DEI-LABB with Rorri Geller-Mohamed

Episode Highlights How Sandy got involved in anti-racism work as a social worker Promoting anti-racism education in the social work and human services professions How white people can work through their emotions when doing anti-racism work What white people have lost as a result of white supremacy How she worked through challenges that came up People’s Institute of Survival and Beyond Anti-racist Alliance Sandra Bernabei Sandra Bernabei, LCSW, NYC Chapter Past President of the National Association of Social Workers (2014-16), NYC metro area community organizer, private practitioner with a focus on depression, anxiety and addictions. Sandy is a founding member of the Antiracist Alliance, an antiracist organizing collective of New York City area human service practitioners. ARA is building a movement to to bring an analysis of structural racism as outlined by the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond to social work education and practice. Over 12,000 educators and Human services practitioners have participated in the undoing racism/community organizing workshops to date. She has over 30 years experience in the field of addictions and has served as directors of Barnard College/Columbia University, Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention Program, the Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependence in Rockland County- New York, and the Chemical Dependency Training Institute for Addiction Specialist. She currently serves as a board member for The Center for the Study of White American Culture, member of The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond leadership team, Westchester County Human Rights Liaison Committee for Town of Greenburgh and on NASW Council for Chapter Presidents. On October 20, 2016 she received the  Dr. James R. Dumpson Chapter Service Award for Outstanding Leadership and Contribution to the New York City Chapter. In 2012 she received the Social Worker of the Year Award for NASW Westchester Division. In January 2008 she received a recognition award for establishing the Rockland County Drug Court. In May 2008 she was the recipient of the NASW NYC Social Work Image Award. Sandy is also the recipient of the 2007 WestCOP Community Service Award for her steadfast commitment to focus on undoing racism for low income and at-risk populations in Westchester and Putnam Counties, NY.

In this episode, I talk with Kris about her wealth of experience as a lawyer advocating for kids and systemic change in the juvenile justice system.  She breaks down the racial inequities that exist and talks about what all of us can to do create change.  She shares what inspired her to write her book The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth, how we can be more cognizant of our own biases, and the inspiration that comes from youth activism. Kris's Bio: Buy Kris's Book: https://bookshop.org/books/the-rage-of-innocence-how-america-criminalizes-black-youth/9781524748906 https://www.amazon.com/Rage-Innocence-America-Criminalizes-Black/dp/1524748900 Connect and Follow Kris's work: https://www.rageofinnocence.com/ https://www.law.georgetown.edu/experiential-learning/clinics/our-clinics/juvenile-justice-clinic/racial-justice/ Connect with Rorri and Get Additional Support: Join the email list: https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y Website: www.upowerchange.com

In this solo episode, I talk about the controversial topic of CRT in schools.  I share why this issue is so challenging and what you can do to help you understand and navigate these conversations.  I share 3 steps that you can that will help you engage in difficult conversations and move the dialogue forward for change.    Additional Resource: https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-is-critical-race-theory-and-why-is-it-under-attack/2021/05 Connect with Rorri and Get Additional Support: Join the email list: https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y Website: www.upowerchange.com Email me directly: Rorri@upowerchange.com

In this episode, Jana and I talk about how issues of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and anti-racism work show up in multiracial families that are formed through foster care and adoption.  We specifically address a topic often left out of these conversations: siblings in adoptive families. Jana's Bio: Jana Hunsley is an experimental psychologist, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), TBRI Practitioner, and advocate for foster and adoptive families. Jana received her doctorate in experimental psychology from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at Texas Christian University where her research focused on understanding the needs of every member of adoptive and foster families and meeting their needs through developing interventions. Over the years, she has worked in various settings with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, including outpatient counseling, home visiting, residential treatment, institutional care, schools, child welfare, and juvenile detention. Jana’s passion for this work began as a teenager when her family adopted seven children internationally. Connect with Jana:  https://www.project1025.org/ Facebook: @project1025families Instagram: @project_1025 Connect with Rorri and Get Additional Support: Join the email list: https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y Website: www.upowerchange.com

