For those of you who are already doing advocacy and coalition work in your communities, this episode is for you. If you are trying to find a way to ensure your community’s needs are respected in the face of significant building and development, this episode is for you. We’ll hear how to use coalitions to build power and how neighborhoods and commun…

Our work of Equity and Inclusion requires us to think multi-dimensionally, to think about ourselves, but also about those with whom we interact and about the structures in our environment, whether those are systems or physical spaces. My guest, Lori Weitzner, helps us explore the importance of our physical spaces on both a personal and a group leve…

This conversation reminds us that the current systems that keep us from achieving equity and inclusion weren’t just an accident of evolution. They were designed—intentionally designed. These past designs and their artifacts also persist in our everyday lives, even when we have stopped many of the harmful practices. Today's guest, Braden Cooks of De…

Today's guest is Tawanna Black, founder of the Center for Economic Inclusion. Tawanna makes a clear and compelling case for community leaders to work together with a focus on building a thriving, growing economy that works for everyone in their community. Tawanna also shares how her team has worked directly with communities to help inform, guide, a…

In this episode, we take a moment to reflect on the State of Inclusion Podcast for 2023 and look ahead to 2024. While DEI may be under assault on many fronts, I'll share why I remain optimistic about this work of equity and inclusion. We'll also listen to and reflect on a few pearls of wisdom from our 2023 interviews. See full transcript HERE. Sign…

Our guest, Nick Cotter, has dedicated his life to educating others on the causes and reality of persistent racial and economic segregation and working to address its consequences in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While Nick's work is clearly focused on Pittsburgh, the insights and lessons reach much farther. In our discussion with Nick, …

If you want to discover how to become a better listener and learn techniques to help you listen with greater respect and love, this episode is for you. In this episode, Victoria Chance and Mary Anne Inglis of My Neighbor's Voice offer an approach to strengthen our listening skills and, at the same time, build community with our neighbors. Access th…

As part of this work of equity and inclusion, we are each on our own journey of growth. Sometimes, a moment of growth is structured and intentional, but sometimes, it catches us completely unaware. After it happens, we’re never the same. In today’s episode, I asked three more of my previous guests to share about a moment they grew in their own jour…

As part of this work of equity and inclusion, we are each on our own journey of growth. Sometimes, a moment of growth is structured and intentional, but sometimes, it catches us completely unaware. After it happens, we’re never the same. In today’s episode, I asked three of my previous guests to share about a moment they grew in their own journey o…

In this episode we learn about using the power of community truth-telling as a springboard for systemic change and equity in Cincinnati, Ohio. We talk with Kim Rodgers from the Center for Community Resilience at George Washington University and learn how they provide on-the-ground support to communities, like Cincinnati, to advance progress toward …

In this episode, we hear from an organization that has come to realize equity and inclusion are integral to its mission. As we talk with Rose Lane of Conserving Carolina, she shares how her organization adapted its strategic plan and value statements and how they formally ensure social justice, equity, and inclusion are part of their everyday work.…

Join us as Jerry Hawkins shares what it means to imagine a radically inclusive Dallas and Fort Worth. Along the way, Jerry also talks about how his organization delivers on its mission of truth, racial healing, and transformation for the communities it serves. Book Giveaway Alert We love books on community, equity, and inclusion. We think you might…

Hear from Paul McCormack, the South Carolina State Parks Director, as we talk about the actions he and his team are taking to make South Carolina's parks more accessible and inclusive. Along the way, Paul shares a little about what drives his commitment to inclusion and how he came to love the outdoors. This interview with Paul grew out of our 10-w…

Join me as we hear from adaptive athlete and disability activist, Chris Sparrow. Chris will share what it has meant for him to get outdoors and re-engage with the sports he loves following a spinal cord injury. Along the way, he'll challenge us all to open our minds to what is possible and step up to help build a more inclusive outdoors. This episo…

Real and lasting community change is about broad community engagement, commitment, and change. That doesn’t just happen. It has to be cultivated. Join us in this episode as your co-hosts, Emma Winiski and Ame Sanders, talk about the practice we call GroundWork. It’s about reaching across the community and preparing the community soil for the seeds …

Sign up for our newsletter, The Inclusive Community, and join us for the 10-week Inclusive Community Outdoor Challenge. The outdoors has a diversity problem. It is time we noticed and did something about it. Journey along with me, Ame Sanders, as I complete each week's challenge in my own life and community. Together, we'll get outside more, have s…

