The Will to Change: Where Leadership Meets the Courage to Evolve

This episode, originally recorded as a DEI Community Call, was moderated by returning guest Amber Hikes, the Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Joining her were the leads of two of ACLU's Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): the Black Women and Non-Binary ERG, and the Black Men and Non-Binary ERG: · Raquel Fossett, Program Coordinator to the Director of Board Relations and Special Projects · Whitney Barnes, Manager of Strategic Partnerships · Brandon Felton, Marketing Executive in National Brand Engagement · Jason Williamson, Deputy Director of the Criminal Law Reform Project The five panelists spoke to the critical nuances that distinguish their respective groups, but a common throughline emerged: empathy leads to action. The more we engage in transparent and honest conversation, the more we begin to understand one another. And the more we understand one another, the more we feel compelled to fight on their behalf. Amber says, "if Black History Month is about study, Black Futures Month is about action."

Natalia Lyckowski, Neurodiversity@IBM Global Business Resource Group Co-Chair, joins the program to discuss the importance of addressing neurodiversity in the workplace, and the stages of representation. Discover the strengths and challenges that neurodivergent talent bring to the workplace, and how to create an environment where everyone can do their best work.

Bernard Coleman, Chief Diversity and Engagement Officer for Gusto, joins the program to discuss his career journey and what he has learned from ERG's and employee activism. Discover DEI trends and best practices, and how to ensure employee engagement when managing a distributed workforce.

Pranam Lipinski, co-founder of Work with Gen Z, joins the program to discuss the formative events that have shaped Gen Z, and what Gen Z looks for when they join an employer. Pranam also shares his thoughts about cancel culture, and how Gen Z has been instrumental in destigmatizing discussions about mental health.

This episode was originally recorded for Closing the Gap on C-Suite Radio. Tune in as Jennifer Brown is interviewed by host Denise Cooper. The topics covered include how to build and sustain high performing inclusive cultures, and how leaders can develop a strong, enduring will to change.

Stephanie Lepp, artist, producer and speaker, joins the program to discuss the pro-social use of AI, including "deepfake" technology. Stephanie discusses her project Deep Reckonings, a series of explicitly-marked synthetic videos including Brett Kavanaugh, Alex Jones and Mark Zuckerberg having a reckoning. There's also a very special offer in this podcast, so make sure to listen carefully!

Speaker, trainer, performer, and activist Ali Hannon joins the program to share their diversity story, why we need to move beyond the binary when it comes to gender, as well as the performance of gender. Ali also shares their thoughts about why they don't like the concept of allyship when it comes to gender, and what they'd like to see instead.

In this special episode of The Will to Change, you'll hear a conversation between Jennifer Brown and DEI consultant Kay Fabella, as they reflect on Kay's recent episode of her podcast, Inclusion in Progress, titled "My Top DEI Lessons from 2020." You'll also hear a segment of Kay's podcast, where Kay outlines the top DEI lessons from 2020.

BEST OF THE WILL TO CHANGE: In this minisode, Jennifer discusses the importance of asking consultative questions during the sales process. She reveals some of the questions from JBC's powerful prospective client questionnaire and the thinking behind each question. Discover an empowering way to think about the sales process and why sales is a crucial aspect to ushering in positive change. This episode originally aired in 2018, but is still very relevant today!

Rosalind Wiseman, parenting educator and author, joins the program to discuss how to foster civil dialogue and inspire communities to build strength, courage and purpose. Discover how to create physical and emotional wellbeing by working in close partnership with the experts of various communities–including young people and business leaders.

Brad Johnson, Professor of psychology in the Department of Leadership, Ethics and Law at the U.S. Naval Academy, and David Smith, Associate Professor of sociology in the College of Leadership and Ethics at the U.S. Naval War College, join the program to discuss how men can be better allies for women in the workplace. Discover why men are so important for solving for equality, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, and what prevents many men from becoming allies for women.

In this episode, originally recorded as a DEI community call, we welcomed Shalynne Jackson, Founder and Principal Consultant at Shalynne Jackson Consulting, and Denise Reid, Principal at DR Consulting. After a tumultuous year, Shalynne and Denise give us plenty to be hopeful for in the coming months. Discover the many lessons learned in 2020 - and how some of our industry's top leaders are manifesting sustained change in 2021.

