Sundays With Verna

In the latest episode of "Sundays With Verna," host Verna sits down with Michael Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work, for a riveting discussion on redefining modern corporate culture. Great Place to Work is a pioneering research and analytics firm that assesses employee satisfaction globally. Known as "the global authority on workplace culture," they survey over 20 million employees at 25,000+ businesses worldwide, aiming to measure not just satisfaction but trust.

Together, Verna and Michael delve into why prioritizing employee well-being, diversity, and social and environmental responsibility isn't just ethical—it's smart business, boosting long-term financial performance. Michael passionately argues that true inclusivity goes beyond diversity metrics, emphasizing the importance of deeply valuing varied perspectives and experiences. He underscores the critical role of ESG principles and urges leaders to adopt sustainable and ethical business practices.

The conversation also explores the value of hiring for 'power skills' like grit and adaptability. Michael shares insights on how including underrepresented backgrounds in teams can spark innovation and drive success. Don't miss this insightful dialogue packed with actionable takeaways for building a thriving, inclusive workplace!

This month on Sundays With Vernā, Vernā sits down with Brenda Darden Wilkerson, the president and CEO of AnitaB.org, an organization that advocates for gender equality in technology. Wilkerson shares her professional journey, from studying pre-med to discovering her passion for computer science and facing barriers as a Black woman in the tech industry. She discusses her work in creating the 'Computer Science for All' program in Chicago public schools and her current role at AnitaB.org, which aims to support and empower women in tech through community building, training, and policy advocacy. Vernā and Brenda discuss how women can get the support they need in challenging environments, the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on women's careers, the need for generational wealth-building opportunities for underrepresented groups, and the importance of self-belief and taking risks. They also tackle the looming AI question and possible solutions for the emergence of biases in AI behavior.

In this episode of "Sundays with Vernā," Thomas Vozzo, the CEO of Homeboy Industries, a gang rehabilitation and re-entry organization, and Vernā have a conversation about Homeboy's history, methodology, and mission, the business benefits of DEI, the possible positive impact the corporate sector could have on our society, the role of faith and spirituality in his leadership, and Homeboy's response during the COVID-19 pandemic as a business. Tom also shares his journey from the corporate world to Homeboy Industries, driven by a desire to impact society positively. They discuss the challenges faced by impoverished people, including systemic barriers and lack of opportunities. This conversation highlights Homeboy's approach of providing jobs, support, and a path to healing through kinship, empathy, and social justice. Together, they explore the importance of leading with humility, understanding the struggles of the impoverished, and fostering an environment where all people can thrive.

In this thought-provoking episode, Vernā engages with the talented Emmy-nominated storyteller Baratunde Thurston in a wide-ranging discussion covering community, unlikely allies, intergenerational lessons, and dispelling myths related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Baratunde discusses how different and seemingly unrelated peoples connection with nature has impacted his perspective of interdependence, the future prospects of community and why nature deserves the same rights humans do. Vernā and Baratunde's conversation is a testament to the power of discourse in bridging societal divides and imagining a future rooted in shared understanding and cooperation.

Click here to learn more about Baratunde Thurston's PBS series "America Outdoors" and the "How to Citizen" podcast. In these, he uses a blend of humor, insight, and fresh perspectives to address complex issues and help us understand how to improve society for everyone.

In this episode of "Sundays with Vernā," Anu Gupta, CEO of BE MORE with Anu and author of Breaking Bias (to be released in September 2024), joins Vernā as the latest guest. Together, they discuss the integration of mindfulness, science, and spiritualism in their work. He explains the journey that led to him receiving a foreword from the Dalai Lama. Anu also shares insights into the scientific tools he has developed to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Anu talks about his past struggles with mental health and how it inspired him to create the PRISM toolkit, a scientific methodology he developed to address biases. He also explains how principles of non-harming are incorporated into his DEIB practices. During the conversation, Vernā and Anu delve into the history of nonviolence in social movements worldwide. They also highlight the significance of AAPI Heritage and mental health awareness while they examine the obstacles that biases present. Vernā and Anu stress the importance of developing emotional competencies for DEI(B) work, self-love, and compassion. Anu also emphasizes the role of businesses in advancing social movements in the 21st century.

On this Episode of Sundays With Vernā, Verna and her guest, Dr. Jenn M. Jackson, delve into Jackson's new book Black Women Taught Us: An Intimate History of Black Feminism, her personal journey into Black Feminism, and the stories of influential Black feminist figures featured in the book. In this discussion, Jackson pays homage to Black feminist foremothers such as Toni Morrison, Ida B. Wells, and Bell Hooks, praising their resilience and ingenuity in the face of systemic obstacles and personal struggles. Their stories are instrumental in understanding the continuum of Black Feminism. Vernā and Dr. Jackson navigate the nuanced concept of freedom and the value of choice and agency on the path to equity. Jackson stresses the importance of recognizing and learning from the history and ideology of Black Feminism, with an emphasis on supporting and uplifting the community's youth as they assume the torch of advocacy and change. A powerful and compelling episode for newcomers to this philosophy seeking to learn how to support Black women in the workplace and their communities

In this episode, Vernā Myers brings together Kenji Yoshino, a constitutional law professor at the New York University School of Law, and David Glasgow, founding Executive Director of NYU's Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, to talk about their work and the future of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion across corporate America. Yoshino and Glasgow also highlight the goals behind their new book, "Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice," a practical guide to having difficult conversations.

Click here to learn more about our guests' work and the mission at NYU Law School's Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. You can also read reviews and purchase copies of their new book, "Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice," at this website.

In this episode of Sundays With Vernā, we're looking at the intersection of sexism, racism and oppression today as Vernā invites her dear friend Wade Davis II, Global VP for Inclusion Strategy at Netflix, to share his male journey into feminism. A formerly closeted professional football player, Wade reflects on his evolution as a man who was once completely unaware of his gender privilege and his internalized biases around femininity and vulnerability. You will come away inspired to study history and empower young boys to see the world differently – in ways that embrace gender equity and offer access to intimacy irrespective of how we identify.