In this thought-provoking episode, Michael Butcher joins us to explore the growing influence of artificial intelligence in our daily lives—from the workplace to the therapist’s office. We unpack the ethical challenges, societal fears, and the responsibility we all share in shaping AI's future. Whether you're a tech optimist or a cautious observer, this episode will challenge your perspective and equip you with the insights needed to navigate the AI age responsibly.

Michael Butcher is a technologist, strategist, and advocate for responsible innovation. With years of experience at the intersection of technology and human behavior, he offers a grounded perspective on the promises and perils of AI.

Guest: Donta' Bell, CEO and Co-Founder of VReel

Host: Keith Scott, CEO of KLSA

Episode Overview:

In this enlightening episode of the Citizen Experience Podcast, host Keith Scott engages with Donta' Bell to delve into the transformative power of visual storytelling in community development. They discuss the inception of VReel, its mission to build generational wealth, and the launch of the innovative CityReel platform aimed at revitalizing local economies.

Key Topics Covered:

- The inspiration and journey behind founding VReel

- The role of visual storytelling in economic empowerment

- How data analytics can drive city growth and revenue

- An introduction to CityReel and its impact on community engagement

- Strategies for cities to leverage technology for economic revival

Resources & Links

VReel Official Website: 

https://www.vreel.page/

CityReel Platform:

https://cityreel.market/

Connect with Donta' Bell on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/donta-bell

Citizen Experience Podcast Episodes:

https://linktr.ee/cxpodcast?utm_source=linktree_admin_share

👥 Guest:

Krystal Robinson – Manager at KLSA, Health and Human Services

🎧 Episode Overview:

In this episode of The Citizen Experience, host Keith Scott sits down with Krystal Robinson to dive into one of the most overlooked challenges impacting workforce participation: access to childcare.

As employers continue to report staffing shortages, Krystal sheds light on the critical role childcare plays in both economic mobility and job readiness. Together, they explore how outdated systems, unaffordable care, and lack of availability are pushing potential workers — especially women and single parents — out of the labor market.

This conversation highlights why new voices are entering the room, demanding long-overdue policy changes and community-centered solutions. If you're a business leader, policymaker, or simply someone passionate about workforce equity, this episode is for you.

🧭 What You’ll Learn:

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

KLSA – Analytics | Analysis | Advice (Podcast Sponsor)

📲 Connect With Us:

Follow KLSA on LinkedIn and Instagram for weekly episodes and thought leadership conversations that drive change.

In this episode, we sit down with Adrian Atkinson to dive into the inspiring story behind KLSA—how it all started, the lessons learned along the way, and his role as the firm’s “People Leader.” We discuss the importance of establishing an empathetic culture, fostering strong leadership, and creating an environment where people truly thrive.

But that’s not all—Adrian also shares how KLSA Gives is making an impact in the community and why initiatives like Men Wear Pink are so close to his heart. From business leadership to giving back, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.

Join the conversation! What does empathetic leadership mean to you? 

Follow to hear future episodes!

In this episode, we’re joined by Cornell P. Wright, a leading voice in health equity and community engagement. With a wealth of experience as a consultant, advisor, and presenter, Cornell has dedicated his career to addressing health disparities and promoting justice, diversity, and inclusion, particularly for historically marginalized populations.

Currently, Cornell serves as the Health Equity Advisor for General Dynamics Information Technology’s Federal Health Sector, where he leverages his expertise to drive impactful change. Most notably, he was the first Chief Health Equity Officer for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a nonprofit established by The Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association. In this role, he championed Whole Child Health Equity, collaborating with schools and community partners nationwide.

Prior to his work with the Alliance, Cornell was the Executive Director of the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, where he focused on reducing health inequities across the state.

Join us as Cornell shares his insights on advancing health equity, the importance of community engagement, and the ongoing challenges in addressing health disparities. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a true expert in the field!

Dr. Marlene Orozco is a Senior Associate with KLSA.  Dr. Orozco is an experienced social science practitioner with over eight years of professional experience. She is primarily focusing on research, data collection and analysis, and data visualization in support of government policy insights and outcomes. With extensive experience in conducting applied research focused on barrier and trend survey design and analysis, Dr. Orozco has honed a deep understanding of the systemic challenges and opportunities faced by many communities in the United States.

As a mixed methods researcher by training, Dr. Orozco has qualitative, in-depth research experience and expertise in big data, multivariate analysis, and large-scale survey design. Additionally, she has extensive experience using data to determine and design focus group sessions that yield valuable insights into stakeholders’ perceptions on any given topic. Dr. Orozco has co-authored an academic volume, Advancing U.S. Latino Entrepreneurship (Purdue University Press, 2020), written academic publications in peer-reviewed journals like Small Business Economics, Social Science Quarterly, and Qualitative Sociology, and authored several industry reports and research briefs. A well-recognized scholar, Dr. Orozco’s research has been featured in over 100 media outlets (Bloomberg, Forbes, MarketWatch, etc.), and she has been named Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “40 Under 40: Top Young Professionals.”  Dr. Orozco brings a thoughtful and collaborative approach to strategic planning, drawing upon a wealth of experience in research and policy development. 

