S3|EP8: Using Humor To Lead

HelpNYC, LGBTQ+ Advocacy, and Resourcing with Rue Parkin

On this new episode of CitizensNYC Live, we talk with Rue Parkin, the Executive Director of HelpNYC about their experiences being queer and unhoused and how they bring that personal experience to their work of providing resources for unhoused, unsafe, unstable, or under-supported communities. Rue Parkin (he/they/them) was street and shelter homeless for several years in New York City. Struggling with mental health and substance use concerns they struggled, as did various service providers, to find resources that were appropriate for their needs. It was a continual challenge to find access to low-barrier services. In 2016, having lived in independent supported housing since 2010 and being in Recovery, Rue started a list of resources on their phone that they would text messages to friends and others in need. The text contained information on food assistance programs, substance use treatment programs, and Drop-In and Shelter Intake Centers.  Eventually this became helpNYC. In 2022, helpNYC started Community Outreach to help New Yorkers in need in the community.  Outreach Teams partner with community organizations and government agencies to setup up tables at events, career fairs, and other engagement activities to spread the word about the helpNYC.info Resource Navigator and provide direct connections to helpNYC Listing Partners. As of February 2023, through the helpNYC.info Resource Navigator and our Community Outreach, we have helped over 60,000 New Yorkers since 2018.

S3|EP9: Disability Inclusion

On this new episode of CitizensNYC Live, we talk with Von Harris, a disability advocate, Advertising Coach, Podcaster, and D&I Specialist about how disability advocacy rests at the heart of our work to bring communities together and create a more inclusive world.  In Von’s own words: “inclusion and diversity improve every workspace whether in-office or virtual. I believe in being an advocate and a voice for underrepresented communities. I use this passion to drive the strategic alignment of each piece in its place, which has truly been the key to success for me. Every day brings another opportunity to help guide each person, each puzzle piece toward its rightful place toward the bigger picture.”

S3|EP8: Using Humor To Lead

On this new episode of CitizensNYC Live, we laugh along with Dr. Cheng Zhu, a Harvard lecturer and innovation consultant who studies and educates on the ways humor can improve professional development and success.  Dr. Zhu has served as Research Associate at the Harvard Business School, Research Assistant at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Center for Public Leadership, Faculty at the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and Senior Faculty and Researcher at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL).

S3|EP7: Showing Up As Your Authentic Self in Leadership with Lorenley Baez

Women’s History Month is in full swing, and we’re shining a light on a woman who is leading just by being her authentic self. In a time when things can be more of a façade for social media purposes, Lorenley Baez brings this modern approach to her leadership role as an Associate Provost, Academic Advising & Career Development at The New School.  As a Latina woman from the Dominican Republic, she’s experienced what she refers to as “systems thinking.” That’s another way of saying that the old way of doing things will not continue to push us forward as a whole. So how do we change this? Lorenley believes it all starts with listening, reflecting, understanding, and then reacting.  Hear more on this episode of the CItizensNYC LIVE podcast.

S3|EP6: Leading through Education, Faith & Justice

We’re shinning a light on an individual who’s always working to bring together and improve his community: Christ Follower Rev. Raschaad Hoggard of Abyssinian Baptist Church [https://www.linkedin.com/company/abyssinian-baptist-church].  He’s a prime example of someone who does his life’s work by combatting social injustice, sees education as a central part of driving change, and encourages others to share the light within themselves.   Episode Note: Our host CitizensNYC CEO Dr. Rahsaan Harris was inspired by our founder Osborn Elliot’s book Men at the Top [https://archive.org/details/menattop00elli] (Harper, 1959). In it, Elliot studies the attitudes and ambitions of leaders at the top, after he interviewed over 200 top U.S. executives. Stay tuned for the next chapter of the series as we explore what leadership looks today.