Many communities undertake a coordinated program of actions and initiatives to strengthen inclusion and reduce disparities. If you want to see that type of results-focused action in your community or are already part of such a program, this episode is for you. This episode is part of our series of discussions where my colleague, Emma Winiski, and I…

If you have ever wondered what nature has to teach us about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, this episode is for you. In our discussion with Dan Kriesberg and Camille Simone Edwards, we'll explore how learning about and getting in touch with the diversity in the outer world will help us better embrace diversity in our inner world and in…

Vicki Meath, and her team at Just Economics, are working to build an economy in Western North Carolina that works better for everyone. In this episode, we learn about the creative and practical steps they are taking toward economic justice. If you are working on economic justice, equity, or inclusion in a smaller city or rural community, this episo…

At the State of Inclusion Podcast, we are on a journey to discover what it takes to build more inclusive communities. There are few communities working harder at this than Charlotte, NC. In this episode, we talk with Janeen Bryant, Executive Director of Charlotte's Community Building Initiative. Join us as we learn how they are building community i…

Inclusion starts with each of us. This episode is part of the series: The Practice of Building a More Inclusive Community. In this episode, we explore the practice area we call Self Work. Along the way, Emma Winiski and I will discuss and share ideas for how each of us can progress on our personal journey toward inclusion and equity and why our pra…

If you are working in city or county government or trying to find a way to engage your broader community in resilience, immigration, or equity work, this episode is for you. If you’re trying to understand how work at the intersection of resilience and equity can come together, this episode is also for you. Join me as we talk with Krystal Reyes to l…

In this episode, we'll learn more about a city's journey toward racial conciliation. We talk with a team from Charleston, South Carolina, working to advance equity and inclusion in their city. Our guests share their hopes and vision for this work, but also candidly share some of their challenges. Join us as we learn more about a 350-year-old city’s…

Our guest for this episode, Dr. Kathleen Yang-Clayton, is focused on transforming public organizations and rebuilding trust in government through operationalizing racial equity. We'll hear about her diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work with communities across Illinois through her partnership with the Great Cities Institute. Link to Full Tran…

We again examine diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the intersection of business and community. In today's episode, we speak with Tiffane Davis, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, for Michelin North America. Tiffane brings a perspective from inside a company where DEI has been a way of life for decades. Where the approach to DEI is an ou…

In today's episode, we speak with Don Williams of JUMPSTART. In our interview, we explore the topic of community inclusion and belonging for individuals returning from prison. In this episode, we'll learn about the systemic barriers in many communities that make it difficult for individuals returning from prison to succeed. Link to Full Transcript …

Working across the community, achieving collective impact, building civic infrastructure, and moving from talk to action. Those things are at the heart of our discussion today. In this episode, we talk with Monroe Nichols from StriveTogether. StriveTogether animates a network of over 70 communities, reaching around 14 million students with a focus …

In today's episode, we explore the topic of building an equitable entrpreneurial ecosystem. Our guest is Magalie Yacinthe. Magalie is a social innovator and an entrepreneur who also works at the community- and systems-level to make the entrepreneurial ecosystem work for everyone. Along the way, we will learn about an initiative in North Carolina to…

When you are part of a large coalition, how do you ensure the participants are centering equity in their work? Listen in on this episode as Kalika Curry, of Eastside Pathways, shares how her organization centers equity in all they do and how they align members in their coalition to the same goals. Along the way, we'll discuss targeted universalism …

In today’s episode, I’ll be talking with Nick Cave and Bob Faust, two very well-known artists, art entrepreneurs, and social innovators based in Chicago. Nick and Bob use their art and their platform to advance racial justice and as a way to create and co-create community conversations. One of their installations, Making #AMENDS: Letters to the Wor…

In this episode we talk with Stephen Piggott, of the Western States Center. We will discuss a resource that he and his colleagues produced: A Community Guide for Opposing Hate. We'll hear more about what motivates anti-democratic groups, how they work, and talk about what communities can do to oppose hate. Link to Full Transcript and Show Notes Sig…

In this episode, we learn about the racial and gender justice mission of the YWCA and how the YWCA in Madison, Wisconsin, uses their values to deliver on that mission in their community. Join me as we talk with Gery Paredes Vásquez, the Director of Racial and Gender Justice at the YWCA Madison. Gery reminds us that we must first acknowledge each ot…

Intro Part 2 - In this new State of Inclusion podcast sub-series, we will use what we've learned from all of our conversations, along with our research, to suggest an approach, a practice for building a more inclusive world one community at a time. In this second episode, my partner, Emma Winiski, and I will give a summary of the six areas of pract…

