Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform

Welcome to the season finale of Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform?  Today’s episode is a very special conversation around dismantling White Supremacy culture with Tema Okun, author of the original and groundbreaking article “White Supremacy Culture” in 1999. Join us for this important conversation about White Supremacy Culture, its complexities, and the work needed to dismantle it. It was truly an honor to have Tema as a guest and we want to extend our gratitude to her for her lifelong commitment to this work. Guest BioTema was born into an upper-middle-class family, her father the son of first-generation Jewish immigrants escaping the pogroms in Belarus and her mother the daughter of a postal clerk father and housewife mother, both with immigrant roots in Scotland or Ireland. She grew up in a very small town in Texas. Her father was a college professor in an elite Southern college town and her mother worked on and off in the public schools. Tema grew up during the last years of Jim Crow and the first years of school desegregation, both enactments of violent white supremacy and racism. Her parents were liberals in the best sense of the word and very active in the local Civil Rights Movement. Tema is cisgender, currently able-bodied, upper class, older, and sometimes an elder.​(from Tema):“I have lots of so-called credentials - degrees and a book and articles and poetry and art and curriculum and talks and speeches and teaching and consulting and mentoring and ... my hope is you would care more about my heart than anything. I am conditioned to be fearful while determined to be open-hearted and I live in that ongoing tension each day with as much grace and humor as I can muster. I am deeply puzzled by why and how we seem to value profit over people and why and how we base our belonging on who we can keep out rather than who we welcome in. And by we, I mean our culture, our white supremacy capitalist patriarchal ableist heteronormative fool of a culture. I am deeply moved by how so many of us do all in our power to refuse the invitation into such toxicity and I admire both up close and from afar all engaged in the solidarity effort to live into the world we all want and deserve. I am lucky beyond words to be well-loved by a community of people, which is why I have any kind of open heart at all. I aspire to remember every day that I love you as I love myself, and we all know, or most of us do, what a struggle it can be to love ourselves well. Learning to love well is my current project. Thank you, thank you for all you are and do.”Connect with Tema and her workhttps://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/Dismantlingracism.orgLearn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherClick h

Welcome to Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform?  Today’s conversation is a behind-the-scenes look at life and work as a solo DEI Practitioner with special guest Carissa Begonia. David and Carissa speak about the growing pressure on solo DEI Practitioners to do it all within their organizations as the only one. The conversation also highlights the growing need for healing specifically for POC within DEI work and organizations. A big thank you to Carissa for her time and openness to having real conversations. Guest BioCarissa is a first-generation Filipina-American daughter of immigrants. She is the founder of CONSCIOUSXCHANGE, an equity-focused leadership and business coaching and consulting company with a mission to forward the economic advancement of BIPOC, women, and folx of historically marginalized identities by helping them lead values-aligned careers or launch their own purpose-driven businesses. Carissa, aka the Dream Doula, serves as a startup and small business consultant as well as executive coach, helping BIPOC entrepreneurs and leaders bring their wildest, most audacious dreams to life and design a life they are proud of. She is the former head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) of Zappos and has over 15 years of experience working on both the operations and the human side of business at some of the country’s largest retailers including Macy’s, Saks 5th Avenue, and Ross Stores. Carissa has been featured in TIME magazine and has been invited to speak at organizations including KPMG, Publicis Groupe, Kapor Capital, Pearson, and the YMCA. As a serial entrepreneur, Carissa is also the co-founder of Green Mango International, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization supporting educational opportunities for underserved school children in the Philippines, as well as the co-founder of AARISE - Asian American Racialized Identity and Social Empowerment for AAPIs, a program and community focused on justice and liberation for all centering Asian American activist history, AAPI experiences, emotional processing and somatic healing.Connect with CarissaLinkedIn: Carissa Begoniawww.consciousxchange.comREMINDER!Join us on Thursday, January 272022 at 4pm PST/7pm EST for a LIVE conversation + audience Q&A on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture in organizations and society with poet, artist, & writer Dr. Tema Okun. Tickets are available HERE.Learn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherClick here to access the transcript of today’s episode.

