Allyship in Action

338: What Equity is and How Enable it at Your Organization with Celeste Warren

This week, Celeste Warren, a globally recognized thought leader, author, and former Fortune 100 Vice President, returns to discuss her latest book, The Truth About Equity. Celeste shares her insights on: * Defining Equity: Moving beyond the buzzwords to understand equity as a pragmatic approach to meeting people where they are. * The "Fence" Analogy: Exploring the systemic "isms" that create barriers and how acts of equity can help dismantle them. * Equity in the Workplace: From recruitment and talent development to succession planning and performance management, Celeste identifies key areas where organizations can foster a more equitable culture. * The Future of DEI: Discussing the evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the importance of transparent, data-driven strategies. Join us for a candid and insightful conversation about the power of equity to transform organizations and communities. Find Celeste Warren online: * Website: crwdiversity.com [https://crwdiversity.com] * Book: The Truth About Equity [https://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Equity-Really-Everyone/dp/1967587000] * TEDx Talk: The Cost of Standing Still (forthcoming)

337: How to Use History and Personal Gifts to Rise and Resist with Dr. Janice Gassam Asare

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Janice Gassam Asare, founder of BWG Business Solutions and author of the new book, Rise and Resist: How to Reclaim Workplace Equity and Justice . Following a period of intense personal and professional backlash—including being targeted by high-profile political figures—Janice discusses why looking to historical legacies of resistance is the key to enduring today's challenging DEI landscape. We explore how "everything is cyclical" and how we can draw strength from the stories of lesser-known figures who challenged the status quo long before us. Whether you are feeling powerless or looking for strategic ways to advocate for change, this conversation provides a roadmap for using your unique gifts to push for equity. * Resistance as a Historical Blueprint: Current opposition to DEI and civil rights is not new; by studying the legacies of figures like Ida B. Wells and Toni Morrison, we can find proven strategies to navigate and endure modern-day backlash. * The Strategy of "Exiting": Resistance doesn't always mean staying and fighting in a toxic environment. Taking a leave of absence or exiting a harmful workplace can serve as a powerful catalyst for institutional change, as seen in the career of legal scholar Derrick Bell. * Micro-Resistance and Personal Gifts: You don't need to lead a country to create impact. Meaningful resistance can be as simple as using your specific skills—such as graphic design, baking, or providing a safe space—to support larger movements and build community coalitions. Follow Dr. Janice's work at https://www.drjanicegassam.com/

336: Navigating Change in the Allyship Journey with Jennifer Brown

Jennifer Brown is back to unpack her new book, The Shape of Change, the journey through allyship and change. Together, we discuss: How change can feel like being in a dark hallway and trying to find the path forward in uncertain times What inclusive leadership looks like when we are called to be brave in unprecedented times The tools to build resilience to shape the changes necessary to our important work Follow Jennifer and get her book at https://jenniferbrownspeaks.com/

335: Leading Without Hallways, Building Culture with Teresa Johnson

Culture isn't just a poster on the wall. Culture is the heartbeat of a thriving business. This interview with Teresa Johnson, CEO of Color Me Mine, explores the incredible journey from being a single mom to purchasing a pottery studio on a credit card, leading a franchise empire of over 150 locations. Teresa shares her secret sauce for scaling businesses through intentional culture and the unique challenges of leading remote teams across the country. Key Takeaways Leading Without Hallways: Building culture in a remote or franchised environment requires a new leadership skillset. Teresa emphasizes the importance of micro-moments—small, intentional interactions—over corporate slogans to ensure every team member feels they belong and understands what winning looks like. The Power of Clarity & Belonging: Effective culture is built on three pillars: Clarity (teaching people how to make decisions rather than just giving them tasks), Belonging (creating psychological safety), and Growth (investing in a skill path for employees). Empathy as a Business Outcome: Contrary to the soft skill stereotype, Teresa argues that empathy and psychological safety are direct drivers of financial impact and talent retention. Leaders who care about the organization must show they care about the people, as a business cannot exist without them. Follow Teresa's work at https://www.colormemine.com/.

334: Men at Work with Jennifer McCollum

In this episode, Julie Kratz welcomes Jennifer McCollum, President and CEO of Catalyst, a global nonprofit focused on workplace equity. They discuss the critical role of men in gender partnership and the release of Jennifer's book, Men at Work. The conversation delves into the systemic challenges women face, the data supporting inclusive leadership, and how men can transition from passive support to active, mutually accountable leadership. Key Takeaways Mutual Accountability Over Passive Support: The concept of "men as allies" has evolved into gender partnership, emphasizing that progress requires men and women working together with mutual accountability. The "Man Box" Barriers: Many men want to support equity but are hindered by ignorance (unawareness of the issues), apathy (viewing it as an HR problem), or fear (of disrupting the status quo or personal job loss). The Business Case for Inclusion: Inclusion isn't just a social goal; it's a performance driver. Data shows that inclusive cultures lead to a 49% increase in team problem-solving, 18% better innovation, and a 58% higher likelihood of improving company reputation. As Jennifer says, "We need healthy men driving healthy organizations, and we need women partnering with men and men partnering with women to do that." Follow Jennifer's work and research at https://www.catalyst.org/.