Ralph Johnson is the CEO of Breakthrough Public Schools. He formerly worked at McKinsey and Company, where he served as an Ombud for nine years, strengthening workplace culture and addressing issues impacting staff satisfaction. 

Ralph also beat prostate cancer three years ago, and discussed in the episode the importance of Black men taking care of their physical health and talking about their experiences. 

This episode feels like ministry, as Ralph shared his religious upbringing and how spiritual wellness helps to ground him in his purpose. The conversation also turned to the emotional toll that came with supporting staff as an Ombud and how he takes care of his own mental health by seeing a therapist — one of two appointments that he will never miss.  

 WE GIVE THESE FLOWERS IN COLLABORATION WITH

McKinsey and Company and the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility. Their goal is to inspire, empower, and sustain action that leads to the economic development of Black communities across the globe.

Soundtrack

MUSIC CREDIT Rubber Necking by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena

MUSIC CREDIT Temps by Riot

MUSIC CREDIT Castello Oak by Bird Creek

MUSIC CREDIT Sinking Ship by Silent Partner

MUSIC CREDIT Flow by MK2

► Artist Attribution Music By: "KaizanBlu" Track Name: "Daydream" • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kaizanblu/ • SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/kaizanblu/ • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kaizanblumusic/ • TikTok - @kaizanblu http://vm.tiktok.com/aCYwfx/ • YouTube -    / @kaizanblu   • DOWNLOAD @ https://www.chilloutrecordsmusic.com Licence: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) - Full licence here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses • Music released by: Chill Out Records

Kandance Norris is the Executive Recruiter, Experienced Professionals for McKinsey & Company. She graduated from both Spelman College and Harvard Law and opened her own law firm.  

Kandance lives with a sporadic form of Cerebral cavernous malformations, and is bringing more awareness to CCM through her work with the Angioma Alliance, which helps break barriers and assist others impacted by CCM.

In this episode, we sat down with Kandance to discuss the realities of living with CCM, but the conversation blossomed into the important energy of collective care and asking the question: Who is caring for Black women?  Kandance also shared about her formative years and how education helped shape her and encouraged her down this path. 

WE GIVE THESE FLOWERS IN COLLABORATION WITH

McKinsey and Company and the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility. Their goal is to inspire, empower, and sustain action that leads to the economic development of Black communities across the globe.

Soundtrack:

MUSIC CREDIT Take that Back by Silent Partner

MUSIC CREDIT In Case You Forgot by Otis McDonald

MUSIC CREDIT I Still Want You by Everet Almond

MUSIC CREDIT Trips by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena

MUSIC CREDIT Miles of Prints by Joe Bagale

Dr. Jessica Boyd is the President and CEO of Unity Health Care, the largest network of community health centers in Washington, D.C. and is a practicing pediatrician. She was also a former Senior Implementation Consultant at McKinsey and Company from 2015-2017.

Jessica aims to change the medical landscape by achieving health equity to medically underserved communities. The third generation to be involved in medicine, a desire to help others is deeply rooted in Jessica’s family history. 

In this episode, we talk to Jessica about the under-resourcing that marginalized people experience in health care, as well as the importance and love she has for working with children as a pediatrician. Jessica is a true testament that no one does it alone, giving flowers to those who came before her and helped inspire her on this journey. 

WE GIVE THESE FLOWERS IN COLLABORATION WITH

McKinsey and Company and the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility. Their goal is to inspire, empower, and sustain action that leads to the economic development of Black communities across the globe.

*MUSIC CREDIT: Flutey Funk · Kevin MacLeod Flutey Funk ℗ Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

*MUSIC CREDIT: In Case You Forgot by Otis McDonald

* MUSIC CREDIT: I Am Forgiven by Top Wing

* MUSIC CREDIT: "After The Fall" Track Name: 'Road To Nowhere' Published by: Chill Out Records - Source: https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ Official After The Fall YouTube Channel Below https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGQE... License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) Full license here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses - DOWNLOAD this track HERE - https://www.chilloutrecordsmusic.com/

*MUSIC CREDIT: Heart Break by Vibe Tracks

Akili Hinson is the Founder and CEO at Juno Medical, which aims to build an inclusive healthcare system by including specialized services of pediatrics, gynecology, adult primary care, labs and imaging, and wellness services all in one place. He was also formerly in Healthcare Systems and Services at McKinsey and Company for five years. 