Special Announcement! to celebrate this stage in our podcast journey we're hosing a live event! **Join our LIVE webinar on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture with Dr. Tema Okun January 27, 4pm PST/7pmEST**To pump you up we're airing this episode recorded with Tema, one year ago on David's podcast "This Restorative Justice Life".Enjoy! Guest BioTema Okun has spent over 30 years working with and for organizations, schools, and community-based institutions as a trainer, facilitator, and coach focused on issues of racial justice and equity.She is the author of the award-winning The Emperor Has No Clothes: Teaching About Race and Racism to People Who Don't Want to Know (2010, IAP) and the widely used article White Supremacy Culture. She publishes regularly on the pedagogy of racial and social justice.Learn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcher

**Join our LIVE webinar on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture with Dr. Tema Okun January 27, 4pm PST/7pmEST** Welcome to Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform?  We are beyond excited and humbled to speak with Pharoah Bolding today on the podcast. Our conversation with Pharoah is all about Human Resources, it’s culture of racism, compliance, and lack of change, and the need for a “new” more human-centered approach to HR and the work it is called to do. This was a conversation that was much needed in the DEI space and we want to extend a big thank you to Pharoah for his vulnerability, time, and candidness throughout the conversation.Guest BioPharoah is the (self-proclaimed) World's Greatest Comic Drawin’ HR professional, ready and willing to defend his title at a moment's notice! By day Pharoah kicks HR butt with a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion. By...later...in the day Pharoah makes comics, watches wrestling, and kicks pop culture butt! Pharoah has worked in human resources for everyone from the sports and entertainment industry to nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher ed, with a focus on equity and inclusion, building inclusive workplaces and work cultures, ethical recruiting, facilitating professional and personal development training, and leading initiatives and conversations around white supremacy, anti-Blackness, and oppression in the workplace and in the community. He has also facilitated community conversations and trained professionals from every industry you can think of on equity, inclusion, white supremacy, and anti-racism.Connect with PharoahLinkedIn: Pharoah Boldingwww.pharoahbolding.comLearn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherClick here to access the transcript of today’s episode.

**Join our LIVE webinar on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture with Dr. Tema Okun January 27, 4pm PST/7pmEST**Welcome to Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform?  We are excited to chat with Kim Crowder of Kim Crowder Consulting. Today’s conversation is centered around the necessity of processes in the DEI space and how to navigate emotions, vulnerability, and authenticity. A huge thank you to Kim for her expertise around these important topics and her contributions to the DEI space.Guest BioKim is the CEO and Founder of Kim Crowder Consulting and has been featured on Forbes not once, but TWICE as the anti-racism educator your company needs now. Through a wide range of industry contexts, Kim’s expertise on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism consulting comes through more than 16 years of work in marketing, journalism, and communications for Fortune 500 corporations. Her company currently works across industries from retailers to insurers to government agencies and to the social sector.Connect with KimLinkedIn: Kim CrowderInstagram: @IamKimCrowderwww.kimcrowderconsulting.comLearn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherClick here to access the transcript of today’s episode.

**Join our LIVE webinar on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture with Dr. Tema Okun January 27, 4pm PST/7pmEST**Welcome to Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform? On today’s episode, we are joined by the legendary Amber Hikes. Our conversation today with Amber is centered around her vast experience and how it has helped her in her role as Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at the American Civil Liberties Union as she navigates free speech, inclusion, and Restorative Justice. We are truly honored and want to extend a special thank you to Amber for her time, wisdom, and work in the DEI space.Guest BioAmber Hikes is a social justice advocate, community organizer, and unapologetic queer black woman. She currently serves as the ACLU’s first Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, but has roots in community organizing and activism, social work, and youth  development. You may also know Amber as the person responsible for the black and brown stripes being added to the rainbow LGBTQ flag. No matter what space Amber finds herself in, she is always pushing for equity and justice for all.Connect with AmberLinkedIn: Amber HikesInstagram: @amber_hikesTwitter: @amberhikeswww.aclu.comLearn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherClick here to access the transcript of today’s episode.

