicago.

Please note guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bessie or Alternatives

Bessie sits down with Dr. Cynthia Treadwell, Executive Director of Social Emotional Learning at Chicago Public Schools to discuss Chicago Public Schools, social and emotional learning, suspension rates, student-centered classrooms, and how to create positive change in CPS.

Dr. Cynthia Treadwell, currently serving as the Executive Director for the Office of Social and Emotional Learning, brings 22 years of experience in Chicago Public Schools, including roles as a Principal, Assistant Principal, District Reading Coordinator, classroom teacher, and Adjunct Instructor at Chicago State University and DePaul University. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from National Louis University and is the author of "30 Days of Encouragement for the Educator." Dr. Treadwell is dedicated to promoting education's transformative power and aims to create engaging, socially and emotionally supportive school communities.

Please note guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bessie or Alternatives

In this episode of Broken Office Chair, Bessie Alcantara and Xavier Ramey continue their conversation and cover the topic of Black men in the social impact sector.

Xavier Ramey is the Founder and CEO of Justice Informed, a Chicago-based consultancy. He collaborates with a wide range of organizations, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and institutions. Xavier's expertise lies in shaping inclusive workplaces, improving services, and addressing legal and reputational challenges. Notable clients include Ingredion, Emerson, Northwestern University, and more.

Xavier is a global keynote speaker, activist, and sought-after lecturer on racial justice and social impact. He hails from Chicago's west side and has held leadership roles at the University of Chicago, United Way, and other organizations. He's also a founding member of The #LetUsBreathe Collective and serves on various boards.

Please note guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bessie or Alternatives

In this episode, Bessie sits down with Xavier Ramey, CEO of Justice Informed, to discuss DEI backlash, hypercapitalism, anti-racism, pay equity, and so much more.

Xavier Ramey is the Founder and CEO of Justice Informed, a Chicago-based consultancy. He collaborates with a wide range of organizations, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and institutions. Xavier's expertise lies in shaping inclusive workplaces, improving services, and addressing legal and reputational challenges. Notable clients include Ingredion, Emerson, Northwestern University, and more.

Xavier is a global keynote speaker, activist, and sought-after lecturer on racial justice and social impact. He hails from Chicago's west side and has held leadership roles at the University of Chicago, United Way, and other organizations. He's also a founding member of The #LetUsBreathe Collective and serves on various boards.

Please note guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bessie or Alternatives

In this episode, Bessie sits down with ángela munguía, Executive Director at AMPT, to discuss everything from privilege and power in leadership to the importance of capacity building, managing organizational growth, and more. ángela has a passion for social justice, racial equity and community development – specifically, for Black and Brown communities. She was chief dream director for The Future Project, where she handled organizational and fundraising strategies, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and staff development. Currently, munguía is a board member of the Chicago Freedom School where she sustains systems and structures to strengthen organizational capacity. Her prior experience includes tenures with City Year Chicago and Mikva Challenge, and assignments that include policy development focused on educational equity for historically marginalized identities within the Chicago Public Schools, cultural competency training, policies and program design, and youth and adult training programs.

Please note guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bessie or Alternatives.

In this episode, Bessie chats with Sufyan Sohel, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel at Resilience Force and Host of the show Change Agents. They discuss international politics, racism, immigration, and how their personal experiences shape their views on the topics. Sufyan is a civil rights lawyer, mediator, and facilitator who has dedicated his career to strengthen community organizations and to be an advocate for our most vulnerable. Sufyan currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and general Counsel at Resilience Force, a nonprofit that advocates for the rights of the workforce that rebuilds our communities after climate disasters. Sufyan is also Chair of the Cook County Human Rights Commissioner, the co-chair of the DePaul Law Diversity Council, and on the board of directors for the Chicago Access Network Television (CAN-TV), and the ACLU of Illinois, where he serves as the organization’s Affiliate Equity Officer. Sufyan also hosts a weekly cable talk show, Change Agents, where he spotlights critical issues impacting Chicagoans, and amplifies the voices and efforts of leaders and organizations working to create positive change in Chicago’s communities.

Please note guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bessie or Alternatives.