In this episode, Akili shared how he was inspired by the Black women who raised him to pursue a career in medicine. He took us through his journey navigating the health care system and the inequities he saw during his time as a medical student, which fed into his desire to create Juno Medical and the importance of a health care system that prioritizes marginalized communities.

 WE GIVE THESE FLOWERS IN COLLABORATION WITH

McKinsey and Company and the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility. Their goal is to inspire, empower, and sustain action that leads to the economic development of Black communities across the globe.

*Music By: "After The Fall" Track Name: 'Road To Nowhere' Published by: Chill Out Records - Source: https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ Official

*Song: PATU FUNKY ( Del Baldo - Canargiu ) Music provided by db free music library.

*MUSIC CREDIT Raindrops By Huma-Huma

*MUSIC CREDIT Cool Hunt - Anders Baldwin & Brady Hoffman & Alice Shelton & Luke Barker & Ruby Terry

*MUSIC CREDIT Everything's Nice by Jingle Punks

*MUSIC CREDIT Lude Illaby Joe Bagale

Previously named as one of “The Most Influential Black Women in Britain,” Dame Vivian Hunt has been recognized as a global thought leader on productivity and skills, leadership and DE&I. 

She is the Chief Innovation Officer for United Health Group and former Senior Partner for McKinsey and Company, and in 2018 she was appointed as “Dame Commander of the order of the British Empire for services to the economy and women.” 

In part two of our conversation with Dame Vivian, we talk about how she rised through the ranks at McKinsey and Company and her experience as a Black American woman in London. She described the reports she’s co-authored on the impact of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and the barriers she’s had to overcome, as well as what being a “Dame” means to her.

Dame Vivian ended our conversation circling back to health care and being present in service to others, whether its showing up for work, as a mother or for yourself. 

WE GIVE THESE FLOWERS IN COLLABORATION WITH

McKinsey and Company and the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility. Their goal is to inspire, empower, and sustain action that leads to the economic development of Black communities across the globe.

*MUSIC CREDIT: "Cop A Feel" by Audionautix Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music provided by FreeMusic109    / freemusic109  

*MUSIC CREDIT Level Plane by Riot

*MUSIC CREDIT Dana by Vibe Tracks

* Artist Attribution Music By: "After the Fall" Track Name: "The Backroom" ● Published by: Chill Out Records - Source: https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ Official After the Fall YouTube Channel Below    / @afterthefall8572   License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) Full license here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses

*Artist Attribution Music By: "After The Fall" Track Name: “Silk” Published by: Chill Out Records - Source: https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ Official After The Fall YouTube Channel Below    / @afterthefall8572   License: Eric/After The Fall @ Chill Out Records LLC Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) Full license here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses ► Download music by 'After The Fall' HERE: https://www.chilloutrecordsmusic.com

*Artist Attribution Music By: "After The Fall" Track Name: “Tears of Gia” Published by: Chill Out Records - Source: https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ Official After The Fall YouTube Channel Below    / @afterthefall8572   License: Eric/After The Fall @ Chill Out Records LLC Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) Full license here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses ► Download music by 'After The Fall' HERE: https://www.chilloutrecordsmusic.com

Previously named as one of “The Most Influential Black Women in Britain,” Dame Vivian Hunt has been recognized as a global thought leader on productivity and skills, leadership and DE&I. 

She is the Chief Innovation Officer for United Health Group and former Senior Partner for McKinsey and Company, and in 2018 she was appointed as “Dame Commander of the order of the British Empire for services to the economy and women.” 

While it’s easy to be swept up in Dame Vivian’s accolades, it’s important to remember that she is still human and her connection to health and wellness is one of relatability. In this episode, Dame Vivian opens up about the intersections of physical, mental and spiritual wellness and the responsibility to ones self to take care of our health. 

