May 3, 2021
Lately, "DEI" can feel like a performative term that varies in connotation and political implication depending on the situation and the state of the organization. This week, with special guests Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold and Dr. Lisa Ingarfield, we move beyond thinking solely in terms of DEI to thinking of equitable strategies that will mobilize organizational change.
As a returning guest to the Success in Black and White Podcast, Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold (
catch her first episode and full bio here), brings us her wisdom once again. Serving as the Assistant Provost for Diversity & Inclusion at Towson University, Dr. SPG is passionate about speaking truth while serving those around her, about mentoring others, and about sport and triathlon. Dr. SPG and her counterpart, Dr. Lisa Ingarfield, host the [un]phased podcast, a podcast designed to help you grapple with the reality of racism, sexism, ableism, and many other hard-to-discuss issues affecting triathlon, endurance sport, and our lives. Dr. Lisa Ingarfield received her Ph.D. in Intercultural Communication from the University of Denver. Her research focuses on how inclusion and exclusion manifests in communication. Prior to becoming a research, evaluation, and DEI consultant, she worked for 15 years in the public sector (education and state government). Lisa is a systems thinker and is able to advise organizations looking to make meaningful change and ensure its infrastructure centers inclusion. She is originally from London, U.K. and currently resides in Colorado. She races triathlon, owns Tri to Defi Coaching and Consulting, and is a certified RRCA and USAT coach. She also co-founded the Outspoken: Women in Triathlon Summit with Dr. Sara Gross.
April 19, 2021
"I went through multiple stages of a job search process and was told that I 'did very well,' so waited for an offer. After my peers had long received job offers, I had to reach back out to the institution I wanted to work at, then finally got an email that stated: 'your references are great, your interview was great, and you have skill sets we could use, but we decided to go a different direction with someone who 'fits' better with our office.' I had the natural tendency to feel hurt at the rejection, but a different feeling also came up: one of confusion. I emailed back 'what didn't go well, can you share what I could have done better?' A few emails later, the employer told me they couldn't legally give me feedback, but that I did very well and didn't have much else to tell me. So, if I did so well and my skills were useful, why didn't I get the job?"
After this experience, DaShawn Dilworth really honed in on the term "fit" as part of the hiring process and job experience overall. In his research (see his article
Elephants in the Room: Examining and Understanding the Black Assembly Line, p. 20), he found that this term is meant to hide in plain site the various prejudice and biases found in the workplace. His research dives into equity and justice throughout the hiring process and at work. This episode was incredible; not only does he talk through his research findings but also gives very real tips to move away from thinking about the term "fit" during hiring processes.
About DaShawn: Writer. Researcher. SA Pro. Hustler. All these identities and more define DaShawn. As a recent graduate of the Higher Education program at Florida State University, DaShawn currently conducts qualitative research as part of his day job. In his own time, he enjoys writing and creating innovative ways to tell stories we often don't hear. DaShawn's research joys range from studying higher education environment's impact on Black professionals to understanding the intersection of hip hop and academia.
Follow DaShawn (and his new podcast: Mask Off) here:
Facebook: DaShawn Dilworth
March 29, 2021
Dr. Kellie Gerbers and Dr. Alicia Cunningham-Bryant deliver a powerful message in today's episode. The ability to absorb and learn from history, to approach individuals and experiences different from yours with empathy, and to be vulnerable in the face of things unknown to you are the best ways to be advocates for change. These amazing women share their own journeys of learning, growth, and justice. They teach a college course together that explores graffiti as a form of expression, healing, and understanding (yes, you read that right...graffiti), and how this topic opens up conversations related to bias and misinformation. We also talk about the outdoors as a recreational and social justice space. Honestly, the conversation went in multiple directions and is worth every second to listen to!
Dr. Kellie Gerbers is an Assistant Professor of Outdoor Education and Leadership at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. Prior to that role, she managed outdoor programs at The University of Georgia and Florida State University. Personally and professionally, Kellie is working on identifying the spheres of influence where she can create positive change as it pertains to building more inclusive communities. When she's not teaching, she's learning to do stuff and i seven considering writing a book called "Learning to Do Stuff in Your Thirties." She also really loves Arby's (give the girl a meat suit already).