This episode was originally recorded for Women Taking the Lead podcast, and features a conversation between Jennifer Brown and host Jodi Flynn as Jennifer discusses self-awareness and some of the truths we need to face in order to become an inclusive leader. Discover the difference between performative and authentic allyship and how we can become a more authentic ally in the workplace.

This episode was originally recorded as a Panel for The Diversity & Inclusion Research Conference (DIRC20), and features a conversation between Jennifer Brown, Tsedale M. Melaku, Heather Metcalf & Grey Batie. Pulling from their own intersectional identities and grounded in research, panelists embark on a nuanced, informative, and authentic conversation about allyship and their experiences navigating various spaces. Along the way, this panel explores the use of language and data in understanding the many facets of human experiences.

This episode, originally recorded as a DEI Community Call, features an interview with Amber Hikes, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). This discussion covers everything from healing the harm caused by racist bias within organizations, to integrating justice into diversity, equity & inclusion work, to the exclusionary nature of our modern legal system.

In this episode, originally recorded as a DEI Community Call, Jennifer Brown is joined by Brian McComak and Elizabeth Roy, both consultants at JBC, Bernadette Smith, the CEO of Equality Institute and Mita Mallick, the Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact at Carta. Hear from the panel about the transition into DEI from non-traditional roles and efforts to engage more voices in this work.

This episode, originally recorded for the "Unleash Your Greatness Within" podcast, features a conversation with Jennifer Brown and host TJ Hoisington as they discuss gender and sexual orientation, respect, kindness for all people, and how leaders can create Inclusive cultures where everyone thrives.

As we head into the holiday season, we bring you this previously released episode, as a reminder about the importance of self-care! Innovation coach and tech pioneer Ellen Petry Leanse joins the program to discuss how to tap into the power of your brain to gain more focus, confidence and relaxation. Ellen shares what it was like to be part of the iconic 1984 Macintosh launch team, and her thoughts about the current state of the tech workplace for women. Ellen also reveals the importance for leaders of creating a safe environment for all employees.

Lisa Kenney, CEO of Reimagine Gender, joins the program to discuss her diversity story and the work that her organization is doing to help all people realize their potential by addressing and expanding limiting concepts of gender.

Co-Founders Deepa Purushothaman and Rha Goddess join the program to discuss nFormation, a first-of-its-kind app-based community for high-achieving women of color. (WOC) Discover how nFormation seeks to reimagine traditional power structures to not just help more WOC take their seat at the table in corporate America but to leverage their collective power to change the way the table is formed.

In this episode, originally recorded as a podcast for Gaper.io, Jennifer shares her experience of how JBC has created a virtual consultancy during the COVID-19 pandemic, and shares tips for building a scalable business in the digital age.

Psychologist, author and professor, Dr. Tania Israel, joins the program to discuss her book Beyond Your Bubble, and why the country is so politically divided right now. Discover how our views of people across the political divide affect our ability to have a dialogue with them and how to share our views in a way that others can hear us.

Jonathan D. Lovitz, nationally recognized small business and public policy advocate, community organizer, and Senior Vice President of the NGLCC, joins the program to discuss what's at stake right now, and what it means for disproportionately impacted communities. Discover where we can look for guidance and strength in the coming days and weeks, and the power of everyday ordinary allyship.

This episode, originally recorded as a DEI call, features a conversation with Carmen Jones, President/CEO at Solutions Marketing Group and John Kemp, President & CEO at The Viscardi Center. You'll discover the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Movement for companies to ensure they are inclusive and representative of the community they employ and serve, as well as the implications and connections with DEI work in general, and specifically for people with disabilities. You'll also hear about the impact of AI as part of core HR processes, and why we must be vigilant and mindful of the anti-bias tools we choose.

This episode, originally recorded as a DEI community call, features a panel discussion with Kara Sweeney Guerriero, Emma Smith, Erin Black, and Bryan Gibb from from INCITE Consulting Solutions. Discover how to support positive mental health narratives at work, and engage in "anti-stigma" education & dialogue to normalize vulnerable discussions and create cultures of psychological safety.

In this episode, originally recorded for the Invisible Stories Podcast, Jennifer is interviewed by host Jenn T. Grace, as they discuss marketing and entrepreneurship, and how it relates to wrestling with authors' self-doubt. Jennifer reveals how she overcomes feelings of imposter syndrome in order to market herself and her brand, and to reach a wider audience. She also discusses why it was important to her to include her own story within her books, and why hybrid publishing can be a faster track to success.

