B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes

Dan Johnson, IP attorney and vintner, learned early in his career the importance and necessity of being comfortable in his own skin and embracing his authentic self to succeed. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, Dan talks to Merle Vaughn about attending Yale Law School (with the Clintons and Clarence Thomas), being the first Black partner at Cooley and owning Okapi Fine Wines in Napa Valley, CA.

For Aiko Bethea, a leadership development coach, being a leader and a DEI professional are one in the same. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, Aiko shares how being raised by a Japanese mother in a Black community gave her a unique perspective on the world and the influence racial identity has on power differentials. She shares her story, her passion and her perspective on relating to others with Merle Vaughn.

You may know Laurie Levenson as a legal commentator for several high-profile, televised criminal cases. While she uses her knowledge and passion for criminal law to educate the general public, Laurie can more often be found in the classroom at Loyola Law School educating future lawyers and running the Loyola Project for the Innocent. Growing up white in Inglewood, paired with other pivotal personal experiences, informs her empathy for others and her belief that we all need to look in the mirror and face our stereotypes. She shares her journey and her passion with Merle Vaughn in this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes.

Raqiyyah Pippins, partner at Arnold & Porter, brings her contagious energy to everything she does. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, she shares how her beliefs and optimism have guided her and helped her succeed as a young Black attorney.

Dennis Garcia understands the importance of changing and evolving. He’s seen a life of evolution unfold for his grandmother who is now in her 100s. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, Dennis talks to Merle Vaughn about how his upbringing has shaped him, why presenting opportunities to people of color is important and why feedback is a must for success.

Richard Amador recognized quickly that he wanted to leave big law. Nearly three decades later, he hasn’t looked back. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, Richard shares with Merla Vaughn why he is adamant about mentoring lawyers of color and how he’s gone beyond stereotypes.

For nearly three decades Yasmin Cader has been standing up for the rights of others as a public defender and civil rights attorney. Now as the deputy legal director for the ACLU’s Trone Center for Justice and Equality, she is making an even bigger impact on civil rights and social justice. Yasmin shares with Merle Vaughn her beliefs on social justice, authenticity and interconnectedness of us all.

As a former college football player and football coach turned lawyer, Scott McLaughlin confirms that workplace biases can affect fairness. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, he shares with Merle Vaughn how being a white male athlete benefited him and why he believes in speaking up and pushing the legal industry to do better when it comes to diversity.

Ben Wilson, chairman of Beveridge & Diamond and the beloved mentor to Black lawyers nationally, shares his life lessons and experiences learned starting with his Southern roots through his successful legal career.

Paula Edgar’s life was forever changed on 9/11. As a career and life coach, an attorney and a DE&I professional, she continues to persevere and shares her passion and energy with everyone she meets—including Merle Vaughn in this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes.