Charlene Wheeless is a recovering c-suite executive who is unapologetically authentic. When she started immersing herself in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conversations, she heard so many excuses for why corporations were failing at DEI, including the "we have a pipeline issue" rationale. That wasn't going to fly with Charlene. Charlene on Linkedin Charlene's book, You Are Enough! Reclaiming Your Career and Your Life with Purpose, Passion, and Unapologetic Authenticity Diversity Beyond ...
Aug 10, 2021•49 min•Season 4Ep. 44
Derri Stormer is a Major on the Wake Forest University Police Department as well as the founder and president of Stomer and Associates Consulting. As a Black woman in law enforcement, she has felt microaggressions, has broken through stereotypes, and has risen through the ranks. "It's one thing to be in the room, but it's also another to be heard while you're sitting at the room." Tune in to hear what she has to say. If you're interested in consulting from Major Stormer, contact her at contact@s...
Aug 03, 2021•54 min•Season 4Ep. 43
You may know Precious Brady-Davis as the first transgender woman who appeared on Say Yes to the Dress. You may have heard that Precious and her husband Myles, who's also transgender, gave birth to a now 19 month old daughter. Today, Precious gives us the inside scoop on her experiences growing up in rural Nebraska, her courage to transition, and becoming an inspiration to so many who don't want to be afraid to be themselves. " I Have Always Been Me: A Memoir ", by Precious Brady-Davis Diversity ...
Jul 27, 2021•26 min•Season 4Ep. 42
The Diversity Movement's Jackie Ferguson and Bob Batchelor discuss controversy and racism at the Olympics, touching on Sha'Carri Richardson, the ban on Afro swim caps, and Allyson Felix versus Nike. Full episode video LIVE at the Earfluence studio in downtown Raleigh Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement , hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson , and is a production of Earfluence ....
Jul 20, 2021•38 min•Season 4Ep. 41
Jen O'Ryan was in tech for 20 years, but she started to realize that she wanted to do something to give back to the community. She wanted to help companies move from really good intentions and really good ideas - and having no idea where to start - to actual results. So like so many in diversity and inclusion work, she became an accidental expert. Jen O'Ryan on Linkedin Inclusive AF: A Field Guide for Accidental Diversity Experts , by Jen O'Ryan Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by...
Jul 13, 2021•37 min•Season 4Ep. 40
Growing up in a multi-cultural household and having diverse experiences shape her life, Ashley Sharp was shocked to find that artwork wasn't very diverse and was made pretty much for the elite - and that didn't sit well with her. Now as executive director of Dwell with Dignity , Ashley is trying to end poverty and homelessness through design. Ashley Sharp on Linkedin Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement , hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson , and is a p...
Jul 06, 2021•50 min•Season 4Ep. 39
Jackie Ferguson hosted a live episode of Diversity Beyond the Checkbox on Fishbowl Live, and it was all about how bias in recruiting can start even before your interview process, plus strategies to recruit and retain diverse top talent from recruiting experts Bree Sarlati , CEO of Peak Performers , and Lauren McDonald , CEO of Intuition Co-Op . Fishbowl is where professionals go to connect and talk in a new era of remote work. Choose from thousands of Industry, Community or Company Bowls (Groups...
Jun 29, 2021•47 min•Season 4Ep. 38
Karyn Twaronite is responsible for maximizing the diversity of Ernst & Young professionals across the globe by enhancing their inclusive culture. Today she talks about how her DEI career got started (and how it almost didn't), her experiences of being the only one in the room, and how she thinks about DEI culture from a global perspective. Karyn on Linkedin | twitter Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is brought to you by The Diversity Movement , hosted by Head of Content Jackie Ferguson , and is...
Jun 22, 2021•47 min•Season 4Ep. 37
Season 4 is almost here, but we wanted to give you some highlights from season 3 of Diversity Beyond the Checkbox! In this episode, you'll hear from the following episodes: Eliminating Multicultural Marketing, with Nichelle Pace How to be a better leader in a diverse workplace, with Dr Steve Yacovelli, “The Gay Leadership Dude” It’s OK to be Not OK at Work, with Alissa Carpenter How to create a Transgender and Non-Binary inclusive culture, with Jake Rostovsky Invisible Illness at Work, with Chro...
Jun 11, 2021•19 min•Season 3Ep. 36
Season 4 is almost here, but we wanted to give you some highlights from season 2 of Diversity Beyond the Checkbox! In this episode, you'll hear from the following episodes: Ask a Baby Boomer (Anson Dorrance) / Ask a Millennial (Candace Cooper) Entrepreneur Gabi Angelini on Gabi’s Grounds, Life with Down Syndrome, and Inspiring So Many Unconscious Bias in Early Childhood Education, with Kate Goodwin and Kate Jordan-Downs Gender Inequality and Code Switching in Sales, with NAWSP President Cynthia ...
