Dr. Blakey began her career in education in Southern Oregon teaching fourth, seventh, and eighth grades. She became an administrator and worked as a Junior High Vice Principal, Elementary Principal, and Curriculum Coordinator at the district level as the District Director for teaching and learning and an Interim Assistant Superintendent position. Amy had the opportunity to consult as an executive coach with the American reading company supporting schools in California, Texas, and Louisiana. She earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University and her master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy and a doctorate degree in Transformational Leadership from Concordia University. Dr. Blakey works as a director at the state level. In her spare time, she loves to watch sports. She loves cooking, reading, traveling, and she spends most of her time with his son, daughter, and grandchildren. 

In this episode, Dr. Gaye Lang and Dr. Amy Blakey discuss:

• Moving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset 

• Becoming stronger together 

• Building relationships as a leader

• Using positive praise 

Key Takeaways: 

• When it comes to adapting to diversity, one of the most important first steps is to consider your own cultural background and tendencies, and how they interact with the cultural background of others. Find a way to get out of a fixed mindset and into a growth mindset in order to meet people in the situation halfway

• Diversity can build us up if we allow ourselves to be open to the culture of others and see how their perspective can enhance our own thinking and capabilities. We can be stronger together if we acknowledge the dynamics and commit to being united despite our differences. 

• Capitalize on building relationships and getting to know people on a one-on-one basis, honoring their unique abilities, competencies, and personalities. When you’re new as a leader, you have to establish trust and so you have to be someone who walks the walk and talks the talk. 

• Give people an opportunity to be highlighted or spotlighted. Encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and use positive praise to help them persevere in the right direction. 

“The struggle is in balancing those different dynamics of each of those generations, their strengths, their challenges, and helping them to see that they need each other and that they're stronger together and that they can both learn from one another, as well as being open to a different way of doing things.” - Dr. Amy Blakey

Connect with Dr. Amy Blakey: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drblakey-executivecoach/ 

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, so that you don’t miss a single episode; and please leave a rating and review. I would greatly appreciate it. 

Follow our show on Facebook and check out our Website for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on LinkedIn.

Download Three Vital Practices to avoid a potential lawsuit for free by clicking this link: www.WorkplaceRestorativePracticesInc.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaye-lang-1735761b5/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Gaye.Lang/ 

KEYWORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Iiona Virgin is a Licensed Master Social Worker. She has a Master's Degree in Social Work from Baylor University, a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, and an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. One of her goals as a therapist is to come alongside and be with the individuals she works with. Iiona wants them to know that she is on the journey with them. She approaches their time together through a holistic, strength-based, and culturally informed perspective. Iiona values the relationships she has with each person. Additionally, she honors all things that make them who they are. She has worked in schools for two and a half years and is currently working in a small rural school outside of Georgetown. Iiona serves students from grades pre-K through 12. 

In this episode Dr. Gaye Lang and Iiona Virgin discuss:

• What is diversity all about? 

• Communicating cultural differences 

• Helping people who are resistant 

• The power of building relationships

Key Takeaways: 

• Diversity isn’t all about race. It also includes disability diversity, linguistic diversity, cultural diversity, and more. 

• It’s important to communicate the differences that you may hold from the culture you belong to. Set some boundaries with people and let people know your honest feelings while at the same time trying your best to be polite. 

• The first thing to help people who are resistant to adapting to diversity is to get them to look around and acknowledge that diversity already exists. Once they’ve accepted that fact, ask them then to take baby steps toward adapting to diversity, whatever it is. 

• Build relationships. Be very intentional about how you interact with your co-workers. Building relationships cuts down a lot of the friction and creates a sense of belonging. 

“Instead of yelling out loud, get engaged in a back-and-forth with them. Pull them to the side? Is there another way that we can engage the student who is showing up in the classroom at that moment versus calling them out?” - Iiona Virgin

Connect with Iiona Virgin:

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/augusta_crane/ 

Website: https://augustacrane.com/ 

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, so that you don’t miss a single episode; and please leave a rating and review. I would greatly appreciate it. 

Follow our show on Facebook and check out our Website for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on LinkedIn.

Download Three Vital Practices to avoid a potential lawsuit for free by clicking this link: www.WorkplaceRestorativePracticesInc.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaye-lang-1735761b5/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Gaye.Lang/ 

KEY WORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Kimberly is a licensed social worker with 16 years of experience in nonprofit and government. With her belief and commitment to community organizing, change management, and systems development, she is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. She is a founding member and former chair of the Texas Chapter’s Race, Equity, Accountability, and Leadership Committee. She has made a commitment to transform programs and service delivery to immigrant communities, black expecting moms, the unhoused, and individuals living with mental health and substance use concerns. 

