DEI AF

Only 5% of practicing physicians in the United States are Black. Despite decades of conversation around health equity, that proportion has remained flat. In this episode of DEI AF, host Amelia Ransom is joined by pediatrician, health equity strategist, and keynote speaker Dr. Nwando Anyaoku to explore the realities of training, retaining, and seeking care from diverse medical professionals.

Dr. Anyaoku details the structural hurdles that students of color encounter from elementary school through medical residency, where Black residents face dismissal rates five times higher than their white colleagues. They explore how clinical environments signal belonging—from hospital wall art and skin-tone bandages to meal choices—and discuss actionable strategies patients can use to protect their health.

Key Takeaways

• The Stagnant 5% Metric: Black physicians comprise only 5% of the American doctor workforce (2.6% women, 2.4% men), a statistic unchanged across multiple generations.

• The Residency Cliff: Black resident doctors are terminated at five times the rate of their peers, often because of subjective, unquantified criticism rather than technical skill deficits.

• Your Work Does Not Speak: Why professionals from underrepresented backgrounds must narrate their own achievements instead of expecting output to gain recognition automatically.

• Health Equity in Clinic Design: True health equity appears in everyday hospital logistics: hair care products, skin-matching bandages, and dietary menus that accommodate cultural needs.

• The Power of an Advocate: Navigating medical visits with a trusted companion, doula, or community advocate improves safety and symptom validation.

Guest Bio

Dr. Nwando Anyaoku is a board-certified pediatrician, healthcare executive, advisor, and two-time TEDx speaker. She focuses on healthcare equity, clinical leadership development, and systemic organizational change. Over several decades of practice and executive leadership across the United States, Dr. Anyaoku has mentored dozens of underrepresented clinicians and championed practical, systemic patient care reform.

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Nwando Anyaoku

02:00 - The cultural weight of titles and community representation

05:00 - Why the percentage of Black physicians stays at 5%

07:15 - Disparities in medical residency dismissals

11:30 - Why clinicians stay despite administrative burnout

17:15 - Career advice: "Work does not speak; you must speak"

21:10 - How hospital environments and supplies reflect patient care

25:30 - Clinical perspective: diagnosing skin conditions on Black skin

33:20 - Respectability politics and self-advocacy in clinic visits

38:30 - Practical barriers to preventive health screenings

43:40 - Rebuilding patient trust in modern healthcare

50:00 - Rapid fire questions with Dr. Nwando Anyaoku

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Follow DEI AF:

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ABOUT DEI AF

DEI AF is a podcast that fosters honest and unfiltered conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by veteran DEI leader Amelia Ransom, the show challenges conventional thinking, platforms diverse perspectives, and equips listeners with practical tools to make a tangible difference in their organizations and communities. DEI AF is where curiosity meets candor — rooted in truth, driven by facts, enriched by experience. New episodes release bi-weekly on all major podcast platforms.

How are small businesses the backbone of ourcommunities?

Amelia Ransom dives into a thought-provokingconversation with Laura Clise and Efrem Fesaha about the often-overlooked significance of small businesses in fostering community and belonging. They explore how small businesses provide not just products, but invaluable social connections and cultural contributions.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

·  Small businesses are deeply rooted incommunity, offering more than just goods and services.

·  Supporting local businesses can foster asense of belonging and enhance community resilience.

·  Entrepreneurs should focus on what drivesthem personally for long-term success.

GUEST BIO

Laura Clise is the founder and CEO of Intentionalist, emphasizing the crucial role of small businesses in our communities. Efrem Fesaha is the CEO and founder of Boon Boona Coffee, focusing on coffee from the African continent and building community spaces.

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Follow DEI AF:

- Twitter: @deiafpodcast

- Instagram: @deiafpodcast

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ABOUT DEI AF
DEI AF is a podcast that fosters honest and unfiltered conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by veteran DEI leader Amelia Ransom, the show challenges conventional thinking, platforms diverse perspectives, and equips listeners with practical tools to make a tangible difference in their organizations and communities. DEI AF is where curiosity meets candor — rooted in truth, driven by facts, enriched by experience. New episodes release bi-weekly on all major podcast platforms.

What is the real impact of effective mentoring?

Lisa Fain joins Amelia Ransom to uncover the layers of mentoring, demystifying mentorship versus sponsorship, and revealing strategies to ensure real growth. How can you craft genuine connections and avoid performative mentoring?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Mentoring requires learning, reciprocity, and co-creation.

• Mentors gain leadership skills by being intentional learners.

• Over-mentorship and under-sponsorship of minorities still persist.

GUEST BIO

Lisa Fain is a renowned keynote speaker and CEO of the Center for Mentoring Excellence. Co-author of "Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring" and "The Mentor's Guide," Lisa helps organizations maximize human potential through effective mentoring.

