Welcome back to #CynthiaAtTheTable. I am your host, Cynthia. Even in the face of a relentless pandemic, economic setbacks, civil tensions, and administrative challenges, we had an amazing and fabulous 1st Year with Cynthia@TheTable. I am excited to be returning for Season 2 and am so delighted to have all of our listeners rock with us in 2021!

We have much in store for this season and can’t wait to share it with you all!

With that, we are kicking off Season 2 with a special episode on “Black History Month” with our special guest Dr. M. Keith Claybrook Jr., who we will be talking with shortly. I am always so extremely excited to celebrate Black History Month because it allows us as a people to reflect on and highlight important events and the contributions and perseverance of significant figures who have been impactful and meaningful in shaping our present and future.

Black History Month is not a celebration merely because I am Black.

It is important to be reminded that Black History Month is about my history, your history, our history, and recognizing the stories and struggles of our ancestors and the generational impacts that have led us to be resilient people who are empowered to forge ahead despite the odds.

This year, as we celebrate Black History month, I want to start off first with acknowledging this as being a monumental and historic year with a new administration, the appointment of our first ever Black/Asian woman Vice President, Kamala Harris, whose agenda will be promoting diversity and inclusion. 

You will recall during this time last year, leaders in our communities were encouraging their constituents to get out and vote and reaffirmed to them that their voices mattered. The results were beyond AMAZING! 

Secondly, I want to honor a historic man of conscience – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While there have been many, one of Dr. King’s most profound and courageous messages for me as a leader is that ON CONSCIENCE. 

Dr. King also spoke about not being a consensus leader; and that ultimately a genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus on some positions. Oftentimes in a leadership role, particularly working in a government agency, there is a lot of politics at play.

As such, in my over 20 years in leadership and management positions, I have had to learn to balance my role as a servant leader within my organization with that of leadership teachings within my community, as I fulfill my obligation as a steward and advocate for both. To this day, I continue to be guided by that truth, both personally and professionally, and never compromising my ethics and integrity, and always doing what is right even when it is not popular.

Okay, listeners, we are just warming up at the table! I’d like to now introduce our special guest, Dr. Keith Claybrook.

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Welcome back to #CynthiaAtTheTable. I am your host, Cynthia. A year ago, almost to this very day this month, we launched the Cynthia@theTable podcast to offer advice, encouragement, mentoring, and leadership coaching to listeners in their professional and personal endeavors. 

Even with it being an unprecedented and historic time in our history, and in the face of many challenges, we had a remarkable first year with Cynthia@theTable - there were 14 episodes where we touched on crucial topics such as Self Care; Faith, Family, and Friends; and Managing Through Diversity ... just to name a few.

We had some fantastic special guests who provided their expertise and words of wisdom, and there was lots of fun along the way. We want to share with you some memorable moments from Season 1.

So let’s take a look!

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Welcome back to #CynthiaAtTheTable. I am your host, Cynthia. Before we close out 2020, I wanted to send this special end-of-year message to all of our Cynthia@theTable listeners and followers. I appreciate all of you so much for rockin’ with us this year. I can recall when we first launched in February. 

No one would have known or ever predicted that we would be here now in the middle of a national crisis. Now I know Boyz II Men said, “It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday…” But after all the cards we’ve been dealt this year, I don’t know about you, but I think I’m ready to say goodbye to 2020 and Hello 2021! 

2020 has been characterized as a year of revelations, trials and tribulations, reflections, and many great sacrifices. While it has certainly been an extremely challenging year, I know it has been as designed and I believe He continues to be on the throne! 

As I reflect back and draw from the foundational strength, courage, determination, motivation, integrity, core values, selflessness, and inspiration of my generational matriarchs, I feel incredibly humbled, truly blessed, and thankful. 

I miss my grandmother, mother, and mother-in-law dearly; however, I still feel their strong presence as my influencers and they remain the strength under my wings.

Now, as a matriarch myself, as I readjust and savor in the special moments, I am focusing on what is most important in my life. I am forging ahead into 2021 with my husband, girls, and grandchildren with great hope; guarded and guided firmly in our faith, grateful for His favor and covered by His grace.