This personal mission inspires her to serve as a readily available community advocate for those in need. She is committed to addressing the true impact of racial discrimination and empowering the communities that are most affected. Through grounded elevation coaching and consulting, she continues to bridge aspects of her lived experience as a Haitian American woman, caseworker, organizer, teacher, artist, and anti-racism consultant to provide support to black and brown communities nationwide. 

In this episode, Dr. Gaye Lang and Kimberly Lauriston discuss:

• The intersectionality of diversity 

• Ways one can adapt to diversity 

• Seeing the world in color 

• The importance of quiet quitting 

Key Takeaways: 

• Race is very important to diversity but there should also be considerations about ability, gender/sex orientation and identity, and degree or educational level. The intersectionality of all that is important. 

• Show people your value through your competence more than your words. If people don’t recognize it, then go to a place where your value is recognized. Even if it can be risky to search elsewhere sometimes, it is worth it to give your best in a community that allows and celebrates you giving your best. 

• Everyone in the world has a different story and a different way of seeing the world. If you are not willing to surround yourself with people who are different, you are robbing yourself of the opportunity to see the world in full beautiful colors. 

• Quiet quitting is important. Don't do more than what you're paid for so that you will have leverage to request a higher title, higher pay, and more incentives. If they value you, they will pour into you as an employee regardless of your age, sex, and ability. 

“Folks who are resisting DEI, I always tell them that ‘you are robbing yourself, of being of growing of learning because you are afraid to experience and see a little bit of the life beyond your own limited experience.’” - Kimberly Lauriston

Connect with Kimberly Lauriston:

Website: https://www.teachingantiracism.com/ 

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

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, so that you don’t miss a single episode; and please leave a rating and review. I would greatly appreciate it. 

Follow our show on Facebook and check out our Website for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on LinkedIn.

Download Three Vital Practices to avoid a potential lawsuit for free by clicking this link: www.WorkplaceRestorativePracticesInc.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaye-lang-1735761b5/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Gaye.Lang/ 

KEY WORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

When we adapt, we make something more suitable or become suitable. We also change so that we fit a new or specific situation. Our podcast this season will share ways how we can adapt to workplace diversity. 

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, so that you don’t miss a single episode; and please leave a rating and review. I would greatly appreciate it. 

Follow our show on Facebook and check out our Website for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on LinkedIn.

Download Three Vital Practices to avoid a potential lawsuit for free by clicking this link: www.WorkplaceRestorativePracticesInc.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaye-lang-1735761b5/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Gaye.Lang/ 

KEY WORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Thanks for listening to season 6 of Workplace Diversity. Stay tuned for season 7, where we’ll be discussing Managing the Dynamics of Differences.

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, so that you don’t miss a single episode; and please leave a rating and review. I would greatly appreciate it. 

Follow our show on Facebook and check out our Website for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on LinkedIn.

Download Three Vital Practices to avoid a potential lawsuit for free by clicking this link: www.WorkplaceRestorativePracticesInc.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaye-lang-1735761b5/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Gaye.Lang/ 

KEY WORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Walter is the international victim advocate for Peace Corps headquarters and provides policy implementation, support, and resources for volunteers around the world. Walter has worked on many special projects for multiple federal agencies, including providing expertise to the US Department of State and the United States Army during the Afghan refugee evacuation, as well as serving as a subject matter expert for the US Department of Health and Human Services while working with unaccompanied minors at the US southern border. Walter has won numerous awards for his humanitarian work, including the Distinguished Directors Award from the Peace Corps, the Outstanding Achievement Award from the US Army, and the Superior Service Award from the Department of State. Outside of his federal duties, Walter provides violence prevention, consultation, and group facilitation to multiple nonprofit organizations in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas. Prior to his international advocacy work, Walters served as the senior victim witness coordinator for the State's Attorney's Office, where he served as a liaison between witnesses and victims of crime and community leaders, law enforcement judges, and local nonprofit organizations. During Walter's time there he works with victims of crime that range from petty theft to murder. Walter's previous work history includes working in private law and as an educator in the public school system. During his free time, Walter serves as a big buddy through Camp Jamie, a bereavement camp for children who lost a loved one. Walter holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and political science and legal policy, and a master's degree in human behavior from Hood College. Walter is also certified by the National Organization for Victim Assistance.

In this episode Dr. Gaye Lang and Walter Hood discuss:

• The state of diversity in companies 

• Making people feel welcome through diversity 

• Consequence of not valuing diversity 

• The platinum rule 

Key Takeaways: 

• There are organizations that genuinely value diversity in their workforce, these are most commonly the kind of company that depends on young labor. Older and smaller organizations that have a long history of being non-diverse would value diversity significantly less. 

• Businesses should focus on how they make people feel. They must make people feel welcome and accepted if they want their business to thrive. One way of doing this is by having a diverse hiring practice. 