CONNECT WITH US

Follow DEI AF:

- Twitter: @deiafpodcast

- Instagram: @deiafpodcast

- TikTok: deiafpodcast

- Youtube: @D.E.IAFPodcast

ABOUT DEI AF

DEI AF is a podcast that fosters honest and unfiltered conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by veteran DEI leader Amelia Ransom, the show challenges conventional thinking, platforms diverse perspectives, and equips listeners with practical tools to make a tangible difference in their organizations and communities. DEI AF is where curiosity meets candor — rooted in truth, driven by facts, enriched by experience. New episodes release bi-weekly on all major podcast platforms.

Are executive coaches really for everyone?

Amelia Ransom dives into the world of executive coaching with experts LaVonne Dorsey and LaKita Williams. They explore who benefits from coaching, how to choose the right coach, and the impact of coaching on professional growth—especially for marginalized groups.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Coaching is for everyone, not just executives, and can drive significant transformation.

• Differentiate between coaching, therapy, and counseling to set proper expectations.

• The importance of selecting a coach who understands your unique challenges, especially for marginalized identities.

GUEST BIO

LaKita Williams is the founder and CEO of CoCreate Work, an executive coaching firm. She also co-hosts the "CoCreators" podcast and has been featured in major publications. LaVonne Dorsey is a seasoned executive coach with over 30 years of experience, focusing on creating diverse corporate cultures. She's also a licensed clinical therapist.

CONNECT WITH US

Follow DEI AF:

- Twitter: @deiafpodcast

- Instagram: @deiafpodcast

- TikTok: deiafpodcast

- Youtube: @D.E.IAFPodcast

ABOUT DEI AF

DEI AF is a podcast that fosters honest and unfiltered conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by veteran DEI leader Amelia Ransom, the show challenges conventional thinking, platforms diverse perspectives, and equips listeners with practical tools to make a tangible difference in their organizations and communities. DEI AF is where curiosity meets candor — rooted in truth, driven by facts, enriched by experience. New episodes release bi-weekly on all major podcast platforms.

What are we missing about workplace truth, and how do we face it?

In this episode, DEI strategist Tara Jaye Frank joins Amelia Ransom to explore how leaders can genuinely drive change by addressing hidden truths in workplace culture. They discuss the impact of nuanced data, debunk myths around DEI roles, and inspire leaders to become authentic waymakers.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Understanding granular data is essential for effective change.

• Healing the deepest wound benefits the entire organization.

• Surface-level data like exit surveys often present misleading truths.

NOTABLE QUOTE

"Understanding the truth of your workplace through the eyes of employees who live it every day is critical." — Tara Jaye Frank

GUEST BIO

Tara Jaye Frank is a workplace culture strategist and award-winning author. She is the founder and CEO of The Waymakers Change Group and has 21 years of leadership experience from Hallmark Cards.

LINKS & RESOURCES

"The Waymakers" by Tara Jaye Frank

"You Are Before the World" by Tara Jaye Frank

CONNECT WITH US

Follow DEI AF:

- Twitter: @deiafpodcast

- Instagram: @deiafpodcast

- TikTok: deiafpodcast

- Youtube: @D.E.IAFPodcast

ABOUT DEI AF

DEI AF is a podcast that fosters honest and unfiltered conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by veteran DEI leader Amelia Ransom, the show challenges conventional thinking, platforms diverse perspectives, and equips listeners with practical tools to make a tangible difference in their organizations and communities. DEI AF is where curiosity meets candor — rooted in truth, driven by facts, enriched by experience. New episodes release bi-weekly on all major podcast platforms.

Ever wonder why experienced workers suddenly become "overqualified" or "not a culture fit"?

Maureen Wiley Clough, host of "It Gets Late Early" podcast and former tech leader, exposes the brutal reality of workplace ageism that starts at 40. From AI washing layoffs to the collapse of traditional career paths, she reveals how companies systematically push out older workers while claiming innovation. This conversation unpacks the intersectional impact on women and marginalized communities, the signs of ageism hiding in plain sight, and why the career stability crisis affects us all.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Workplace ageism legally begins at 40, affecting millennials entering their most confident career phase

• Companies use AI as a scapegoat for layoffs targeting higher-paid experienced workers to reset market wages

• Age discrimination cases increased 40% between 2022-2024, but remain hardest to prove in court

• Women face compounded challenges from "inexperienced" to "office mom" to "overqualified has-been"

• Culture fit hiring is coded ageism that organizations must eliminate to achieve real innovation

GUEST BIO

Maureen Wiley Clough is a corporate dropout turned workplace truth teller and creator of the "It Gets Late Early" podcast. A former tech leader known for saying the quiet part out loud, her work analyzing modern career challenges has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, and Wired, earning hundreds of millions of views across social media.