Intro Part 1 - In this new State of Inclusion podcast sub-series, we will use what we've learned from all of our conversations, along with our research, to suggest an approach, a practice for building a more inclusive world one community at a time. In this first episode I'll introduce you to Emma Winiski, my partner in this work and this series. We…

Here at State of Inclusion, we are working on a capstone project of sorts. We are using all that we've learned from our conversations and research to suggest an approach, a practice for building a more inclusive world one community at a time. We will initially publish these ideas as a podcast series. We've created a new page on our website, which w…

In this episode, we will learn how leaders in Greenville, SC have come together to make a difference in racial equity and economic mobility. We'll hear how the murder of George Floyd served to inspire and motivate a strong group of leaders to take action and work towards lasting change across the community. Link to Full Transcript and Show Notes Si…

Eco-Justice and Environmental Justice...What do those terms mean and how they inform our thinking about the question: Justice for Whom? Join us today as we learn more about these terms and talk with conservationist, Rebecca Bolich-Wade, about how communities can use eco-justice, environmental justice, and the community commons to build more inclusi…

In this episode, we speak with Reverend Kendra Plating and Rabbi Sam Rose from the Greenville County Interfaith Justice Network in my hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. In today's conversation, we will explore what the beginning of this type of journey looks like for a community and the keys to their early successes. Link to Full Transcript an…

Listen in on the Nehemiah Action Assembly, hosted by More Justice. Learn how powerful an ally the interfaith community can be in the fight for justice and equity as we discover how More Justice is working to transform the Midlands of South Carolina. Link to Full Transcript and Show Notes Signup for The Inclusive Community Newsletter…

Creating a more just, inclusive, and equitable community requires engaging the whole community. And that means everybody. In this episode, we explore what it means to engage and empower younger members of our community in this critical and urgent work of building a more inclusive community. Link to Full Transcript and Show Notes Signup for The Incl…

Join us as we gather wisdom and inspiration from our discussion with Kristy Kumar, Equity and Social Justice Manager for the City of Madison, Wisconsin. Kristy comes from a background of social justice, community organizing, community care, and violence prevention work. In our discussion, she reminds us all that we haven't yet reached racially equi…

What can we do in the face of hate? Today, we talk with Patrice O'Neill from Not in Our Town. Our discussion with Patrice reminds us that we are the authors of our own stories, and we are the authors of our community's stories. We have the ability to take events, warning signs, hatred that we and others see in our community and reframe our communit…

We all have the power to be more inclusive. How about starting with the next meeting you are hosting or attending? In this episode we'll discuss the art of creating more inclusive meetings. This episode defines what it means to have an inclusive meeting and also includes practical information about how to make your next meeting more inclusive, whet…

In this episode we talk with Dr. Nika White about how to build diversity, equity, and inclusion at the intersection of community and business. If you are a corporate leader, is your corporation showing up in your community? Are you thinking outside the four walls of your corporation? If you're a community change agent, are you partnering with the c…

Joel Dock, of Louisville Kentucky, shares how owning the history of their city's planning process and the harm done from that process helped inspire his city to take action to make their community more equitable and more inclusive. Joel also shares about the process his team used and introduces us to a visualization and communication tool called St…

In this episode, we lean into Community Equity with Kimberlee Archie. We touch on complex topics such as reparations, sharing power, and confronting community history. Join us as we continue our journey to learn more about how individuals and their communities are taking on this challenging and difficult task of building a more inclusive world, one…

In this episode we interview Alaina Lavoie, Program Manager for the nonprofit, We Need Diverse Books. Why do we need more diverse books? What is happening in the publishing industry that is helping to drive inclusion and what are some of the barriers that marginalized groups still face. Alaina gives us peak behind the curtains of the publishing ind…

Our public libraries are vital resources to our communities and, as citizens, we own them. In this episode, we interview two librarians: Sarah Voels, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Karin Michel, from Chapel Hill, NC. Sarah and Karin give us an introduction to the work that libraries are doing in support of diversity, inclusion, and equity. Join us and…

In this episode we discuss diversity and inclusion in art with Suzanne Thomas. Her organization, Inclusion in Art, seeks to build opportunities for artists of color in Oklahoma. My discussion with Suzanne is a reminder of how art and community culture play a role in helping us build more inclusive communities. It may be through developing and suppo…

In this episode we talk with De'Amon Harges to learn about the Asset-Based Community Development. De'Amon Harges also shares lessons learned from his 20+ years of experience with community development and the work he is doing within his own community to build a practice of abundance. Link to Full Transcript and Show Notes Signup for The Inclusive C…