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Welcome back to Cynthia @ the Table. I am your host, and our team is here rocking the vote today! 

That’s right, we are at the home stretch of the election race. We are literally 5 days away from election day. We at Cynthia@theTable are doing our part, and we want to continue to encourage all of you as well to get out there, show up and vote!  I’ve been saying for a while now, 2020 is the year!  This has been such a pivotal year.

Although we have been dealt some challenging hands with COVID-19 and other tragedies this year, now is the time to be impactful and purposeful. Let us not forget the price that our ancestors paid; sweat, blood and tears, to ensure that we have the right to vote. Not too long ago, women could not vote. People of color could not vote.

Now, in this great American nation, we have that essential right. So what are you going to do with the privilege that was given to you? Are you going to sit back and just complain about what’s wrong with America and who doesn’t deserve to be elected? Or are you going to get out there and do something to let your voice be heard. 

Well, the first place to start was to become a registered voter. There are sooooo many resources and information out there telling you how you could register and how and where you can go to vote.  In fact, I want you all to check out the Cynthia@theTable website and our Facebook page.

We’ve posted some great links to resources that will give you all the information you need for this election season:

• How to register;
• How to vote early by mail;
• Where to mail in your ballots; and
• Polling places to vote in person.

We have gotten so savvy with our voting mechanisms and tools. You can find out online the specific days and times your polling place is open and even the approximate wait times.

How cool is that!  There are so many ways that you can vote. So really, there’s no excuse. You have the power to be a change agent. Your voice matters, and your vote matters. As the great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The time is always right to do what is right.”

And our time is now!

Our Lakers closed out the NBA season.  Our Dodgers brought home the World Series championship.

Now it’s time to close out this election race. Let’s get out there and vote vote vote!

 Don’t forget to check out the resources on our Cynthia@theTable website and follow us on Facebook! Until next time, be well, stay safe, and stay connected!

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Welcome back to Cynthia @ the Table. I am your host, Cynthia, and we have a super great show today!

Today’s episode is all about the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. To help us celebrate, we have two special guests at the table.

Up first, we have the lovely Penny Arroyo and we also have the talented Chris Reza with us. I am so glad to have you both at the table to share how you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15th to October 15th and focuses on the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

What I learned as I was doing my research is that Hispanic Heritage Month began as a “week” back in 1968 under the administration of President Lyndon B Johnson, and was expanded by law to a full month in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan.

 Isn’t that something?

We have come a long way in recognizing and celebrating diversity in America, and there is still so much more work to do. Now it’s time to hear from our special guests – so let’s get to it!

Quote of the Day:  “We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community…Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.” - Cesar Chavez 

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Welcome back to Cynthia @ the Table. I am your host, Cynthia. I have my co-host, Angela and Arena, with me.

We also have returning to the table the fabulous Yolanda DeRamus. She just rocked with us on the Managing through Diversity episode.

And we have another special guest at the table today, Sabra Johnson.

Today, we are talking about self-care and what that means, looks and feels like in this New Normal. You may recall back in early March we did an episode on self-care.

Back then, we talked about going to the beauty shop to get our hair done, getting manicures and pedicures and even having a spa day.

Then everything went left with COVID-19.

The salons closed, barbers closed, non-essential retail stores closed, and before you know it, we were all on lockdown under the Safer at Home order. This pandemic has forced us all to re-evaluate our

professional and personal priorities.

What was once routine now requires an extra step or two, thoughtful planning, and more time to get it done.

Having to juggle all of these new restrictions, figuring out where the next paycheck is going to come from, dealing with the racial injustices, or even trying to find suitable childcare while at the same time trying to balance family life and just survive can definitely take a toll on ones health and well-being.

With that, I would like to preface our discussion on self-care around Michelle Obama’s recent message from her “The Michelle Obama Podcast”.

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Welcome back to Cynthia @ the Table. I am your host, Cynthia. I have my co-host, Arenal, with me.