In this episode, Racine and I talk about financial empowerment, disparities, and inequities.  We explore the challenges around financial empowerment, what bias looks like, and the relationship building with a financial advisor.  Racine shares her experiences of helping her clients and how she navigates challenges.   Racine's bio: Racine A. Rikard is a native of Atlanta, GA, has over 20+ years of experience in the accounting and financial services industry. A graduate of Accounting at Georgia State University, she is a member of the National business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi. She is a financial coach/strategist.  Her areas of specialty are Debt Elimination, Retirement/Education Funding, and Asset protection (Life/Auto/Long Term Care insurance). Racine wants to holistically connect and inspire Women especially to be the ‘initiator’ for their families as it relates to finance and conducts her popular seminar entitled “Fine, Fab-U-Lous, and Financially Free” quarterly throughout the year to empower women and BOSS CHIC business owners. Connect with Racine: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dreamer3pwr/ Business FB: @RikardDreamTeam Twitter: @Racine_Rikard Website: www.RacineRikard.com Connect with Rorri and Get Additional Support: Join the free Facebook group, the Racially Responsible Podcast Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/raciallyresponsiblepodcast Be the first to hear about our upcoming events, workshops, and resources-- Join our Racially Responsible Podcast / U Power Change email list / https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y

In this episode we discuss: Tara's work with athletes and how DEI shows up Connection of mental wellness to DEI in athletic spaces Identity and connection Systemic issues and women's experiences in athletics Tara Well's bio: Tara is a licensed clinical social worker in Florida and a mental performance coach bringing mindfulness and mental wellness to athletes around the world. With a background in collegiate athletics, Tara embraces organizational challenges in her work and aims to reduce the stigma of mental health care one day at a time. Her company, Finish Line Mindset, tackles these challenges head on through conversation and advocacy. Connect with Tara: finishlinemindset.com @finishlinemindset (Instagram) @letsberealsheriandtara (podcast Instagram) Connect with Rorri: Connect on Linked In: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorri-geller-mohamed-lcsw-75004076/⁠⁠⁠ Join the email list: ⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y⁠⁠⁠ Interested in DEI leadership development or DEI support for your organization? Send an email to Rorri@upowerchange.com

In this episode we discuss: What Dr. Janice's new book "Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace: A Guide for Equity and Inclusion" is about and why she decided to write it How she first got involved in DEI and anti-racism work How oppressive systems impact all of us and what that means for DEI and anti-racism conversations Challenges with sustainability of DEI efforts in the workplace Dr. Janice's bio: Janice Z. Gassam Asare, Ph.D. is the founder of BWG Business Solutions, an award-winning DEI consultancy designed to help organizations create cultures built on racial equity. Dr. Janice has had the opportunity to collaborate with Google, Amazon, Yale University, Nordstrom, H&M, and Paypal/Venmo among many others. She is the author of two best-selling books, Dirty Diversity and The Pink Elephant. She is a senior contributing writer for Forbes having authored over 350 articles. In 2022, Dr. Janice was recognized as one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Racial Equity. Dr. Janice is a Ph.D.-trained Industrial Organizational Psychologist and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in business. She is a TEDx speaker and the host of the Dirty Diversity podcast where she discusses all things diversity, equity, inclusion. Connect with Dr. Janice: https://www.drjanicegassam.com/ Pre-order Dr. Janice's new book Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace Available Now THE PINK ELEPHANT or enjoy her as  Podcast Host Connect with Rorri: Connect on Linked In: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorri-geller-mohamed-lcsw-75004076/⁠⁠⁠ Join the email list: ⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y⁠⁠⁠ Interested in DEI leadership development or DEI support for your organization? Send an email to Rorri@upowerchange.com

In this episode we discuss: Context for us as two white Jews having this conversation What internalized anti-semitism is and how it shows up How to use the Transcending Jewish Trauma website as a tool in DEI and social justice work Complicated feelings around Israel and navigating these conversations in this work Healing and transformation to move DEI and social justice work forward Jo's bio: Jo Kent Katz (she/her) is a social justice educator, an Intuitive healer, and an ordained Kohenet.  She is a political educator who centers healing, and a healing practitioner who believes in collective liberation.  Jo is committed to reclaiming Ancestral connection, healing inherited legacies, and bolstering our collective capacity to dismantle racism and all forms of oppression.  Connect with Jo: jokentkatz.com transcendingjewishtrauma.com Connect with Rorri: Connect on Linked In: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorri-geller-mohamed-lcsw-75004076/⁠⁠ Join the email list: ⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y⁠⁠ Interested in DEI leadership development or DEI support for your organization? Send an email to Rorri@upowerchange.com