Dr. Alicia Cunningham-Bryant holds the Kim T. Adamson Chair in the Honors College at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. She has extensive experience as an archivist and curator at museums in Philadelphia and New Haven, Connecticut where she curated exhibits on Afhghan war rugs, Black comic book heroes, and Egyptomania. She has also done archeological field work in Egypt, Jordan, and Mallorca. Her research interests include public history, museum curation, digital humanities, East Africa, and decolonizing Egyptology and art history, among other topics, Alicia earned a BA at University of California, San Diego (in both history and archeology), and her PhD in Near Eastern language and civilizations at Yale University. She was a US State Department Education and Cultural Affairs fellow at Cairo Museum and Nubia Museum and has worked at museums around the world gathering together collections that have been separated through time. She also does a lot of other things to serve her community and we honestly don't understand how she manages all the things while staying engaged and in-the-moment.
March 21, 2021
A special episode this week! We turn the tables and let you listen in to a featured interview we did for the Journey to Joy podcast. We discuss it all, from how we met to what it's like working together, to how being an interracial family impacts us and our children. You don't want to miss this special feature!
March 15, 2021
Darryl's a solo on the podcast today to give you brief motivation on why showing up matters. Don't miss this short episode for a quick pick-me-up!
March 7, 2021
Fear, imposter syndrome, and struggles... Dr. Asha talks to us about overcoming it all in today's episode! She shares her own struggles with fear, from being stuck in Peru at the beginning of the pandemic to overcoming her fear of public speaking. We discuss the integration of faith into your weekly routine to boost your healthy habits, and learning how to succeed even when the world feels like it's falling apart. Whether you've been struggling in this season or taking hold of every opportunity, you don't want to miss Dr. Asha's wisdom in this episode!
Dr. Asha Fields Brewer is a “Creator of Healthy Conversations.” As a national speaker, published author, and radio host, she frequently contributes her insight to magazines, newspapers, and other media outlets. She earned a B.S. in Exercise Science from Florida State University and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Parker University. She founded Temple Fit Co. wellness agency, and she empowers audiences alongside their 25+ wellness faculty. In everything she does, Dr. Asha is dedicated to her life purpose: teach the busy and overwhelmed how to live life abundantly. For more information and booking, visit
www.doctorasha.com.
February 28, 2021
We spent an hour with Kiama unpacking microaggressions in the workplace, including those that now happen in a virtual space. Kiama drops so much wisdom about the WHAT, and also takes the time and space to impart knowledge as to the WHAT NOW? She gives excellent takeaways about what you can do if you are part of a traditionally minoritized group that experiences microaggressions, and also how to be a good ally if you have the privilege of not experiencing them. This episode was straight FIRE (where are my emojis??!). You don't want to miss it.
Kiama Anthony Bishop is the Assistant University Registrar for Policy and Compliance at the University of Virginia. Kiama is committed to inclusive and equitable policies and practices and has a passion for dismantling systemic racism in higher education. Kiama is a first-generation college student with a B.A. in Sociology and a Master of Public Administration. She is completing doctoral studies in the Doctor of Education in Leadership program at Virginia Commonwealth University. Kiama resides with her husband, Justin, in Central Virginia.
February 21, 2021
Do you run a large corporation? How about a small entrepreneurial start-up? No matter where you fall on the line from large org to small, this episode is all about BUSINESS; about creating customer loyalty no matter what you do. Danny brings us his perspective from his time working with Mickey Mouse and company. You'll get sage advice on bringing people back to your business time and again, as well as hear more about Danny and his family (his wife, pictured above, and two adorable kiddos).
Danny Snow was born into a true Disney family. He and every member of his immediate family worked for Walt Disney World at some point in their careers, learning what it takes to create a loyalty-driven customer experience. Danny now works for Snow & Associates, Inc. where he helped grow a family business from a startup into one of the top customer service speaking/training companies in the world.
Danny is an international speaker, helping organizations capitalize on their customer service and focus on leadership and employee development.
Follow Danny at:
IG: @dannysnowspeaks
FB: @danny.snow.31
LinkedIn: @dannysnow