Diversity Straight Up

On this episode of Diversity Straight Up, hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington, talk to James Klein, President of Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust. Mr. Klein recently became one of the the first leaders in the state of Iowa to earn their Certified Diversity Professional credential within the banking industry. The Certified Diversity Professional credential (CDP) is a professional qualification credential that is designed to enhance cultural competency and help an organization enrich its approach to inclusion. In this episode, Mr. Klein speaks about his experience in becoming certified. Diversity Straight Up is sponsored by Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, ACT and Alliant Energy.

In this final episode for 2021 of Diversity Straight Up, hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk about pitfalls to avoid, best practices, and trends in 2022. Diversity Straight Up is sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

On the latest episode of Diversity Straight Up, hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington, talk to Mark Nook, president of the University of Northern Iowa. Mark discusses the work required to make sure all groups have equal opportunity for success on a university campus, how his previous experiences with prejudice have prepared him for his current role, and how a nationwide pandemic has impacted the communities he represents. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

In the latest episode of Diversity Straight Up, hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk to national authority on diversity Dr. Nika White about strategies for battling “diversity fatigue.” Also, legendary broadcaster Tavis Smiley talks about overcoming mistakes and defending yourself during the age of cancel culture. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

In the latest episode of CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Cedric Ellis, executive vice president and chief enterprise services officer at CUNA Mutual Group, about his family background and work ethic. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

In the latest episode of CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Ray Brown, CEO of ESCO, about his purpose and passion and being mindful of the big picture. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

In the latest episode of CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Marcus Bullock, co-founder and CEO of Flikshop, an app and website to keep families connected with loved ones in prison, about being your authentic self, resiliency and justice reform. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

In the latest episode of CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Hugh Ekberg, CEO and president of CRST, about diversity in the trucking industry. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

In the latest episode of CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Rafael Espinal, the executive director of Freelancers Union, about freelancers in today's workplace ... who they are, why their ranks are growing and why their diversity matters. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

In the latest episode of "Diversity Straight Up," hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Janet Godwin, CEO of ACT, about diversity, inclusion, equity and engagement in an industry best known for getting elite students into elite colleges. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by the city of Cedar Rapids.

In the latest episode of CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Jennifer Bennett, president of Shive-Hattery, about her leadership role in the engineering field and the benefits of having a mentor. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by the city of Cedar Rapids.

In the latest episode of the CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Alanna Arrington, Anthony's daughter, about about her life as a global supermodel and diversity and equity issues in the world of high fashion.

In the Season 2 debut of "Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with author, inspirational speaker and social impact advisor Michele Sullivan about growing up different, starting tough conversations, and her new book, "Looking Up." (S2, E1)

In the latest episode of the CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Steve Shriver, co-founder and CEO of Eco Lips, about being an ally in turbulent times, the return on investment when it comes to social and environmental leadership, and the journey of becoming a Certified B Corporation.

In the latest episode of the CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Suzanne McCormick, U.S. president of United Way Worldwide, about the recent racial tensions in the country, her own experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand and leading through transformational times.

In the latest episode of "Diversity Straight Up," hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington take the show live for EntreFEST 2020 in Cedar Rapids, with guests Pernell Cezar, Sona Raziabeegum and Jacob Hsu. They talk George Floyd, bias, stepping outside of your comfort zone at life and work, and the role of diversity in innovation in this special edition of DSU.

In the latest (remote) episode of the CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Suresh Gunasekaran, CEO of University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, about caring for diverse communities during a pandemic, leading change at one of Iowa's most visible institutions, and his experience growing up in "two Americas."

In the latest episode of the CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with TaJuan Wilson, associate vice president of inclusive excellence and chief diversity officer with Georgia Southern University, about equity and equality in academia, affecting change as a diversity executive and what it takes to achieve "inclusive excellence."

In the latest episode of the CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Amy Friedrich, president of U.S. Insurance Solutions with Principal Financial Group about new moves at the company aimed at increasing inclusion, addressing long-standing biases in financial services and thinking globally.

In the latest episode of the CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Joel Schmidt, vice president of business development with Alliant Energy, about the importance of authentic conversations, lessons from his days of international travel and how diversity can lead to positive change.

In the latest episode of the CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Jeff Disterhoft, president and CEO of GreenState Credit Union, about his role in driving diversity at one of Iowa's largest financial institutions, understanding privilege and bringing your whole self to the workplace.

Hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Phil Jasper, president of Mission Systems at Collins Aerospace, about the role of diversity in innovation, reverse mentoring and the importance of cultural competency in leadership. Presented by the City of Cedar Rapids, Collins Aerospace and Alliant Energy.

Hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Marci Chickering, executive VP and chief human resources officer with Wellmark, about gender parity in the C-suite, building diversity in the insurance industry and finding people's innate gifts. Presented by the City of Cedar Rapids, Collins Aerospace and Alliant Energy.

Hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart about the city's efforts to improve equity, diversity and inclusion, new initiatives to attract minority candidates to city posts and the rising "ban the box" movement in the latest CBJ podcast.

Hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Corridor Business Journal Editor Adam Moore about the origins and ideas behind Diversity Straight Up, the four "tools" of talking about diversity, and what's ahead for this new CBJ series.