Changing Lenses: Diversify Your Perspectives

“I will always be the Black girl first, before Miriam Njoku. I cannot achieve my way out of being seen with prejudice. That's how they view people like me.”

In this episode, Miriam Njoku changes our lens to reveal the racism she experienced working and living in Canada and Switzerland.

Does that surprise you? These two countries are probably not the first that comes to mind when you think about racism. After all, Canada prides itself on being a haven for many refugees, and Switzerland is a neutral country that hosts the United Nations.

But Miriam, a Master’s graduate from the London School of Economics, who worked at the World Economic Forum and JP Morgan Chase, was still seen as a Black African girl first. She had to overcome significant prejudice to finally be seen as a qualified high calibre professional in banking and international development. When she finally started to be recognized just a little bit, she was told she’s not like the others. It’s as though Miriam was either too African or not African enough. 

So as you listen to Miriam’s personal story, challenge yourself. What’s your immediate visceral reaction? Have you heard similar comments from business colleagues as part of normal small talk? Are you wondering, if everyday comments have no racist intent, can they still be racist? 

If you do have questions, and want to discuss with like-minded people who genuinely want to understand, you’re welcome to join our free Facebook group. It’s a private online community for safe and respectful discussions about justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Contact me and find more JEDI resources at:  https://www.changinglenses.ca/

Full transcript available here. 

In this episode, we talk about:

[06:03] Miriam’s experience as a Black African working in Switzerland.
[10:31] How reporting racism to HR can fail the victim.
[11:27] Ways that workplace abuse can manifest (with or without intent).
[16:50] Prejudice at the intersection of  racism and sexism.
[19:32] Switzerland’s dark side.
[20:57] White moms racism in Canada.
[25:13] Capitalism: a driving force for exploitation.
[29:00] Creating a safe work environment for people with trauma.
[32:18] When the oppressed try to escape racism by becoming the Model Minority.

Content warning: this episode contains references to sexual harassment, racism, and workplace discrimination which some listeners may find disturbing.

About Miriam Njoku:

Miriam is a Trauma Informed Coach, an African, a mom of three daughters, a blogger and writer.  After graduating from the London School of Economics, she built her international career in the fields of banking and international development, working for organizations such as the World Economic Forum, Lombard Odier Private Bank, JP Morgan, the Mastercard Foundation and the United Nations. She now uses her passion for psychology and dedicates her time to coaching others to free themselves from the burden of childhood trauma through sharing the knowledge she acquired on her own healing journey and storytelling. Her wish is to destigmatize mental health in black communities.

Find Miriam on:

Website: https://www.miriamnjoku.com/
Instagram: @_miriamnjoku
Podcast: @overcomingyourstory
LinkedIn: http

Have you ever been told you can’t do it, or you’re not good enough for something you really wanted? What if you got that message in your whole life starting from childhood? What if abuse or racism you’ve endured created trauma that affects your work or relationships?  How do you heal wounds that you can’t see?

Miriam Njoku knows the struggle all too well. The abuse that she endured as a child and teenager and the racism she experienced at school and at work caused trauma that would cripple ten people, let alone one. Yet somehow, Miriam not only survived all this, but she also found resilience and strength in herself that allowed her to succeed in the world’s eyes. What we couldn’t see was the continued damage from internal wounds that were never healed and led to her shame and even workaholism. Thankfully, Miriam found the healing she needed to be a whole and healthy mom, writer, podcaster, and African woman.

Miriam left a flourishing career in banking and international development with organizations like the United Nations so she could become a trauma-informed coach, helping people free themselves from the burdens of childhood trauma. She’s also working to destigmatize mental health in black communities through activities like her podcast, Overcoming Your Story.

If you’re looking for ways to heal from your past traumas, or if you want to support someone who needs that healing, Miriam shares ways we can do that using her own personal story. 

And if you speak French, finally, I have content for you in your language. Thanks to Miriam’s bilingualism, please stick around to the end because she has a special message for you. 

