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Hi, my name is Marilyn McNeal and I am the producer for Work Life 24. Work Life 24 is a podcast where I talk with friends, former students, project partners, and colleagues - about work. I ask each guest to reflect on the evolution of their work skills and career and what it is in the early 21st century to be a worker. In this episode, I get into conversation with Lauren Taylor, a Principal at REDF where she supports investments in entrepreneurs and enterprises scaling revenue and impact. REDF is a venture catalyst investing in the country's most innovative social enterprises. Lauren is also Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Zero Gravity Agency, a mission-driven consulting firm that supports investors, funders, and entrepreneurs with capacity-building technical assistance that accelerates growth and impact. Outside of these roles, Lauren is a mentor for Nasdaq, as well as a member of Hustle Fund's Angel Squad and Pipeline Angels, two groups that invest their personal income in early-stage entrepreneurs. Lauren M. Taylor https://www.linkedin.com/in/contactlaurenmtaylor/ Angel Squad https://www.hustlefund.vc/squad Zero Gravity http://zerogravityagency.us/ Pipeline Angels https://pipelineangels.com/ Marilyn McNeal https://marilynmcneal.com
Welcome to this episode of the Creating Good podcast, brought to you by Rogue Creatives, designed to connect with and learn from people in the nonprofit sector. I'm your host, Matt Barnes. In this episode, I'm joined by Maria Kim, President and CEO of REDF. Join us as we explore venture philanthropy, misconceptions surrounding the nonprofit sector, and community engagement. So sit back, relax, and let's jump right into it.
Get your tasty Ground Up PDX nut butter for 15% off with code (FEISWORLD): https://grounduppdx.com/ This episode is not sponsored by Ground Up PDX - just two friends chatting again after 13 years. In this interview with Carolyn Cesario, co-founder of Ground Up PDX, we delve into the inspiring journey of building a mission-driven company that empowers women in transition. Founded in 2016 alongside co-founder Julie Sullivan, Ground Up PDX creates gourmet nut butters while providing a transformative job training program for women overcoming homelessness. Carolyn shares insights into the unique flavors developed, such as Coconut Cardamom and Lavender Honey, and how the company has successfully expanded from local farmers' markets to major retailers like Whole Foods and Target. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration with local nonprofits and influencers to amplify their impact and reach a wider audience. Links and resources mentioned in this show: REDF: https://redf.org/ Alli Ball and the Retail Ready course: https://www.alliball.com/retailready --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/feisworld/support
Ever wondered how the Las Vegas real estate market maneuvers through the vibrant spring season, even in an election year? That's exactly what we're tackling on Vegas Realty Check with hosts Trish Williams and Tiana Carroll. We're peeling back the layers of the current market landscape, with a special focus on the impact of low inventory—a mere 3,300 single-family homes available—and the effects of lingering skepticism around federal interest rate promises. Plus, for those who aren't avid sports fans, we still examine how the city's expanding sports scene is influencing the real estate market.Asbestos might just be the real estate equivalent of a serpent lurking in your living room—alarming and not to be ignored. We're cutting through the myths and highlighting the importance of proper asbestos education. If an older home has caught your eye, we'll guide you through the must-knows of testing and safe renovation practices to keep that spine-tingle at bay. And we don't shy away from discussing the newly minted California law mandating contractor and renovation documentation for homes sold within 18 months; a law that resonates with our own experiences of spotting those glossy but shallow house flips.Wrapping up, we put the current market trends under the microscope. The contrasting paces of sales for single-family homes versus condos and townhouses are up for discussion, and we're unpacking the truth behind sellers clinging to ambitious price tags. We're serving up real insight on why pricing it right is the golden ticket and what the significant percentage of homes selling in under 30 days means for you. Arm yourself with knowledge and strategy from this episode of Vegas Realty Check, because whether you're a battle-tested investor or stepping onto the property ladder for the first time, knowing the market's pulse is crucial.Support the showWelcome to Vegas Realty Check, the informative podcast that dives deep into the world of Las Vegas real estate. Our expert hosts break down the complexities of the ever-changing Las Vegas property market, analyze market trends, economic indicators, and unique property features to provide you with valuable insights on timing your home sale or purchase. Don't miss out on the fun! New episodes drop every Thursday! Stay in the know about Las Vegas real estate with insights straight from the pros . Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing! If you LOVE our content , Please subscribe to our show here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1428685/support Linktree https://linktr.ee/vegasrealtycheck?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=665d8181-2204-45fb-b56f-e8ed3efbfd18Send Listener Questions to : VegasRealtyCheck@gmail.comAccess All Episodes at RealtyCheck.VegasWatch Live on Facebook Thursdays @9:30am PST https://www.facebook.com/VegasRealtyCheck Linktree https://linktr.ee/vegasrealtycheck?utm_sourc...
Embark on a journey through the winding paths of real estate with us, Trish and Tiana, as we shed light on the relationships that blossom in this dynamic world, symbolized by the generous gifts from our clients. We pierce through the haze of media speculation to reaffirm that real estate transactions are holding steady, regardless of the recent NAR settlement buzz. Celebrating the backbone of the property market—the buyers—we unravel the complexities of FHA loan updates and buyer representation, equipping you with the savvy needed to navigate this ever-changing landscape.This episode doesn't just skim the surface; we delve into local happenings that have far-reaching impacts, like Las Vegas' new airport and the Opendoor lawsuit's echoes of past legal battles. Diving into the market's pulse, we challenge misconceptions about tumbling home prices and inventory shortages, providing a truthful barometer on the climate of housing. We then turn our focus to the intricacies of new home construction, offering our insider perspective to help you recognize the true scale of model homes and the reality behind upgrade costs. As your guides, we aim to arm you with the wisdom to make well-informed decisions, whether you're listing or looking to lay down roots in a new abode.Support the showWelcome to Vegas Realty Check, the informative podcast that dives deep into the world of Las Vegas real estate. Our expert hosts break down the complexities of the ever-changing Las Vegas property market, analyze market trends, economic indicators, and unique property features to provide you with valuable insights on timing your home sale or purchase. Don't miss out on the fun! New episodes drop every Thursday! Stay in the know about Las Vegas real estate with insights straight from the pros . Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing! If you LOVE our content , Please subscribe to our show here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1428685/support Linktree https://linktr.ee/vegasrealtycheck?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=665d8181-2204-45fb-b56f-e8ed3efbfd18Send Listener Questions to : VegasRealtyCheck@gmail.comAccess All Episodes at RealtyCheck.VegasWatch Live on Facebook Thursdays @9:30am PST https://www.facebook.com/VegasRealtyCheck Linktree https://linktr.ee/vegasrealtycheck?utm_sourc...
Ever wondered what realtors really do behind the scenes to get your home sold or find you the perfect abode? Trish Williams and Tiana Carroll are about to unveil the full spectrum of a realtor's world in vibrant Las Vegas. This episode peels back the layers of mystique surrounding the painstaking pre-payment legwork that ensures property transactions are nothing short of successful. We're discussing the unsung heroism of realtors, the latest market stirrings in our bustling city, and how the peculiar climate of Las Vegas impacts both real estate and daily life. Strap in for an exclusive tour through the meticulous market analysis and tailored strategies that real estate professionals employ for both buyers and sellers. The conversation transitions to a masterclass in property listing research and bespoke marketing tactics that truly make a difference. We're revealing the essential groundwork laid before a property even hits the market, akin to crafting a standout resume for your home. Plus, discover the nuances of crafting presentations that resonate with clients' unique desires and the evolving Las Vegas landscape.Finally, navigating the labyrinth of home buying and selling becomes a breeze with a realtor by your side. Over a hundred tasks stand between you and your property goals, from staging homes to the nitty-gritty of liens and easements. We share insights into the multitude of tasks we manage, ensuring a seamless transition for our clients, whether they're buying or selling. And because we're committed to adding value every step of the way, we wrap up by discussing lending advice, down payment assistance, and how to personalize our services to fit your real estate needs. Remember, we thrive on your engagement, so connect with us, share your experiences, and let's keep the conversation going every Thursday morning.Support the showWelcome to Vegas Realty Check, the informative podcast that dives deep into the world of Las Vegas real estate. Our expert hosts break down the complexities of the ever-changing Las Vegas property market, analyze market trends, economic indicators, and unique property features to provide you with valuable insights on timing your home sale or purchase. Don't miss out on the fun! New episodes drop every Thursday! Stay in the know about Las Vegas real estate with insights straight from the pros . Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing! If you LOVE our content , Please subscribe to our show here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1428685/support Linktree https://linktr.ee/vegasrealtycheck?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=665d8181-2204-45fb-b56f-e8ed3efbfd18Send Listener Questions to : VegasRealtyCheck@gmail.comAccess All Episodes at RealtyCheck.VegasWatch Live on Facebook Thursdays @9:30am PST https://www.facebook.com/VegasRealtyCheck Linktree https://linktr.ee/vegasrealtycheck?utm_sourc...