Her work, particularly with KLSA, reflects a deep commitment to understanding and addressing the needs of diverse communities. This experience, enriched by her contributions to global policy research at Meta, has equipped her with a nuanced perspective on engaging with stakeholders and translating complex findings into meaningful strategies.

 

Reach Dr. Marlene Orozco:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlene-orozco/

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program in the United States is designed to provide economic benefits to both disadvantaged communities and small businesses. While the primary goal of the program is to promote job creation and economic development in historically neglected or underutilized areas, we discuss several economic benefits to social equity that the HUBZone program provides with Michelle Hunter, Executive Director of the HUBZone Contractors National Council, such as:

Job Creation: One of the primary economic benefits of the HUBZone program is job creation in economically distressed communities. By incentivizing small businesses to locate and hire employees from HUBZone areas, the program helps reduce unemployment and poverty rates, contributing to a more equitable distribution of economic opportunities.

Business Growth: Small businesses that qualify for the HUBZone program receive preferential access to federal contracts, which can lead to significant business growth and revenue generation. This, in turn, allows these businesses to invest in their local communities, hire more employees, and contribute to the economic development of HUBZone areas.

Infrastructure Development: As HUBZone businesses grow and thrive, they often invest in infrastructure development and improvements in their local communities. This can include building new facilities, upgrading existing ones, and investing in technology and equipment, all of which contribute to the economic vitality of the area.

Supplier Diversity: The HUBZone program encourages federal agencies and prime contractors to diversify their supplier base by seeking out HUBZone-certified businesses. This diversity not only promotes social equity but also fosters competition and innovation in the marketplace, potentially leading to cost savings and improved quality in goods and services.

Wealth Redistribution: By fostering economic growth in historically disadvantaged areas, the HUBZone program contributes to wealth redistribution, helping to narrow the wealth and income gaps between different regions and communities. This can lead to greater social equity and improved overall economic stability.

Community Revitalization: The presence of successful HUBZone businesses can act as a catalyst for community revitalization. These businesses often engage in community development projects, support local schools and nonprofits, and help improve the overall quality of life in HUBZone areas.

Entrepreneurship and Skills Development: The program encourages entrepreneurship and skills development in HUBZone communities by providing opportunities for residents to start and operate their own businesses. This can lead to long-term economic self-sufficiency and empowerment for individuals in these areas.

Get in touch with Michelle Burnett at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-burnett-21737771/

Website: www.hubzonecouncil.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 (240)-442-1787

Interested in joining the conversation? Contact us for more info:

Keith Scott - [email protected]

Phone - +1 (404)-692-5552

Email- [email protected]

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/klsa...

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/klscottassoc...

Twitter- https://twitter.com/klsassociates?s=09

Today’s guest is Dr.Lugo Santiago- a multi-talented individual: CEO of Lugo Santiago enterprises, Co-founder & Chief Futurist for the Institute of Leadership and Strategic Foresight, Veteran & Author shares his lessons learned in scaling organizations futures while applying his incredible life lessons along the way. 

Get in touch with Dr. Lugo Santiago at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joselugosantiago/

Email: [email protected]

Leaders and Futures Podcast: https://www.leadersandfutures.com/

Interested in joining the conversation? Contact us for more info:

Keith Scott - [email protected]

Phone #- (404)-692-5552

Email- [email protected]

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/klsa...

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/klscottassoc...

Twitter- https://twitter.com/klsassociates?s=09

Economic equity extends beyond demographics, it is also by zip code.  Today’s guest is Deb Page, President of The Institute of Performance Improvement, LLC and Willing Learner, Inc.  In this episode, we discuss education equity in rural communities.

Get in touch with Deb at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deb-page-cpt-cpif-a5403737/

The Institute of Performance Improvement, LLC: http://www.tifpiedu.org/

Twitter: @debpagewli

Willing Learner, Inc.: http://www.willinglearner.org/home.html

Interested in joining the conversation? Contact us for more info:

Keith Scott - [email protected]

Phone #- (404)-692-5552

Email- [email protected]

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/klsa...

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/klscottassoc...

Twitter- https://twitter.com/klsassociates?s=09

Dr. Danika Tynes is a Social Impact Entrepreneur and Founder of the Sustainable Access Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that provides funding and scaling strategies to communities in developing countries.  The mission of the Sustainable Access Foundation (SAF) is to support global community development efforts to increase equity in health and well-being by providing not just the resources, but the sustainable planning support, tools, and monitoring to create lasting change.

 

Get In Touch With Danika at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danikatynes/

Web: https://www.sustainableaccessfoundation.org/

Email: [email protected]

Interested in joining the conversation? Contact us for more info:

Keith Scott - [email protected]

Phone #- (404)-692-5552

Email- [email protected]

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/klsa...

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/klscottassoc...

Twitter- https://twitter.com/klsassociates?s=09