We also have returning to the table the highly acclaimed Pastor George Thompson from Faithful Central Bible Church residing in Inglewood, CA.

As I continue to celebrate my 40th career anniversary in the month of August, I wanted to host an episode around faith, family, and friends. It really does take a village and faith to get us through these trying times. 

These are definitely hard times, and some people are down to their last dime. Everything that is going on around us is enough for anyone to lose sight of who’s in control and maybe even waiver in their walk. And in doing so, people vacillate between their faith, family, and friends and they look to what gives them comfort and makes them feel good.

But we must stay encouraged and hold fast to our faith. 

Spiritually speaking, I can recall a sermon from a few weeks ago that Pastor Larry Weaver of Atherton Baptist Church in Hawthorne delivered on the book of Judges.

I was really inspired by his message as he talked about elevating one’s faith and trust in God, and that even during this problematic, difficult, and pandemic time, God is still on the throne.

He said that the battle is not ours. And he asked folks, how are you loving, giving and praying? Are you lifting up others who are in need? With that, let’s get into some table talk with our panelists.

To kick things off, let’s talk about how your faith, family, and friends have helped you get through these times. For example, COVID-19, the civil unrest, political climate, or just this new normal in general?

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Welcome back to Cynthia @ the Table. I am your host, Cynthia. I have my co-host Angela with me.

I’m also super excited because we have special guests at the table with us: Yolonda De Ramus, Dawnna Brewton and Monica Paraja Dominguez. These women are a part of my circle of influences and they hold leadership roles in their current function.

And we are all in the pike 5x5!

As you know, I am celebrating my 40th career anniversary this month. For me, this month is all about sharing leadership and management nuggets that I have learned throughout my career journey that will hopefully help elevate Cynthia@theTable listeners in enhancing and achieving their career goals.

For this episode, we are talking about managing through diversity.

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🎧 It's time for Cynthia at the table, with co-hosts Angela, Arena and Candi Gurl.

Hello everyone. Welcome back to Cynthia at the table. I am your host, Cynthia.

As I continue to celebrate my career anniversary month, over the next couple of weeks I am sharing some of my nuggets I have collected through my journey starting from the bottom, as a clerk, to my current senior executive-level position. I am currently charged with providing executive leadership and management oversight for a collection of administrative and non-casework operations, consisting of over thirteen hundred staff.

I plan, organize, direct and evaluate, with my subordinate managers, the development and implementation of a performance-based management system that measures and monitors performance and outcomes to effect performance excellence throughout our operations and improve overall effectiveness throughout the organization.

While I have always coached, mentored and transferred knowledge to elevate my team and others, at this juncture in my career, I believe that the sharing of this knowledge and information with the next generation of leaders is also paramount.

Equally important, during this time of pandemic, in our new normal there is an increased emphasis on telework and virtual work environments, and having a structured management system and format, including some useful tools, are essential. For this episode.

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🎧 Welcome back to Cynthia @ the Table! I am your host Cynthia and we’re in the pike, 5 by 5. 

I also wanted to welcome everyone to August 2020. That’s right! August is indeed a special month. There is so much to celebrate and be grateful for. 

I did some research and found out that they’re a few celebrations that occur in August. 

For example, there is Black Business Month, National Eye Exam Month, International Peace Month, National Wellness Month, to name a few. 

So there are a lot of great things happening this month to be aware of and celebrate. 

Even more personal to me, August 2020 represents my 40th career anniversary with the county of Los Angeles (Ca). 

Let me say that again; 40 years with the county!

It is only by the grace of God, hard work, dedication, and commitment that has brought me this far and to this pivotal moment in my career journey. 

I am still forging ahead. 

Episode timestamp:

• 00:38 - Welcome Back! 

• 01:08 - Celebrations in August 

• 01:30 - Celebrating Cynthia’s 40th Career Anniversary

• 02:10 - Cynthia’s Career Journey

• 04:00 - Coming Soon in August 2020

• 05:00 - We Would Love to Hear from You (www.cynthiaatthetable.com)

“Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.”

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