Content Warning: This episode contains references to childhood abuse and trauma, sexual abuse, and racism. Though not graphic, some listeners may be disturbed by the painful stories. Miriam has endured so much that we had to break it up, and she’ll talk specifically about workplace racism in the next episode.

Full transcript available here.

Contact Rosie and find JEDI resources at:  changinglenses.ca/

In this episode, we talk about:

[01:17]  Miriam as a Black African in Cameroon.
[03:13]  Miriam as a Black African in Switzerland.
[04:39]  Systemic racism in Swiss schools. 
[09:42]  Miriam’s traumatic childhood, and what happened to her mother.
[16:28]  Her desire for education as a reaction to abuse.
[21:06]  Hiding shame beneath a veneer of perfection.
[25:50]  How we can help – indications of possible trauma in others.
[28:24]  Trauma’s impact on motherhood.
[30:49]  Encouraging trauma victims to ask for help.
[33:43]  A message of support in French.

Guest Bio and References/Links

Miriam is a Trauma Informed Coach, an African, a mom of three daughters, a blogger and writer.  After graduating from the London School of Economics, she built her international career in the fields of banking and international development, working for organizations such as the World Economic Forum, Lombard Odier Private Bank, JP Morgan, the Mastercard Foundation and the United Nations. She now uses her passion for psychology and dedicates her time to coaching others to free themselves from the burden of childhood trauma through sharing the knowledge she acquired on her own healing journey and storytelling. Her wish is to destigmatize mental health and normalize conversations on mental health in black communities.

Find Miriam on:
Website: https://www.miriamnjoku.com/
IG:

What do you think is the business case for equity, diversity and inclusion? In business, or even not for profit, should morality or humanitarian reasons play a role? Or should it strictly be about profit and shareholder value?

I have some opinions on this, which I apply in my work as an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategist. But as a podcaster, I've tried to keep the focus on my guests' perspectives, until one of my guests asked to switch places with me. Ali Ahmed, whom you heard in the previous episode, wanted to hear my experiences as a recruiter, HR director and not-for-profit executive.

So in this episode, Ali will host me. And I give some pretty blunt opinions about many business systems that we've taken for granted, which are structurally set up to discriminate and exclude. And it's not because they're racist or misogynist or anything related specifically to people. The sad thing is, systemic discrimination is also rooted in capitalism. If you're wondering how that happens, tune in to this episode. We'll explain how this plays out in recruiting, succession planning, even charity and corporate social responsibility.

Contact Rosie and find JEDI resources at:  https://www.changinglenses.ca/

In this episode, we talk about:

[03:06]  A story explaining inclusivity and diversity.
[09:00]  The need to decolonize and de-patronize philanthropy.
[14:29]  That the donors who hold money, hold power.
[18:06]  Diversity at the C-suite and Board levels.
[21:03]  Discrimination in recruiting immigrants and racialized people.
[27:11]  How do we make recruitment more equitable?
[33:50]  A corporation is a person. What kind of person is it?
[38:47]  Focus on positive change in the future, not mistakes of the past.

Full transcript available here.


Guest Bio and References/Links

About Rosie Yeung:

Rosie is a Speaker, Coach, Strategist, and Podcaster for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), specializing in intersectional diversity and Asian-Canadian identity. Her life goal is to reduce social inequity and discrimination, especially in wealth, race, and gender. Rosie loves mentoring Asian and racialized women to succeed in business as their true selves.

As a Chinese-Canadian, immigrant, cis-straight female with invisible disabilities, Rosie’s intersectional identities help her empathize with diverse communities and bring compassion and kindness to her work. With over 20 years of professional and lived experiences, she holds certificates in inclusion, consulting, Indigenous history, human rights, and more.

Based in Toronto, Canada, Rosie enjoys travel (except during global pandemics) and has served communities in Guatemala, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda. To de-stress, she watches movies and eats popcorn and ice cream – sometimes simultaneously!