Ever wondered why the bustling Las Vegas housing market is showing a curious dip in sales despite a steady inventory? This week on Vegas Realty Check, Trish Williams and Tiana Carol peel back the layers of this enigma and take a deep dive into the local real estate pulse. With a spotlight on a steady 3,306 active family homes and a mere 395 sales, we're deciphering the disconnect and its implications on your property dreams. Add to that the latest Federal Reserve interest rate predictions and the Hollywood West mega studio's approval, and you've got a whirlwind of factors that could shape the future of our community.Think real estate commissions are straightforward? Think again. The landscape is changing, and we're here to expertly guide you through the tumultuous terrain of class action lawsuits and commission practices. As realtors brace for the impact of new mandates set for July 2024, we analyze how these legal shake-ups protect clients and agents alike. Listen as we unravel the complexities of buyer brokerage agreements and dispel the myths surrounding commission structures. This conversation is crucial for anyone looking to navigate the real estate market with confidence and clarity.Finally, amidst the buzz of a hefty settlement by the National Association of Realtors, we champion the irreplaceable value realtors bring to the table. This episode goes beyond the surface to celebrate the emotional support, expertise, and sheer dedication that real estate professionals provide—qualities that simply can't be replicated by iBuying platforms or cold contracts. We spotlight the human element that is critical to the home-buying journey and address the real-world challenges that come with innovative selling models. Plus, stay tuned for our promise to divulge the comprehensive list of realtor duties next week, underscoring our unwavering commitment to transparency and earning every ounce of our clients' trust.Support the showWelcome to Vegas Realty Check, the informative podcast that dives deep into the world of Las Vegas real estate. Join us as we unravel the unique Las Vegas market and help you determining the best time to sell your home in this vibrant city. Our expert hosts break down the complexities of the ever-changing Las Vegas property market, analyze market trends, economic indicators, and unique property features to provide you with valuable insights on timing your home sale or purchase. Don't miss out on the fun! New episodes drop every Thursday! Stay in the know about Las Vegas real estate with insights straight from the pros . Get the scoop on local housing and community happenings . Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing! If you LOVE our content , Please subscribe to our show here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1428685/support Send Listener Questions to : VegasRealtyCheck@gmail.comAccess All Episodes at RealtyCheck.VegasWatch Live on Facebook Thursdays @9:30am PST https://www.facebook.com/VegasRealtyCheck ...
Unlock the secrets of Las Vegas's ever-evolving real estate landscape with your guides Trish Williams and Tiana Carroll, as we dissect the fresh February 2024 market stats. We're not just crunching numbers; we're giving you the insider scoop on the heartbeat of the city's property market. From the surge in single-family home sales to the rapid pace of luxury estates and bustling condo sales, we've got the lowdown on why, even in a climate of climbing interest rates, the neon city's market remains an alluring investment. Forget the naysayers predicting a downturn; our discussion peels back the layers of the market's current state, providing you with the why and how of Las Vegas real estate resilience.Have you ever wondered if a freeway might be more than just a route to work, but a factor in your home's value? We tackle a topic that's revving up interest amongst homeowners and potential buyers alike: the impact of freeway proximity on property allure. Learn how today's savvy sellers are turning potential drawbacks into selling points, and find out what's flying off the market in under a month. And for those curious about the latest in home efficiency, our chat navigates through the rise of propane, the evolution of electric stoves, and the skyrocketing popularity of modular homes, making this episode a must-listen for home design enthusiasts and eco-conscious investors alike.Step into the future of home living as we explore the innovative world of modular homes and the companies like Genesis leading the charge in cost-effective, stylish housing solutions. Whether it's off-grid living on large parcels of land or maximizing energy efficiency in residential design, we're bringing to light the advancements that are reshaping how we think about our living spaces. So, join us, Trish and Tiana, for a journey through the latest in Las Vegas real estate, where we lift the curtain on the trends and technologies that are transforming homes and investments in the city of lights.Support the showWelcome to Vegas Realty Check, the informative podcast that dives deep into the world of Las Vegas real estate. Join us as we unravel the unique Las Vegas market and help you determining the best time to sell your home in this vibrant city. Our expert hosts break down the complexities of the ever-changing Las Vegas property market, analyze market trends, economic indicators, and unique property features to provide you with valuable insights on timing your home sale or purchase. Don't miss out on the fun! New episodes drop every Thursday! Stay in the know about Las Vegas real estate with insights straight from the pros . Get the scoop on local housing and community happenings . Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing! If you LOVE our content , Please subscribe to our show here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1428685/support Send Listener Questions to : VegasRealtyCheck@gmail.comAccess All Episodes at RealtyCheck.VegasWatch Live on Facebook Thursdays @9:30am PST https://www.facebook.com/VegasRealtyCheck ...
Are you ready to unlock the secrets of the Las Vegas real estate market? Join us, Trish Williams and Tiana Caroll, as we break down the latest trends and insider tips for navigating the ever-changing property scene. With a current inventory dip to 3,291 homes, we're dissecting what this means for you, whether you're buying, selling, or just watching the market with bated breath. We also reminisce about the trials of March 2021 and why a fresh supply of listings is like spring rain for the parched desert of potential buyers.We've all had a "Valerie" in our lives—someone who cringes at the thought of "Lukey Loos" traipsing through their home during an open house. Let's chat about why this traditional selling tactic might be going the way of the dodo, and explore safer, more controlled strategies to get that "Sold" sign up. We'll also share personal stories from the trenches that reveal the surprising statistics behind open houses and their impact on sales. If you're on the fence about how to present your home to potential buyers, this episode is your guiding light.Ending on a practical note, we tackle lease-back agreements—those post-sale arrangements that can give sellers a temporary reprieve. We'll guide you through the dos and don'ts, complete with true-life narratives that highlight the importance of dotting the i's and crossing the t's. Plus, we'll offer a peek into the delicate dance between landlords and tenants when the conversation turns from rent to ownership. So whether you're a seasoned investor or making your first leap into the property market, tune in to gain invaluable insights from our real estate rendezvous.Support the showWelcome to Vegas Realty Check, the informative podcast that dives deep into the world of Las Vegas real estate. Join us as we unravel the unique Las Vegas market and help you determining the best time to sell your home in this vibrant city. Our expert hosts break down the complexities of the ever-changing Las Vegas property market, analyze market trends, economic indicators, and unique property features to provide you with valuable insights on timing your home sale or purchase. Don't miss out on the fun! New episodes drop every Thursday! Stay in the know about Las Vegas real estate with insights straight from the pros . Get the scoop on local housing and community happenings . Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing! If you LOVE our content , Please subscribe to our show here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1428685/support Send Listener Questions to : VegasRealtyCheck@gmail.comAccess All Episodes at RealtyCheck.VegasWatch Live on Facebook Thursdays @9:30am PST https://www.facebook.com/VegasRealtyCheckHost Info:Trish Williams Keller Williams The Marketplace
Unlock the door to your dream home as we navigate the vibrant and ever-shifting sands of the Las Vegas real estate market with the expertise of Gregory Cook from Castle and Cook. This spring heralds more than just the high pollen counts; it brings a whirlwind of activity with a tighter inventory of homes and a bloom in mortgage applications. Tune in to ride the wave of increasing home sales and price adjustments, and discover whether you can still charm concessions from sellers as competition heats up.As the complexities of the homebuying journey unfold, we dissect the unique challenges that lawyers face when leaping between firms — an often-underrated game-changer in maintaining loan qualification. Hear firsthand about the underwriting minefields, from expired credit reports to the sneaky impact of HOA fees, and learn why keeping your lender in the loop could make or break your purchase. Moreover, we're spilling the tea on why opening new credit lines amid your homebuying quest might just be the riskiest game of Russian roulette you'll ever play.Wrapping up with a flourish, our weekly real estate roundup ensures you won't get blindsided by mortgage lending pitfalls. We give you the lowdown on keeping your financial house in order, from the perturbing effects of large pre-closing purchases to the subtle nuances of soft credit pulls. Stay sharp and prepared as we equip you with the savvy to preserve your all-important debt-to-income ratio and sail smoothly to closing day. Remember, a stitch in time saves nine, so subscribe for your weekly dose of real estate wisdom and join us every Thursday at 9:30 AM.Support the showWelcome to Vegas Realty Check, the informative podcast that dives deep into the world of Las Vegas real estate. Join us as we unravel the unique Las Vegas market and help you determining the best time to sell your home in this vibrant city. Our expert hosts break down the complexities of the ever-changing Las Vegas property market, analyze market trends, economic indicators, and unique property features to provide you with valuable insights on timing your home sale or purchase. Don't miss out on the fun! New episodes drop every Thursday! Stay in the know about Las Vegas real estate with insights straight from the pros . Get the scoop on local housing and community happenings . Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing! If you LOVE our content , Please subscribe to our show here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1428685/support Send Listener Questions to : VegasRealtyCheck@gmail.comAccess All Episodes at RealtyCheck.VegasWatch Live on Facebook Thursdays @9:30am PST https://www.facebook.com/VegasRealtyCheckHost Info:Trish Williams Keller Williams The Marketplace
Ever wondered how the Las Vegas real estate market manages to sizzle even when the city's awash with Super Bowl mania? Join us, Trish Williams and Tiana Carroll, as we peel back the curtain on the housing hustle that's keeping us all on our game. This episode isn't just about touchdowns; we're tackling market stats, advising on savvy offers, and even discussing the potential of homes turned senior assisted living facilities. While the glitz and glamour of football festivities have the city abuzz, beneath the neon lights, the property market is pulsing with a life of its own. We're here to break down the numbers that tell a tale of a robust market, coaching you through the plays of navigating pre-approval processes and dissecting what's really meant by a 'good' neighborhood. It's a real estate playbook designed for everyone from the rookie homebuyer to the veteran property investor, filled with pro-tips to help you score in this competitive field.Gear up for a deep dive into the ever-evolving Las Vegas landscape as we explore the often-puzzling concept of neighborhood desirability and arm you with the tools to make that call yourself. Let's move past the football frenzy and focus on the real wins – finding your slice of Vegas paradise or making a smart investment move. With us as your guides, you're already ahead of the game.Support the showWelcome to Vegas Realty Check, the informative podcast that dives deep into the world of Las Vegas real estate. Join us as we unravel the unique Las Vegas market and help you determining the best time to sell your home in this vibrant city. Our expert hosts break down the complexities of the ever-changing Las Vegas property market, analyze market trends, economic indicators, and unique property features to provide you with valuable insights on timing your home sale or purchase. Don't miss out on the fun! New episodes drop every Thursday! Stay in the know about Las Vegas real estate with insights straight from the pros . Get the scoop on local housing and community happenings . Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing! If you LOVE our content , Please subscribe to our show here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1428685/support Send Listener Questions to : VegasRealtyCheck@gmail.comAccess All Episodes at RealtyCheck.VegasWatch Live on Facebook Thursdays @9:30am PST https://www.facebook.com/VegasRealtyCheckHost Info:Trish Williams Keller Williams The Marketplace
