Workplace Diversity
Thank you for tuning in to season eight: “Why is respect in the workplace necessary and important?” See you again in Season 9! Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang: Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, so that you don’t miss a single episode; and please leave a rating and review. I would greatly appreciate it. Follow our show on and check out our for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on . Download Three Vital Practices to avoid a potential lawsuit for free by clicking this link: LinkedIn: Facebook: ...
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Today's guest is Helana Myatt Taylor is a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is a historically black college university graduate, twice removed, completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, earning a dual bachelor's degree in humanity, ecology, slash concentration and dietetics, with a minor in Chemistry and rehabilitation services. Helana is adventurous. She threw a coin on the map to decide where she wanted to move. Upon completing her graduate studies, she landed in Houston, Texas in April 2003. She attended Prairie View A&M University, where...
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Kimberly Collins is a dedicated educator, wife and mother of three boys from Houston, Texas. She's a graduate of Prairie View A&M University with 17 years of experience in the field of education as a reading teacher. She is passionate about helping young readers. Kimberly founded the Take The Spotlight Foundation in 2023 to provide mentorship and guidance to young people in Houston and the surrounding areas with her commitment to empowering youth. It's Kimberly's wish to make a positive impact on the lives of the next generation. In this episode Dr. Gaye Lang and Kimberly Collins...
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Debra S. Weatherspoon is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She relocated to Houston, Texas after Katrina. She is a graduate of Delhi University and HBCU. Debra graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting. She also graduated from Florida Institute of Technology with an MBA. She retired as senior auditor of the Department of Defense. After 35 years of service, Debra was VP of membership of the American Federation of Government Employees Union and, additionally, the regional treasurer. She has served in numerous financial capacities and many civic public service and private...
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Melanie Pondant has over 32 years of experience in education as a teacher, assistant principal, associate principal, Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction; and middle school principal at a STEAM Academy in Texas. She has also worked closely with district-level instructional specialists and campus-level administration, playing a pivotal role in turning around campuses to meet state accountability requirements within the district, as well as in other districts in the state. As head of school at the STEAM Academy, Melanie Pondant has focused on fostering a culture of high expectations...
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Dr. Danita Bailey-Samples holds a baccalaureate degree from Fisk University, an M.A. degree from George Peabody College for Teachers (currently Vanderbilt-Peabody University), and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from The University Of Texas at Austin. She has served in various roles with numerous public and private entities. These include teacher in Dayton, Ohio, and Houston, Texas, Department Chairperson in Spring Branch I.S.D., Director of Educational Services at Spring Shadows Glen and the West Oaks and HCA Houston Hospital Systems and Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston....
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Charles Johnson is currently a director of customer and agent experience at an insurance company. He is responsible for ensuring that agents, stations, and workstations, provide them with the most effective and efficient technology in the marketplace. His corporate experiences also include several years at NCR and AT&T. Charles is also a retired colonel of the US Army. He held several leadership roles, including company and battalion commander. His most enjoyable assignments included time spent at the Pentagon, in the Army Operation Center, and as a battalion commander of a drill...
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Stephanie Booker is from Alton, Illinois, and is a licensed professional counselor who works at a school as a counselor. Stephanie received her Bachelor's of Arts from Greenville University, Greenville, Illinois, Masters in Education, and a Masters of Arts in Counseling from Missouri Baptist University, St Louis, Missouri. Currently pursuing her doctoral degree from Liberty University, Stephanie has always worked in a helping profession, first as a licensed practical nurse for 19 years. She has been an educator for 10 years. Stephanie's personal motto is, “remember that every stumbling block...
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Ralphaletta Hall is married and is the mother of two children. She is originally from Miami, Florida, and has been living in Houston for 12 years. Ralphaletta graduated from Florida Memorial University with a Bachelor of Science degree in varying exceptionalities. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science degree in reading and learning disabilities from the University of Miami. She has 24 years of teaching experience in the special education department. Currently, Ralphaletta is an art specialist in a Texas public school. In this episode Dr. Gaye Lang and Ralphaletta Hall discuss: ...
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Daniel Bennett is a dedicated leader with over ten years of experience in finance, currently managing the Central Austin branch at WaFd Bank. Originally from Mossville, Louisiana, Daniel holds a BS in management and an MBA, embodying a commitment to continuous learning and growth. In addition to his financial expertise, Daniel is a visionary advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. He chairs the BIPOC DEI ERG at WaFd Bank, Chairs the board of A Little Bit of Good nonprofit, and serves as the secretary of the Austin CenTex Chapter of the NABA, as well as recently joining the board of...
info_outlineAbout Adam Powell: Adam is the chief of staff at MVP, a tech company in the sports and entertainment sector. He has years of experience working in mission-focused organizations such as a union organizer, school district administrator, and state employee. This career path began at Texas Christian University, where he co-founded the university's African American and Africana Studies minor and the Department of Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies before graduating with his bachelor's degree in history. Raised by educators in the suburbs of Northern Austin, Adam is passionate about giving back to his home community. He serves on the board of directors for the Safe Alliance on the Capital Metro Public Safety Advisory Committee and as vice president of the North Shoal Creek Neighborhood Association. He also creates short-form videos on Austin history and local politics on TikTok and Instagram.
In this episode, Dr. Gaye Lang and Adam Powell discuss:
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The benefits of diversity
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Diversity in leadership
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Attracting and retaining diverse talent
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The red flags of poor retention
Key Takeaways:
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It is ideal for companies to apply diverse practices just for the sake of it being the right thing to do. However, one can’t deny the benefits that diversity brings to a company’s profitability, popularity, and growth.
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Diversity must be applied across the board in the organization. People should be able to see diverse groups in positions of leadership, for the organization to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.
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Diversity doesn’t stop at just hiring, an organization must also make a continuous effort to retain diverse talents so they do not miss out on the benefits of diversity. Make people feel seen and heard, and apply their ideas. Make people feel like they belong, and they will stay.
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Retention is one of the primary metrics that companies must always look into. If you look at your metrics and can see poor retention in a specific racial identity or gender identity for example, then those are red flags that need investigation, discussion, and a solution.
“The secret is, there is no secret, which is if you have diversity in leadership and diversity of people who are doing great work in your company that is going to attract people who look like them who come from those experiences.” - Adam Powell
Connect with Adam Powell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-powell-92248a115/
Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:
Don’t forget to subscribe to the show, so that you don’t miss a single episode; and please leave a rating and review. I would greatly appreciate it.
Follow our show on Facebook and check out our Website for more details and to engage with our podcast community. You can also follow Dr. Lang on LinkedIn.
Download Three Vital Practices to avoid a potential lawsuit for free by clicking this link: www.WorkplaceRestorativePracticesInc.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaye-lang-1735761b5/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Gaye.Lang/
KEY WORDS:
Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.
Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla
Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.