EquitAble

In this episode, host Dr. Adriane Johnson-Williams is joined by the insightful Dr. Audrey Selian, an advocate for compassionate and empathetic investment practices. Dr. Audrey Selian shares her experiences and wisdom, touching on topics such as the fluid identity of Armenians in the United States, the history and values of Armenia, and the challenges and opportunities in impact investing. The conversation explores the complexities of integrating equity into professional spheres, the paradigm shift in the purpose of capital, and the importance of empathy and compassion in investment practices. Tune in as we uncover the nuances of impact investing, the limitations it faces, and the broader societal implications of profit-seeking in various sectors.

Key Points/Topics Covered:

• Impact investing and its emphasis on empathy and equity
• The challenges and limitations of impact investing
• The critical role of love, empathy, and compassion in investment practices
• Critiques of the current health sector and the need for equity in healthcare

Systems are made up of people and people have biases no matter how good their intentions, they aren’t always fully informed. This is true in philanthropy and politics and as we all know, there is a great deal of power in philanthropy and politics. So the degree to which they are informed by equity or practice equity has real implications for all of us. In this episode, you hear from Tomeka Hart Wigginton, who has worked to improve education outcomes and social and economic mobility at the local and national levels. Tomeka founded The HarWigg Group in 2023. She’ll be focusing on building strategic partnerships to support the public sector in better serving its citizens, and she and host Dr. Adriane Johnson-Williams have an honest conversation about what it takes to advance equity in philanthropy and politics.

Key Points/Topics Covered:

• Observing racial inequities in public education and wealth creation for Black people
• Influence of money and power in politics and philanthropy
• Disparities faced by Black individuals and businesses
• Challenges of accessing advanced programs and the scarcity of AP classes
• Advocating for equitable policies and systemic change within education and communities

In this episode, we take on the importance of fair compensation and transparency in achieving equity, emphasizing the need to uplift marginalized voices and provide opportunities for underrepresented groups. Equity and Inclusion Practitioner, Generator, and Visionary Dorian Spears and host Dr. Adriane Johnson-Williams discuss the complexities of working with powerful entities and the significance of recognizing the humanity of others in professional settings, and explore the nuances of equity and the impact of compensating individuals for their expertise.

Key Points/Topics Covered:

• Equity and fair compensation
• Recognizing humanity in professional settings
• Uplifting marginalized voices
• Complexities of working with powerful entities
• Importance of transparency in pay ranges and scales

Explore the heart of equity with Dr. Adriane Johnson-Williams on the Equitable podcast. Join conversations with leaders from various fields as they share the challenges and triumphs of making workplaces truly equitable.

Learn how personal growth is integral for leaders and discover the necessary investments, both personal and financial, for better business outcomes. Understand the tough yet doable work of equity, gain insights from leaders already on the journey, and find inspiration for your next steps.

Dr. Adriane Johnson-Williams is CEO of Standpoint Consulting, which makes equity actionable.

Theme music is produced by @IMAKEMADBEATS for @weareunapologetic.