Why We Must Bridge Divides: A Conversation on Inclusive Leadership with Sally Helgesen & Mercedes Martin
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
Release Date: 06/16/2023
Culture Connects Us
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
Title: Culture Connects Us: Identity and Transformation Do our cultures connect us or drive us apart? Why are our cultures even important? Join Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist, in this episode of Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People, to hear how culture can connect us, with guests Jalila Bell, Kwame Gaylon Logan, and Kayla Marin. They explore the importance of using culture to bring people together and share personal experiences. Galen, the founder of Village Connect, shares insights as a father and grandfather of 10. Tune in for an engaging conversation on race,...
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Black Modern Elder Academy: Creating a Space for Authenticity and Diverse Experiences
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
The Modern Elder Academy, is a space for healing, self-reflection, and personal transformation for the “Modern Elder.” It helps people redefine what it means to be a modern elder and make choices about the next phase of their lives. So, if this need is true for everyone, why is there a need for a week just for Black people? In this conversation on race, my guests and the founder, Chip Conley answer this question. My guests are Wanda Whitaker, Dr. Diane Johnson and Cassius Johnson. Hear about the significance of listening to intuition and paying attention to physical sensations in personal...
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From Guilt to Empowerment: Your Role in Dismantling Racism
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
Are you ready for a conversation on race, power, and Harvard in this Conversation on Race. Why are Black women leaders at Harvard and other institutions being targeted? Simma The Inclusionist, and Deborah Ashton dive deep into the controversial world of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Harvard, shedding light on the power struggles and systemic racism that still plague our society. Find out what is real, and what is witch-hunting in this scandalous attack on Black female leaders. Discover the shocking truth behind the attacks on DEI initiatives at Harvard, orchestrated by...
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Unpacking Identity, Race, and Representation in Crime Fiction
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
In this episode, Simma Lieberman The Inclusionist, interviews Ed Aymar, an award-winning author known for his multicultural crime thrillers. Ed, originally from Panama, shares insights into his background, military upbringing, and how he got into writing. The conversation explores the intersection of race, culture, and storytelling in the context of crime fiction. They discuss Ed Aymar's acclaimed works, such as No Home for Killers and When She Left," highlighting his unique perspective as a multicultural crime thriller writer. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on...
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A Black Executive Perspective on Race in Corporate America
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
In this episode of "Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People," Simma sits down with Tony Franklin, also known as Tony Tidbit, the Vice President of Advertising, Sales, and Client Partnerships at DirecTV. Tony shares his personal experiences as a Black executive in corporate America and discusses the importance of open and honest conversations about race. Simma and Tony discuss the challenges faced by people of color in corporate America, including the pressure to assimilate and the fear of being labeled as "too aggressive." Tony shares a personal story about trying to fit in by...
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Cancel Culture Unmasking the Dangers of Instant Judgment and Outrage
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
In this thought-provoking podcast episode, Simma, the Inclusionist, engages in a candid conversation with Patricia Mushim Ikeda, a Japanese-American Buddhist and mindfulness teacher, and Joel Davis Brown, an African-American man who is an author, an organizational development consultant and spoken word artist. Together, they delve into the controversial topic of cancel culture, exploring its impact on society and the importance of fostering dialogue across racial and ideological divides. The episode begins by addressing the viral nature of outrage and disgust on social media,...
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From Conflict to Compassion: Jewish, Muslim, and Christian Leaders Share Their Perspectives on the Israel-Gaza Crisis
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
In this powerful podcast episode, Simma Lieberman interviews three faith leaders from the Faith Trio - Pastor Ben Daniel, Ali Sheikhaslani, and Rabbi David Cooper. Each of these leaders brings a unique perspective and experience to the conversation, making it even more impactful. The Faith Trio is a group that aims to foster understanding and empathy among different faith communities. They recognize the increase in Islamophobia and antisemitism in today's world and believe that now, more than ever, it is crucial to come together and combat these prejudices. Throughout the episode, the...
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Unmasking the Toxicity of Racism: A Raw Conversation with The Contraband Wagon
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
In this episode of "Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People," Simma Lieberman welcomes her guest Will Upland (also known as Contraband). He is the creator of the show on Twitch, The Contraband Wagon. Listen to this enlightening, personal and often humorous discussion of race, racism and disruptive conversations. Will (aka Contraband) recounts times in his young life when he encountered people who tried to discourage his success, and were angry that he, the only young Black man in his class stood above everyone else for his talents and brilliance. After feeling frustrated with the...
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Confronting the Lack of Diversity in Nonprofit Leadership
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
In this conversation on race, Simma The Inclusionist talks with Kristen Sharpe, CEO of Non-profit Makeover, and Deedee De La Cruz, Director of Demand Generation for GiveSmart. Why is there a lack of diversity in leadership roles within nonprofit organizations? Our two guests shed light on the reason that less than 20% of executive positions are held by people of color nonprofits. Kristen Sharpe and Deedee De La Cruz, acknowledge the historical overrepresentation of white individuals in nonprofit leadership positions. There is an urgent need for greater diversity in these roles,...
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"From Apartheid to Forgiveness" a Conversation on Race
Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People
If you were a Black man imprisoned and tortured for fighting against the brutality of apartheid in South Africa, could you forgive your oppressors? Siya Twani did just that. This is a don’t miss episode. We all need to hear his story. It is especially relevant today with the slaughter of over 1,000 Israelis and the continued bombing and killing of over 1,000 Palestinians in Gaza. In this episode, Simma, the Inclusionist, welcomes guest Siya Twani, who grew up under South African apartheid and became a freedom fighter with Nelson Mandela. Siya shares his experiences of...
info_outlineJoin Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People, the podcast that brings real talk and real change to the forefront.
In a society where race, culture, and identity are often sources of division, bridging the conversation on race and equity is imperative. By fostering open and honest dialogues, organizations can create safe spaces for employees to share their experiences and perspectives, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
Simma Lieberman, Sally Helgesen, and Mercedes Martin explored the importance of bridging the conversation on race and equity during their discussion. They acknowledged the challenges of fostering these dialogues and shared their experiences in navigating the complexities of identity, race, and belonging.
Sally reflected on her close relationships with African Americans throughout her life and the impact of their struggles on shaping her understanding of race and equity.
Mercedes, an Afro-Latina woman from Cuba, spoke about her purpose in helping organizations tackle diversity and inclusion by shifting mindsets and embracing collaboration.
In this episode, you will be able to:
● Discover the significance of uniting as a team to create an all-embracing workplace environment.
•Embrace the benefits of acknowledging various personal histories and experiences.
• Acquire tools for seeking common ground and defusing challenging situations to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings
● Explore the expansion of diversity beyond gender, focusing on race and values.
● Recognize the importance of appreciating different backgrounds and experiences.
● Understand the role of individual change in sustaining diversity and inclusion among leaders.
● Learn how to identify commonalities and navigate through difficult situations to overcome division and polarization.
During the episode, Sally Helgesen and Mercedes Martin shared their personal experiences and emphasized the importance of fostering a sense of belonging within the workplace. They discussed the power of embracing people's diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in order to build stronger connections and more effective workforces. Simma Lieberman highlighted the need to support one another and rise together in the pursuit of inclusion and equity, sharing insights from both Sally's and Mercedes's experiences in the field.
Sally, Mercedes and Simma discuss the urgency of sustainable change and emphasize that in order to sustain change, it is necessary to start from within. They talk about the importance of transforming oneself along with the organization and how change management needs to involve everyone in the organization. They also talk about the fear of leadership in addressing diversity and inclusion, especially pertaining to race, and how it needs to start with a clear why and work with the leadership in understanding the need for change.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:01:13 - Introduction of Sally Helgesen
00:02:26 - Introduction of Mercedes Martin
00:06:49 - Sally Helgesen's motivation for writing "Rising Together"
00:09:53 - Introduction of Mercedes Martin's background and cultural identity
00:19:07 - Creating a Culture of Inclusion
00:22:23 - The Importance of Inclusive Leadership
00:24:10 - Bridging the Conversation on Race and Equity
00:27:20 - Multiple Identities and Belonging
00:35:33 - The Importance of Self-reflection
00:37:24 - Importance of Authentic Leadership for Inclusion
00:39:05 - Characteristics of Inclusive Leadership
00:42:43 - Sustainable Change: Individual and Systemic Change
00:48:00 - Inhabiting the Middle Amidst Polarization
Guest Bio
Sally Helgesen is a renowned expert on women's leadership and an internationally bestselling author, speaker, and leadership coach. Honored in Forbes as the world's premier expert on women's leadership, she has been inducted into the Thinkers 50 Hall of Fame, which recognizes influential leaders in the field of leadership worldwide. Ranked number three among the world's thought leaders by Global Gurus, Sally has recently released her book, Rising Together, which offers practical ways to build more inclusive relationships, teams, and workplaces.
Mercedes Martin is a native Spanish-speaking international executive coach and consultant from Cuba with a wealth of experience in global leadership, diversity, and sustainability development. Working with Fortune 50 companies such as PepsiCo, Proctor and Gamble, Shell Oil, and Kellogg's, Mercedes has helped senior leaders, women, and people of color rise in their careers. As the founder of Mercedes Martin and Company, she continues to focus on supporting leadership in rewiring their mindset and embracing conversations on diversity, equity, and belonging.
Host Bio
Simma Lieberman, The Inclusionist helps leaders create inclusive cultures. She is a consultant, speaker and facilitator and the host of the podcast, “Everyday Conversations on Race for Everyday People.”
Contact [email protected]
Go to www.simmalieberman.com and www.raceconvo.com for more information
Simma is a member of and inspired by the global organization IAC (Inclusion Allies Coalition)
Connect with me:
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Previous Episodes
Rising Above Racism: Dr. Randal Pinkett's Journey to DEI Expertise
Cops Against Systemic Racism: Ed Cronin & Mike Alexander's Journey [Part 2]
Cops Against Systemic Racism: Ed Cronin & Mike Alexander's Journey [Part 1]
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