**Join our LIVE webinar on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture with Dr. Tema Okun January 27, 4pm PST/7pmEST**Welcome to Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform? We are excited to welcome Cornell Verdeja-Woodson to the show today. Tune in as Cornell unpacks his journey through Social Justice and D&I work both in the Corporate and Education realms. Cornell shares his expectations in terms of accountability and how he reconciles authenticity and self-care within his work.Guest BioCornell is both the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Headspace, as well as the founder and CEO of Brave Trainings, a boutique diversity consulting firm. He has a background in education — taught high school English and worked in higher education administration. Cornell has a vast range of experience and expertise in DEI from education to tech to running his own firm to now also leading DEI at the intersection of mental health.Connect with CornellLinkedIn: Cornell Verdeja-WoodsonInstagram: @itsmecornellLearn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherClick here to access the transcript of today’s episode.

**Join our LIVE webinar on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture with Dr. Tema Okun January 27, 4pm PST/7pmEST**Welcome to another episode of Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform? Today we are joined by Brittany Janay Harris, creator of Liberated Love Notes™. Tune in as Brittany reconciles liberation and reform while speaking to the importance of learning and change among DEI professionals.Guest BioBrittany is the Vice President of Learning and Innovation with The Winters Group where she focuses on the design of learning experiences that shift perspectives, change hearts, and empower action in service of equity, justice, and inclusion. Brittany has a wide range of expertise and experience in Human Resources, Diversity Management, Affirmative Action compliance, and so much more. She is also the creator of Liberated Love Notes: Critical Self-Reflections & Affirmations For the Culture.Connect with BrittanyLinkedIn: Brittany Janay HarrisWebsite: www.brittanyjanay.comTwitter: @BrittanyJanayLearn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherClick here to access the transcript of today’s episode.

**Join our LIVE webinar on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture with Dr. Tema Okun January 27, 4pm PST/7pmEST**“If you want true equity and true justice, you'll unravel the capitalist culture of a hierarchical rigid hierarchy that exists in your organization.” - Farzin FarzadWelcome to another episode of Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform? Today we welcome Farzin Farzad and explore the concept of Organizational Justice. Tune in and hear how Farzin grapples with this topic in addition to his vast experience and experiential knowledge to provide deep, thought-provoking local and global approaches to the world of DEI.Guest BioFarzin Farzad is an innovative thought leader and practitioner of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with experience in higher education, local government and the private sector. He holds master's degrees in international affairs and diplomacy as well as a certificate in conflict resolution skills, Farzin leverages his unique academic background, extensive travel experience, and experiential knowledge to provide deep, thought-provoking local and global approaches to DEI work. In addition to DEI training and education programs, Farzin is a seasoned DEI project manager with expertise in strategies that build equitable workplace environments, equitable government services, as well as Employee Resource Group events and programs. He is also the founder and principal consultant at critical equity.Connect with FarzinLinkedIn: Farzin FarzadWebsite: www.criticalequity.comTwitter: @FarzinFarzadLearn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherClick here to access the transcript of today’s episode.

**Join our LIVE webinar on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture with Dr. Tema Okun January 27, 4pm PST/7pmEST**“You have more leverage than you think, and you probably need more help than you think.” - Dr. Kim TranWelcome to episode 4 of Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform? On today’s episode we are joined by Dr. Kim Tran. Tune in as we discuss Accountability in the DEI space with Kim and hear how she navigates “lag” within D&I, cognitive dissonance within DEI language, as well as how we can think more critically about the true role of Diversity and Inclusion folks and the work they do.Guest BioKim is a consultant, author, facilitator, researcher, and educator that works at the intersection of social protest, race, and gender. She approaches her anti-oppression work through grassroots organizing and transformative justice. Dr. Kim holds a PhD in Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley — go bears! go ethnic studies! — and her incredible body of work has appeared in Vice, Teen Vogue, NPR, Harpers, The Believer Magazine, and quoted and referenced in so many different spaces. And last but not least, she is also currently working on a book manuscript tentatively titled: The End of Allyship: A New Era of Solidarity.Connect with Dr. Kim TranTwitter: @but_im_kim_tranLearn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherClick here to access the transcript of today’s episode.

