The Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast

Recently, Arquella Hargrove partnered with April Allen and Shawna Unger of Allen & Unger to create the Equity Reimagined experience.

For three days, a powerhouse group of women, from all over the US, representing various industries and leadership positions, gathered in Southern California to have insightful, in-depth conversations regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion…and how to shed labels and old ways of thinking…to create new…new workplaces, new communities that reflect a future that so many of us believe for. This episode is a part of what we will call the Equity Reimagined series, as it features a leader who attended the conference, a leader with passion, grit, and determination to evolve and transform cultures. This woman is fire, and her stories will embolden you!

Erin Jones is a unicorn and amazing life force! She is an educational consultant with 28 years of experience that spans from a volunteer in a public school in North Philly, a substitute and private school teacher in South Bend, IN, an ELL, English and French Immersion teacher in Tacoma, an instructional coach and AVID (see avid.org) teacher in Spokane, Assistant State Superintendent and a school district director. She leverages her platform to inspire youth and adults and provide training for a variety of stakeholder groups (schools, government agencies, businesses and non-profits) on how to employ equitable practices to better serve ALL. She is the author of, Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing, and she speaks four languages. The conversation shared in this episode is as exciting and varied as Erin’s experiences.

After listening, let us know how you ‘reimagine equity.’ Let the Alchemy begin!

For three days, a powerhouse group of women, from all over the US, representing various industries and leadership positions, gathered in Southern California to have insightful, in-depth conversations regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion…and how to shed labels and old ways of thinking…to create new…new workplaces, new communities that reflect a future that so many of us believe for. This episode is a part of what we will call the Equity Reimagined series, as it features a leader who attended the conference, a leader with passion, grit, and determination to evolve and transform cultures. This woman is fire, and her stories will embolden you!

Carrie Thomas is the Equality & Belonging Head of Brand Enablement for Gap Inc., which believes that their teams should reflect the communities they serve and that should be welcoming spaces for all. Carrie served as a moderator at Equity Reimagined, guiding an insightful conversation with Mandy Fields, CFO for e.l.f. Beauty. Listen as Carrie shares how she uses her innate curiosity to create safe spaces for others. As a result of her experience at the Conference, Carrie is reimaging her leadership approach to DEI so that it remains a powerful business imperative grounded in the data. In Carrie’s words, “She’s coming in hot!”

After listening, let us know how you ‘reimagine equity.’ Let the Alchemy begin!

Recently, Arquella Hargrove partnered with April Allen and Shawna Unger of Allen & Unger to create the Equity Reimagined experience.

For three days, a powerhouse group of women, from all over the US, representing various industries and leadership positions, gathered in Southern California to have insightful, in-depth conversations regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion…and how to shed labels and old ways of thinking…to create new…new workplaces, new communities that reflect a future that so many of us believe for. This episode is a part of what we will call the Equity Reimagined series, as it features a leader who attended the conference, a leader with passion, grit, and determination to evolve and transform cultures. This woman is fire, and her stories will embolden you!

Mandy Fields the Chief Financial Officer for e.l.f. BEAUTY, which makes clean, readily accessible beauty products for every eye, lip, and face. Listen as Mandy reflects on her experience from the conference, and shares takeaways that can make all of us game-changers in the DEIA space. 

After listening, let us know how you ‘reimagine equity.’ Let the Alchemy begin!

In our current social climate, some organizations are taking a step away or back from their DEI efforts. In July 2024, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), announced that the organization was officially removing Equity from its DEI efforts, choosing to focus on Inclusion and Diversity only. To counter, many more organizations are moving full speed with their DEI and people culture focus. Listen as Arquella talks with April Allen and Shawna Unger, Partners and Co-Founders of Allen & Unger, which specializes in supporting clients to revitalize diversity initiatives, drive cultural transformation, and build more inclusive workforces. April and Shawna offer their insights on the importance of a continued emphasis on Equity, and share smart DEI strategies even during financially challenging times. You can either invest in all of DEI upfront, or pay the cost of a less then optimal work culture later. Inclusion and Equity are an essential duo.

Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

A non-compete agreement is a contract between an employer and employee that prevents the employee from working with or for a competitor (or becoming a competitor) for a certain period of time after the employment has ended. While these agreements had become staples for many businesses, effective September 4, 2024, a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ruling prohibiting most post-employment non-compete agreements is set to take effect. This ban applies to most industries, and covers both employees and contractors. Listen as Arquella talks with Obi Ikeme, Esquire, of Ikeme Law LLC. Obi is a business attorney and strategist for CEOs who want to protect their brands and leverage their IP to make more money. She explains the impact of the ban on these agreements and provides some watchouts for business owners and HR leaders.  Obi also discusses other HR/Legal hot topics.

Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

Within organization structures, an impactful DEI program cannot happen on an island; this sense of isolation can often be attributed to a less-than-optimal communications strategy. Listen as Arquella talks with Dr. Jobi Martinez, Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer at Harris Health System. Driven by her desire to be better informed on how to communicate why DEI initiatives are imperative to work and society, Dr. Jobi attained a Ph.D. in Media & Communication. Tapping into her Public Relations expertise, Jobi shares best practices that create an effective communication strategy with strong linkage to DEI tenants and people culture. She also provides a few practical tactics and some things to avoid. DEI Leaders, this episode is a great conversation starter with your HR and Comms colleagues.

Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

A healthy sense of humor is a key competency for those in the field of HR. Listen as Arquella Hargrove talks with Carol McBride, Founder, President, & Managing Partner of The Carol McBride Group LLC. Carol is an HR Executive, Keynote Speaker, and Author of “HR, Where’s Your Freaking Sense of Humor?” Carol candidly discusses the evolution of the HR profession, and the current challenges that HR Leaders are focused on solving. She discusses the areas of focus that are on the horizon for the profession, including AI and data privacy concerns. If you have a passion for people, innovation, and not faint of heart…HR may be a career path for you. Be sure to check out Carol’s book!

Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

Within organization structures, an impactful DEI program cannot happen on an island; this sense of isolation can often be attributed to a less-than-optimal communications strategy. Listen as Arquella talks with Dr. Jobi Martinez, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Harris Health System. Driven by her desire to be better prepared an informed on how to communicate why DEI initiatives are imperative to work and society, Dr. Jobi attained a Ph.D. in Media & Communication. Tapping into her Public Relations expertise, Jobi shares best practices to create an effective communication strategy with strong linkage to DEI tenants and people culture. She also provides a few practical tactics and some things to avoid. DEI Leaders, this episode is a great conversation starter with your HR and Comms colleagues.

Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!

The culture of leadership in any organization is a key indicator of the strength of its overall business profitability, its power to innovate, and its people culture. Listen as Arquella Hargrove talks with Miriam Lopez, Founder & Principal Consultant at SeEQmore Consulting Group. Miriam is an expert coach and leadership trainer, with a passion for DEIB and culture transformation. Miriam discusses the biggest challenges that leaders of today face, and those that are on the horizon for the workplace of the future. Miriam hones in on the concept of Generous Listening, and how that skill is a difference maker for high performing leaders. The advice and wisdom shared by Arquella and Miriam in the episode will help to guide the investments that organizations are making into leadership development.

Thanks for tuning into the Alchemy Consulting Group Podcast! Follow us on social media, and help us continue the conversation by sharing your business and leadership best practices. Subscribe to this podcast wherever you consume yours, and share it with your organizations and networks. Let’s strengthen the community of those committed to responsible leadership and work environments where everyone can thrive. Tap into the power of your own personal Alchemy!