The Empowerment Zone

How cities create systems to support the growth of black-owned businesses

Michael H. Ross: Look to Atlanta, the Mecca of Black Business Success - 
Are you a business or civic leader seeking to develop black businesses in your community? Then, this episode is for you. Listen to the conversation as Ramona talks to Micheal H. Ross about the long and rich history of black business success in Atlanta, starting in the late nineteenth century through the present. Acknowledged by many as the “Black Mecca,” Atlanta is a model for municipalities seeking to build successful black-owned businesses. In their discussion Micheal draws the connection between higher education, government, and business and explains how these sectors have worked in tandem to create an environment and system to produce black business prosperity in Atlanta in multiple areas: small businesses, insurance, construction, music and film, technology, and so much more.
Michael H. Ross is CEO of MHR International, a construction management company in Atlanta, Georgia. He also operates as an angel investor.

Trailer! Michael H. Ross: Look to Atlanta, the Mecca of Black Business Success

Next episode available from Monday, June 27 with guest Michael H. Ross
How cities create systems to support the growth of black-owned businesses

Ableism and its impact on inclusion among people with disabilities

Vincenzo Piscopo: A champion of inclusion and accessibility for the disability community - 
Accessibility, an essential component of DEI&A (diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility), is the process of making opportunities, environments, services and products available and usable by all people. Ablism—discrimination in favor of able-bodies people—is the reason accessibility is so important. In their discussion today, Vincenzo Piscopo talks to Ramona about his work in inclusion and accessibility and his impact in empowering organizations to leverage the skills and talents of people with disabilities. An immigrant from Venezuela and seasoned Diversity & Inclusion professional, Vincenzo took the reins of the United Spinal Association—a disability rights pioneer and the largest membership organization of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) in the United States—after a long foray in corporate philanthropy with the Coca-Cola Company. Vincenzo is also the founder of the Wheels of Happiness Foundation. He lives in Alpharetta, Georgia.
To learn more about Vincenzo Piscopo, visit https://unitedspinal.org.

trailer! Vincenzo Piscopo: A champion of inclusion and accessibility

Next episode available from Monday, June 20 with guest Vincenzo Piscopo
Ableism and its impact on inclusion among people with disabilities

The Impact of Communications on Culture

Kamela Boyd: Authenticity, Empathy and Sensitivity are vital in Marketing and PR — 
Join Ramona as she talks to Atlanta-based media and communications expert Kamela Boyd. Kamela shares her career journey in public relations and her thoughts about the evolving impact media has on culture and marketing. Kamela explores HBCU excellence, WalMart’s blunder with Juneteenth products, compassion needed in coverage of the Uvalde, Texas school tragedy, and lessons learned from her professional experiences. Kamela is one of the original staff members of the Morehouse School of Medicine Satcher Health Leadership Institute founded by the 16th U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher. Currently, Kamela serves as director of communications and marketing for the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, leading all communications efforts.
Originally from Tallahassee, Florida, Kamela now makes Atlanta her home.
To learn more about Kamela Boyd, visithttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kamelaboyd/..

Trailer! Kamela Boyd: the impact of communications on culture

Next episode available from Monday, June 13 with guest Kamela Boyd
Why is authenticity, empathy and sensitivity so important to marketing and public relations?

The 4 Pillars of Political Empowerment

Dr. John Eaves: political engagement, more than just the vote — 
Being politically engaged is essential to the empowerment of the African American and Latino communities. Why? One simple reason: government affects every aspect of our lives. Services are connected to the vote, so our communities must be involved in the political process to improve the services in our communities. Join Ramona and Dr. John Eaves as they discuss the importance of politics and government and the four primary ways individuals can be engaged in the political process.
Dr. John Eaves is a candidate for the Secretary of State of Georgia and lives in Atlanta.
To learn more about Dr. John Eaves, visithttps://www.johneavesforgeorgia.com/..

Trailer! Dr. John Eaves: political engagement, more than just the vote

Next episode available from Monday, June 6 with guest Dr. John Eaves
The 4 Pillars of Political Empowerment

How is Renasant Bank embracing social responsiblity?

Dr. Tracey Morant Adams: empowering women-owned businesses through Renasant Roots - 
Renasant Bank knows what it means to be a corporate citizen and leader in the community. Through effective corporate social responsibility initiatives the bank is making a big impact on women. Listen to the conversation as Ramona talks to Dr. Tracey Morant Adams about how Renasant Bank through its community engagement program, Renasant Roots, is answering the call to empower women-owned businesses. Dr. Tracey Morant Adams is Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Community Development and Corporate Social Responsibility Officer at Renasant Bank. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama.
To learn more about Dr. Tracey Morant Adams, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracey-morant-adams-ph-d-121ab2111/.

Trailer! Dr. Tracey Morant Adams: empowering women-owned businesses through Renasant Roots

Next episode available from Monday, May 30 with guest Dr. Tracey Morant Adams
How is Renasant Bank embracing social responsiblity?