CONNECT WITH US

Follow DEI AF:

Twitter: @deiafpodcast

Instagram: @deiafpodcast

TikTok: deiafpodcast

Youtube: @D.E.IAFPodcast

ABOUT DEI AF

DEI AF is a podcast that fosters honest and unfiltered conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by veteran DEI leader Amelia Ransom, the show challenges conventional thinking, platforms diverse perspectives, and equips listeners with practical tools to make a tangible difference in their organizations and communities. DEI AF is where curiosity meets candor — rooted in truth, driven by facts, enriched by experience. New episodes release bi-weekly on all major podcast platforms.

Are we under assault or just under attack?

Dr. Cheryl Ingram joins the DEIF podcast for an unfiltered conversation about the current state of DEI work. With over 20 years of experience and two PhDs, Dr. CI challenges conventional thinking about language, allyship, and what it really takes to create sustainable change. She breaks down why some DEI programs deserved to be shuttered and how practitioners can move beyond superficial solutions to create real impact.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

·  DEI is under assault, not attack - there's a strategic, sustained effort to dismantle progress across multiple fronts

·  The attachment to DEI language can be more harmful than helpful when it prevents real action and systemic change

·  ERGs are for marginalized identities, not all-inclusive spaces - understanding the difference between discomfort and harm is crucial

·  Facts are rooted in collective data while truth is rooted in personal experience - both are necessary for effective DEI work

·  Pay equity assessments and data-driven approaches reveal disparities that good intentions alone cannot address

·  Leaders have an obligation to right historical wrongs through metrics, accountability, and strategic resource allocation

GUEST BIO

Dr. Cheryl Ingram is a two-time PhD holder, global award-winning DEI strategist, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. Her documentary "You're Smarter Than You Look" has won multiple international awards, and her latest film "DEIA Guide to Navigating the Goddamn Mess They've Made of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" is now streaming on Tubi. She runs Inclus and has spent over two decades dismantling bias in workplaces, classrooms, and boardrooms.

LINKS & RESOURCES

The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer

The World Is Waiting On You by Edwina Burke

Dr. Cheryl's documentary "DEIA Guide to Navigating the Goddamn Mess They've Made of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" on Tubi

Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.

CONNECT WITH US

Follow DEI AF: 

• Twitter: @deiafpodcast

• Instagram: @deiafpodcast

• TikTok: deiafpodcast

• Youtube: @D.E.IAFPodcast 

ABOUT DEI AF

DEI AF is a podcast that fosters honest and unfiltered conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by veteran DEI leader Amelia Ransom, the show challenges conventional thinking, platforms diverse perspectives, and equips listeners with practical tools to make a tangible difference in their organizations and communities. DEI AF is where curiosity meets candor — rooted in truth, driven by facts, enriched by experience. New episodes release bi-weekly on all major podcast platforms.

Ever wonder what women of color really think about white women's approach to DEI?

Behavioral scientist and CEO Mitch Shepard joins Amelia for an unfiltered conversation that will make you squirm, laugh, and ultimately do better. After surveying women of color about what they wish white women understood, Mitch shares the responses that reveal uncomfortable truths about allyship, sisterhood, and the work that still needs to be done. From colorblindness myths to the exhaustion of being the only one, this episode delivers the real talk we need without the performance or purity tests.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

·  White women experience both privilege and marginalization, creating a complex intersection that requires honest examination

·  True allyship means building authentic relationships where race can be openly discussed, not centering your own comfort

·  Women of color are not a monolith and don't need to be educators or take responsibility for every person who shares their race

·  Stop the performative behaviors: touching hair, relating through one black friend, or only connecting over stereotypical topics

·  Real change happens when white women sponsor and advocate for women of color in rooms where it matters most

GUEST BIO

Mitch Shepard is the CEO of Human and an applied behavioral scientist with over 25 years of experience advising world-class leaders. After leading wilderness expeditions and working in corporate boardrooms, a 12-month family trip around the world and a battle with cancer shifted her perspective on living inclusion out loud. She now leads transformative retreats for women of all backgrounds, focusing on building authentic community and lasting friendships across racial lines.

LINKS & RESOURCES

White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better by Regina Jackson and Cyra Rao

They Were Her Property: White Women as Slave Owners in the American South by Stephanie Jones-Rogers

Women in the Workplace report by McKinsey and LeanIn.Org

CONNECT WITH US

Follow DEI AF:

• Twitter: @deiafpodcast

• Instagram: @deiafpodcast

• TikTok: deiafpodcast

• Youtube: @D.E.IAFPodcast

ABOUT DEI AF

DEI AF is a podcast that fosters honest and unfiltered conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by veteran DEI leader Amelia Ransom, the show challenges conventional thinking, platforms diverse perspectives, and equips listeners with practical tools to make a tangible difference in their organizations and communities. DEI AF is where curiosity meets candor — rooted in truth, driven by facts, enriched by experience. New episodes release bi-weekly on all major podcast platforms.