Find Rosie on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosieyeung_jedi/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosieyeung/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/changinglensesca 

References and resources in this episode:

Book “Decolonizing Wealth” referenced in the episode: https://www.edgarvillanueva.net/the-book-1 

Ali Ahmed is a professional designated accountant who worked for one of the Big Four international accounting firms before immigrating from Pakistan to Canada. But despite having that professional experience, he couldn't get an accounting job in Canada until he got some "Canadian experience" under his belt.

As a former recruiter myself, I can verify that the prejudices Ali describes are real. I’m really glad that he's willing to share with you the unnecessary obstacles he faced in a country that supposedly welcomes immigrants and diverse ethnicities. After all, it's one thing to let people in the front door. It's another thing to let them sit at the same table with us.

So as you listen to Ali's story, I challenge you to think about what you deem essential job requirements and whether they're really that essential. And if your first thought is “they're all essential,” – think again.

Contact Rosie and find JEDI resources at:  https://www.changinglenses.ca/


In this episode, we talk about:

[04:41]  Immigrating to Canada (and challenges for his Pakistani family after 9/11).

[08:34]  First impressions of Canada.

[09:33]  Looking for work as an immigrant without “Canadian experience”.

[20:16]  When Ali felt included at work.

[21:44]  When Ali felt excluded at work.

[24:41]  Having identities / labels put on him, instead of choosing his own.

[26:16]  Ali’s advice for new immigrants and people looking for work.

Full transcript available here.

Guest Bio and References/Links

About Ali Ahmed:

Ali Ahmed is a forward-looking finance leader who works with organizations to help achieve their potential by making financially informed decisions. He provides strategic direction, develops budgets, and provides useful critical financial information. Ali’s superpower is to present complex financial information simply and concisely.

He is currently the Manager, Strategic Financial Management at Canadian Blood Services.

You can contact Ali via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-ahmed-cpa/ 

References and resources in this episode:

Woodgreen Community Services: https://www.woodgreen.org/ 

Canadian Blood Services: https://www.blood.ca/en

As I reflect back on the first season of the podcast, it’s become clear to me that systemic change starts with personal change. I believe true inclusion and equity requires sacrificing some of our self-interests, like power, position, even profit. The question is – are we willing to make change happen, if it means changing and sacrificing ourselves?

In this season finale, I share my thoughts on the “business case” and the costs of true inclusion, equity and diversity; why inclusion policies and training are not enough; and what’s next for Changing Lenses. (The podcast will take a short hiatus, but will be back in 2021!)

• Reflecting on the journey so far
• The big question: are we willing to do what it takes to change?
• The “business case” is the side effect, not the reason, for inclusion, equity and diversity
• Having inclusion and equity in more than name only is going to cost us something
• My personal experience of inclusion policy vs. practice
• It’s not about whether you say you believe in inclusion, equity and belonging. It’s what you do to make it happen – or not.
• Looking ahead to 2021 and Season Two

Full episode transcript available here.


Music Credits
Intro Music:
What Words Can't Describe, by Vlad Gluschenko
License: CC BY 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

Outro Music:
Beautiful Modern Rock Pop Guitar All Goodness Background Music, by Royalty Free Music
License: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

“I think our greatest fear is that people are jumping into it just because it's good opportunity, or it's good PR. As opposed to knowing, and thinking, and believing that this could actually make us all better as a people.”

Rev. Dr. Timothy Tang, Director of Tyndale Intercultural Ministries, shares with us what cultural competency means, how it benefits us in life and work, the challenges that practitioners face, and easy (and fun!) ways we can all grow our intercultural awareness. (No training programs required!)

We talk about:

• What to call intercultural _____, and what it is
• Cultural differences in names and titles
• Sometimes the biggest challenge is realizing what your existing lens is (or that you have one)
• Applying cultural competency at work and in leadership
• Diversity is skin colour, but it's not just skin colour
• Pulling your “diversity muscle”
• Practical (and easy) ways to start your intercultural learning
• Meeting people where they’re at – through movies, food, dance

Full transcript available here.

Reverend Dr. Timothy Tang was a pastor at East Toronto Chinese Baptist Church for over 15 years, during which time he obtained his doctorate in leadership, specializing in intercultural development. He's now the Director of Tyndale Intercultural Ministries (the “TIM Centre”), which is part of Tyndale University in Toronto.

