The Empowerment Zone

The Wheels of Happiness Foundation

Vincenzo and Gabriela Piscopo: Empowering People with Motor Disabilities around the World —
The Wheels of Happiness Foundation is on a mission to empower spinal cord injury survivors and individuals with motor disabilities with the resources they need to reintegrate into society and add value to their families and communities. Based in Atlanta, the Foundation supports people in disadvantaged communities around the world.  Enjoy the conversation today as Ramona talks to the founders Vincenzo and Gabriela Piscopo about their journey to building this organization and why their work is so impactful. Vincenzo serves as the CEO of the United Spinal Association and Dr. Gabriela Piscopo is a professor at Morehouse College. Together, they inspire and uplift communities through service.  Mark your calendars to join the Wheels of Happiness Foundation for their annual fundraising gala on September 30th, in Atlanta, Georgia, as they celebrate Uganda.
Resources:https://wheelsofhappiness.org/ The Wheels of Happiness Foundation 2023 Gala  
Highlights from our conversation:
Vincenzo and Gabriela’s personal journey as immigrants from Venezuela to the US
Founding of the Wheels of Happiness Foundation
The various experiences and support systems of people with motor disabilities
“The multiplier effect”:  How helping others with motor disabilities makes even greater impact on families and communities
Wheels of Happiness Foundation 2023 Gala, September 30, 2023, Atlanta, Georgia
Celebrating Uganda
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Vincenzo and Gabriela Piscopo: Empowering People with Motor Disabilities around the World

Next episode out on Monday, September 25 with guests Vincenzo and Gabriela Piscopo
The Wheels of Happiness Foundation

How can women of color find joy at work?

Ebony Little: Focus on service and make the business case — 
Many women of color face multiple challenges at work due to toxic work environments.  This results in many individuals not being as productive and resourceful as they could and would be, if they were treated well and felt valued and appreciated.  Ebony Little discusses what women of color can do to be proactive in creating meaning in their work and influence change in hostile work environments.  Ebony is the Program Director the National Association of African American Insurance Association (NAAIA).  A self-proclaimed “army brat,” Ebony has lived in Germany and Florida.  Currently she makes Fort Lauderdale, Florida, her home.
Resources:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebonynlittle/  
Highlights from our conversation:
Ebony’s personal and professional trajectory
The importance of creating affirming relationships at work
Identifying mentors, advocates and sponsors
Finding joy at work through service to others
Making the business case to employers about changing hostile work environments
National Association of African American Insurance Association (NAAIA)
How to address personal doubts of speaking up and speaking out at work
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Ebony Little: Focus on service and make the business case

Next episode out on Monday, August 7 with guest Ebony Little
How can women of color find joy at work?

Why is affirmative action necessary?

Reading of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s dissenting opinion — 
In this episode, Ramona reads Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s dissenting opinion of the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in college admission in The Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. vs. President and Fellows of Harvard College.  Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Elena Kagan join in dissenting.  Released on June 29th, 2023, the decision is a devastating blow to racial justice in the United States.   Judge Brown Jackson makes a prolific argument of why affirmative action is still necessary in higher education.  Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first African American woman and the first former federal public defender to serve on the United States Supreme Court.
Resources:https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/20-1199_hgdj.pdf 
Highlights from the reading:
History of racism in and its impact on America
How racial disparities in education, health, wealth and well-being developed in the US
History of local and federal policies that perpetuated inequality
Why race is an important factor in the admissions process
Why diversity is important in higher education

The Extraordinary Impact of Artists (from Dec 2022)

Due to popular demand, we're repeating this episode from December 2022 featuring...
Christian McBride: How artists influence people and society through their music and actions — 
From James Brown to Winton Marsalis, artists have an incredible amount of influence, impacting all aspects of society and people, including today’s guest Christian McBride. Listen to Ramona’s conversation as Christian talks about the music and the artists who have impacted his life and his development as a musician. According to Christian, example is of utmost importance, because it is your example that creates change; for people follow examples. Christian McBride is an eight-time GRAMMY-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader. He is the Artistic Director of the historic Newport Jazz Festival, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the TD James Moody Jazz Festival, and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. In addition to artistic directing and consistent touring with his ensembles, he hosts NPR's “Jazz Night in America” and "The Lowdown: Conversations With Christian" on SiriusXM. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Christian now lives in New Jersey.
For more information about Christian McBride, visit https://www.christianmcbride.com.

What is one of the most powerful gifts to give to others?

Dr. Vicki Ruiz: The Gift of Mentorship — 
Have you had a mentor that made a significant impact on your life?  Have you ever considered serving as a mentor to others?  Join the conversation as Ramona talks to distinguished professor and historian Dr. Vicki Ruiz about the gift of mentorship.  Dr. Ruiz discusses how mentors transform lives.  She also talks about the power and impact of institutional mentorship.  According to Dr. Ruiz, by being a mentor and institutionalizing mentorship programs individuals can impact individuals in profound ways.  Dr. Vicki Ruiz is a Distinguished Professor Emerita of History and Chicano/Latino Studies in the Department of History at the University of California, Irvine.
Resources:https://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=5302  
Highlights from our conversation:
Influence of Dr. Ruiz’s mother and grandmother on her appreciation for and understanding of history
Dr. Ruiz’s personal and professional journey in becoming a professor of history
The power of mentorship
Institutional mentorship
Examples of great mentorship programs
The impact of mentorship on 1st generation college students
How to empower mentees
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Dr. Vicki Ruiz: The Gift of Mentorship

Next episode out on Monday, July 10th with guest Dr. Vicki Ruiz
What is one of the most powerful gifts to give to others?

How can sports teams be more effective in community impact?

Dr. Shaun M. Anderson: Advancing social responsibility in sports —
Sports teams and athletes have always influenced social change.  In this episode Ramona talks to professor and social responsibility champion Dr. Shaun M. Anderson about the power of athletes and sports teams in impacting and transforming society.  His work focuses on the intersections of sports, politics, race, and society.  Dr. Shaun M. Anderson is an internationally recognized scholar, author and professor at Loyola Marymount University and founder and CEO of CSR Global Consulting, LLC, a consultancy that advises organizations in building social responsibility initiatives.  A native of Arkansas, Dr. Anderson now lives in Los Angeles, California.
Resources:http://www.shaunmarqanderson.com  
Highlights from our conversation:
Dr. Anderson’s personal and professional journey in becoming a professor and social responsibility champion
Major League Baseball and diversity
Olympic Games and social movements
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in sports
History of athletes and sports in creating social change
Importance of social responsibility in sports
How sports teams can be more impactful in their social impact initiatives
How to influence athletes to be proponents of social responsibility
Strategies for college success

Trailer! Dr. Shaun M. Anderson: Advancing social responsibility in sports

Next episode out on Monday, June July 3rd with guest Dr. Shaun M. Anderson
How can sports teams be more effective in community impact?