Welcome to another inspiring episode of Mojo Up Live Diverse + Talented with your host, Travis Brown! In this episode, we're honored to have David Fredricks, the Director of the Office of Minority and Women Business Development for the City of Indianapolis.

Guest Bio:

David Fredricks Director of the Office of Minority and Women Business Development, City of Indianapolis

David Fredricks is a distinguished leader in the realm of minority and women business development, currently serving as the Director of the Office of Minority and Women Business Development for the City of Indianapolis. Appointed by Mayor Joe Hogsett in 2022, Fredricks brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role.

Prior to his current position, Fredricks held key roles including Program Manager for Supplier Diversity at the Indianapolis Airport Authority and Principal at Innovative Business Development LLC. His extensive career also includes various positions at the Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council, the Indiana Association for Community and Economic Development, and the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development.

Throughout his career, Fredricks has been a passionate advocate for fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in business opportunities. His leadership and dedication to empowering minority and women-owned businesses have made significant contributions to the economic growth and vitality of the Indianapolis community. With a proven track record of success and a commitment to driving positive change, David Fredricks continues to be a driving force in advancing opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Join us as we delve into David's journey, his impactful work, and his vision for the future of minority and women business development. Don't miss this episode filled with valuable insights and inspiring stories!

**Welcome to Mojo Up Live Diverse + Talented Podcast with Host Travis Brown!**

In this episode, we are excited to welcome Tracy Ellis-Ward, the Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Tracy, a former All-American basketball player at Missouri, has had a distinguished career in athletics and higher education. Standing at 6-foot-1, she played as a center in the mid-1980s before transitioning to executive roles.

Tracy has led diversity certification at Michigan State, served as a WNBA executive, and was the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer and Senior Associate Commissioner of the Big East Conference from 2015 until 2022. She joined the Pacers in 2022. Her impressive career includes roles such as Senior Associate Athletics Director of Internal Operations at the University of Massachusetts–Lowell, Director of the Unity Multicultural Education Center at Gonzaga University, VP and Director of Women's Basketball at Sports Leadership Ministries/NBC Camps, New York City Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, WNBA Senior Director of Basketball Operations at the NBA, and Assistant Athletics Director at Michigan State University.

Join us as Tracy shares her incredible journey, insights on leadership, and experiences in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in sports. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

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In this episode, we have the honor of hosting LaVall Jordan, an accomplished basketball coach known for his leadership and strategic acumen. Born on April 16, 1979, in Albion, Michigan, LaVall played college basketball at Butler University before transitioning to coaching. His impressive career includes assistant coaching roles at Iowa, Michigan, and Butler. In 2017, he was appointed head coach of the Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team, demonstrating his commitment to excellence and his ability to inspire and develop players both on and off the court.

Tune in to hear LaVall share his journey, insights, and experiences in the world of basketball coaching. Don't miss this inspiring conversation!

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ASZURE GRAY

Chief Growth Officer of Mojo Up

Aszure Gray has dedicated nearly two decades to empowering business owners and executive leaders to overcome obstacles hindering growth. Before joining Mojo Up in May of 2023, Aszure worked for a premier leadership development firm where she achieved the distinction of Senior Consultant, becoming the sole female to attain such a status. Her contributions ranged from facilitating transformative leadership programs to spearheading strategic planning initiatives and fostering cohesive teams. 

An alumna of Indiana University, Aszure remains deeply engaged in her community, having served on numerous committees and boards including the Rotary Club of Indianapolis, The Indy Chamber, and Providence Cristo Rey High School. Committed to the transformative power of mentoring, she actively participates in Mentors of Color.

Mojo Up Live is a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of the most successful black and brown executives who have navigated their ways through corporate America to build their own success stories! Hosted by the Founder + CEO of Mojo Up Marketing + Media, Travis Brown asks the tough questions, digs deep for their individual lessons from failure, and of course, puts them on the Mojo Up hot seat! Don’t miss this group of diverse and talented executives on this new podcast!

STANLEY CHEN

Chief Executive Officer of Telamon

Named in 2019 by the Indiana Business Journal as one of Indiana’s Top 40 under 40, Stanley serves at the CEO of Telamon Corporation, a $750m multi-generational family business, which has grown into a diversified holding company under his leadership.  

Prior to Telamon, Stanley enjoyed brief stints in marketing analytics for a MLB team, in corporate strategy for a Global 50 firm, and with a small venture capital fund. He received his MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, and his BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Mojo Up Live is a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of the most successful black and brown executives who have navigated their ways through corporate America to build their own success stories! Hosted by the Founder + CEO of Mojo Up Marketing + Media, Travis Brown asks the tough questions, digs deep for their individual lessons from failure, and of course, puts them on the Mojo Up hot seat! Don’t miss this group of diverse and talented executives on this new podcast!