Just some of the services that the TIM Centre provides are: intercultural resources for networking, training, and research; a certificate program in ministry and organizational leadership; and intercultural assessment, training and coaching for teams and individuals. 

References:

 The websites Tim mentioned on the podcast are:

 http://www.timcentre.com

ureachtoronto.ca

ureachcanada.ca

Music Credits
Intro Music:
What Words Can't Describe, by Vlad Gluschenko
License: CC BY 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

Outro Music:
Beautiful Modern Rock Pop Guitar All Goodness Background Music, by Royalty Free Music
License: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

“First, in order for racism and discrimination to continue, you need silence. And the second is the 'Otherwise Good People' who won't stand up and support the target of the discriminatory behavior.”

Shanaaz Gokool, human rights activist and former CEO, is fighting for freedom from workplace discrimination – for herself, and countless others whose stories we don’t know, because they have been silenced and unsupported.

In this episode, Shanaaz courageously shares her personal story of discrimination, and gives practical ways that we can effect change, especially at the Board level.

Shanaaz also gives three tips for people who may be experiencing workplace discrimination, and invites you to contact her for more support: linkedin.com/in/shanaaz-gokool

We talk about:

• How failing to share power, leads to failure of governance
• Two things that are necessary for racism to continue (i.e. what not to do)
• What happens when “Otherwise Good People” try to avoid taking sides (hint – there’s no such thing)
• Why anti-discrimination is the Board of Directors’ responsibility, not just HR’s, and what they can do differently
• The kind of discrimination story we need right now
• Three tips for victims of workplace discrimination

Full transcripts available here. 

Shanaaz Gokool is a life-long human rights activist and non-profit discrimination disruptor. She has been inspired to do social justice work primarily because of the rampant racism she experienced and witnessed growing up in Halifax-Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

She has held leadership roles in the private and non-profit sectors and is an emerging governance expert on workplace discrimination. 

As the former CEO of Dying With Dignity Canada (DWDC), she ushered in a new national movement supporting assisted dying and other end-of-life issues re-framed as human rights issues. Under her leadership, DWDC emerged as a key player in Canada on assisted dying.

She currently has a wrongful dismissal, systemic racism and discrimination lawsuit pending against her former employer.

You can contact and follow her on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shanaaz-gokool

Links to the court filings:

Statement of Claim

DWDC Defence

Shanaaz's reply to DWDC

Music Credits

Intro Music:
What Words Can't Describe, by Vlad Gluschenko
License: CC BY 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

Outro Music:
Beautiful Modern Rock Pop Guitar All Goodness Background Music, by Royalty Free Music
License: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

What happens when capital markets and individual landlords control access to a fundamental human right?

A house or condo has changed from being a place to live, and a shelter for families, into a profit-making business – something to help us retire earlier.

Join us as Alyssa Brierley, human rights lawyer, explains the reasons for the global housing crisis, shares real-life stories of tenant eviction and discrimination, and challenges us to put people before profit.

We talk about:

• Acknowledging the land we’re on
• Homelessness – it’s not just on the streets
• Two reasons for the housing affordability crisis
• Why tenants are being evicted into homelessness
• Financialization – the business model of de-housing vulnerable people
• How landlords legally, but immorally, coerce tenants into leaving
• Landlord fraud – evicting tenants on false pretenses
• Housing as a human right, vs. a market commodity
• The privilege and responsibility of landlordship – enabling the right to life
• CERA work for tenants’ rights

Full transcript available here.

Alyssa Brierley is a human rights lawyer and the Executive Director of the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA). Alyssa previously served as a United Nations advisor on the right to food, and a policy advisor to the provincial government and Ontario College of Teachers. She is currently completing her PhD in political science, and has done extensive work researching and defending various human rights, including housing and health.