Ever wondered what sets a lavish Las Vegas mansion apart from the rest? Trish Williams and Tiana Carroll are here to whisk you away on an exclusive journey through the most opulent estates this city has to offer. Prepare to be amazed by our adventure into the world of luxury real estate where we explore the uniqueness of custom homes, the process of elegant upgrading, and the fascinating challenges developers face when crafting these extravagant palaces. It's a sumptuous tale of grandeur that reveals what it truly takes to personalize a property in the valley of the sun.But it's not just the glitz and glam we're discussing; we're also paying homage to the legendary Tropicana Hotel Casino. As it prepares for its final bow to make way for new developments in Vegas, we share our personal stories and the collective nostalgia for this iconic landmark. Alongside this salute, we give you a rundown on the current state of the real estate market, from the low inventory of homes to the high-octane competition. This episode is a heartfelt blend of fond farewells and pulse-checks on the market trends that could impact your next move.Lastly, step into the practical realm with us as we navigate the complex waters of selling homes that need a touch more love. Whether it's the strategic pricing or deciding between repair credits and pre-sale renovations, we've got advice that's as solid as the foundations of the homes we discuss. Plus, we don't shy away from the gritty topics, such as untangling property titles post-breakup or considering offers on already spoken-for homes. Tune in for a comprehensive guide that's bound to empower homeowners, investors, and the real estate-curious with the knowledge to make savvy decisions in Sin City's vibrant property scene.Support the showWelcome to Vegas Realty Check, the informative podcast that dives deep into the world of Las Vegas real estate. Join us as we unravel the unique Las Vegas market and help you determining the best time to sell your home in this vibrant city. Our expert hosts break down the complexities of the ever-changing Las Vegas property market, analyze market trends, economic indicators, and unique property features to provide you with valuable insights on timing your home sale or purchase. Don't miss out on the fun! New episodes drop every Thursday! Stay in the know about Las Vegas real estate with insights straight from the pros . Get the scoop on local housing and community happenings . Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing! If you LOVE our content , Please subscribe to our show here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1428685/support Send Listener Questions to : VegasRealtyCheck@gmail.comAccess All Episodes at RealtyCheck.VegasWatch Live on Facebook Thursdays @9:30am PST https://www.facebook.com/VegasRealtyCheckHost Info:Trish Williams Keller Williams The Marketplace
It's a rollercoaster out there in the real estate world, and Trish Williams along with Tiana Carroll are your expert guides through the twists and turns. This week at Vegas RealtyCheck, we grapple with the shockwaves sent by an unexpected rate hike while balancing on the tightrope of forecasts predicting a simmering 2024 market. Pull up a seat as we swap tales from the trenches of past market upheavals and sprinkle in sage advice about the long game of property investment — because sometimes, the best deals are the ones you wait for.As we navigate the murky waters of adjustable-rate mortgages making their encore appearance, you'll want to tighten your life vests. We dissect these financial creatures with precision, cautioning you against their seductive initial low rates with the help of none other than financial guru Dave Ramsey. Plus, we'll explore the creative lengths builders are going to keep buyers engaged, all the while connecting the dots between interest rates, market frenzy, and the perplexing dance of housing inventory. This conversation is a must-hear for aspiring homeowners and seasoned investors alike, ensuring you're armed with the knowledge to brave the current market conditions.Now, let's talk about why 'house trading' isn't as simple as sliding into a new set of wheels. Our episode peels back the layers on the financial intricacies involved when you're looking to switch up your living situation, dissecting the influence of mortgage rates and the true value of your home equity. We're busting myths and setting the record straight — this is not your typical car dealership experience. So if you're contemplating a move or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of real estate transactions, join us for insights that could save you time, stress, and money.Support the showWelcome to Vegas Realty Check, the informative podcast that dives deep into the world of Las Vegas real estate. Join us as we unravel the unique Las Vegas market and help you determining the best time to sell your home in this vibrant city. Our expert hosts break down the complexities of the ever-changing Las Vegas property market, analyze market trends, economic indicators, and unique property features to provide you with valuable insights on timing your home sale or purchase. Don't miss out on the fun! New episodes drop every Thursday! Stay in the know about Las Vegas real estate with insights straight from the pros . Get the scoop on local housing and community happenings . Thanks for watching, listening, and sharing! If you LOVE our content , Please subscribe to our show here https://www.buzzsprout.com/1428685/support Send Listener Questions to : VegasRealtyCheck@gmail.comAccess All Episodes at RealtyCheck.VegasWatch Live on Facebook Thursdays @9:30am PST https://www.facebook.com/VegasRealtyCheckHost Info:Trish Williams Keller Williams The Marketplace
In this episode, I interview Maria Kim, CEO of REDF. REDF is a venture philanthropy that invests in businesses that are dedicated to providing employees a second chance, including homeless or formerly incarcerated individuals. Maria talks about how REDF works, some of the businesses they support, and how we can build a more inclusive economy.
Zach Berke, Founder & Managing Partner at Exygy Zach oversees Exygy's strategy, design, and engineering work. He serves as the Account Manager for clients such as Children's Council, CARE, REDF, Benetech, and the SF Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development. Zach founded Exygy in 2004 with a vision: innovation and technology will accelerate progressive social change. This vision led Zach to build Exygy, the market-leading innovation agency in the for-purpose sector. Zach wrote his first line of code at age six, designed his first website at 12, co-founded a non-profit at 18, graduated with High Honors at 22, completed his AmeriCorps*VISTA fellowship at 23, and then started Exygy. A Bay Area native and father of three, today Zach is dedicated to improving the health and resilience of his community. Learn more about Exygy and the work they do: https://www.exygy.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/governmentcoins/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/governmentcoins/support
Zach Berke, Founder & Managing Partner at Exygy Zach oversees Exygy's strategy, design, and engineering work. He serves as the Account Manager for clients such as Children's Council, CARE, REDF, Benetech, and the SF Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development. Zach founded Exygy in 2004 with a vision: innovation and technology will accelerate progressive social change. This vision led Zach to build Exygy, the market-leading innovation agency in the for-purpose sector. Zach wrote his first line of code at age six, designed his first website at 12, co-founded a non-profit at 18, graduated with High Honors at 22, completed his AmeriCorps*VISTA fellowship at 23, and then started Exygy. A Bay Area native and father of three, today Zach is dedicated to improving the health and resilience of his community. Learn more about Exygy and the work they do: https://www.exygy.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/governmentcoins/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/governmentcoins/support
A vendor says the Food and Drink Festival going ahead this weekend is “offensive, the Steam Packet Company arranges day trips for those wanting to pay their respects to the Queen, claims that youth justice on the Isle of Man “falls short” when compared to the UK, and a Manx charity appeals for drivers to take people to medical appointments. Update with Barrie Redfern #iom #update #news #manxradio
SRI360 | Socially Responsible Investing, ESG, Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing
Jed Emerson (@BlendedValue) is an internationally recognized thought leader in impact investing, social entrepreneurship and strategic philanthropy and the Managing Director and Global Lead Impact Investing with Tiedemann Advisors. He has extensive experience leading, staffing, and advising funds, firms, social ventures, and foundations in pursuance of financial performance alongside social/environmental impact. Jed has authored numerous articles and papers on the subject, including the first book on impact investing (Impact Investing: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference). In 2018 he released his eighth book, The Purpose of Capital: Elements of Impact, Financial Flows and Natural Being.Originator of the Blended Value concept, Emerson is a Senior Fellow with the Center for Social Investment at Heidelberg University and has held faculty appointments at Oxford, Harvard, Stanford, and Kellogg business schools.Show notes: https://sri360.com/podcast/jed-emerson/About the SRI 360° Podcast: The SRI 360° Podcast is focused exclusively on sustainable & responsible investing. In each episode, Scott Arnell interviews a world-class investor who is an accomplished practitioner from all asset classes. In each interview, he covers everything from their early personal journeys—and what motivated and attracted them to commit their life energy to SRI—to insights on how they developed and executed their investment strategies and what challenges they face today. Each episode is a chance to go way below the surface with these impressive people and gain additional insights and useful lessons from professional investors. Connect with SRI 360°: Sign up for the free weekly email update: https://sri360.com/newsletter/ Visit the SRI 360° PODCAST: https://sri360.com/podcast/ Visit the SRI 360° WEBSITE: https://sri360.com/ Follow SRI 360° on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SRI360Growth/ Follow SRI 360° on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/SRI360Growth/SELECTED LINKS:KKR and Co. Inc.Roberts Enterprise Development Fund (REDF)RS Group AsiaGates FoundationLarkin Street Youth ServicesBlue Haven InitiativeAcumen FundOutcome Funding (Book)Impact Investing: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference (Book)The Purpose of Capital: Elements of Impact, Financial Flows and Natural Being (Book)PEOPLE MENTIONED:George R. RobertsAnnie ChenPatty StonsiferLiesel PritzkerJacqueline NovogratzEdward Abbey (Author)Walter Brueggemann
