Stories from the Field

Reflecting upon his multifaceted career journey from the IL Governor’s Office to the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois (LGBTCC) where he currently serves as director, Jerome’ Holston has significant experience engaging and elevating LGBTQIA communities. In this wide-ranging conversation covering the Pandemic to “The Great Resignation”, we discuss how leaders can elevate and create safety for LGBTQ+ communities at both a local and global level.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT: https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/recognizing-and-building-partnerships-with-lgbtq-community

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

What is code-switching, and what are its pros and cons? On this episode of Stories from the Field, author, podcaster, facilitator, polymath, and third culture kid Tayo Rockson shares how code-switching showed up in his own life as the son of a diplomat, and how he learned to achieve a balance between acclimation and authenticity. We also discuss how leaders can help those outside the dominant culture feel seen and heard, and why it’s time for all of us to get comfortable with being vulnerable.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

· How code-switching both benefits and hurts outsiders

· Why perfectionism is hurting leaders and how to model vulnerability

· How DEI practitioners can stay focused on their purpose

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT: https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/breaking-down-code-switching-embracing-your-authentic-vulnerable-self-with-tayo-rockson

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

In this episode, Jason Rebello and guest host Felicia Scott talk to documentary filmmaker, writer, educator, and community organizer Jeanette Lam of Youth FX. Jeanette shares how she found her voice in film as an Asian American queer woman, and how she’s helping others do the same through her work with BIPOC filmmakers and her riveting work in the documentary short, A Flower in a Dark Place.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT:

https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/empowering-the-next-generation-of-bipoc-filmmakers-with-jeanette-lam-of-youth-fx-

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

As a young college student, Dr. Marketus Presswood’s first trip to China proved to be more than just another study abroad experience. It was the beginning of a life-long journey through Afro-Asian history, with a little entrepreneurship and self-discovery along the way. In this episode of Stories from the Field, hear how Dr. Presswood’s experience as a Black man in China has impacted his research and work as a filmmaker, and also his insights on two cultures still grappling with the conversation of race.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT:

https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/being-black-in-china-the-us-with-dr-marketus-presswood

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

Somewhere between becoming a mil spouse and an unpleasant conflict in a Lowe’s parking lot,  Katy Doggett began to avoid sharing her experience as an Air Force Veteran - thanks to the doubters and push-back she often received. But since sharing her story with LadyVet she’s now the one pushing back - so that other female veterans don’t face the same biases and misconceptions.  In this episode of Stories from the Field, hear more about Katy’s journey from “invisible veteran” to an empowered leader who's now creating a new chapter of her life in Germany.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT:

https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/a-female-veterans-fight-to-become-visible-with-katy-doggett

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

Inclusive marketing champion and Adweek Executive Mentee Argelia Martinez joins us to dig deep into some of the statistics, challenges, and opportunities for emerging BIPOC leaders. Argelia shares her own stories as a Latina leader and advice for other emerging leaders, their organizations, and DEI champions who truly want to engage this critical talent pool on their own terms.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT:

https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/elevating-bipoc-leadership-values-at-work-with-argelia-martinez-of-hauswirthco

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

Since the onset of the pandemic, the interest in mental health and self-care have both increased exponentially. Along with this, a gradual shift toward applying a more intersectional lens to these practices has emerged, especially after the concerns of BIPOC have long been left out of these spaces.

That’s why we’re thrilled to sit down with licensed psychologist Dr. Han Ren – one of the field’s leading experts in anti-oppressive and liberation psychological practices. In this conversation, we discuss a whole range of topics, from her perspective on accepted norms in Western psychology to the very important reasons why she joined TikTok!

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT:

https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/creating-anti-oppressive-liberated-psychology-practices-dr-han-ren

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

Colorism tends to be a loaded topic - poorly understood and not always well-received in communities of color and beyond. So how can we as DEI practitioners and champions give it the attention it needs and deserves? Dr. Sarah Webb, founder of Colorism Healing, joins us to answer this question and explain how colorism impacts cultures across the globe and what we can do to break the cycle. Tune in to learn about the incredible project Sarah is developing to elevate awareness of and healing from the pain of colorism.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT:

www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/2021/where-colorism-fits-into-dei-with-dr-sarah-webb

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

How does a sports broadcaster turned award-winning filmmaker become the go-to DEI leader for emerging tech companies? The Inclusion Company co-founder Busi Sizani joins us from Amsterdam to share how her journey from post-Apartheid South Africa to award-winning filmmaker shaped her unique path into DEI.  Always the storyteller and visionary, Busi shares what the next generation of DEI leadership needs in order to make true progress toward equity and inclusion while elevating their organizations to new heights in the process.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT: https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/putting-us-back-in-business-busi-sizani-of-inclusion-compa

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/

We keep using this word “transformation” and you’re probably wondering, what does that really mean in the context of anti-racism and DEI? Well, we’re incredibly fortunate to have Firefly collaborator Dr. Nandi Shareef on the show to break it down for us. In this episode, Nandi sheds light on the transformation process she helps leaders navigate through at organizations that have made the commitment to anti-racism and DEI. A journey that requires confronting our own limiting beliefs and behaviors is never easy, but in this conversation, Nandi shares why it’s required to keep up with the accelerated rate of change we’re all experiencing, along with a few incremental success stories.

LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE:

EPISODE WEBSITE W/ RESOURCES, GUEST BIO & FULL TRANSCRIPT:

https://www.fireflyinclusion.com/news-notes/inclusion-begins-by-transforming-limiting-beliefs-dr-nandi-shareef

FIREFLY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fireflyinclusion/

FIREFLY LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/firefly-inclusion-solutions/