Contact CERA and Alyssa:

Find CERA at:

https://www.equalityrights.org/

https://twitter.com/CERAOntario

https://www.facebook.com/CERAOntario/

https://www.instagram.com/cera.ontario/

Find Alyssa at:

https://twitter.com/alyssabrierley

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abrierley/

Other resources:

https://www.homelesshub.ca/about-homelessness/homelessness-101/myths-and-questions-about-homelessness

https://www.homelesshub.ca/sites/default/files/attachments/WithoutAHome-execsummary.pdf

Music Credits
Intro Music:
What Words Can't Describe, by Vlad Gluschenko
License: CC BY 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

utro Music:
Beautiful Modern Rock Pop Guitar All Goodness Background Music, by Royalty Free Music
License: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

Did you know that if you don’t have private health insurance, you likely have to pay for life-saving drugs out of your own pocket? Did you know that Canada’s healthcare ranks second last out of 10 countries? Without pharmacare, Canada’s “healthcare” system is NOT universal.

In part 2 of our healthcare series, Doret Cheng, a practicing pharmacist and university lecturer on global health, explains why healthcare equality is NOT equity, and how we can afford a national pharmacare program.

As a bonus, I ask Doret her thoughts on how a COVID vaccine should be equitably distributed.

In this episode

• [00:04:04]   When equality is not equity: patient discharge stories
• [00:13:34]   Canada’s healthcare is second worst out of OECD countries
• [00:16:38]   The case for national pharmacare: we actually SAVE money
• [00:21:08]   The government’s plan for national pharmacare – there is one?!
• [00:27:00]   COVID vaccine – who gets it first?
• [00:31:50]   Doret’s lessons learned – listening to patients results in better health outcomes

Full transcript available here.

Guest bio and references:

Doret Cheng is a pharmacist with 20 years of patient care experience in community pharmacies, hospitals, and global healthcare as far away as Uganda.

Doret is of Chinese ethnicity, born in Ghana, immigrated to Edmonton, Canada as a child, and now lives in Toronto, where she currently practices at St. Mike's Hospital, Academic Family Health Team. She is also an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto, teaching on global health.

References:

Find Doret on: LinkedIn

Data on Canada’s ranking with OECD countries:

https://interactives.commonwealthfund.org/2017/july/mirror-mirror/

Canadian Government Websites on National Pharmacare:

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2019/06/the-advisory-council-on-the-implementation-of-national-pharmacare-recommends-canada-implement-universal-single-payer-public-pharmacare.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/corporate/about-health-canada/public-engagement/external-advisory-bodies/implementation-national-pharmacare/final-report.html

In this two-part series on healthcare in Canada, we explore (and dismantle) some myths about our “free, universal” system which is so lauded by Americans.

Join us for part one, as pharmacist Doret Cheng takes us behind the scenes of a Toronto Family Medicine Clinic, putting a human face to stigmatized patients. If you think that the problems of homeless people and drug addicts are just housing and mental health – it’s time to change your lens.

• [00:02:50]    Pharmacists: what you didn’t know
• [00:05:54]    Integrated, collaborative, holistic healthcare: St. Michael’s Family Medicine Clinic
• [00:08:56]    What does “vulnerable” mean? Who are St. Mike’s patients?
• [00:14:28]    Understanding patient hiSTORIES – opioids and homelessness
• [00:26:43]    Healthcare equality is NOT equity

Full transcript available here.

Doret Cheng is a pharmacist with 20 years of patient care experience in community pharmacies, hospitals, and global healthcare as far away as Uganda.

Doret is of Chinese ethnicity, born in Ghana, immigrated to Edmonton, Canada as a child, and now lives in Toronto, where she currently practices at St. Mike's Hospital, Academic Family Health Team. She is also an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto, teaching on global health.

Contact Doret: LinkedIn

https://www.stmichaelshospital.com/programs/familypractice/st-james-town.php

 Music Credits

 Intro Music:

What Words Can't Describe, by Vlad Gluschenko 

License: CC BY 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

Outro Music:

Beautiful Modern Rock Pop Guitar All Goodness Background Music, by Royalty Free Music

License: CC BY-NC-ND 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en