September 11th was a defining moment for millions of people around the world. And for Maria Kim, it was just that. At that time, she was working in the insurance industry, but the impact of that tragic day made her want to work with purpose. She eventually found herself as President & CEO of REDF, focusing on creating jobs for others. The daughter of immigrants, she jokes her nurse mother and entrepreneur father made her a social entrepreneur determined to help others. In this podcast, Maria shares lessons learned from her wide variety of work experiences she describes as a “three-act play” in the areas of private, purpose, and now practice. Her path wasn't always intentional but it was successful nonetheless and from that journey, she learned who she is and what she brings to the table. She is focused on fixing inequities in the workplace citing that even after all the work is done, 10 million people are still “boxed out of today's economy.” We all have something we can learn from Maria's unique insights. Visit https://www.iambeyondbarriers.com where you will find show notes and links to all the resources in this episode, including the best way to get in touch with Maria. Highlights: [02:15] Maria's path to her current position [04:11] Finding your purpose [06:52] How she found herself working in the service industry [09:03] Taking a risk and stepping into the unknown [12:13] Discovering your strengths and learning new skills [13:50] Maria's strength of building community [18:37] Bringing your unique skills to the table [21:49] How to make sure your talent stands out and overcoming stereotypes [25:19] Focusing on your goals [27:38] Work/life integration [30:55] Lighting round questions Quotes: “You don't have to be on the path you inherit. You can create your own path.” - Maria Kim “There's something about listening to your inner you that I think gives you the courage to hustle you through those stages of working your way back up the ladder.” – Maria Kim “We just spent the last two plus years looking at everyone's life through the screen of a Zoom room. We saw life in its full intersectionality—beautiful, ugly, everything in between, we saw all it, we saw kids, partners, everything. Let's not forget what we saw.” – Maria Kim “There are 10 million people in our country that are boxed out of today's economy, for a whole host of reasons that challenge the barriers they're overcoming.” – Maria Kim Lightning Round Questions: What book has greatly influenced you? “Crying in the H Mart” by Michelle Zauner What is your favorite inspiring quote or saying? “We can be a work in progress and a masterpiece all at the same time.” What is one word or moniker you would use to describe yourself? Fly foxy fish What is one change you've implanted that made your life better? Seeking first to understand, then be understood. What power song would you want playing as you walk out onto a stage? “Good as Hell” by Lizzo About Maria Kim: Maria is a reformed insurance professional who describes the chapters of her career as private, purpose, and now practice: private sector in insurance, purpose sector at Cara Collective helping people experiencing homelessness and poverty get back to work, and now consultative practice at REDF – a pioneering venture philanthropy investing in businesses that exist to hire overlooked talent across the country. Maria serves on the advisory boards of the First Women's Bank and the University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab. She is a 2008 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow, a 2012 American Marshall Memorial Fellow, a 2018 Vital Voices Global Ambassador, a former co-chair within Chicago Mayor Lightfoot's 2019 transition team, a 2020 Presidential Leadership Scholar, and a 2022 Distinguished Alumni in Public Service from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she received her MBA. A social impact enthusiast, advocate, and entrepreneur, Maria knows firsthand we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us; and our job – or more like our opportunity – is to pave the way for others to stand on ours. She writes about that journey as it relates to her time leading Cara in Voice and Vocation: A workforce practitioner's guide to building hopes, jobs, and opportunity. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasusankim/ https://twitter.com/mariasusankim Book: https://www.amazon.com/Voice-Vocation-workforce-practitioners-opportunity-ebook/dp/B093XZBGPV
There are so many stories across the news these days, focused on the ebb and flow of a global pandemic and how folks are responding. It's crucial during this period to not only stay informed, but also highlight the important work individuals across our country are doing to help that may go unnoticed. In this week's episode of Onward On-Air, host Jake Soberal chats with Lyndsey Gilpin, founder and editor at Southerly, about her experience running an online publication dedicated to amplifying the underrepresented voices of the American South, and Galiana Fajardo, Portfolio Manager at the Roberts Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), about working in venture philanthropy and helping mission-driven businesses navigate a way forward during the ongoing pandemic.
Should your organization be thinking about a social enterprise? Vivienne Lee of REDF joins us to talk about the reasons they succeed and the reasons they fail.
Maria Kim, CEO of Cara, in conversation with REDF’s president and CEO Carla Javits.
john a. powell, ED of Haas Institute, in conversation with REDF’s president and CEO Carla Javits.
Rodney Foxworth, Executive Director of BALLE, in conversation with REDF’s President and CEO Carla Javits.
Ever wonder how to make change from your current career to a totally different one? This week on Venture Vignettes, host Riana Shah speaks with Justin Davis on how to transition into investment from a radically different industry. Justin Davis was formerly a professional basketball player who played in Europe and for the NBA. Now, he's a portfolio manager at REDF, a venture philanthropy organization, where he oversees investments and is a part of the impact lending team, helping identify and support new lending opportunities. Before joining REDF, he got his MSX degree from Stanford Graduate School of Business and was a Community Engagement Officer at the Kapor Center for Social Impact, where he developed and led multiple initiatives that introduced youth of color to computer programming and tech careers. Listen to how Justin made the transition from playing basketball to tapping into his passion to help people, organizations, and companies. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/venture-vignettes/support
CaseyCast - the monthly podcast of The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Carla Javits is the president and CEO of REDF, a philanthropy that invests in employment-focused social enterprises. Casey’s Lisa Hamilton recently spoke with Javits about common employment barriers, the role of social enterprises in workforce development and how her organization plans to expand its range and impact. To learn more about this CaseyCast episode, visit https://www.aecf.org/blog/carla-javits-is-focused-on-jobs-millions-of-them/.
Carla Javits is President and CEO of REDF (The Roberts Enterprise Development Fund), a pioneering venture philanthropy galvanizing a national movement of social enterprises—purpose-driven, revenue-generating businesses that help people striving to overcome employment barriers get good jobs, keep those jobs, and build better lives. Through her stewardship, REDF has invested in more than 100 social enterprises in 21 states. These businesses have generated $327 million in revenue and employed 21,000 people—and counting. REDF’s goal is to see 50,000 people employed by 2020, contributing their skills and talents to our communities and helping to build a stronger, more inclusive society. Inspired by the leadership of REDF’s founder, George R. Roberts, Carla focuses on achieving measurable results by leveraging the business community’s knowledge, networks, and resources, and the mission of the nonprofit sector to address some of our country’s most pressing challenges. In fighting to create a more inclusive society, Carla is carrying on the legacy of her father, New York Senator Jacob Javits. In overseeing strategy, relationship building, and fundraising, Carla Javits works directly with the leadership team as well as the Board of Directors and Advisory Council which are instrumental to REDF’s success. In leading REDF’s national expansion, Carla has laid the foundation for REDF to dramatically increase the number of people whose lives are transformed by social enterprise. Under Carla’s leadership, REDF was awarded two federal Social Innovation Fund grants by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Additionally the Los Angeles Business Times awarded REDF the Nonprofit Social Enterprise of the Year award in 2013. San Francisco Magazine recognized Carla in their list of innovative Bay Area Philanthropists. Carla is called on frequently to share her expertise at a variety of domestic and international conferences and speaking engagements, including the Social Enterprise World Forum in Milan, Italy, the Social Traders Master Conference in Melbourne, Australia, and most recently, as part of the American Enterprise Institute “Disruptor” Series in Washington, DC. Before joining REDF, Carla was the national President and CEO of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, where she was responsible for providing grants, loans, and technical assistance to service-enriched housing initiatives that ended homelessness for tens of thousands. She was Program Analyst with the California Office of the Legislative Analyst and Director of Policy and Planning for the San Francisco Department of Social Services. Carla holds a BA and Master’s in Public Policy from UC Berkeley. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Melville Charitable Trust and as an Advisor to the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship at Duke University. Carla is President of the Marian B. and Jacob K. Javits Foundation; and a member of the Advisory Committee of The Philanthropic Initiative as well as the Insight Center for Community Economic Development’s National Advisory Board. Away from work, Carla likes spending time with her partner, her grown children, and her dog. She enjoys music, movies, theater, cooking, and being outdoors. Learn more about REDF here: http://redf.org/
Celebrating 20 years of building the social enterprise movement, we speak with Carla Javits of REDF The post 20 Years of Investing in Employment and Hope: Carla Javits of REDF appeared first on SEE Change Magazine.
Today, Steve speaks with Karen Chern from REDF about Social Enterprise and the potential positive impact it has in the world of triple bottom-line companies and society at large. Listen to this and other great P3 People podcasts at p3utah.org.
Our guest today is Esther Kim, an independent consultant based in San Francisco who focuses on serving clients in the social sector, including non-profits, philanthropies, and social enterprises. After getting her Masters degree in Environmental Engineering from MIT, Esther got her start in consulting at McKinsey, where she worked with energy, industrial, and nonprofit clients. She then spent nine years at REDF, a venture philanthropy firm based in San Francisco. In 2014, Esther set up her own consulting practice focusing on the social sector. In our discussion we talk about the similiarities and differences between serving for-profit and non-for-profit clients We discuss what it takes to transition into the social sector, the difference in vocabulary from the for-profit sector, and how Esther tweaks frameworks such as the Business Model Canvas to apply them in her work. She also shares an inspiring story of a social enterprise Esther helped to establish- a staffing agency- that has helped hundreds of formerly homeless individuals find stable jobs. You can find Esther online at www.estherkimconsulting.com
Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin. Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2imaVol. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. ------------------ Robert Frost suggested that taking the road less traveled made all the difference. The Women's Bean Project, a nonprofit in Denver, Colorado, employs only women generally considered unemployable. For nearly 30 years, the social enterprise has worked to help women learn to work by giving them jobs; that is how they make a difference. The "Bean," as insiders know it, was recently selected by REDF, a national organization that supports social enterprises like the Bean, that "provide jobs, support, and training to people who would otherwise have a tough time getting into the workforce," for a growth investment, according to Carla Javits, President and CEO of REDF. The Bean, according to CEO Tamra Ryan, generates $2.2 million in revenue and employs 75 women. The business generates a modest gross margin on sales of gourmet dried food products of just 8 percent. The organization's other costs are funded by grants and donations. ------------------ Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://bit.ly/2imaVol. Need a corporate social responsibility speaker? Learn more about Devin Thorpe at http://corporatesocialresponsibilityspeaker.com.
Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://onforb.es/20vvGiD. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwitunes or on Stitcher by clicking here: http://bit.ly/ymotwstitcher. Katelyn Dalton was a homeless addict. She considered herself to be “unemployable.” [Jump to page 2 to watch the live interview.] She says she was hurt and frustrated when she was rejected by prospective employers who rejected her application even when they said they were hiring. She boasts, “ I overcame it with self-perseverance and the support of social enterprises giving me the support and tools necessary to be successful.” The social enterprises she mentions were supported by REDF, a nonprofit that supports social enterprises that employ the “unemployable.” Founded in 1997 by KKR’s George Roberts, the organization is led today by Carla Javits. Dalton explains what it felt like to re-enter the workforce. “When I finally learned that I had the ability to be successful, I was worth it and I had value, I was able to put my 100 percent into my life and therefore become a star in the workplace.” Javits exults, “Katelyn’s experience reflects exactly what REDF aspires to do for tens of thousands of people – demonstrating the power that a job can have in transforming the life of an individual and making it possible for them to contribute in a positive way to their family, while also improving their community.” REDF works to replicate Dalton’s experience. Economic mobility, the process of moving up the socioeconomic ladder, is much more difficult in the U.S. than most of us appreciate. A surprising 43 percent of children born into poverty will remain poor over their entire lifetimes, according to REDF. Read the full Forbes article and watch the interview here: http://onforb.es/20vvGiD. Please consider whether a friend or colleague might benefit from this piece and, if so, share it.
It is difficult to address affordable housing without considering the issues of poverty and unemployment. They're inextricably connected and, often, the most successful programs are those that address more than one aspect of the vicious cycle that prevents so many people from being able to attain the dignity and security that make for a productive life. This episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast features a conversation with Carla Javits, President of REDF - Roberts Enterprise Development Fund - which has pioneered a model to employ individuals who are overcoming chronic poverty, homelessness, criminal history, substance abuse or mental illness. REDF helps to create and grow "double bottom line" enterprises that earn income while employing people with high barriers. For more information about REDF, please visit http://www.redf.org. For more information about the Affordable Housing Podcast, please visit http://EdenHousing.org
It is difficult to address affordable housing without considering the issues of poverty and unemployment. They're inextricably connected and, often, the most successful programs are those that address more than one aspect of the vicious cycle that prevents so many people from being able to attain the dignity and security that make for a productive life. This episode of the Affordable Housing Podcast features a conversation with Carla Javits, President of REDF - Roberts Enterprise Development Fund - which has pioneered a model to employ individuals who are overcoming chronic poverty, homelessness, criminal history, substance abuse or mental illness. REDF helps to create and grow "double bottom line" enterprises that earn income while employing people with high barriers. For more information about REDF, please visit http://www.redf.org. For more information about the Affordable Housing Podcast, please visit http://EdenHousing.org
In this episode of Bloody Angola: A Podcast by Woody Overton and Jim Chapman we bring you an amazing interview by our friends at The P2P Podcast (Penitentiaries to Penthouses)At 16, Kiana was convicted & sentenced to 2 life sentences without parole. While physically he was incarcerated, mentally he was FREE. Resilience is his name and after 17 years of living in the can God made a way for him to be in physical freedom.#formerlyincarcerated #prisonstories #redemption #secondchances #bloodyangolapodcast #woodyoverton #jimchapman #truecrime #realliferealcrimeBREAKING THE CHAINS - FULL TRANSCRIPT - BLOODY ANGOLA PODCASTJim: Hey, everyone, and welcome to Bloody Angola. A podcast 142 years in the making. The Complete Story of America's Bloodiest Prison. And I am Jim Chapman. Woody Everton cannot join us today. He is on assignment. But we're bringing you something different today. We did a two-part series, if you haven't checked it out yet, it's called Second Chances. It features a former inmate at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. He was actually the first juvenile released when the Supreme Court passed a law making it possible for juveniles who were sentenced to life in prison without parole to get a parole hearing after 25 years. If you haven't seen that episode yet, go check it out.This week, we have a very special episode. The guy we brought you the story of and who actually joined us for the two episodes of Second Chances, we met through our friends at Penitentiaries 2 Penthouses. It's a podcast known as P2P, and they interview formerly incarcerated people that are doing well as they acclimate back into society. When we did the Second Chances episodes, they were a big part of that, certainly a big part of making the introduction to the gentleman that came on the show. So, thank you so much to P2P.And they have an amazing podcast. So, we have decided that we're going to bring y'all one of their episodes and we're going to share it on our feed. We thought y'all would really enjoy it. We have some really, really big stuff about to pop off for Bloody Angola. I know that y'all are going to be real excited as we go through that process, but I think y'all will love this episode. It is with a gentleman by the name of Kiana Calloway who was in Angola for a very long time and has quite a story that you need to hear or that you will enjoy hearing. Without further ado, here's the P2P Podcast in their interview with Kiana Calloway. [P2P theme]Scott: Welcome, everybody. This is Scott with Penitentiaries 2 Penthouse Podcast. Shane: Yes, sir.Scott: I'm your host. To the left of me, we got Mr. Beatty.Beatty: Your best friend in real estate. Scott: To the right of me, we've got our guest, Mr. Kiana Calloway. Kiana: Swag out. What's happening? Scott: Special gentleman he is. And then, we got my partner over here to the left, Mr. Shane Johnson. Beatty: Big Shane.Shane: Yes, sir. 24 years successful now. Scott: There you go. We look forward to digging into today's message. Kiana, man has a powerful story. How I know Kiana is we work on a project together through the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana. Basically, that's nonprofit organization full of attorneys and policy people who march down to the state capitol every year.Kiana: Shoutout, JAC.Scott: JAC. And they do legislative work, so they propose bills, work with lobbyists, senators, representatives to pass criminal legal reform bills. The specific focus though is usually expungement legislation. For those of you who don't know what expungement legislation is, expungements are the things that guys like myself, Kiana, Mr. Shane over there need once we come home for opportunities. Whether it's employment, housing, life insurance, you name it, there's hundreds of things that we get denied for on a regular basis based on the fact that we made some mistakes in our lives and we've paid our time, we've paid our debt, and we're trying to get past that. So, the work that we're doing revolves around expungements. A, changing expungement law, but B, getting the knowledge and information out there because the average Joe that comes home from prison-Kiana: Don't even know about it.Scott: -don't know about expungements, don't know how to go about getting expungements. Furthermore--Shane: I am one.Scott: Yeah, exactly. And they're expensive as hell. You could easily rack up if you have multiple felonies, several thousand dollars just in paying the state, the district attorneys, and the clerks of court's office, not even including legal counsel. That's the work that the Justice and Accountability Center does. Me and Kiana are working on a project to get the expungement app through Justice and Accountability Center, the information there out. So, we're going to be traveling, presenting workshops, getting the information out there so that people can access expungements equitably.Kiana: Plug in, man, we're going to be in your areas very, very soon. Just being able to alleviate one of the collateral consequences that come after incarceration, I think that we're doing our part. And we'll be doing ourself a disservice, God, if we're not traveling, educating people about the work that we're putting in the state capitol. Keeping them informed that there's issues that you can get plugged into, but you just need to reach out. We can't do this in our silos. It's an honor to have run into a like-minded brother that's putting in work outside the bars because you are what you do, even when the camera is not on. [chuckles]Scott: Yeah, for sure. It's easy to look good on camera. It's harder to make it happen on the outside. But that's what I like to do. I'm just passionate about-- and just like you, passionate about making sure that people have opportunities, man, because I was given opportunities and I've had a lot of challenges, man, and I just want to see people be able to breeze through that process instead of getting caught in the hiccups.I do want to highlight a very successful human being today. As I said, I had the fortunate privilege of watching Kiana's documentary that's coming out real soon on a very, very national level. I told him today, and it's hard to get me to break down. And I told him, man-- [Shane laughs] Man, I watched it, dude, and they had some parts in it, I was just like [inhales deeply] and it'll really hit you. He's had a very, very challenged life, a lot of injustices, and I'm going to let him explain that. A lot of people see the part of the justice system that WAFB, whatever your local news channel post out there about people who commit crimes and their wrongs or whatever, but they don't talk about all those mugshots that they post where guys really didn't do what they were being accused of.I'm going to let Kiana take it from here, but if you don't mind, could you just kind of share a little bit about your upbringing and then what caused you or what led to the prison? And then we'll just kind of take it from thereKiana: Well, actually, the system led me to prison. Scott: Right. Kiana: We have to understand that the system was built to do exactly what it's doing. People say the system messed up. No, it's not messed up. It's doing exactly what it was scripted to do. We must always bring that energy back into the space. Just so happened that I have been resilient enough to really surpass the test that the system has caused upon my life. I've seen individuals in the same space, same situation, same cell, and six months later, they hung themselves because they can't handle the stresses or the traumatic expressions about being, one, either fomerly accused and convicted of a crime, or, two, just trying to figure out, like, "Man, is this my life? Is this what I'm supposed to be?" Not to get too deep into that, because my documentary, it basically shows resiliency. It shows the true test of time. Like, you can go through these hard spaces, but you have to be prepared to bounce back because everybody bounces back. Shane: Amen. Scott: What you're referring to is the school-to-prison pipeline? Kiana: Yes. Scott: Okay. Got you. Kiana: Everybody bounces back. Beatty: Explain the school-to-prison pipeline. Kiana: School-to-prison pipeline. Okay, I'm going to give it to you in layman terms. Beatty: Let's go. I am layman.