Rana Reeves, Executive Creative Director and founder of the communications agency RanaVerse returns to the program to discuss the importance of brands becoming involved in politics, and shares examples from some of his successful campaigns to help get out the vote. Discover what a voting campaign should look like, and how to cut through the noise. Campaign links: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGQSIx_FA2k/?igshid=1ujyd1fof1g0y https://www.instagram.com/p/CFyK4wLAveo/?igshid=h069wfyto5er RanaVerse: https://www.ranaverse.com/

Desiree Adaway, DEI consultant, trainer, coach and speaker, joins the program to discuss why anti-racism efforts ultimately benefit everyone in an organization. Discover how to move beyond performative allyship and the need to pay attention to power dynamics. Desiree also shares her thoughts about the recent executive order regarding DEI training.

Lily Zheng, Author, Organizational Consultant and DE&I Changemaker, joins the program to discuss how organizations can move beyond performative allyship and create real change. Discover a powerful stepping stone for leaders, and the need to focus on high-impact behaviors.

Jenna Arnold, educator, entrepreneur, activist and mother, joins the program to discuss the power that white women have to create positive social change, and what led her to write her new book Raising Our Hands: How White Women Can Stop Avoiding Hard Conversations, Start Accepting Responsibility, and Find Our Place on the New Frontlines. Discover how to change our conversations to make them more productive, and the importance of ambiguity.

In this episode, originally recorded as a DEI community call, Jorge Quezada, Vice President, Inclusive Diversity, Granite Construction joined the program to discuss how the Latinx community experienced the seismic disruptions and social movements of this year. Discover the role that cultural months focused on identity play in ensuring that attention and investment is given in an inclusive way.

Rhonda Magee, law professor, storyteller, mindfulness teacher, and social justice advocate, joins the program to discuss the healing power of mindfulness. She reveals how mindfulness has benefited her in her own diversity journey, and how we can use mindfulness to transform communities. Rhonda also reveals how paying attention to our thoughts, feelings and physical sensations can help us deconstruct preconceived "truths" and help us create cultures of belonging.

Award winning journalist, filmmaker, and multiplatform program developer Geraldine Moriba joins the program to discuss Sounds Like Hate, her new podcast powered by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The podcast explores the dangers and peril of everyday people who engage in extremism, and ways to disengage them from a life of hatred. Geraldine also discusses a tool that helps to measure the diversity of representation in media.

This episode originally aired on the Inclusion Cafe Podcast as Jennifer Brown discusses discuss the topics of building successful D&I teams, positions, efforts, and the importance of psychological safety within teams and organizations. The episode was hosted by Joe Motes.

This episode, originally recorded as a DEI Community Call Takeover features speakers from the upcoming 2020 Virtual Better Man Conference, including call host Eduardo Placer, and guests Ray Arata, and Sean Coleman. Discover what healthy masculinity looks and sounds like, how we invite that into our work and community spaces, and what can be learned by further exploration the intersections of masculinity.

In this episode, originally recorded as a DEI community call, Reverend Dr. Mark Fowler joins the program to discuss religion as an element of workplace diversity. Discover how the work on interreligious understanding changed since the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement and how organizations can prepare for, evaluate readiness and begin to build faith-based resource groups.

**This "Best of the Will To Change" was originally released on May 6th, 2020. Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer of VaynerMedia, joins the program to discuss the qualities that leaders need to embrace, and why those qualities are even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discover how working virtually is increasing transparency and empathy, and how to cope with uncertainty.

In this episode, originally recorded at the Belonging at Work Summit, Jennifer Brown is joined by Rhodes Perry, founder of Rhodes Perry Consulting and Joel Brown, Chief Visionary Officer of Pneumos, as they discuss the importance of self-care. Discover how to develop sustainable self-care practices and increase your resilience.

In this episode, originally recorded as a DEI community call, Rhodes Perry, the Founder and CEO of Rhodes Perry Consulting, interviewed Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, the author of the award-winning book, How Exceptional Black Women Lead, and Founder of the Exceptional Leadership Institute for Women. The timing of this particular conversation felt extra poignant, given that the call landed on Black Women's Equal Pay Day: a date that marks the number of days a Black woman must work into the year to earn what her white male counterpart earned in the previous year. Discover how can we form alliances and coalitions and work together strategically so all of us can rise together to create lasting change.

