LEGupward Inclusion Spotlight

In this episode, one of the earlier ones I recorded (hence the technical quirks you may or may not notice), I had a conversation with 2019 NLC Silicon Valley Chapter Alum, Jake Tonkel, about Environmental Justice, Public Banking, and, Inclusion. We also talked about his international experiences, including 27 months in Morocco, as a PeaceCorps Volunteer. I was intrigued by the insights he gleaned from all of his international experiences — both as a volunteer and in his role in the corporate space. It is these insights and his observations of inequities and disparities when he came back home to the United States that compelled him to declare candidacy in the upcoming election for the San Jose City Council. I can definitely guarantee that this won’t be the last time that we will be hearing from Jake on this podcast. 

 

You can learn more about Jake Tonkel’s campaign at: http://jake4d6.com. And, you can connect with him on Facebook and Instagram.

This was such a fun and inspiring conversation for me to have and to record for everyone. Christina Mendez, Owner and CEO of Irene-Marie Consulting, a Millenial Job Firm, is truly inspiring because she has built her life out of not traveling down the well-trodden path, and instead, blazing her own trails. You can get in touch with her here and here. 

Her website is www.irenemarieconsulting.com

You can get in touch with her on Instagram here.

 

**There are a few moments of technical difficulties in this episode because 1.) I was recording from the stacks of the library, which was supposed to be a quiet zone (hey! its the only spot I could find), and 2.) Christina’s busy schedule is also a star in the show as her phone went off a few times with calls and notifications. I tried to edit them out to the best of my ability, but you will find 3 moments where there might be some disturbances.

This was such a great episode to record, and such a fun conversation to have! I shine the spotlight on Coach Derrick Long, CEO of Third and Long Coaching. Coach Long specializes in coaching introverts with their leadership skills, and their relationship skills. From his unique perspective of having one foot in corporate spaces and another in coaching spaces, Coach Long walks us through what the invisibility of an introvert is all about, and how not making introverts visible is ultimately a decision that can hurt your business and leadership badly! Definitely a must-hear episode.

 

For more information about Coach Derrick Long and his work with introverts, you may visit his website at: www.thirdandlongcoaching.com

Or you may connect with him on Facebook or Instagram.

In this episode of LEGupward Inclusion Spotlight: Making the Invisible Visible, I shine the spotlight on a mindblowing conversation with Winitha Bonney, a woman entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in innovation and the Future of Work, and, the founder of Amina of Zaria.com, a digital platform for women of color entrepreneurs.

Winitha Bonney and I have a great conversation about her experiences with diversity and inclusion as a woman of color executive, the different trajectories of diversity and inclusion in the United States, Toronto and Australia, and why she founded Amina of Zaria.com. We also talk about the importance of accurate representation of the intersectionalities of women of color, and of having executives who are informed of these intersectionalities because of their lived experiences. Finally, we talked about the very first conference in Australia aimed at Women of Color entrepreneurs, called Colourfull. In Winitha Bonney’s words, “Dare to be yourself so you can be the change you need to be… for the sake of our future generations.”

 

You can find Winitha Bonney on:

Facebook

Instagram

In this episode, I had the honor of talking to the New Leaders Council Detroit Chapter’s Director, DeAndree Watson about the NLC Detroit experience, his perspective and living experiences through Detroit’s history, policy analysis, and, his incredibly nuanced and interconnected perspectives on the future of Diversity and Inclusion in Detroit, and in Michigan.

My favorite parts of this episode would have to be his reponses to my questions about progressivism (in Section 1), and the place for non-Detroit native Michiganders in promoting inclusion in Detroit and all over Michigan (after the 40 minute mark). I threw him a couple of curve ball hypothetical questions that he handled with the grace and dignity of someone far beyond his young age. I must say, this episode was truly a pleasure to record and edit.

You can connect with DeAndree on:

Facebook

Instagram

This is also the first episode that I did all the post production editing work by myself, as I am learning the ropes. So, I would love to hear what you think of it. Please don’t forget to subscribe using the links below the media player!

In this episode, I get my mind blown by Monish Jirge, a Michigan community member and a fellow NAAAP (National Association of Asian American Professionals) member. We talk about his ideas and perspectives on innovation, inspiration, immigration and so much more. This has got to be one of my most favorite episodes that I have recorded because Monish is not just an engineer, he is truly an artist and a visionary. And, as a found out in the episode, a published author!

You can find him here:

LinkedIn

Amazon

In this episode, Dr. Michelle Raab and I start digging into our experiences in a not-too-supportive graduate program (full disclosure: I’ve known her since grad school), invisible disabilities, her work in political messaging, her superpowers that she learned she had all along, and how she uses them to help Indie creatives find a community and shine these days. She is definitely someone who is going to be a repeat guest on this show, and I highly recommend getting in touch with her on social media because she is one of the kindest and funniest people I know in life!

You can find her on:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

In this first guest episode, I shine the spotlight on NLC Alum, and former director of the NLC LA Chapter, Eric DeSobe. Eric and I talk about his experience with diversity and inclusion in education, in LA and in California as a whole. Tune in to listen to us talk about what he envisions as the work that needs to be done toward Intentional Inclusion.

You see the corny comedienne in me come out in this episode. But, of course, there is also plenty of serious, substantive conversation that I have with Dr. Nicole Carter about graduate school, women of color, invisible disabilities, and, her latest venture, Sis, Just Write! that is an intersectionality (you’ll see what I did here when you listen to the episode) of all of these things. Dr. Carter will definitely be back on the show for more conversations, but until then, you can find her on Instagram.