Converge for Change: The Business of Social Justice

Takema Robinson sits down for a LIVE conversation about the criminal legal system ahead of the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Run-Off Election and what a new D.A. means for the city of New Orleans. She is joined by Derwyn Bunton, Chief Public Defender of Orleans Parish (OPDLA), Sarah Omojola Associate Director at The Vera Institute- New Orleans, and Nziki Wiltz of Voice of the Experienced (V.O.T.E)

Takema interviews Kelli King-Jackson (The Simmons Foundation). and Katrina Mitchell (United Way of Greater Atlanta). The conversation explores the hardships of being Black and a women in the industry, the lessons learned in Hurricane Harvey that applied to 2020 -COVID & Hurricane Laura-  and asks how real is the profession of philanthropy?

Converge, Founded by Takema M. Robinson, in 2016, is a Black woman-owned social-justice consulting firm whose purpose is to accelerate the creation of a radically just new world, where communities of color thrive. The firm uses an organizing framework to shift power so communities of color are self-defined and self-determined. To do this, Converge organizes people and resources to build a robust social justice infrastructure to enable strong leaders, organizations, and movements to grow.

In the first episode of Season 2, Takema interviews Toya Randall, the phenomenal woman behind Voice.Vision.Value. live on the Converge IG. The conversation explores the importance of the role Black women hold in philanthropy along with the hardships of navigating that very system, the need for Black people in hiring positions to step-up and explores the question, does America deserve Black women?

Voice. Vision. Value. Black Women Leading Philanthropy is a digital narrative project housed at Foundation for Louisiana. The project celebrates the leadership impact of Black women in professional philanthropy today. It also honors the iconic trailblazers that paved the way for the historic professional community of Black women CEOs, trustees, senior executives, administrative assistants, program officers, grants managers, and program associates across the current talent and leadership pipeline.

Converge, Founded by Takema M. Robinson, in 2016, is a Black woman-owned social-justice consulting firm whose purpose is to accelerate the creation of a radically just new world, where communities of color thrive. The firm uses an organizing framework to shift power so communities of color are self-defined and self-determined. To do this, Converge organizes people and resources to build a robust social justice infrastructure to enable strong leaders, organizations, and movements to grow.

Takema begins a new series and taps Stephanie McKee-Anderson, Executive Artistic Director of Junebug Productions (birthed from Free Southern Theater) in New Orleans, La about The Future of Black Arts & Culture in the US. The conversation takes a look at cultural traditions and art forms that connect communities that have been passed down and still allow for performing arts to survive amid a pandemic. 

Converge for Change: The Business of Social Justice podcast takes a weekly deep-dive into social, racial and economic justice issues and what is really happening behind the scenes as the US struggles through a global health pandemic, COVID-19, and amidst the uprisings across the nation.

Be sure to stay connected with #CFCTBoSJ on Instagram, Facebook, and the Converge for Change website. Follow host Takema Robinson on Instagram at @IAmTakema. Don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button on all your favorite podcast platforms!

In this episode, Takema sits down with Edgar Villanueva, social philanthropist, award-winning author of Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance and Vice President of Programs and Advocacy at The Schott Foundation for Public Education about the Future of Philanthropy.

Converge for Change: The Business of Social Justice podcast takes a weekly deep-dive into social, racial and economic justice issues and what is really happening behind the scenes as the US struggles through a global health pandemic, COVID-19, and amidst the uprisings across the nation.

Be sure to stay connected with #CFCTBoSJ on Instagram, Facebook, and the Converge for Change website. Follow host Takema Robinson on Instagram at @IAmTakema. Don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button on all your favorite podcast platforms!

Takema Robinson sits down with Aaron Walker, Founder of Camelback Ventures to continue the conversation in part two of the series, The Future of Black Business to discuss what Black business owners and professionals should be asking for moving forward and how the COVID-19 pandemic and uprisings across the nation further impact the minority-owned business climate.

Takema Robinson interviews Jessica Norwood (Founder of The Runway Project) to discuss the root of the issue for most Black entrepreneurs and business owners, how this further impacts the minority-owned business climate amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the uprisings across the nation and what this means for the future of Black business.

Takema Robinson discusses and reflects on her travels to Jamaica and the incomparable differences between COVID-19 response in the US and the island. Upon entering the country she is required to download JamCOVID19 and takes to Instagram to discuss the app. The video quickly goes viral changing her course of action during her semi-vacation. In the episode Takema sits down with the app developer, CEO & Founder of The Amber Group, Dushyant Savadia

Takema Robinson interviews Dolfinette Martin and Syrita Steib-Martin of Operation Restoration about race, personal stories of incarceration, the need for someone to speak up for women, and COVID-19 amidst the uprisings of protests across the US.

Takema Robinson interviews Dolfinette Martin and Syrita Steib-Martin of Operation Restoration about race, personal stories of incarceration, the need for someone to speak up for women, and COVID-19 amidst the uprisings of protests across the US.