AALAM Talks

Sherri Jordan is a Deputy Director in the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) at Milwaukee County. DAS deals with IT, budgeting, finances, economic development, procurement, risk management - some of the more important aspects of Milwaukee County. Sherri talks about what they are doing through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Milwaukee County's vision is to become the healthiest county in Wisconsin. They are very strategic and very intentional about all of their policies. What are the steps they have been taking to reach this goal? Listen to this episode and find out.  What we talk about:  03:53 – We issue an employee engagement service every two years. We issue a racial equity survey as well.  07:11 – One of the most important things that we have in place is that in 2019 we declared racism a public health crisis in Milwaukee County. In everything we do, we use the equity lens.  16:10 – I think a lot of people feel that if we're uplifting one group of people, another group of people is getting left behind. That's not what we're doing. We're just trying to move from equity to equality.  26:10 – One of the things we are doing as a County, all County employees are responsible for taking racial equity training.  It is mandatory.  36:00 – The racial equity budget tool is not the only factor for making decisions, but it is an important factor.  What we mention:  https://county.milwaukee.gov/ (Milwaukee County) Sherri Jordan's email Connect with us: https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/ (AALAM)  https://www.instagram.com/aalamilwaukee/ (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-american-leadership-alliance-of-milwaukee/ (LinkedIn) 

Corry Joe Biddle is the Executive Director of FUEL Milwaukee, a community engagement group for young professionals who live and work in the Milwaukee region.  FUEL is branded as a stand-alone program but is a service of the Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC). Through in-person events with diverse speakers, they have been trying to signal to everyone that Milwaukee is for all of us, and every part of Milwaukee is for you, not just one little piece. Their work is more virtual now, but their mission is still the same - connecting, engaging, loving Milwaukee, and making it better for everybody.  According to Corry Jo, the culture that you create in your organization is all about what is acceptable, what is not acceptable, and how you respond to acceptable and not acceptable. What tone are you setting for equity, diversity, and inclusion? It is not just about diversity. It does not mean that because you're in the room you are included and your voice matters. Let's get as many leaders as possible because leaders create more leaders, and that creates sustained change over time.  What we talk about:  04:55 – We were doing that through in-person events, speaking engagements. When the quarantine hits and social distancing, it was all about virtual, and we are now doing our work through Race Bridge webinars.  11:19 – The first conversation we had was with all young professionals at the diverse panel, and it was them giving their reaction to what they have seen in the video. And 400 people registered for that conversation.  25:42 – MMAC's Region of Choice initiative is focused on employers. It is a program with goals around hiring for Black and Brown talent. The first pillar is representation. When we look at the management level across organizations in Milwaukee, black and brown talent are not being elevated to the level of manager at the same rate as their white counterparts. It is significantly less.  30:34 – 111 companies have signed the pledge. In five years, we will collectively increase the number of Black and Brown managers by 25% and increase the number of Black and Brown talent hired at large by 15%. 39:17 – About 70% of millennials and Gen Zers list diversity as a factor when they're choosing a job or a city.  What we mention:  https://www.fuelmilwaukee.org/ (FUEL Milwaukee) https://www.mmac.org/ (MMAC) https://www.abhmuseum.org/ (Black Holocaust Museum) Connect with us: https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/ (AALAM)  https://www.instagram.com/aalamilwaukee/ (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-american-leadership-alliance-of-milwaukee/ (LinkedIn) 