Jun 09, 2021•24 min•Season 3Ep. 35
Introducing Winning with Diversity on Apple Podcasts | Spotify How can you build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture from the ground up? The Diversity Movement's Head of Content Jackie Ferguson discusses hiring practices, resume review, and when culture veers in the wrong direction. JOIN THE DEI FOR STARTUPS WEBINAR , Thursday June 3rd at 12PM EST, presented by The Diversity Movement, with Donald Thompson, Shelley Willingham, and Lister Delgado. And please donate any amount to the Thurgo...
Jun 01, 2021•30 min•Season 3Ep. 34
Nichelle Pace has been producing high level marketing campaigns for 20+ years, pairing her client brands with artists such as The Roots, Sway, LL Cool J, John Legend, and Marlon Wayans. Today Nichelle talks about the challenge and responsibility of being a Black woman in advertising, eliminating the notion of multicultural marketing, and why mentorship is so important to her now. Brand Enchanting Culture Niche Podcast Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is presented by The Diversity Movement and hoste...
Mar 09, 2021•35 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Dr Steve Yacovelli, aka "The Gay Leadership Dude", literally wrote the book on leadership in a diverse workplace - " Pride Leadership: Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Leader to be the King or Queen of Their Jungle ". Today, Jackie and Steve talk about his experience leading multi-cultural teams on Disney Cruises, the Pulse Massacre and how that brought his hometown Orlando together, and the 5 layers of diversity. MOP+SAM, Inclusive Language to Beat Silent Collusion Top Dog Learning Group Diversity Bey...
Mar 02, 2021•51 min•Season 3Ep. 32
With a worldwide pandemic, divisive politics, social injustice, and even the stress of our everyday lives, the heaviness of it all can make it impossible to bring our whole selves to work. It's exhausting to put on a happy face on all the zoom calls. But according to Alissa Carpenter, Everything's Not OK and That's OK . Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is presented by The Diversity Movement and hosted by Jackie Ferguson. For more information including the latest webinars and other DEI content, head...
Feb 23, 2021•34 min•Season 3Ep. 31
In our DEI work, employers say they don't have access or experience with people from the trans community - so they simply avoid conversations as to not offend. But in doing that, it makes people feel excluded and unwelcomed. So what should companies do? We asked trans advocate Jake Rostovsky. Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is presented by The Diversity Movement and hosted by Jackie Ferguson. For more information including the latest webinars and other DEI content, head over to TheDiversityMovemen...
Feb 16, 2021•34 min•Season 3Ep. 30
At 20, Hannah Olson was diagnosed with chronic Lyme Disease. At 21, she graduated from Boston University and moved to DC for her first job. At 22, she was forced to leave her job because her employer didn't understand or accept her chronic condition that forced her to be hooked up to IVs 8 hours a day. Hannah knew she wasn't the only one - so she decided to fight back - by forming Chronically Capable . Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is presented by The Diversity Movement and hosted by Jackie Ferg...
Feb 09, 2021•29 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Michael Bach founded the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion in 2012 because he saw that there were minority groups who felt completely unrepresented, and they didn't know where to turn - so Michael created a place for them. Fast forward 9 years later, and the CCDI has 360 employer partners and over 2,000 clients. Find out why he says that diversity is our strength, but inclusion is our superpower. Michael Bach's Book: Birds of All Feathers: Doing Diversity and Inclusion Right Talking to...
Feb 02, 2021•47 min•Season 3Ep. 28
In September 2020, Donald Trump issued an executive order that banned the federal government - plus its contractors and subcontractors - from offering and participating in diversity training on racial and gender bias. The next few months were filled with cancellations, stalled conversations, confusion, and lawsuits. But fortunately, on his first day as President, Joe Biden reversed the order. On today's episode, The Diversity Movement VP of Business Strategy Shelley Willingham unpacks what happe...
Jan 26, 2021•33 min•Season 3Ep. 27
Sandra Stowe is the founder and owner of White Owl Financial Advisors LLC , an independent financial organization based in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. Over the last 15 years, Sandra has built financial technology solutions for investment banks, wealth management, and asset management institutions, and she is passionate about ensuring that women are financially empowered. On today's episode, we uncover her why. Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is presented by The Diversity Movement and host...
Jan 19, 2021•38 min•Season 3Ep. 26
Lindsay Wrege is the founder of 321 Coffee , a non-profit coffee shop staffed by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By employing and empowering baristas and roasters with autism, Down Syndrome, and other developmental challenges, Lindsay has created a unique and powerful community at 321. Along with Sophie Pacyna, one of the roasters, Lindsay talks about their mission and why all employers should consider disability inclusion. Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is presented...