Have you ever wondered why some women of color seem to get ahead while black women consistently face the worst workplace experiences?

Award-winning author and inclusion strategist Ruchika Malhotra joins host Amelia Ransom for an unflinching conversation about privilege, competition, and what it really takes to build inclusive workplaces. Drawing from her book Inclusion on Purpose and her upcoming release NonCompete, Ruchika shares data-driven insights about workplace dynamics, the power of storytelling to build empathy, and why our hyper-competitive culture is actually holding us all back. This conversation tackles the uncomfortable truths about who benefits from current systems and offers practical frameworks for creating real change.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

·  Anti-blackness is a global phenomenon that shows up consistently in workplace data across countries and cultures

·  Privilege and oppression can coexist — you can hold both simultaneously without contradiction

·  Competition often rewards conformity rather than excellence, keeping us stuck in limiting patterns

·  Psychological safety is essential for inclusion — people need to know they can take risks and still belong

·  The best way to build empathy and change minds is through storytelling, not data dumps

GUEST BIO

Ruchika Malhotra is an award-winning author, speaker, and inclusion strategist whose work has been featured in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and Forbes. She is the author of Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work and the forthcoming NonCompete, which challenges how competition and meritocracy work against equity. Born in North India, raised in Singapore, educated in London, and now based in the US, Ruchika brings a global perspective to understanding workplace dynamics and systemic change.

LINKS & RESOURCES

·  Inclusion on Purpose by Ruchika Malhotra

·  Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

·  The Curb-Cut Effect research

·  Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O'Neil

CONNECT WITH US

Follow DEI AF: 

• Twitter: @deiafpodcast

• Instagram: @deiafpodcast

• TikTok: deiafpodcast

• Youtube: @D.E.IAFPodcast

ABOUT DEI AF

DEI AF is a podcast that fosters honest and unfiltered conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by veteran DEI leader Amelia Ransom, the show challenges conventional thinking, platforms diverse perspectives, and equips listeners with practical tools to make a tangible difference in their organizations and communities. DEI AF is where curiosity meets candor — rooted in truth, driven by facts, enriched by experience. New episodes release bi-weekly on all major podcast platforms.

What myths about DEI are you still holding onto?

In this powerful episode, Amelia sits down with two brilliant minds who approach equity from different angles: Dr. Cheryl Ingram, two-time PhD holder and filmmaker behind "The Goddamn Mess," and Rebecca Steele, strategist and author of "Indivisible." Together, they unpack what DEI got right, what it got devastatingly wrong, and what the future of this work actually looks like when the performance falls away. From why unhealed oppression isn't a qualification for DEI work to the critical difference between discomfort and being unsafe, this conversation doesn't just diagnose the problems — it charts a path forward.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

·  DEI failed when we put people with opinions but not experience in critical roles

·  Discomfort is not the same as being unsafe — one leads to growth, the other requires protection

·  The oppression Olympics mentality has hurt the work more than helped it

·  Valid measurement systems and accountability structures are essential for sustainable change

·  Don't get so hung up on what to call the work that you stop doing the actual work

GUEST BIO

Dr. Cheryl Ingram is a two-time PhD holder, award-winning DEI strategist, and filmmaker who has spent over 20 years building change into workplaces and boardrooms. She's raised over $2 million to fund ventures and created the documentary "The Goddamn Mess" about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Rebecca Steele is a strategist, systems thinker, and author of "Indivisible" who has worked at the intersection of equity, sustainability, and human flourishing with everyone from global NGOs to indigenous communities.

LINKS & RESOURCES

·  "The Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer

·  "Theory of Water" by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

·  "Targeted Universalism" by John A. Powell

·  "The Sum of Us" by Heather McGee

·  "We Were Eight Years in Power" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

·  Work by Roosevelt Thomas

·  Quinta Roberson's research on detangling DEI language

CONNECT WITH US

Follow DEI AF: 

• Twitter: @deiafpodcast

• Instagram: @deiafpodcast

• TikTok: deiafpodcast

• Youtube: @D.E.IAFPodcast

ABOUT DEI AF

DEI AF is a podcast that fosters honest and unfiltered conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by veteran DEI leader Amelia Ransom, the show challenges conventional thinking, platforms diverse perspectives, and equips listeners with practical tools to make a tangible difference in their organizations and communities. DEI AF is where curiosity meets candor — rooted in truth, driven by facts, enriched by experience. New episodes release bi-weekly on all major podcast platforms.