**Join our LIVE webinar on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture with Dr. Tema Okun January 27, 4pm PST/7pmEST**“If we can design for injustice, we can design for justice..” - Xavier RameyWelcome to episode 4 of Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform? Today we are joined by Xavier Ramsy. David and Xavier discuss the complexities of work in the DEI space, the unfortunate rise and popularity of DEI work due to the Black Lives Matter Movement and the importance of “celebrating the wins” through DEI work as a way to honor what has been accomplished. Today’s episode is filled with gems from beginning to end. A special thank you to Xavier for his time, wisdom, commitment, and humor.Guest BioXavier Ramey is the CEO of Justice Informed, a social impact consulting firm based in Chicago, IL. He is an award-winning social strategist, noted public speaker, & conflict mediator. Combining his background in economics, extensive management & social impact experience, & direct action campaigning in the Black Lives Matter movement, Xavier leads a company that brings a wealth of experience & network to clients seeking catalyzed strategies for inclusion, philanthropy, CSR, & community engagement. A native Chicagoan, he is a recognizable voice on the topics of community and economic development, policing & policy violence, & connecting the Christian faith to our lived experience. Through his leadership at Justice Informed, Xavier has consulted with institutions across the world on their DEI, community engagement, and philanthropic strategies. He has served as an advisor to Fortune 500 executives, provided strategic social impact guidance on multi-billion dollar business acquisitions and impact portfolios in addition to leading Masterclasses at top-ranked graduate programs in business and executive communications. Xavier has delivered keynotes across the world, including the TedX stage as well as before audiences of 20,000 people alongside world leaders on the topic of global equity and change. Connect with XavierJusticeinformed.comXavierRamey.comInstagram: @ProfessorecksLearn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherClick here to access the transcript of today’s episode.

**Join our LIVE webinar on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture with Dr. Tema Okun January 27, 4pm PST/7pmEST**“Safety is when the conditions are such where you can feel that you can be your authentic self.” - Kalaya’an MendozaWe are back with episode 2 of Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform? Today we are speaking with Kalaya’an Mendoza about generating safety. What does it mean to be safe both individually and within a community? Why is this important and what role does it play within D&I. We work through all of these questions and more. Guest BioKalaya’an is an activist, organizer, facilitator, and trainer who’s spent the last twenty years fighting for social justice and grassroots organizing from LGBT rights to anti-racist organizing, and beyond! His work is anchored in nonviolent direct action, community organizing, and solidarity building both locally and globally. Kalaya’an’s been with Amnesty International, Nonviolent Peaceforce, and is also the co-founder of Across Frontlines. Connect with Kalaya’anhttps://globalnation.inquirer.net/143681/amnesty-intl-activist-lives-name-kalayaan https://acrossfrontlines.org/ https://www.mic.com/p/i-want-justice-for-anti-asian-violence-but-not-at-the-expense-of-black-people-61719028 Learn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherClick here to access the transcript of today’s episode.

**Join our LIVE webinar on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture with Dr. Tema Okun January 27, 4pm PST/7pmEST**“If you want to journey with me in this transformation work and this work of social justice, then for me, the prerequisite is your earnest desire to change” - Michelle MiJung KimWelcome to the first episode of the podcast Diversity & Inclusion: Revolution or Reform? We are honored to welcome and delve into Social Justice work with Michelle MiJung Kim. Through our conversations we are introduced to Michelle’s start to diversity work, her biggest struggle within D&I work and her truest D&I confession.Guest BioMichelle is the co-founder and CEO of Awaken, a published author of her newest book, The Wake Up (coming this September y’all!), a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, and lifelong activist. To Preorder her book The Wake Up visit https://www.michellemijungkim.com/wakeup.Learn more about our work:Email: revolutionorreform@gmail.comConnie’s Instagram: @and.now.collectiveConnie’s Work: and-now-collective.comDavid’s Instagram: @amplify.rjDavid’s Work: amplifyrj.comListen and follow the podcast on all major platforms:Apple PodcastsSpotifyStitcherClick here to access the transcript of today’s episode.

Welcome to the podcast!We are your co-hosts Connie and David and we are here to talk all things D&I and whether D&I can save us, get us free, or move us towards collective liberation. In this trailer, we give you a brief introduction to our backgrounds as well as answer why we got into this work, why we created the podcast and some JUICY D&I confessions.We would love to continue the conversation and work together beyond this podcast. For more information email us at revolutionorreform@gmail.comThanks for listening. Our first full episode launches next week!