Jan 12, 2021•30 min•Season 3Ep. 25
Brian "Woody" White has seen it all in his 35 year technology executive career - overt racism, sabotage, unconscious bias, being the only one in the room, and more. He now brings his leadership, experience, and advice to his new role - Chief Diversity & Inclusion Office at Homebridge Financial Services . Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is presented by The Diversity Movement and hosted by Jackie Ferguson. For more information including the latest webinars and other DEI content, head over to The...
Jan 05, 2021•45 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Kurt Merriweather, who’s the head of product and partnerships at The Diversity Movement , had a chance to talk with renowned author, professor, investor, and management consultant Geoffrey Moore about how diversity and technology has changed the way we do business in 2020. Geoffrey isn’t exactly who you would picture to be a champion for diversity, equity and inclusion, but as an organizational theorist, he knows, “You need to connect with a diverse world in order to be successful. If we can't f...
Dec 01, 2020•43 min•Season 2Ep. 23
On August 27th, 2020, Jackie Ferguson, host of this podcast and head of content at The Diversity Movement, hosted a virtual privilege walk which had such an impact on the almost 150 attendees, and on the panelists as well. On this episode, Jackie explains what a privilege walk is and we share a small sample of the experience from that day. Briefly, Jackie asked 41 questions based on privilege, and here we’re sharing just a few of those. And then after the walk, 4 panelists came on to talk about ...
Sep 08, 2020•16 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Born between 1946 and 1964, Baby Boomers are often perceived as out of touch, low tech, and often closed minded. Born between 1981 and 1996, Millennials are typically described as entitled, flighty, and selfish. Are these fair stereotypes? What can we do to bridge communication between Baby Boomers, Millennials, and all generations? Our guests today are Anson Dorrance, 22-time national champion as the women's soccer coach at UNC, and Candace Cooper, sports media professional. And you won't want ...
Aug 18, 2020•45 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Gabi Angelini is an entrepreneur, author, and all-around inspiration who has appeared on ABC Nightline, the Kelly Clarkson Show , and has been featured on countless local news and radio shows. Gabi has Down Syndrome. Along with her mother Mary, Gabi runs Gabi's Grounds Coffee. Today on the show, Gabi and Mary talk about how Gabi's Grounds got off the ground, the challenges of Down Syndrome, why people with special needs are often great employees, the GoFundMe to start up a storefront, and making...
Aug 11, 2020•23 min•Season 2Ep. 20
There's an equity problem in early childhood education. Actually, at least a couple. The first one is that not every child has access to quality education, and it puts them way behind when starting elementary school. The second is that there is an unconscious bias that minority children face, specifically black boys, that shape the way that they're treated and taught in school. Kate Goodwin and Kate Jordan-Downs are on a mission to fix these problems. Kate's Korner Startup Stage Podcast with Kat...
Aug 04, 2020•48 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Donald Thompson, host of Season 1 of Diversity: Beyond the Checkbox, and CEO of The Diversity Movement, has his own podcast (the Donald Thompson Podcast) where he talks to leaders in the North Carolina business community. Today we share a recent episode where he had the opportunity to talk to Sonya Hopson , "The Lady with The Pink Hard Hat". She's an African American woman working primarily in the construction industry, and she's overcome so many challenges - bias, mistakes, imposter syndrome, r...
Jul 28, 2020•40 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Cynthia Barnes is the Founder and CEO of the National Association of Women Sales Professionals , the only organization in the U S dedicated to helping women sales professionals reach the top 1% in their sales career. Today she talks about her why, gender inequality in sales, code switching, the hustle, and making sure to reward yourself. Diversity Beyond the Checkbox is presented by The Diversity Movement and hosted by Jackie Ferguson. For more information including the online course, head over ...
Jul 21, 2020•32 min•Season 2Ep. 17
What do you think when someone tells you they're a Christian? What do you think when someone tells you they're an atheist? Are your assumptions fair? Do they affect how you work with them or interact with them? On this episode of our "Ask a..." series, we have "Ask a Christian (Robert Davis, pastor) / Ask an Atheist (Christian Charette, former pastor)", and these two have a conversation around beliefs, morals, perceptions and misconceptions, and relating to each other. Robert Davis Christian Cha...
Jul 14, 2020•43 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Raven Solomon is a national keynote speaker, author and multigenerational leadership expert. Today she talks about generational diversity, the Led Languages (like the Love Languages, but how you like to be led), and how to motivate across generations. Her book, " Leading Your Parents: 25 Rules to Effective Multigenerational Leadership from Millennials and Gen Z " was written to help young professionals entering the workforce prepare to lead cross-generational teams from Generation Z to Baby Boom...
Jul 07, 2020•39 min•Season 2Ep. 15
