Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox

Having grown up in foster care, Di Ciruolo knows what it's like to feel left out. And she's made it her life's mission to foster inclusivity in the workplace. With her new book, Ally Up: The Definitive Guide to Building More Inclusive, Innovative, and Productive Teams, Di is hoping that people will get off the sidelines and into the DEI conversation.

Di Ciruolo Consulting
Ally Up: The Definitive Guide to Building More Inclusive, Innovative, and Productive Teams, by Di Ciruolo

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson, and is a production of Earfluence.

Charlene Wheeless is a recovering c-suite executive who is unapologetically authentic. When she started immersing herself in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conversations, she heard so many excuses for why corporations were failing at DEI, including the "we have a pipeline issue" rationale.  That wasn't going to fly with Charlene.

Charlene on Linkedin

Charlene's book, You Are Enough! Reclaiming Your Career and Your Life with Purpose, Passion, and Unapologetic Authenticity

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson, and is a production of Earfluence.

Derri Stormer is a Major on the Wake Forest University Police Department as well as the founder and president of Stomer and Associates Consulting. As a Black woman in law enforcement, she has felt microaggressions, has broken through stereotypes, and has risen through the ranks.

"It's one thing to be in the room, but it's also another to be heard while you're sitting at the room." Tune in to hear what she has to say.

If you're interested in consulting from Major Stormer, contact her at [email protected].

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson, and is a production of Earfluence.

You may know Precious Brady-Davis as the first transgender woman who appeared on Say Yes to the Dress. You may have heard that Precious and her husband Myles, who's also transgender, gave birth to a now 19 month old daughter.  Today, Precious gives us the inside scoop on her experiences growing up in rural Nebraska, her courage to transition, and becoming an inspiration to so many who don't want to be afraid to be themselves.

"I Have Always Been Me: A Memoir", by Precious Brady-Davis

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson, and is a production of Earfluence.

The Diversity Movement's Jackie Ferguson and Bob Batchelor discuss controversy and racism at the Olympics, touching on Sha'Carri Richardson, the ban on Afro swim caps, and Allyson Felix versus Nike.

Full episode video LIVE at the Earfluence studio in downtown Raleigh

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson, and is a production of Earfluence.

Jen O'Ryan was in tech for 20 years, but she started to realize that she wanted to do something to give back to the community. She wanted to help companies move from really good intentions and really good ideas - and having no idea where to start - to actual results. So like so many in diversity and inclusion work, she became an accidental expert.

Jen O'Ryan on Linkedin
Inclusive AF: A Field Guide for Accidental Diversity Experts, by Jen O'Ryan

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson, and is a production of Earfluence.

Growing up in a multi-cultural household and having diverse experiences shape her life, Ashley Sharp was shocked to find that artwork wasn't very diverse and was made pretty much for the elite - and that didn't sit well with her.  Now as executive director of Dwell with Dignity, Ashley is trying to end poverty and homelessness through design.

Ashley Sharp on Linkedin

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson, and is a production of Earfluence.

Jackie Ferguson hosted a live episode of Diversity Beyond the Checkbox on Fishbowl Live, and it was all about how bias in recruiting can start even before your interview process, plus strategies to recruit and retain diverse top talent from recruiting experts Bree Sarlati, CEO of Peak Performers, and Lauren McDonald, CEO of Intuition Co-Op.

Fishbowl is where professionals go to connect and talk in a new era of remote work. Choose from thousands of Industry, Community or Company Bowls (Groups) to have honest conversations with other verified professionals that are working in roles and industries similar to your own.

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson, and is a production of Earfluence.

Karyn Twaronite is responsible for maximizing the diversity of Ernst & Young professionals across the globe by enhancing their inclusive culture. Today she talks about how her DEI career got started (and how it almost didn't), her experiences of being the only one in the room, and how she thinks about DEI culture from a global perspective.

Karyn on Linkedin | twitter

Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson, and is a production of Earfluence.

Season 4 is almost here, but we wanted to give you some highlights from season 3 of Diversity Beyond the Checkbox!  In this episode, you'll hear from the following episodes:

Eliminating Multicultural Marketing, with Nichelle Pace
How to be a better leader in a diverse workplace, with Dr Steve Yacovelli, “The Gay Leadership Dude”
It’s OK to be Not OK at Work, with Alissa Carpenter
How to create a Transgender and Non-Binary inclusive culture, with Jake Rostovsky
Invisible Illness at Work, with Chronically Capable’s Hannah Olson
If Diversity is our Strength, Inclusion is our Superpower
Empowering Women to Financial Freedom with Sandra Stowe
How Disability Inclusion Has Built the 321 Coffee Community
Diversity Challenges in the Housing Industry, with Homebridge Financial’s Brian “Woody” White


Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement, hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson, and is a production of Earfluence.