• Studies show that happy employees tend to produce better products or services. Companies must keep their employees happy if they want their business to flourish. Otherwise, the unhappiness of the employees will show in the products and services and clients will start looking for a better place. 

• Treat others the way that they want to be treated and consider that perhaps a person who offended you might not have intended to offend you. Most people want to be good, most do not desire to hurt others. Be forgiving, but be firm. 

“Studies show happy employees tend to produce better products or better services. And if your employees are unhappy, that's going to have an impact on your products and services.” - Walter Hood

Connect with Walter Hood:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-h-b141b41b7/ 

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, so that you don’t miss a single episode; and please leave a rating and review. I would greatly appreciate it. 

Follow our show on Facebook and check out our Website for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on LinkedIn.

Download Three Vital Practices to avoid a potential lawsuit for free by clicking this link: www.WorkplaceRestorativePracticesInc.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaye-lang-1735761b5/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Gaye.Lang/ 

KEY WORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Keshia is a Texas State Certified teacher in the areas of grades four through eight language arts, four through eight generalist, and ESL certified with 16 years of proven knowledge and experience with subject area, content, and research-based instructional strategies and practices. She also holds a certification from the Teacher Leadership Institute and a degree in sociology. Keshia has led content areas, teaching teams to improve instruction and student achievement. Additionally, she has held increasing roles and responsibilities serving as grade level language arts department chair, grade level team lead, as well as ELA campus content instructional specialist. Prior to her career in education, she was a branch manager of a highly successful temporary personnel agency and an HR benefits coordinator with a multibillion-dollar real estate title company. Keisha is a former military wife, an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, and The Links Incorporated. 

In this episode Dr. Gaye Lang and Keshia Chatman discuss:

• Why it’s important to have diverse leaders

• The need for a sense of belonging

• Making diversity a priority

Key Takeaways: 

• The leadership of the campus should represent the demographics of the student population. That is important to make the students feel safe. 

• The employee population of any establishment should look like the rainbow. People want to feel a sense of belonging, they want to feel safe and welcome. 

• Make diversity a priority. Everyone has to feel that the same message is being sent across the whole organization. No one should feel like an outsider. 

“I need to see that diversity is important to you. And you don't have to tell me, I should be able to see it by the diverse people who work there.” - Keshia Chatman

Connect with Keshia Chatman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keshia-chatman-b0089b94/ 

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, so that you don’t miss a single episode; and please leave a rating and review. I would greatly appreciate it. 

Follow our show on Facebook and check out our Website for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on LinkedIn.

Download Three Vital Practices to avoid a potential lawsuit for free by clicking this link: www.WorkplaceRestorativePracticesInc.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-gaye-lang-341232232/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Gaye.Lang/ 

KEYWORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Shanedria Wagner is a graduate of Texas A&M University, Shanedria Wagner earned a bachelor’s degree in French and a second degree in speech communication. She went on to earn her master’s degree in bilingual education from the University of Houston. Her studies also include superior-level French courses at the University of Caen in Normandy, France. She is a linguist who speaks, reads, and writes in French and in Spanish.

While teaching in the Alief and Houston Independent School Districts, she served as a foreign language/speech communication teacher at the secondary level and as an elementary bilingual instructor. A highlight of her career was teaching at her alma mater, Mac Arthur Elementary School. Mrs. Wagner has also taught ESL courses and citizenship classes. Her enormously effective teaching techniques and compassion for her pupils have earned her three Teacher-of-the-Year Awards.

As a national consultant, Mrs. Wagner has devoted the past twenty years to tailoring engaging and motivating 

presentations to meet the needs of her diverse clients. She presents a variety of workshops ranging from techniques for second language acquisition to innovative strategies for reading, math, grammar, and writing instruction. Her audiences have comprised children, administrators, school board members, parents, politicians, and instructors in twenty-five states. She has been hired as a presenter, translator, lecturer, panelist, keynoter, test-writer, and motivational speaker.

In this episode Dr. Gaye Lang and Shanedria Wagner discuss:

• The value of promoting diversity 

• The priority of the leadership 

• Innovation and diversity 

Key Takeaways: 

• Promoting diversity is a moral obligation and is a way to amend the inequity that transpired in the past and still echoes in our present age. Compliance with the diverse initiatives of the leadership is a step toward the right direction but is a means to an end. 

• The way employees treat people is a direct reflection of the expectations of their job and what the leadership of a company values. When people value diversity, they seek out those who are different from all walks of life and from all backgrounds. 

• If you put an older person with a lot of wisdom and a young person with a lot of fresh ideas, then what you get is a powerhouse of innovation. 