In this episode we discuss: Why Clarkisha wrote the book: Fat Off, Fat On: A Big Bitch Manifesto What fatphobia is, how it shows up, and how intersectionality plays a role The Kent Test that Clarkisha created to evaluate representation of women of color in media Clarkisha's Bio: Clarkisha Kent is a Nigerian-American writer, culture critic, former columnist, and up-and-coming author. Committed to telling inclusive stories via unique viewpoints from nigh-infancy, she is fascinated with using storytelling and cultural criticism not as a way to “overcome” or “transcend” her unique identities (as a FAT, bisexual, and disabled Black African woman), but as a way to explore them, celebrate them, affirm them, and most importantly, normalize them and make the world safe enough for people who share them to exist. As a University of Chicago graduate with a B.A. in Cinema and Media Studies and English, she brings with her over seven years of pop culture analysis, four years of film theory training, and a healthy appetite for change. Her writing has been featured in outlets like Entertainment Weekly, Essence, The Root, BET, PAPER, HuffPost, MTV News, Wear Your Voice Magazine, and more. She is also the creator of #TheKentTest, a media litmus test designed to evaluate the quality of representation that exists for women of color in film and other media. Currently, Kent is working on finishing a memoir, a novel about a Black female outlaw, and a TV comedy pilot about an immortal familiar. Connect with Clarkisha: https://clarkishakent.com/ https://www.feministpress.org/books-a-m/fat-off-fat-on#:~:text=Fat%20Off%2C%20Fat%20On%3A%20A,free%20her%20from%20gender%20essentialism. https://www.amazon.com/Fat-Off-Big-Bitch-Manifesto-ebook/dp/B09QPJZ1QS/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=fat+off+fat+on+clarkisha+kent&qid=1652746850&sr=8-1 Connect with Rorri: Connect on Linked In: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorri-geller-mohamed-lcsw-75004076/⁠⁠ Join the email list: ⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y⁠⁠ Interested in DEI leadership development or DEI support for your organization? Send an email to Rorri@upowerchange.com

In this episode we discuss: How Christie got started in DEI work Navigating budget cuts in DEI work Why DEI is sometimes labeled as exclusionary despite that being contradictory What including conservative voices means in DEI work Christie's Bio: Christie Lindor is an award-winning Workplace Culture & Inclusion Strategist with over 20 years of management consulting advising clients for firms such Deloitte, EY, and IBM. She has served 100s of global organizations across 31 industries in 10 different countries. The breadth and depth of her experience range from IT transformation and mergers & acquisitions to change management and organizational development. She has more than 12 years experience planning, designing, and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Corporate America.  Connect with Christie: https://tessiconsulting.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christielindor/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/tessiconsulting/ Connect with Rorri: Connect on Linked In: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorri-geller-mohamed-lcsw-75004076/⁠ Join the email list: ⁠https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y⁠ Interested in DEI leadership development or DEI support for your organization? Send an email to Rorri@upowerchange.com

In this episode, Dr. Shaun M. Anderson and I talk about what DEI in sports is all about, what inspired him to write his new book, The Black Athlete Revolt: The Sport Justice Movement in the Age of #BlackLivesMatter, and social responsibility for organizations.  Even if you aren't a sports person like me, you can learn a lot about the important work that is happening in the field of sports and how you can apply takeaways to your organization.   Dr. Anderson's Bio: Shaun M. Anderson is an internationally recognized scholar in the areas of sport and activism, workplace diversity in sport, and community development through sport. He is the author of the forthcoming book, The Black Athlete Revolt: The Sport Justice Movement in the Age of #BlackLivesMatter. For more information, you can reach him at www.shaunmarqanderson.com Connect with and Support Dr. Anderson's Work: https://www.shaunmarqanderson.com/ https://www.facebook.com/SportsDocA https://twitter.com/shaunmarqspeaks https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538153246/The-Black-Athlete-Revolt-The-Sport-Justice-Movement-in-the-Age-of- https://www.amazon.com/Black-Athlete-Revolt-Movement-BlackLivesMatter/dp/1538153246 Join our event: [Free virtual event] Lunch & Learn: Building and Strenthening Your DEI Committee's Impact: https://mailchi.mp/a7ba29b5f642/ss1hl2svg3 Connect with Rorri: Connect on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorri-geller-mohamed-lcsw-75004076/ Join the email list: https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y Interested in DEI leadership development or DEI support for your organization? Send an email to Rorri@upowerchange.com

In this episode, we dive into how to develop your DEI-LABB lens to become a better leader and advance DEI-LABB work in your organization.  We discuss: how I'm showing up to today's episode including discussing some personal processing and current events going on What a DEI-LABB lens is, why you need it, and how it can impact how you show up at your organization How to learn by using examples from Netflix's Ginny & Georgia to develop your lens  What you can do to strengthen your lens An action step to keep you moving Connect with Rorri and Get Additional Support: Connect on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorri-geller-mohamed-lcsw-75004076/ Join the email list: https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y Interested in leadership development or coaching for your organization? Send an email to Rorri@upowerchange.com