Nikki Purvis is Chief Equity officer of the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the City of Milwaukee. The Office of Equity and Inclusion is very new as of January 1st, 2021, and it will work on addressing, eradicating, and dismantling racism within the city government.  According to Nikki, just because this office is new, it does not mean that they have not been engaged in the work. They have developed a Racial Equity Action Plan, and the creation of this Office is a part of that plan. It is about creating the infrastructure so that they can be impactful and start to create some change. Our goal, our task is to implement our action plan but also to identify policies, programs, and procedures and to identify what should change. If you want different outcomes, you have to make sure that you have all those diverse voices at the table. You have to have all three (diversity, equity, and inclusion) working in sync with one another. They intermingle. If you have ideas, thoughts, or you want to help, feel free to email us. And you can always share with your elected officials your thoughts and opinions about how we move forward in this work.  What we talk about:  03:50 – I'm still trying to figure out what that (diversity and equity) means for me personally, and even from the city's perspective because we're new on this journey that it is going to take us some time to determine and define what that means for us as an agency and an organization.  11:42 – I do not know if we'll ever completely dismantle racism. It didn't happen overnight; it's been over 400 years. But we all have to have a personal commitment to eradicate and dismantle racism. It's not just one person's responsibility. It is everyone's responsibility. 14:05 – The city of Milwaukee has a Racial Equity Action Plan. And that plan was created by several members from various departments. We participated in the government alliance for race and equity of this community learning group.  19:00 – There are some small wins that we have accomplished, like the racial equity leadership training. Our racial equity and inclusion leadership team is composed of representatives from each city department and most of our elected officials' offices.   28:05 – It is important that we hold ourselves accountable to make sure that it is just not a transactional change, but a transformative, and that we are transparent in our process and accountable to the works that we do or do not do.  What we mention:  https://city.milwaukee.gov/Equity-and-Inclusion (Office of Equity & Inclusion) Connect with us: https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/ (AALAM)  https://www.instagram.com/aalamilwaukee/ (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-american-leadership-alliance-of-milwaukee/ (LinkedIn) 

Dr. Jeanette Mitchell grew up in St. Lewis, Missouri and moved to Milwaukee at high school. She spent 30 years at telephone company AT&T, where she has learned how to be a manager, how to be a leader. She left the company as the highest-ranking black woman. As the Program Director at Cardinal Stritch University she established the Leadership Center, through which she helped design and manage several leadership development programs. She is the founder of African American Leadership Program, and African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee. For Dr. Jeanette, Leadership is influence. Influence of yourself and other towards the goal that is mutually beneficial, morally and ethically. But you first have to get right with you and then as you get right with you, you get right with others. And yes, her blackness is an asset. What we talk about: 05:45 – Alverno helped me to realize that this was not just about Jeanette, that I need to give back to community. 15:50 – That's how AALP came about. The idea behind it was to have people cross-sector, so that you get to know each other. 22:18 – Transformation is like inner grounding where you really start to look at where your values are, what it is about. And that can bring you to a change. 28:00 – Right now we're trying to redefine Milwaukee as the top-ranking city for African Americans. We want to make sure that African American Leaders chose to live, work, and prosper here. 33:00 – To be a leader, you really have to know who you are. Leadership is from the inside out, which means you have to take time to reflect on your practices, how congruent are you, is your work aligned with your values, how are you really living your life. It is important. And the awareness - taking time to become aware who you are and how you're interacting with those around you. What we mention: https://www.alverno.edu/ (Alverno College) https://www.stritch.edu/ (Cardinal Stritch University) Connect with us: https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/ (AALAM) https://www.instagram.com/aalamilwaukee/ (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-american-leadership-alliance-of-milwaukee/ (LinkedIn)

Dr. Vanessa Hintz is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor at Alverno College. She is the Founder of Vivid Insights Consulting, LLC, in Milwaukee. She is also a Diversity and Equity Consultant. As black people, we have a legacy of exhaustion. Rest, taking a break, is a key to connecting to the wisdom of our ancestors in creating a new world. But, then, rest may be connected to a negative “You're lazy, you do nothing” stereotype. How to fight against those negative stereotypes, cycle of racial stress and microaggression? How to take care of ourselves and recover when our old wounds get open again. How to find rest and process the trauma? Find out in this conversation with Dr. Vanessa Hintz. What we talk about: 02:45 – First and foremost, you're going to die a lot sooner if you don't sleep. Keep that in mind. 04:29 – Modern day women are asked to do more than ever before: women are doing a lot more, they are out of the home a lot more, and they are still called to do all the things at home. – Add to that the intersection of race… 08:20 – Find your village, people that you can talk to. And code-switch. 15:50 – Selfcare for you is what it is for you. It is whatever you need to do for yourself to relieve stress. 24:13 – Therapy can be proactive; it does not have to be reactive. You do not have to wait until something happens. What we mention: https://thenapministry.wordpress.com/ (The nap ministry) https://vividinsightsconsulting.me/ (Vivid Insights Consulting) Dr Vanessa Hintz on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vanessa-hintz-061294160/ (LinkedIn) https://www.facebook.com/drvanessa.hintz/ (Facebook) https://twitter.com/drvanessahintz? (Twitter) https://www.instagram.com/drvanessa.hintz/ (Instagram) Connect with us: https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/ (AALAM) https://www.linkedin.com/company/aalam/ (AALAM on LinkedIn)