[laughter] Scott: That sounds like a good movie title. [crosstalk] Beatty: I am he.Kiana: Okay, definitely. So, school-of-prison pipelines. I went to prison at 16 years old. If I was tested in the second or third grade and I read below a certain level, they built another cell for me. Just the way that it planned out, I ended up in that cell, that school-to-prison pipeline. If we understand the way that our America is functioning, three main attributes of human survival. Education, travel, and should I say-- I'll throw manufacturing and the building. Planes, the way planes first started, it crunk up, but now the evolution of planes is that it just takes off. They could probably put it on autopilot, ain't got nothing but to do the landing. And it's crazy, man. The car, it crunk up. Now, you pushed on. Why? Education is still the same. You sit in a single-file line. They teach you ABC, one, two, three and it never gives the whole individuality of the person. So, when we speak about school-to-prison pipeline, I walked through a metal detector when I was going to elementary school. If this is an educational institution, they should be focused on my education and not my protection or not my apprehension in so many different ways. We learn how to stand in a single-file line, walking to child hall, cafeteria. What did you do? You stood in a single-file line, and you walked to the child hall. I understand the level of control, but that's how institutionalized that we can be. People never have been to prison and are more institutionalized than someone that spent 50 years in the junk. Beatty: Concrete walls, fluorescent lighting. Kiana: Hey.Scott: Colors.Beatty: White, blue. Scott: Light blue. I guess to give that short synopsis of school-to-prison pipeline, at a young age, you experienced that-- we all do-- Kiana: It's a program. Scott: And then, which eventually led to? Kiana: Even since those days of single-file lines, straight line education, as today, we pump 72% of our state's budget into incarcerating someone instead of the education precinct. Only 13% or sometimes 7% of the budget goes to the adequate education of our youth. That shows the level of, should I say, support--Beatty: Focus.Kiana: Dependence, codependence, any word that we want to put into that space, because we must understand that it's systems that we're dealing with. These systems that we're dealing with has to be dismantled and it has to be dismantled from the inside. Scott just said that we have the privilege of working on the new task force, the Safe and Alternative Task Force, which is a governmental task force that was structured through last year's legislation, which gives us the opportunity to properly plan the effects of not only expungements, but the use of solitary confinement inside of our jails and prisons in the state of Louisiana.And sitting at these tables with the state attorney, with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Department of Corrections, I really start to understand that we are the experts in this field. Like, people are holding these positions and really don't know.Unison: Mm-hmm. Kiana: They really don't know the outlook of putting a face to incarceration. That's what we need to try to understand. Who are we incarcerating? How can we lead the nation in crime, but we have--Shane: The highest incarceration rate.Kiana: Yeah. Let me kind of bring this back. How can we be less in the nation in education, but highest in the nation in crime and incarceration? Scott: Going back to you being sentenced at a young age or going to jail or prison at a young age, can you share with us what happened and then jump into your experience? Kiana: I'm going to XYZ it because a lot of it is in the film.Scott: Yeah, don't spoil it.Kiana: Yeah, I don't want to do a spoiler alert, but, man, I look at my life as not a needle in the haystack. Yes, I was falsely apprehended, falsely accused, falsely convicted, sentenced to two lifes without the possibility of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Was said in the trial for my life to be deliberated on, like, "You either going to get life in prison, or we're going to send you to death row." Shane: Wow. Kiana: This is at the age of 16, just making 17.Scott: Swallow all that at the age of 16?Kiana: I had to swallow all of that, and now I have the opportunity to regurgitate that because now my pain is turning into passion. It's turning into my why. That's why I love waking up every morning. That's why I love opening my refrigerator. That's why I love playing with my daughter. Shoutout to my baby mama. Shoutout to my fiancé. I definitely got to say, what's happening T? I love you. A lot of these things that's taking place right now, I wouldn't do it without you on my side. Shane: Amen. Kiana: Yeah, definitely throw that in the space. The evolution of life sometimes, like even riding up here today, I've never been to Denham Springs a day in my life, but it felt like an epiphany. Getting off of this bridge, making this exit, I'm like, "Dang, they got a Cane's right here." [laughter] Kiana: I was tasting Cane's. It's basically trying to figure out, I am walking in the steps of my higher power, my divine energy. When I was laying in the cell, and I was like, "God, man, something got to happen." I woke up the next day, and I woke up the next day, and I woke up the next day. So, I'm looking at that right now, if we can kind of just think back to our prophetic literature that's in the books, and I'll say the Bible, Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, that's the acronym that I placed on it. Inside of this book, they have stories of great men. I placed myself inside of these great men while I was in that cell looking at these cinderblock walls, I had a 55-inch TV, so I read the story of Paul. Paul was a gangster. Paul wrote probably 85% of the book. Scott: And he marked a whole lot of people. Kiana: Man, he was a gangster. Paul used to rob, Paul used to steal, Paul used to kill, Paul was taking lives. That's for me. Let me get that move around. [laughter] Shane: He was more definitely--[crosstalk] Kiana: Move around, let me get that. Let me get that. Paul was incarcerated over 75% of his existence.Shane: Yes. Scott: And wrote a good portion-- Shane: And he was a great man.Kiana: Paul was incarcerated 75% of his existence.Shane: He was a great man.Kiana: He wrote books that stand the test of time till today. Prophetic hymns, metaphorical narrative that any culture can take and put it into their own existence. Every line, every piece, every scripture, every sentence, every dot, every comma means something. That's what we need to pay attention to in life. Every comma means something. If I had to trade my chicken plate so I could get on the phone, see people don't understand that type of narrative though. People don't understand that type of narrative. You see what I'm saying? Beatty: Tell everybody-Scott: Tell the laymen.Beatty: -what that means. Kiana: I spent 18 months in one of the most dehumanizing places that ever could have been created for a human being, and that was Camp J. Shane: Angola, Louisiana. Kiana: Angola, Louisiana. The Farm. Yes. So cooler one, cell 11. They got cell 10. Cell 11 was the last cell. They had a guy named Money that slept on side of me for 10 months. Every morning, he woke up singing, [in a singing tone] "It's been a long, a long time coming, but I know a change gon' come." Scott: Is that Money from RCC? Kiana: No, not that Money. This is the old Money--Scott: [crosstalk] Kiana: Yeah, I know who you're talking about. Money name was Alfred Baker. When I went to Camp J, Money had all been in Camp J for like 14 years at this time. Shane: Wow. Kiana: He got caught up-- [crosstalk] in that same cell. In that same sale. That's why I fight for solitary confinement today. Scott: Talk a little but about that, because I did hear you'd mentioned about solitary confinement kind of messed you up, so make sure touch on that. But solitary confinement, man, you'll go crazy sitting in--[crosstalk] Kiana: I've seen it. Scott: How did it affect you? Shane: Hold on. Chicken for the phone.Scott: Oh, yeah. Kiana: Okay. Shane: Keep us on point right there.Beatty: No. Are we talking trades? What are we doing?Kiana: So here we go, we're talking trades. So, I was in Camp J. The man come down, shift change, 6:00 and 6:00. We know shift change. 06:00, man come down. "Who wants to use the phone?" Friday, what's on Friday? In Unison: Chicken. Kiana: Exactly. Who wants to use the phone? Everybody hands coming out the bar. "Okay. Let me get them plates. How many people are not getting the chicken plate?"Beatty: [laughs] Kiana: Listen, I didn't talk to my-- Beatty: This is the guard?Kiana: This is the guard.Scott: He's trying to eat. Kiana: He's getting chicken so he could swing it on the other side of the town. Shane: You have to make an executive decision. Kiana: They got Joe's around the corner. So, you know it's a whole situation here. You only get one phone call every 30 days in Camp J at this time. Scott: Really? Kiana: I haven't talked to mom then. This was in '98. My mom got diagnosed with breast cancer. You've seen the space, my mom got diagnosed with breast cancer. I didn't know for like two and a half years that she was even-- She comes to see me one time, and her head was bald. I didn't know what was going on. Scott: Wow. She didn't tell you then?Kiana: She still didn't tell me. She just broke down crying. I'm like, "Baby, don't worry about it. We got this. I'm going to be able to give you your roses while you're still here." Shoutout, mom, she's still home. Every day, yes, I give her roses while she's still here. Scott: [crosstalk] -strong woman.Shane: Big love. Kiana: As you can see, my life revolved around the strength of this queen, and it shows. I'm going to try to amplify that to the best of my ability. Shoutout, mom, I love you. Anyway, I haven't talked to my mom in like three months at this time. What's going on? Every time I call, now I know that she was going through chemo, so she didn't even want to get on the phone weary. So, I'm talking to my sister, I'm talking to my brother, talking to my nephews. I'm talking to everybody but mom. I know, I know something ain't right. Something ain't right. She never did this. I was blessed my entire 17 years. Well, I spent 17 years in prison as a result of that conviction and still have 17 years on parole. I'm currently on parole.Scott: Unjustly.Kiana: Unjust. And currently on parole. Have 6 years remaining, been home 11 years. That was my main source of everything. Every month, Molly Diggs sent $100 to my account. Every month for 17 years. Man, if that's not a blessing, you know what I'm saying? Within itself because I used to take my $100 and split it down the middle so I could