Dame Vivian also invited us into her formative years, opening up about her family’s love, and how her mother and grandmother have inspired her from a young age. 

WE GIVE THESE FLOWERS IN COLLABORATION WITH

McKinsey and Company and the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility. Their goal is to inspire, empower, and sustain action that leads to the economic development of Black communities across the globe.

*MUSIC CREDIT Sweet as Honey by Topher Mohr and Alex Elena

* Artist Attribution Music By: "After The Fall" Track Name: 'Road To Nowhere' Published by: Chill Out Records - Source: https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ Official After The Fall YouTube Channel Below https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGQE... License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) Full license here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses - DOWNLOAD this track HERE - https://www.chilloutrecordsmusic.com/

*MUSIC CREDIT Must Be Something by Jingle Punks

*MUSIC CREDIT Thank You R.G.E.by Joe Begale

*MUSIC CREDIT Spin and Scratch by JR Tundra

Tamara N. Houston is the founder of heritage development enterprise ICON MANN, a published author, and an entertainment producer. She and her organization are committed to direct engagement and working across channels from boardrooms to studio campaigns to original productions to positively rewrite and reposition the narrative of black men.

But Tamara's love for the Black community and Black men is only part of what we explored during our conversation. We touch on everything from classic film, fashion, and the entertainment agency world to some of her early conversations with Hollywood stars like Idris Elba and Charles King.

But ultimately, this episode is a love letter to Tamara and all the women who fight with and for us. We honor you all today and every day. 

WE GIVE THESE FLOWERS IN COLLABORATION WITH

McKinsey and Company and the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility. Their goal is to inspire, empower, and sustain action that leads to the economic development of Black communities across the globe.

Misty Copeland is known around the world as an American Ballet Theatre (ABT) principal dancer, a distinction that she earned in June 2015. Her promotion made her the first African American woman ever to hold that position in ABT’s 75-year history.

Misty’s genius as an artist and dancer is deserving of accolades and appreciation. However, Misty’s humanity, generosity of spirit, and willingness to support others have led her to inspire so many of us.

This episode begins with Misty opening up about her childhood, her biracial identity, and her experiences with instability and homelessness. She shares how she used her early experiences and stood on the shoulders of many elders – like Raven Wilkinson and Marion Cuyjet – to become the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author, and artist she is today.

We end with Nia, Co-Founder of Révolutionnaire, telling a beautiful story about the time she met Misty Copeland and Misty's impact on her. Misty also gives flowers to Gilda, an extraordinary woman who has been with her since the beginning of her career.

WE GIVE THESE FLOWERS IN COLLABORATION WITH

McKinsey and Company and the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility. Their goal is to inspire, empower, and sustain action that leads to the economic development of Black communities across the globe.

As President and COO of Parkwood Entertainment, Steve Pamon played an integral role in developing and delivering Beyonce's Homecoming performance at Coachella 2018, one of the most significant cultural moments this generation has ever seen.

His creativity and leadership on that alone would be enough to warrant Steve receiving his flowers, but we get into so much more. It's Steve's character, intellect, and values that have allowed him to consistently set (and raise) the bar in business, sports, and entertainment.

In this episode, Steve takes Bryan on a journey through the Southside of Chicago, where family, community, comedy, and music helped shape his youth. He reflects on his mentors' impact on him. He also shares a few defining moments in his career – including a behind-the-scenes look into how Homecoming came together and an emotional memory he has with music industry legend Andre Harrell and the Black Godfather, Clarence Avant.

WE GIVE THESE FLOWERS IN COLLABORATION WITH

McKinsey & Company and the McKinsey Institute for Black Economic Mobility. Their goal is to inspire, empower, and sustain action that leads to the economic development of Black communities across the globe.

On February 1st, we're launching a podcast with good energy and high vibrations. On every episode, we'll lovingly give everyone from cultural icons to community leaders their flowers. 

In this trailer, get a taste of the people we'll honor and the stories they'll share in our pilot episodes.

Let's give thanks and flowers together 🌸.