This episode, originally recorded as a DEI Community Call, features a conversation with Claude Silver, as she discusses her role as Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia. Discover how to create sustainable change, and how organizations need to evolve during these times. Claude reveals how she works to infuse her organization with empathy, and how to create a workforce culture where everyone feels like they belong. ·

In this episode originally recorded as a DEI Community Call, author, speaker and activist Ashton Applewhite joins the program to discuss the source of discomfort and avoidance so often tied to the topics of ageism and ableism when we talk about diversity dimensions, as well as the tremendous and varied cost of that avoidance to us and to the business world. Discover the intersections of ageism and ableism, ageism and social justice, and how ageism intersects with the conversation this year about the election, voting and accessibility.

From The Best of The Will To Change: Diversity and inclusion expert, author, and executive coach, Lily Zheng, joins the program to discuss how to affirm gender expression in the workplace and the leadership skills that are necessary to validate all gender identities. She also discusses the importance of self-awareness in discerning how to best create change, whether that is from the ground up or through influencing those at the top of an organization. Lily also debunks some of the most persistent myths about what it takes to be an ally and activist.

Karin Hurt, author and founder of Let's Grow Leaders, an international training firm, joins the program to discuss her diversity story and the need for leaders to be transparent and authentic. Karin shares how the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the importance of empathy and psychological safety in the workplace. Discover how to make sure everyone is included in a virtual work environment.

Rana Reeves, Creative Director and Founder of RanaVerse, an agency which marries brands with popular and contemporary culture, joins the program to discuss how brands should be thinking about diverse representation and social justice in their messaging. Discover why the identities of why the identify of the entire agency and creative team matter, and the opportunities for brands and companies to use their voice and influence for positive change.

Dr. Maysa Akbar, groundbreaking psychologist, author, and Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale University, joins the program to share her own diversity story, including overcoming childhood trauma. Discover a new identity model of allyship, and how to engage well-intentioned, but misguided allies.

This episode was originally recorded and released for the Reboot Podcast with Jerry Colonna. "In this release, Jerry sits down with leading diversity and inclusion expert Jennifer Brown to explore her latest book, ​"How to Be an Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive."​ In this conversation, recorded at the beginning of 2020, Jennifer reveals why inclusive leadership is not only risky, but often uncomfortable, and why discomfort is necessary for individual and organizational growth. Jerry and Jennifer analyze why true inclusivity requires removing the barriers to belonging in the workplace and share that when those with whom we work feel a true sense of belonging, trust and productivity increase within an organization. They examine the power of pronouns, make the distinction between allyship and advocacy, confront the ways in which our biases direct us, and describe why leadership without inclusivity is not true leadership."

In this episode, previously recorded as a community call, JBC senior consultant Chelsea C. Williams interviews Keesha Jean-Baptiste, Senior Vice President, Chief Talent Officer, for Hearst Magazine, as Keesha provides an inside look at the challenges and opportunities of being a senior talent executive for a global media company. Discover how institutions can avoid performative allyship, how to encourage allyship within organizations, and the ingredients of successful partnerships.

Join us for this episode, previously recorded as a community call, with Shalynne (Shae) Jackson, the Founder and Principal Consultant at Shalynne Jackson Consulting and Matt McCord, who is a major in the Tulsa Police Department and a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Shalynne and Matt discuss dismantling systemic racism in the police system, the need for cross dialog, and the importance of listening to other people's experiences. Discover the ingredients of successful partnerships, the ally journey, and the progress being made in certain police departments to do deep work on implicit bias and building commmunity relationships.

Diversability founder Tiffany Yu joins the program to reveal her own origin story, and shares her thoughts about the challenges and opportunities that still exist in the 30 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Discover how designing for disability benefits everyone and the intersection of social justice movements.

Join us on The Will To Change for a conversation previously recorded as a community call with Sandra Quince, SVP, Diversity and Inclusion Executive at Bank of America, and Elfi Martinez, Senior Director at Jennifer Brown Consulting. Discover what leaders need to consider at this time when it comes to communicating their stance on DE&I, and why everyone in the organization needs to be involved in creating real change.