When you are a white female, diversity often goes unnoticed. Carmen Chambers tells her story as a queer woman living in Birmingham and how assumptions are a daily part of her life experience. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, Carmen and Merle Vaughn discuss self-identification and privilege as well as the networking group she and a friend started within the Alabama LGBTQ community.

Jeff Harleston, GC and EVP of Universal Music Group, has felt the impact of stereotypes within his career. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, he shares with Merle Vaughn how he is breaking down stereotypes within the music industry, embracing his authentic self and doing his part to effect change in the legal industry.

Paula Boggs took a leap into the unknown in 2012, leaving an unparalleled career in the law and starting her music career. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, Paula retired GC of Starbucks and current frontwoman for the Paula Boggs Band, shares stories of her upbringing, her love of music and why being a Black woman has been her superpower.

Growing up, David Kelly wanted to be a basketball player and a musician. While his path ultimately has led him to a career as an NBA lawyer, he is also a successful musician and underground rapper. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, David, Chief Legal Officer of The Golden State Warriors, shares with Merle Vaughn how he landed his dream role, the sponsors who helped him along the way—and his insights on the league and team culture. He also discusses his passion for hip hop and how it allows him to be his authentic self.

Steven Hunter, partner at Quarles & Brady, doesn’t let anything hold him back from being his authentic self and living his best life. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, Steven shares stories about what has inspired him to pursue his passions and chats with Merle Vaughn about his competitive drive and commitment to creating opportunities for other diverse lawyers.

Growing up on the basketball court, O’Melveny’s David Lash was not your stereotypical player. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, David chats with Merle Vaughn about getting beyond stereotypes personally and the eye-opening moments from some of his most memorable pro bono cases, several of which are “ripped from the headlines” and one that was made into a movie.

Sheila Foster, a Professor of Law and Public Policy at Georgetown University, loves disrupting expectations. In this episode of B.S.: Beyond Stereotypes, Sheila chats with Merle Vaughn about how her youthful appearance, race, and gender often present challenges within the classroom, and how she maintains her authenticity by always speaking her truth and staying grounded and connected to the community. She also explores the benefits of meditation and how her Zen-like focus helps her through tough situations.

A lawyer and entrepreneur, Sierra Elizabeth lets nothing hold her back in life. In this episode, Merle Vaughn chats with Sierra about how she decided to stay authentic - even in the courtroom, why she started her own business and why she chose to earn a law degree instead of following in her family’s entertainment industry footsteps.

Derrick Boston, general counsel of Virgin Orbit, shares with Merle Vaughn how he’s pushing beyond the stereotypes associated with being a lawyer and being a black man and embracing his authentic self in his personal and professional lives. He talks about the values he’s instilling in his children, how he handles stress, and the role sports have played in shaping him.