Speak Up for Equity

With 20 years of experience in technology sales, Ben Gold is now focused on AI consulting and thought leadership. Ben shares some of the advantages generative AI tools offer organizations, such as increased efficiency, productivity, and creativity. However, he highlights the significant risks and challenges posed by AI, particularly around bias and discrimination. Ben emphasizes the need for DEI leaders and practitioners to stay informed about the rapid advancements in AI and to play a key role in guiding organizations towards the responsible and ethical use of this transformative technology.

Sarah Sampson, Deputy Director of the Tennessee Disability Coalition, discusses the importance of equity and inclusion for the disability community. She highlights the work her organization does in ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to services and support in their own homes and communities. Sarah also addresses the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, such as ableism and attitudes that hinder progress and equity, and encourages organizations to engage in disability inclusion efforts and offers resources and support for those interested.

Ashford Hughes Sr., Executive Officer for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Metro Nashville Public Schools, joins Robert Wilson to discuss the crucial role of equity in education and the public sector. He addresses common challenges, including misunderstandings about equity, the importance of clear communication, and the role of allies in standing against injustice. Ashford also touches on the exclusion of equity from diversity and inclusion initiatives, the impact of political decisions, and the responsibility of DEI practitioners to advocate for fairness.

Jeannine Gant, Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Officer at the Detroit Regional Partnership, joins Robert Wilson to discuss Detroit's transformation into a global hub for mobility, and emphasizes the city’s shift to become a leader in electric vehicles. Jeannine highlights the importance of inclusivity and addressing wealth disparities, particularly among marginalized communities. Leveraging a $52 million federal grant and strategic initiatives, Jeannine is working to ensure equitable access to emerging industries for historically excluded groups, positioning Detroit as a model for inclusive economic development. She also shares her personal journey and family’s legacy in racial equity work, advocating for the integration of diversity into Detroit’s future growth.

Kourtney Toney, manager of Community Engagement and Programming for the Academy of Country Music is dedicated to increasing the representation of people of color across the country music industry. Kortney discusses the importance of providing access to vital resources and opportunities for talented individuals from all walks of life and shares how artists of color are creating their own spaces within country music, putting on their own showcases and supporting each other while Nashville truly lives up to its name as Music City where all our diverse voices are welcomed and heard.

Cornelius Brownlee is the Executive Director of Equity and Inclusion at Tennessee State University, and believes in the importance of sustaining Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Although he did not attend an HBCU, he explains how important they are in creating safe spaces to foster a sense of empowerment and opportunity for those who feel different. In this episode, Brownlee debunks some of the misconceptions of HBCUs, and explains how and why they play such an essential role both in the Black community and the institutional educational space as a whole.

Jeff McGruder is the Chief Relationship Officer for Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company, the oldest continuously operating minority owned and operated bank in the U.S. He is a Nashville native, and believes in the importance of communities supporting local banks. In this episode, McGruder touches on the history of Citizens Bank and the broader widespread discrimination in banking, and goes on to emphasize how local banks need support and what action steps are necessary towards that end.

John Graves is chair of the Rainbow PUSH Automotive Project and the Citizenship Education Fund. He worked alongside Reverend Jesse Jackson, a well known civil rights activist, Baptist minister, and politician who was a two time presidential nomination and served as a U.S. shadow senator. Graves has been around famous civil rights leaders from a young age, and it is what set him on the trajectory to dedicate his life to the cause. In this episode, Chairman Graves discusses how his work with Reverend Jesse Jackson has changed his life, and how the work he is doing today with Rainbow PUSH plays a role in dismantling institutional racism.

Stephanie Battaglino is the founder of Follow Your Heart, LLC and is an internationally recognized author, speaker, and facilitator of conversations surrounding LGBTQ inclusion in the workspace, specifically among transgender and non-conforming individuals. She has over 40 years of experience in corporate America, and her story sheds light on the nuances surrounding bias and inclusion in these spaces. Stephanie explains how both workplaces and individuals can work together with grace and understanding towards a more accepting environment for all people.

As the Director for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Michigan, Amanda McLittle passionately believes in cultivating spaces that educate and welcome all people to learn more about the struggles and joys of marginalized groups. Amanda describes how the renovation of the multicultural lounges at the university are helping to create belonging for the people it represents and an opportunity to learn for everyone. This episode features how the University of Michigan is incorporating DEI, drawing from the history of both Amanda’s life and the University that gives great context for the work being done today.