Mojo Up Live: Diverse + Talented

Season 4, Episode 10 ➡️ Leadership Traffic Controller

Mario Rodriguez – CEO, Indianapolis Airport Authority

Join us for an engaging episode as your host, Travis Brown, sits down with an incredible guest. Today, we're honored to have none other than the CEO of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, Mario Rodriguez, joining us.

Travis kicks off the conversation reminiscing about their first meeting in San Diego during a business trip. Travis had his preconceptions about Mario being a high-position CEO, but their conversation quickly revealed Mario's down-to-earth and friendly personality. Mario reflects on his humble beginnings, growing up with limited means, and how that shaped his respect for everyone, regardless of their background.

As the CEO of an award-winning airport, Mario shares the secret to their success in building a remarkable culture within the organization. He emphasizes that it's not just about infrastructure but human capital, building a well-rounded team that complements each other's strengths and weaknesses. With his extensive experience in the field, Mario sheds light on how a vast airport like Indianapolis operates smoothly, from public safety to field services and everything in between.

Travis and Mario dive into the challenges of airport management, discussing scenarios like sudden shutdowns or weather delays. Mario explains that it's all about preparation and reacting effectively to ensure a better experience for stranded passengers. He draws parallels between his experiences in different airports worldwide, highlighting how the real differentiator is the people.

Taking a trip down memory lane, Mario shares his fascinating journey from being the child of political refugees to becoming a successful engineer and ultimately leading the Indianapolis Airport Authority. Despite having lived in various places around the world, Mario expresses his genuine appreciation for the warm and welcoming people of Indianapolis, making it a place he's proud to call home.

The conversation wraps up with Mario reflecting on his family life, his wife's role as an aeronautical engineer, and his kids' experiences growing up in Indy. He discusses how family has become the driving force behind his choices and how the resilient team at the airport managed to navigate through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tune in for an insightful conversation that unveils the fascinating world of airport management, leadership, and the importance of valuing people above all else. Don't miss this opportunity to get to know the CEO behind one of the best airports in North America and discover the unique perspectives he brings to the table. Subscribe, like, and stay tuned for more enriching discussions on Mojo Up Live!

Mojo Up Live: Diverse + Talented

Season 4, Episode 9 ➡️ The Multi-Cultural Fabric Of Tech 

Rupal Thanawala - CEO, Trident Systems 

In this episode of Mojo Live, Travis Brown engages in a captivating interview with Rupal Thanawala, CEO of Trident SystemS. the dynamic president of a thriving tech consulting company.

RuPaul's journey unfolds, spanning from her birthplace in Mumbai, India, to her pioneering role as an entrepreneur in Indiana, USA. She openly shares her formative years, underscored by the profound influence of her father's community-centric ethos, and how her determination defied familial norms, making her the first woman in her lineage to pursue a professional degree.

RuPaul and her husband embarked on a transformative journey in the tech landscape, surmounting the challenges inherent in their roles as immigrants, enterprising minds, and collaborative partners. The interview delves into their navigation of project-based uncertainty and the astute division of labor that has anchored their business. Her emphasis on leveraging individual strengths and seeking assistance where apt underscores her remarkable leadership philosophy.

The dialogue touches on the invaluable position of being a woman and a person of color within the tech sector, echoing the significance of embracing one's authentic identity, even when it comes to accents. RuPaul's multilingual prowess becomes a highlight, embodying the essence of linguistic diversity and the rich tapestry it contributes to communication.

Throughout the discussion, RuPaul's unwavering resilience, unyielding resolve, and commitment to nurturing a supportive work environment come to the forefront. Her trajectory, complemented by Rupal Thanawala's insights, serves as an exemplar of the remarkable outcomes that can emerge from embracing individuality, honing strengths, and cultivating impactful contributions to the community. Join Travis, RuPaul, and Rupal as they engage in this enlightening dialogue on the Mojo Live episode, painting a vivid portrait of her extraordinary journey.

Mojo Up Live: Diverse + Talented

Season 4, Episode 8 ➡️ Attention To Tech 

Eddie Rivers – President & CEO, Esource Resources 

In this episode of Mojo Live, host Travis Brown sits down with his good friend Eddie Rivers, who is the President and CEO of eSource Resources. Eddie is not only a successful business owner, but also a husband, father, military man, and IT guru. They discuss Eddie's journey from being a military brat who traveled to different schools every year, to attending West Point, to working at IBM, and eventually starting his own IT firm. Eddie shares how he learned the importance of empathy and giving back from his experiences with mentors and educators. He emphasizes the significance of diversity, integration, and connecting people together for the greater good. Tune in to hear Eddie's inspiring story and insights on being a successful connector in both business and philanthropy.