Elzie Flenard has run several different businesses over the years, but he always knew he wanted to start his own business. He wanted to learn business from people who are actually running businesses so, he first started internet radio station and then switched to internet podcast with the show Enterprise NOW!. He has learned from his guests and grown his business. Now, he is the Mayor at the Podcast Town. In this episode Elzie shares his path to success and gives some very important guidance and thoughts on business challenges. What we talk about: 13:00 – Even if it does not seem possible, it is possible. Successful entrepreneurs have that ‘it' factor that they believe it is possible. 17:05 – If you are able to influence and shift somebody's mindset, you set them up for success. It has a ripple effect. 21:10 – Access to resources, access to education, together with cultural piece, are some of the big hurdles to success. 30:22 – Some important mindset for black entrepreneurs: be OK with being the king, be OK with being lonely sometimes, be OK with failure, and be OK with punching and being punched. 38:15 – Coaching is critical. It is a game changer. What we mention: https://www.enterprisenow.net/ (EnterpriseNow) https://www.podcasttown.net/ (PodcastTown) Connect with us: https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/ (AALAM)

In this episode we meet Julia Smith, a master connector and networker.  What does it mean to be a plug? “The plug” means being a connector of people, resources, ideas; the catalyst that makes things happen. Julia is plugging talent into great opportunities.  She is currently working in the financial industry, and she has had the opportunity to lead many different teams. She shares about leadership and influence, leadership styles and behavior, motivation, vision, confidence, accountability, and courage.  And she gives some really good tips to black leaders, you do not want to miss.   What we talk about: 06:25 – Displaying consistent leadership behaviors – compassion, adapting to changes, inspiring others to act.  09:15 – Important characteristics and traits for black leaders that give the best results: ability to conceive reality in new ways, developing partnership with people, motivation, confidence, accountability and courage.  25:03 – How you frame those setbacks is absolutely pivotal. It can motivate and inspire your team to go the extra mile, or it can cause a lot of anxiety and panic.  It is really important to frame those setbacks and challenges as learning opportunities.  29:18 – Courage is the mental or the moral strength that allows us to act despite our fears. Our fears may be different, depending on our upbringing, education, work experience, and even work environment. Use it to your advantage.  33:42 – 6 tips to black leaders  Connect with us: https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/ (AALAM)

In this episode, we have three powerhouses that will share their gems with us. We have Lauren Feaster, the CEO of Professional Dimensions, James Phelps, the Co-owner of JCP Construction, and Sharain Horn, the Vice President of Well community. You will gain spot-on insights as they talk about what leadership really is and how to show up as being black and being a leader. Get priceless advice on effectively managing relationships and building a strong network and many more lessons through their experiences and the challenges they faced and overcame as a successful black leader. You better grab your pen and notepads and get ready for a wisdom-packed episode that will surely encourage and equip you in your leadership journey. What we talk about: Defining leadership What it means to be a leader Leadership is Influence Finding the team's individual strengths and allowing them to function in it Learning to stay the course Understanding that leadership is a journey “Any position that I want or desire is mine If I want it.” Growing within the leadership journey - From managing to leading, being more aware and have a more informed vision, and gaining a broader perspective of the leadership scope Great advice on being black and being a leader  The impact of being black in leadership Powerful tips for managing relationships and maintaining a strong network Never forgetting where you came from and how far away you have to go Leading from every single seat you sit in What we mention: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_History_Month (Black History Month) https://professionaldimensions.org/ (Professional Dimensions) https://www.jcp-construction.com/ (JCP Construction) https://www.advocateaurorahealth.org/ (Well Community (Advocate Aurora Health)) Connect with us: https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/ (https://www.aalamilwaukee.org/)