feed-- you were on the dome, you know what's happening.Shane: Yeah. Kiana: You know how'd that go. Shane: Believe me, I do.Kiana: This work that I'm doing out here, this is work that was prophetically distributing and manifesting itself in a can. I love brothers, I love you. It's how we do this. It's work that we got to do. But I'd be damned if I trade my chicken plate again though.Shane: That's right. [laughter] Kiana: I'd be damned if I traded that chicken plate again. Scott: Since we're talking about solitary, man, if you don't mind just kind of sharing a little bit about, A, how it affected you, how long you stayed in solitary, and then kind of tell the folks out there what solitary does to the mind. Because I have my own personal experience, I spent 11 months in solitary myself, sitting in cells. But I want to hear your take on it, and then I'll kind of chime in with mine.Kiana: Okay, so you want my professional take, or you want my personal experience? Scott: Personal experience.Shane: Personal. And keep it for the who? Layman?Beatty: Yeah, laymen, please. Name of the next movie, Only for the Layman. Kiana: When we're speaking about solitary confinement, let me put a definition to that first. Solitary confinement is a person placed in the one- or two-man cell for 23 hours or more without the ability of education, personal contact, air, exercise, everything that you are being deprived of. I'll just say deprived of all liberty and growth with no access to human contact. Basically, the first time that you are apprehended, when you get into a police car and they put the handcuffs on you and you go to a holding tank, let's call that solitary confinement. Some people may be placed in the cell with 14 people. Some people may be placed in the cell with two. Some people may be placed in the cell with one. Okay, so the effects of solitary confinement, what we're triggering here in Louisiana is the term "post-incarceration syndrome", and that is when a person who have spent a long time inside of any incarcerated state has mental transformations that may impede the normal ways of thinking.Now, that's where the tunnel comes in. It could be a mental disorder. It could be some similar to posttraumatic stress disorder. You could deal with insomnia, you could deal with claustrophobia, you could deal with depression, you can deal with-Scott: Anxiety. Kiana: -anxiety. There's so many different-- [crosstalk] yes. There's so many ways that you can kind of figure it out. So, when I first came home, I knew what I experienced personally. When I go to the bathroom, I take one leg on my [crosstalk] to take me a crap. Why do I do that? Because when I was in prison, I knew I had to be on guard at all times. Shane: All the time, every day. Scott: You can't stand up and fight with your pants down.Shane: No. Scott: [crosstalk] -free access to move around.Kiana: The thing about it is, when I came home, I still was continuing those traits until I realized, "Man, I could take my pants off. I could just slide them down right here. Nobody's going to come in the door and do me nothing." When I sit down to eat, my arm's on the table, and I'm doing what I'm doing because I know I got to be finished before this last dude is sitting down. That's a trigger for us. We all eat fast. Shane: I suffer from it right now.Scott: I still do. I've been home nine years, and I eat faster than most people. I'm in and out like that. Shane: [laughs] Kiana: So, I kind of compiled a lot of triggers that I identified as being posttraumatic effects of incarceration. Scott: From your stints in the cell blocks--[crosstalk] Kiana: Yes. Smell, sounds, certain things that I touch, certain things that touch me. Certain people that get around. I can't let nobody sit behind me while I'm in the car, if I'm in a movie theater. I can't go to a club. Like, a lot of those things were affecting me. During COVID-- this is when my father came into place. During COVID, I said, "You know what? The only way I'm going to understand my problem--" because I know it's a problem, but when I look around, I'm like, "Well, shit. What is normal? I'm not normal, but I see this dude here. He never been nowhere, but he more fucked up than me. He got issues. He got problems. You've been on here forever, and you calling me every day asking me for $20, $15, your daughter need shoes." Scott: Not Shane. Kiana: No. I'm just saying in general.Scott: I just want to clarify in case--[crosstalk] [laughter] Scott: Shane is a mooch. [laughs] Damn.Kiana: Just kind of figure it out, I traveled around Louisiana, I talked to over 275 individuals, and we talked about anything from-- and all of them were formerly incarcerated people.Scott: That's when 40--Kiana: That's when 40 for 40 Worldwide came into, during COVID.Shane: That's dope. Kiana: I knocked on doors. I took the camera to meet them where they were. We're going to talk about where you came from to become who you are today. Every individual that I talked to, they talk about every situation that I've experienced, situations that I may stumble across in the future. They gave me possible solutions that I could pull logic from. I'm like, "Damn, what can I do with this project? Okay, we're going to name it 40 for 40 Worldwide because I'm going to pull 40 of the most influential pieces out of this space, and I'm going to build a campaign in Louisiana that will allow people to come home and holistically heal." Whether it be through arts, whether it be through song, whether it be through poetry, whether it be through broadcast, whether it be through construction, whether it be through welding, whether it be through any mechanism, I feel we can do that as a channel. We can do that as a body of individuals. 40 for 40 Worldwide was to amplify the voices of formerly incarcerated people that have been through horrendous events in their life while serving time, ultimately gaining momentum to build 40 other individuals in 40 other states to implement some type of federal legislation that will add people returning home from incarceration into a protected class. Because there are over 40,000 collateral consequences that stop you from getting a job, from going to school, from getting insurance, from going to real estate school. There's so much that hinders you. It seems like people returning home from incarceration is the only social group that America still has permission to openly hate. Scott: I got denied for life insurance. Can't even get life insurance. Kiana: You see what I'm saying?Beatty: Yeah.Kiana: So, how can we humanize this space? In Louisiana, one out of every three individuals have been impacted by incarceration.Shane: Yes. Kiana: And we right here, three out of five, I don't know if the cameraman has a buddy or sister or brother or even if he'd been to prison. Cameraman: I'm just lucky I ain't been. [crosstalk] [laughter] Scott: Going back to the solitary thing, how long would you say in your 17 years that you spent just in solitary? Not in dormitories, but solitary. Kiana: Solitary confinement, out of 17 years, I've spent probably eight and a half. Close to nine. Scott: In solitary? Years? Kiana: Yes. Scott: Damn.Kiana: In Camp J, I spent close to 19 months. That was just from 1998 to 2000. When I first made it to Angola, me being a juvenile, they put me in the cell, they let me out to go into the dog pen for a while, and that was basically for a year. After that, minor offenses, because now I'm a boy transforming into a man in the man institution.Scott: You've got prove something.Kiana: It's not really proving it. It's just making sure that they don't prove me. I'm not here to prove who I am. Beatty: Preventive maintenance.Kiana: Yes. That's the type of person that I have been, is that I'm not here to prove that I'm a man. I'm here to prove that you're not going to fuck with me.Beatty: Yeah. Kiana: You know why? Because much respect is given, much respect is required. That's how I walk in life. I can have a relationship with Shane, and I can have a relationship with Scott. At the same time, my relationship with Shane and Scott is going to be identical because y'all deal with me identical. You feel what I'm saying? I'm not going to differentiate anything dealing with any situation in life. When I first went to Angola, my first time in the field, they called me Looney Tune. My number was 372220, I'll never forget it. I was at the end of the line. We in a line of 375 people do stuff with tools on their hand, and every time that man look around, they was [mimicking a shotgun] because I'm in the back trying to keep up. "Man, that dude crazy. Come here, Looney Tune. They're going to shoot you." Scott: Oh, the guards [crosstalk] shotguns--[crosstalk] Kiana: Yeah, because I can't keep up with the hose. I got locked up, every day is my first out in the field, I can't keep up with the hose. Shane: What did you say, Deuce Deuce? Kiana: That mean they lined up in tools. Beatty: Okay. I knew that. Kiana: You're not that lame. Scott: For the viewers.Kiana: For the viewers.Scott: For the viewers out there that don't know, when you go to Louisiana Department of Corrections State Penitentiary, you go onto the field when you get there.Kiana: You're picking cotton, man. Scott: Actually, we got Fat on here the other day, and he told his story about how they tried to make him go out there and pick cotton. Kiana: You're picking cotton, man, or you're going to ride like Fat.[laughter] Kiana: I'm telling you.Shane: As a [crosstalk] you're the number one.Cameraman: Camp J was so brutal.Kiana: That they shut it down. Cameraman: Yes. They closed--[crosstalk] Kiana: I had a hand in that.Scott: Talk about it. Kiana: I had a hand in that, man. So, it was a campaign. That was in 2013. Beatty: We're talking about the shutting down of Camp J if you didn't hear.Scott: Camp J is solitary confinement at Angola.Shane: It started in 2008. Kiana: Yeah. The campaign started in '08 but it actually got shut down in '13. Basically, man, just being able to lay in those cells and be like, "Man, this shit ain't right. I wish I had some people standing out fighting and fussing for me." When I came home, my first objective is, how can I get engaged? How can I get involved? What can I do? Man, I really would like to salute again. It's going to be a shoutout hour. You heard me shout out VOTE, Norris Henderson. Matter of fact, Norris's brother just got killed, man. So, we're going to lift him up, little daddy, man. Salute the little daddy. We lost a soldier. We lost a soldier, man. Definitely, I would like to give VOTE a shoutout in the space. They've been holding it down.Scott: Long time doing fighting work that most people, A, don't want to do, but, B, they can't do. Those guys, all formerly incarcerated, are leading the pack on criminal legal reform work in Louisiana. They got their hands in every-- dang, every piece of legislation that goes in front of state capitol for--[crosstalk] Shane: They're built to do that. Kiana: Definitely. Scott: They just opened up the little building too, right? Kiana: Yeah, definitely this year. I was a volunteer for VOTE when I first got into the game. Like in 2012, 2013, we did a lot of work around restoring the voting rights for formerly incarcerated people in Louisiana. Act 636.Scott: Then, they had a campaign to end solitary confinement in Camp J. Kiana: Well, no, this was kind of before. The Camp J space, I was on some freelance stuff. I partnered