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Evelyn Alsultany about her work in Hollywood on Muslim inclusion (super exciting to have our first podcast guest that has worked in that space), her new book, Broken: The Failed Promise of Muslim Inclusion, what this work looks like in corporate spaces, and what you can do to develop your leadership skills.  Dr. Evelyn Alsultany's Bio: Evelyn Alsultany is a leading expert on the history of representations of Arabs and Muslims in the U.S. media. She is the author of Broken: The Failed Promise of Muslim Inclusion (NYU Press, 2022) and Arabs and Muslims in the Media: Race and Representation after 9/11 (2012). She is an associate professor in the Department of American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California’s Dornsife College. She has served as an educator and consultant for Hollywood studios and co-authored criteria, the Obeidi-Alsultany Test, to help Hollywood improve representations of Muslims. Professor Alsultany has published op-eds in The Hollywood Reporter, The Washington Post, and Newsweek and has a podcast, “Muslims As Seen on TV.”  Learn more, connect, and support Dr. Alsultany's work:  For more information see https://evelynalsultany.com/. Get Dr. Alsultany’s new book: Broken: The Failed Promise of Muslim Inclusion - https://nyupress.org/9781479823963/broken/ Connect with Rorri and Get Additional Support: Connect on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorri-geller-mohamed-lcsw-75004076/ Join the email list: https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y Website: www.upowerchange.com Interested in leadership development or coaching for your organization? Schedule a consult call (https://calendly.com/upowerchange/talk-with-rorri)

In this mini episode, I share about the podcast changes including a new name, new look, and a new focus on leadership development in DEI and anti-racism work.  I talk about how the change came about and what you can expect in upcoming episodes.   Connect with Rorri: Connect on Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorri-geller-mohamed-lcsw-75004076/ Join the email list: https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y Website: www.upowerchange.com Interested in leadership development or coaching for your organization? Schedule a consult call (https://calendly.com/upowerchange/talk-with-rorri)

In this episode, Christine and I talk about what collective resilience is and why Christine is so passionate about it.  We also dig into what this looks like in the context of anti-racism work.   Christine's Bio:  Christine Muehlman Gyovai is the Principal of Dialogue + Design Associates, is the granddaughter of a coal miner and firefly scientist, and has over twenty years of experience in creating community transformation and resilience. Named a “Cville 20” by Charlottesville magazine as a key driver for creating change, she is a professional facilitator and planner with certificates in charrettes, coaching, teaching yoga, and mediation, she hosts the Collective Resilience: We Rise podcast. A recipient of the Paul Dulaney Conservation Award, she has worked on projects nationally and in Appalachia focused on increasing community resilience and sustainability.  Christine holds a M.U.E.P. in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia, a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Burlington College, and lives at the base of the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia with her husband and two children. Connect with Christine:  Dialogue + Design Associates: https://www.dialogueanddesign.com/ Collective Resilience: We Rise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collectiveresiliencewerise/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/CollectiveResilienceWeRise Website:www.yeswerise.org Connect with Rorri and Get Additional Support: Join the email list: https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y Website: www.upowerchange.com

In this episode, the authors of Feminist AF and I talk about centering feminism and smashing the patriarchy and the overlap that has with the topic of race and racism.  They talk about what inspired them to write this book, the importance of empowerment, and why it is so important for women of all ages to read it.   Feminist AF Author Bios:  Brittney Cooper is Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Rutgers University. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower and co-founder of the Crunk Feminist Collective. Susana M. Morris is Associate Professor of Literature, Media, and Communication at the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is the co-editor with Brittney C. Cooper and Robin M. Boylorn of the anthology The Crunk Feminist Collection (Feminist Press, 2017). She is the co-founder of the Crunk Feminist Collective. Chanel Craft Tanner serves as the Director of the Center for Women at Emory where she also earned her Ph.D. in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. As director, her work focuses on creating programs, events, and learning opportunities that recognize and redress historic and persistent gender inequity at Emory and beyond. She is a member of the Crunk Feminist Collective and is passionate about class oppression, prison abolition, and Black feminism. A city girl with a country flair, she calls both Brooklyn, NY and Danville, VA home. Buy Feminist AF: https://bookshop.org/books/feminist-af-a-guide-to-crushing-girlhood/9781324005056 Connect with Rorri and Get Additional Support: Join the email list: https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y Website: www.upowerchange.com

