The Empowerment Zone

Are you crab in a barrel?

Rebekah Ratliff: inspiring an end the crab in a barrel syndrome — 
In this climate of heightened awareness around the need for diverse perspectives and equitable inclusion, individuals must be intentional about making an impact. Listen to a candid conversation between friends as Ramona chats with Rebekah Ratliff about the need for individuals to be supportive colleagues and not malicious crabs.  The crabs in the barrel syndrome is destructive and has detrimental consequences.  Rebekah contends that individuals and communities must be intentional about ending this harmful practice if we are going to move forward individually and collectively.   Rebekah is an international mediator and arbitrator with the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service (JAMS), the first African American non-lawyer ever to be invited to the JAMS panel of neutrals. She provides dispute resolution services in the U.S., London and Caribbean. A native of Chicago, Rebekah currently lives in Atlanta.
Resources:https://www.consultccm.com 
Topics:
Rebekah’s professional trajectory into becoming an international mediator and arbitrator
Crabs in a basket syndrome
Ways to replace the crabs in the basket syndrome with more affirming behaviorsImportance of sowing seeds generously (in service) to reap generously
Taking risks
Racism
Simple analogy to understand Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI&B)
HBCU I.M.P.A.C.T. ®

Trailer! Rebekah Ratliff: inspiring an end the crab in a barrel syndrome

Next episode out on Monday, December 4 with guests Rebekah Ratliff
Are you crab in a barrel?

Insurance: do you know what you really need?

Daryl Perry: empowering clients to maximize their insurance investments — 
It is open enrollment!  It is that time of year to explore your insurance needs and determine what is best for you and your family.  Insurance is complicated, but it doesn't have to be.  Join Ramona as she talks to Daryl Perry, a ten-year veteran of the insurance industry.  Daryl combines his life experiences as a military brat, lover of hip hop, and insurance nerd to help make sense of something we all have to deal with. Being a married man and father of four also helps him to see insurance needs from different angles.   When it comes to insurance, Daryl contends that we all need to have a plan, not a plea.
Resources:https://wayoflifegroup.com/  
Topics:
Daryl’s professional journey in becoming an insurance professional
Importance of spending time to understand the various types of insurance
Affordable Care Act, AKA: “Obamacare”
Short-term health insurance
Dental and vision insurance
Supplemental insurance
Disability insurance
Life insurance
Permanent insurance
Risk factors in insurance
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Daryl Perry: empowering clients to maximize their insurance investments

Next episode out on Monday, November 27 with guests Daryl Perry
Insurance: do you know what you really need?

How do you Build a “Career in a Year”?

Philippe Jean-Bart: The Advantages of Technical Education — 
It is a fact:  everyone does not have the ability or the resources to pursue a traditional four-year college education.  According to Philippe Jean-Bart that is why technical education and training is so valuable.  Join the conversation as Ramona talks to Philippe about the value and benefits of attending technical college.  Through a technical education students can actually “build a career in a year.”  Philippe is Chair of Health Science Education at Atlantic Technical College & Technical High School.  A first-generation Haitian American, Philippe now makes Miami his home.
Resources:Atlantic Technical College
Highlights from our conversation:
Value of a technical education
Employment opportunities for people with technical degrees
Receiving technical education during high school
Funding technical education
Workforce development
Affordability of higher education
Strategies for college success

How can African and African American Women Empower each other?

Maloase Mogodi: South African Women’s Alliance — 
Economic empowerment is important to all women.  That is why it is essential for women in various parts of the world to build relationships in order to create more opportunities with and for each other.  Maloase Mogodi seeks to create this connection as Founder and President of the South African Women’s Alliance (SAWA).  Maloase is on a mission to promote, celebrate and showcase the people and culture of South Africa in order to build cultural exchange between women of the US and South Africa.   Listen to Ramona and Maloase’s conversation as they discuss SAWA and how women can inspire and support each other.  In their conversation Maloase also discusses the upcoming 10th Anniversary SAWA Gala and Award celebration to be held on November 4, 2023, in Atlanta Georgia.  Originally from South Africa, Maloase now lives in Atlanta. 
Resources:South African Women’s AllianceSAWA 10th Anniversary Gala and Awards
Highlights from our conversation:
Women’s Empowerment
South Africa
South African Women’s Alliance
Economic empowerment of women
Global relationships between women in the US and South Africa
SAWA Gala and Awards, November 4, 2023
Strategies for college success

How the CSA, AFL-CIO impacts communities

Letycia Pastrana: The Community Services Agency of the Metro-Washington Council, AFL-CIO — 
The AFL-CIO continues to empower and inspire families and communities.  The Community Services Agency (CSA) of the Metropolitan-Washington Council, AFL-CIO is on a mission to continue that tradition.  Listen to the conversation today as Ramona talks to Letycia Pastrana, Executive Director, about the work of the CSA.  The CSA is an independent, nonprofit organization established to improve the lives of workers and their families by helping to meet their human and social service needs.  A native of San Antonio, Texas, Letycia has extensive experience developing and executing community and economic development activities for vulnerable, as well as diverse, populations in need of resources.
Resources:https://www.communityservicesagency.org/ 
Highlights from our conversation:
Emergency assistance to families facing unique challenges, such as lay-offs, unemployment, etc.
Careers in trades
WorkForce Development
Providing the tools and guidance for career choices
Connecting with organizations that provide mental wellness
Women in trades
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Letycia Pastrana: The Community Services Agency of the Metro-Washington Council, AFL-CIO

Next episode out on Monday, October 16 with guests Letycia Pastrana
How the CSA, AFL-CIO impacts communities

What is Business Etiquette Anyway?

Donna P. Riley: Building pleasant work environments through etiquette — 
Have you ever felt disrespected?  Many people are stressed out in the marketplace and in general due to the fact that they feel disrespected. The use of proper business etiquette can eliminate misunderstandings, and using simple common courtesies can make a difference in your everyday work and life interactions.  Join the conversation as Ramona talks to Donna P. Riley, who believes we can accomplish more when we have pleasant interactions over the course of the workday.  Donna Paige Riley, also known as “The Etiquette Lady,” is the founder of Paige’s Etiquette Seminars, L.L.C., and MSDonnaspeaks.com., companies specializing in personal and professional development training and coaching in the areas of communication skills, public speaking and socialization, customer service, leadership and corporate etiquette skills. She is the author of What is Business Etiquette Anyway? Key Strategies for Building Successful Working Relationships.
Resources:https://www.msdonnaspeaks.com/ https://www.paigesetiquette.com 
Highlights from our conversation:
Defining etiquette beyond table manners
Value of etiquette in the workplace
Praise in public, reprimand in private
When correcting others, criticize the action, not the individual
Making time to be courteous and considerate of others
Etiquette skills and practices
Corporate bullying
Tips from What is Business Etiquette Anyway? Key Strategies for Building Successful Working Relationships
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Donna P. Riley: Building pleasant work environments through etiquette

Next episode out on Monday, October 9 with guests Donna P. Riley
What is Business Etiquette Anyway?