The Empowerment Zone

How does DEI&A and ESG contribute to the bottom line?

Gloria Neal: Empowering Companies to Maximize their ROI through DEI&A and ESG — 
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEI&A) are buzz words these days, but how many companies really understand what it means to embrace DEI&A? Join Ramona today as she has a very candid conversation with Gloria Neal about why DEI&A is vital for any company or organization doing business in the 21st Century.  The two also explore Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and why it is necessary for CEOs, managers and employees to understand how ESG impacts their company’s return on investment (ROI) or bottom line.  Originally from Denver, Colorado, Gloria continues to make the city her home.
Highlights from our conversation:
Gail’s professional journey to DEI&A
DEI&A
ESG
How companies lose talent by not embracing DEI&A
How individuals lose their energy and drive because their employers fail to accept them as their authentic selves
GloKnows Consulting
Strategies for implementing DEI&A in your company
Resources:http://linkedin.com/in/gloria-prioleau-neal-9a6b33128 

Trailer! Gloria Neal: Empowering Companies to Maximize their ROI through DEI&A and ESG

Next episode available from Monday, May 8th with guest Gloria Neal
How does DEI&A and ESG contribute to the bottom line?

The Importance of Philanthropy within the Black and Brown Communities

The Importance of Philanthropy within the Black and Brown Communities — 
Dr. Mara Perez, Founder and Principal of Latino Futures, discusses the importance of Latinos and African Americans engaging in philanthropy—both as donors and as professionals. According to Dr. Perez, the Black and Brown communities must become more involved in the philanthropic sector on multiple levels to ensure the viability of organizations that serve our communities.  Dr. Perez also discusses her publication “Roadmap to Latino Prosperity,” which argues that Latino prosperity is critical to America’s future and is based on four pillars: education, entrepreneurship, workforce development and Latino philanthropy.
Highlights from our conversation:
Dr. Mara Perez and her work in philanthropy
The Latino Community Foundation
Giving Circles
Latino Futures
The lack of diversity within the philanthropic sectors
The impact of white philanthropy on nonprofits that serve the Black and Brown communities
Why African Americans and Latinos should engage in all levels of philanthropy
Publication:  “Roadmap to Latino Prosperity”
The four pillars of America’s future
Resources:https://www.latinofutures.com/ 

Trailer! Dr. Mara Perez: Invest in Your Community

Next episode available from Monday, May 1st with guest Dr. Mara Perez
The Importance of Philanthropy within the Black and Brown Communities

Heritage preservation in the midst of gentrification

Nedra Deadwyler: How to maintain culture and community despite change — 
Are you in a community that is being disrupted and/or destroyed by gentrification?  If so, are you interested in preserving the history and culture of your community despite these changes? In this episode Ramona talks to Nedra Deadwyler about the need for communities to protect and maintain their history and culture.  According to Nedra heritage preservation is at the root of community building.  A social worker, public historian, and published author, Nedra is the Founder of Civil Bikes and Save Your Spaces, nonprofit organizations that focus on building community, creating change, and preserving culture as a means to liberation.  Originally, from Atlanta, Nedra continues to make the city her home.
Highlights from our conversation:
Nedra’s journey from social worker to heritage preservation
Gentrification and its detrimental impact on marginalized communities
Ways for people and communities to preserve their history and culture
Civil Rights Walking tours in Alabama and how they inspired Nedra
Civil Bikes
Save Your Space Festival
Strategies for people and organizations to preserve their history and culture
Resources:http://saveyourspaces.org/ 

Trailer! Nedra Deadwyler: How to maintain culture and community despite change

Next episode available from Monday, April 24th with guest Nedra Deadwyler
Heritage preservation in the midst of gentrification

How can leaders operate as healers and uniters?

Richard Martinez: Transforming Minds and Actions through Messaging - 
Current leadership in the United States has the dual challenge of unifying the communities they serve and ending systemic racism within their spheres of influence—no small feat.  Today  Ramona talks with leadership development trainer Richard Martinez, who explains the importance of communication and messaging in leading social transformation.  Listen and learn from Richard how to become a more effective leader.  Richard is founder and President of the RJ Martinez Group and co-founder of Lideramos:  a National Leadership Alliance dedicated to creating Latino leadership programs across the country.  He is a native of San Antonio and continues to make the city his home.
Highlights from our conversation:
The power of leaders in influencing change
Importance of repetition in messaging
How leaders can be in the forefront of ending structural racism
How leaders develop the skill of communicating with conviction and passion
Personal transformation of Derek Black, godson of David Duke
White Fragility by Robin Diangelo
Communication strategies for influencing others to change the way they think
How leaders can combat fear through effective communication
Resources:https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-j-martinez-4169ba171/ 

Trailer! Richard Martinez: Transforming Minds and Actions through Messaging

Next episode available from Monday, April 17th with guest Richard Martinez
How can leaders operate as healers and uniters?

How can white women dismantle white supremacy?

Regina Jackson: Host of Race2Dinner, conversations on racism - 
How many of us have participated in conversations that explore how white women uphold white supremacy?  Join Ramona in her conversation with Regina Jackson as Regina shares how she has found a creative way to have challenging yet hopeful conversations around racism, systems of oppression, and white supremacy with white women through her Race2Dinner events.  During their discussion Ramona and Regina discuss why having these conversations with white women about confronting racism are difficult, but necessary.  Regina is the focal point of the documentary film “De-Constructing Karen” and co-author of “White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better." Originally from Chicago and raised around the world as a child of military, Regina now makes Denver her home.
Highlights from our conversation:
Documentary film “De-Constructing Karen”
Book “White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better”
Race2Dinner events
How white women contribute to upholding the system of racism
How white women can use their power to dismantle racism
How the racism of white women impacts women of color
How being nice does not break down barriers
Resourceshttps://www.race2dinner.com/ 

Trailer! How can white women dismantle white supremacy?

Next episode available from Monday, April 10th with guest Regina Jackson, Host of Race2Dinner, conversations on racism.