In this episode, Dr. Griffin and I talk about challenging book bans and the empathy, understanding, and knowledge that comes from learning through stories.  We talk about her new book, Read Until You Understand and how this can be used as a tool in anti-racism work.   Dr. Griffin's Bio: Dr. Farah Jasmine Griffin is the William B. Ransford Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, where she also served as the inaugural Chair of the African American and African Diaspora Studies Department. She is the author of five books including Who Set You Flowin?: The African American Migration Narrative (1995), If You Can’t Be Free, Be a Mystery: In Search of Billie Holiday (2001), Clawing at the Limits of Cool: Miles Davis, John Coltrane and the Greatest Jazz Collaboration Ever (with Salim Washington, 2008), and Harlem Nocturne: Women Artists and Progressive Politics During World War II and her new book Read Until You Understand: The Profound Wisdomm of Black Life in Literature. Get Dr. Griffin's new book: Read Until You Understand - https://bookshop.org/books/read-until-you-understand-the-profound-wisdom-of-black-life-and-literature-9781324022046/9780393651904 Connect with Rorri and Get Additional Support: FREE Workshop: How white people can avoid unintentionally causing racial harm and navigate challenges in DEI & anti-racism work (in professional and personal spaces) Register here: https://mailchi.mp/1f036d515a40/s94dqef6cm Join the email list: https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y Website: www.upowerchange.com 

In this episode, Alyssa and I dive into what anti-racism leadership looks like and how Alyssa got into anti-racism coaching.  We talk about the challenges that she sees her clients experience and how she supports them in overcoming those challenges. Alyssa's Bio: Alyssa Hall is an Inclusive Business and Leadership Coach.  She helps white coaches understand their role with anti-racism while creating inclusive businesses wth her group coaching program The School of Anti-Racist Leadership. She has also begun expanding her work in helping BIWOC entrepreneurs stop people pleasing and step into embracing their full selves in their business. Connect with Alyssa Website: www.alyssahallcoaching.com  Instagram: Instagram.com/arleadership Connect with Rorri and Get Additional Support: FREE Workshop: How white people can avoid unintentionally causing racial harm and navigate challenges in DEI & anti-racism work (in professional and personal spaces) Register here: https://mailchi.mp/1f036d515a40/s94dqef6cm Join the email list: https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y Website: www.upowerchange.com

In this episode, Antoinetta and I talk about what DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) work actually looks like when it's done well and not just performatively in organizations and companies.  Antoinetta shares where organizations can start when they want to do this work, how to prioritize it even when it's challenging, and what's needed for it to really be sustained.    Antoinetta's Bio: Antoinetta Mosley is the CEO and Principal Leader at I Follow the Leader LLC, a strategic consulting firm specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy, initiatives, and education. I Follow the Leader was launched in 2016 to heighten awareness and readiness of DEI initiatives within companies. Antoinetta and her team partner with organizations to move them along the diversity continuum, improve their overall culture, and increase profitability, creativity, and innovation. Connect with Antoinetta: ifollowtheleader.com @ifollowtheleader on IG IFL’s Facebook page IFL’s LinkedIn page My LinkedIn page Connect with Rorri and Get Additional Support: Be the first to hear about our upcoming events, workshops, and resources-- Join our Racially Responsible Podcast / U Power Change email list / https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y www.upowerchange.com

In this episode, Lisa and I talk about her experience starting the Social Provocative Complex, a racial justice and education organization as well as the overlap between that and her financial coaching practice.  She talks about the transformation that participants have had through the Social Provocative Complex and how it's designed to increase education and consciousness awareness on issues of racial justice and equity.  She also shares her insights and thoughts on the topic of reparations.     Lisa's Bio: Lisa Barclay is the founder of the Wealthy Diva founder and a financial fitness coach. Lisa is a licensed financial advisor with 25+ years’ experience in financial services. She is also a partner in a racial justice and education organization, the Social Provocative Complex.  Lisa’s career has literally taken her around the world and back home to the NY Metro Area. Her practice was born because she loves to talk, teach, and share what she learns with other women. Connect with Lisa: thewealthydiva2021@gmail.com IG: @thewealthydiva2021 FB: Thewealthydiva2021 www.thewealthydiva.com Connect with Rorri and Get Additional Support: Join the free Facebook group, the Racially Responsible Podcast Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/raciallyresponsiblepodcast Be the first to hear about our upcoming events, workshops, and resources-- Join our Racially Responsible Podcast / U Power Change email list / https://mailchi.mp/b02360d4b5a6/sul4h5by2y