“Be the change. If you're in a situation when someone's not valuing diversity, speak up about it. And then watch your words. We have to consider how our words might affect somebody else, especially when discussing topics that could be potentially controversial.” - Shanedria Wagner

Connect with Shanedria Wagner:

Website: https://www.shanwag.com/ | www.spanishetc.com | and www.shanwag.org 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanedria-wagner-m-ed-a92397118/ 

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, so that you don’t miss a single episode; and please leave a rating and review. I would greatly appreciate it. 

Follow our show on Facebook and check out our Website for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on LinkedIn.

Download Three Vital Practices to avoid a potential lawsuit for free by clicking this link: www.WorkplaceRestorativePracticesInc.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaye-lang-1735761b5/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Gaye.Lang/ 

KEYWORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

About Adam Powell: Adam is the chief of staff at MVP, a tech company in the sports and entertainment sector. He has years of experience working in mission-focused organizations such as a union organizer, school district administrator, and state employee. This career path began at Texas Christian University, where he co-founded the university's African American and Africana Studies minor and the Department of Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies before graduating with his bachelor's degree in history. Raised by educators in the suburbs of Northern Austin, Adam is passionate about giving back to his home community. He serves on the board of directors for the Safe Alliance on the Capital Metro Public Safety Advisory Committee and as vice president of the North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Association. He also creates short-form videos on Austin history and local politics on TikTok and Instagram. 

In this episode, Dr. Gaye Lang and Adam Powell discuss:

• The benefits of diversity 

• Diversity in leadership 

• Attracting and retaining diverse talent

• The red flags of poor retention 

Key Takeaways: 

• It is ideal for companies to apply diverse practices just for the sake of it being the right thing to do. However, one can’t deny the benefits that diversity brings to a company’s profitability, popularity, and growth. 

• Diversity must be applied across the board in the organization. People should be able to see diverse groups in positions of leadership, for the organization to attract and retain a more diverse workforce. 

• Diversity doesn’t stop at just hiring, an organization must also make a continuous effort to retain diverse talents so they do not miss out on the benefits of diversity. Make people feel seen and heard, and apply their ideas. Make people feel like they belong, and they will stay. 

• Retention is one of the primary metrics that companies must always look into. If you look at your metrics and can see poor retention in a specific racial identity or gender identity for example, then those are red flags that need investigation, discussion, and a solution. 

“The secret is, there is no secret, which is if you have diversity in leadership and diversity of people who are doing great work in your company that is going to attract people who look like them who come from those experiences.” - Adam Powell

Connect with Adam Powell: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-powell-92248a115/ 

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, so that you don’t miss a single episode; and please leave a rating and review. I would greatly appreciate it. 

Follow our show on Facebook and check out our Website for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on LinkedIn.

Download Three Vital Practices to avoid a potential lawsuit for free by clicking this link: www.WorkplaceRestorativePracticesInc.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaye-lang-1735761b5/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Gaye.Lang/ 

KEY WORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it. 

Patricia Leonard is the educational community partner for affinity groups for a high school in Minnesota. She has worked as a corporate Computer Applications trainer, a K-12 educator for 10 years, and higher education for five years. Patricia's recent work provides a step-by-step structure guide for creating affinity groups in high school. These groups include black student union, Asian Student Association, Latino Student Association, Muslim Student Association, Indigenous Student Council, and gender sexual alliance. In working with affinity groups, she has successfully supported and assisted 16 students in securing full scholarships or substantial financial aid packages for college, guided three students in their decision to attend historically black colleges and universities, fostering diversity and representation in higher education, and providing guidance and support to one student who will be joining the armed services, specifically the Navy to pursue their chosen career path. Patricia loves giving back to the community and working with students in assisting them in navigating their journey in the future of their education. 

In this episode Dr. Gaye Lang and Patricia Leonard discuss:

• Why companies are trying their best to be inclusive 

• The telltale signs of a truly diverse company 

• The gift that diversity brings to a community or organization 

Key Takeaways: 

• Companies today are trying their best to be inclusive and to foster diversity in their company population. One of the main benefits of opening up the doors to inclusivity and diversity is the boost in good employment and employee retention. 

• A company that is truly diverse and inclusive is one that gives opportunities for people of color within the company to create innovative techniques, ask them questions, listen to them, and apply their ideas. 

• Diversity increases innovation, creativity, and strategic thinking, because the teams of people who come from different backgrounds can draw up on their unique experiences, and a wider range of knowledge to spark new and innovative ideas.

“Diversity increases innovation, creativity, and strategic thinking.” - Patricia Leonard

Connect with Patricia Leonard:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.leonard.9465/ 

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, so that you don’t miss a single episode; and please leave a rating and review. I would greatly appreciate it. 

Follow our show on Facebook and check out our Website for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on LinkedIn.

Download Three Vital Practices to avoid a potential lawsuit for free by clicking this link: www.WorkplaceRestorativePracticesInc.com  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaye-lang-1735761b5/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Gaye.Lang/ 

KEYWORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.