with The Village Keepers. That was the name of Jefferson Parish. I partnered with The Village Keepers, and they were doing some work around solitary confinement in Jefferson Parish. The work that I did toward Camp J was basically I told my story twice, how it was inhumane and how I laid in the cells and really like phantom and wondered if people were really out there putting in work. I didn't have the opportunity to speak at the capitol, but I knocked on some doors and passed out some flyers, got people involved, did a lot of work toward that end, but that was basically a backend thing because DOC was ready to kind of make amends with that space. Man, it was a dungeon.Shane: [crosstalk] -reparation for people. Kiana: Yeah, it was hell. What they did in '08 was they shut down the Boot tiers in 2008, they shut down the Shark tiers. The Shark tiers, they were like cells inside of a cell. You've got the cells and then you had had the big old Boot that slammed-- boom, slamming the front with the little trace slot right there. That's all you had to really move around. In 80--Scott: Wait, wait. Shane: In other states.Kiana: Oh, yeah, definitely. Scott: I'm trying to picture my own experience in solitary. When I've been on it, it's a cell block-- Is it something different than that? I haven't been on Camp J--[crosstalk]Kiana: This is the view. A lot of people may not picture this, but you can get it. If you're walking down the Beavers working cell block, imagine you take half of the hall out, where the cell doors are originally there, you take half of that tier out and you bring that out further with concrete blocks. Like a concrete steel block will come all the way out. On that concrete block, you have a steel door that slams, boom, with the [mimics locking]. You come through that door, and then you walk down that narrow hall, maybe halfway from here to like that door, and then the cells open and then you go on the cells. So, they lock the cells. Scott: So, they don't rack them back--[crosstalk] Kiana: No, they don't rack them back until they come to the cell and then handcuff and shackle you. Then, they come step out of that boot door and rack them back close, now you just in the space and then they open up the big door. Shane: In other states, states like Illinois and Chicago, Indiana, they call them two-door cells, because you have your first door, open that up. When they walk in, it's like maybe 6ft of space, officer walks to that cell, handcuff you, shackle you and everything and then leaves you out. Scott: Mind you, if something were to happen in your cell, whether it's medical or if you're sharing, I don't know how Camp J is, do they share [crosstalk] space?Kiana: That's one-man cell. Scott: If something was going down in the cell and not only are you behind bars, but you're also behind this barricaded force, you have no way of getting in touch with the guards to come, "Hey, I'm having a heart attack."Kiana: Can't even hear you. Scott: They can't hear you. So, you're just left to die. A lot of people that are on Camp J are awaiting trials. Especially if they're high-profile cases and different things like that, they might not necessarily be guilty of the crime, but they're sitting back there and they can possibly die because, A, all types of things happen medically when they become incarcerated.Kiana: Oh, man. They were coming through the walls. Shane: Breaking cinderblocks. Kiana: Coming through the walls. Busting through the walls.Scott: Who was? Kiana: The inmates. They bust through, they could bust through the walls. Scott: They come get you? Kiana: Yes. Scott: Oh, wow. Kiana: If they want you, they bust, they coming through the walls. I'm talking about there's so many times that they had to replaster the cinderblocks. Scott: So, they just going to get moles coming through?Kiana: Moles? Shane: No.Scott: How they getting through--[crosstalk] Kiana: You can use--[crosstalk] Shane: [crosstalk] Scott: Oh, you're talking about the guy on the side--[crosstalk] Kiana: In 1998, they took the block-- you know in the cellblock, they have the flap where you put your stuff in there? You take that up out of there, and you can go through the wall. Scott: No shit. Kiana: Yeah, you can go through the wall. Scott: Dudes are getting jugged up.Kiana: Going through the wall. Shane: Getting raped.Kiana: Listen to me, going through the wall.Scott: That's wild, man. Kiana: Listen, man, that is a world inside of a world, man. So, being mindful enough, and that's what I mean by, you guys are survivors. I didn't acknowledge my self-worth. I didn't acknowledge my value. But I think my job now is to pump that into you guys, because y'all are survivors, and y'all are experts in the way that this criminal justice world is about to be reformed. We cannot continue to allow people to plan meals for tables that they never slid a seat under. How can you give me cheese and I'm lactose intolerant? I don't eat cheese and ice cream. I can't deal with that. But you're still putting that on my table, and you wonder why I got diarrhea. Shane: Because you just don't know.[laughter] Kiana: You wonder why I got diarrhea. Scott: That's a nice analogy. Kiana: You wonder why my communities are underresourced. I got to go find it. I can't buy toilet paper, so I'm going to come shit on your lawn. [laughter] Kiana: I'm just trying to figure like that, because that's what we got to understand, man. Life is about who we are. We are life. We are the movers and shakers. We create every sphere, every business. Like the United States of America is a 501(c)(3) organization. It is a nonprofit. We bought into that. When we were born, our family signed our birth certificates and Social Security cards and put us into this entity. We have to understand, we need to pull control of that entity. Use our democracy, get out there and vote and put people in positions who have your best interests at heart.Don't just come to my house [chuckles] and shoot me some sugar. And now I'm walking, I've got a banana in my tailpipe. I'm blowing up every time I go somewhere. It's crazy. And that's what we're allowing, that's what we have been allowing. And I hope that people understand that this work I do, I can't put a tag on it, bro. I do everything. I do reform. I do litigation. I do policy. I do programs. I do training. I hold peer support groups, like the same groups that we held inside with Project Detour. Beatty: Shoutout.Kiana: Shoutout Project Detour. That was started in RCC. Scott: Turn around, show the back. Can you turn around?Kiana: I could, but we're going to wait [crosstalk] shot at the end.Beatty: We'll put that later. Scott: Like a whole baseball player. Kiana: Definitely, man.Scott: He did homerun.Kiana: But, yeah, this was an organization that we started in Rayburn, man, in RCC. Scott: Okay. Kiana: We started this in RCC, and we've seen the impact on the individuals on the tier with it.Scott: RCC is Rayburn Correctional Center in Angie, Louisiana. It's a state penitentiary. Kiana: Yes. We've seen the impact on individuals on the compound, people that didn't give a rattin' ass about nothing. Scott: Give us an example of one of the guys.Kiana: Reggie. Scott: Quetan?Kiana: Yes. Reggie was in the block. As a matter of fact, Reggie is in Austin right now.Scott: Okay. I knew he moved out there.Kiana: Yeah, he's staying in Austin. I've seen him when I was on a fellowship with REDF. Shoutout, REDF, that's my accelerator teaching me how to turn my business into a business. Yeah, I needed that. Just floating on the wings, man. I want to say, yeah, man. Ooh. I did like 80 hours of training in like four days. But anyway--Scott: Who is this?Kiana: REDF Accelerator. Scott: Is that a program or a guy? Kiana: That's a program. My fellowship. I'm part of a fellowship. REDF Accelerator. Scott: Okay, cool. Kiana: So, yeah, definitely. Partnering with 18 other entrepreneurs across the state. They chose us out of like-- 500 employment social enterprises is what we're calling our business at this point. Just trying to figure out how can we figure out those key performance indicators, man, and make sure that double line bottom is on point. Scott: You said you ran into Reggie.Kiana: Yeah, I ran into Reggie, man. And Reggie now is a photographer. He's doing some great work. Shane: Wow.Kiana: He's doing some great work, man. Reg is really holding it down. Scott: You ran into Reg at Rayburn.Kiana: Reg was an asshole. Scott: Yeah. Kiana: You know, Reg stayed in and out the blocks. Reg will fight. Reg will curse you out. Reg will jump on the free man. He'll end up on Snow when he's housing on Wind.Scott: Snow is the working cellblocks. Kiana: Yeah. Shoutout Rayburn. But, yeah, definitely. Once we started Project Detour, started with Pat, Vladi, all of us was the board in that space. We've seen how Reggie-- there was countless other Reggies that was a part of that. We've seen a development in that space. Once we start showing them that they can take ownership in their own personal development, we've seen it, understanding that we're not just going to talk about Sigmund Freud and Eric Burns. We're not going to talk about the three personality traits. We know you understand what they are, but this is who created them and this is how they created them. And we can do the same.Once we've seen that, built that brotherhood, and Reggie's turned from a writeup every week to a writeup and no writeups in two, three years. So, we see that it's working. We see that they start taking ownership and accountability for their own actions. Why can't that be replicated out here? Scott: That's what you're doing now.Kiana: I came home in 2011, man. Project Detour was founded in 2013, once I figured out how business was supposed to look.Scott: So, you came home in 2011. Tell us about your transition out, some of the challenges you had, and then let's kind of talk about all of-- this dude's got his hand in 100 different pots that he created. I'm not talking about pots that other people created that he's jumping into. He created those pots. So, let's talk about that. Tell us about the challenges you faced coming home. Kiana: I always was a smart guy, I could say. I know how to read and write. So, the challenges that I faced were systemic challenges because the physical challenges, I was able to maneuver around them. For an example, I came home on a Wednesday. Friday, I was working as a crane mechanic. Never touched a crane a day in my life. Don't know what a crane looked like, but I was hired as a crane operator. Riding down Fourth Street, turned down Engineers Row, see [unintelligible 00:45:21] "crane operators, hiring now. Crane operators, hiring now." I pulled into H&E. Shoutout to H&E Equipment. Pulled into H&E parking lots, sat down. One guy comes out, I said, "Hey, man, what do you do?" He said, "I'm a crane operator." I said, "What y'all operating?" And he said, "Man, [unintelligible 00:45:38] it's a walk 7200s, 41000s, 4000s." [laughter] Kiana: I'm like, "All right, cool." Scott: I got that. Kiana: I go home--Scott: I got my driver's license. [laughter] Kiana: I just got my driver's license. I'm 34 years old, man, I just got my driver's license for the first time in my life. I'm happy. So, I go home, YouTube University. YouTube University. I jumped on YouTube.Beatty: Shoutout to YouTube University. Kiana: Jumped on YouTube, man. Put in "manual to [unintelligible 00:46:03] 4100s, 41000, 7200s, 72,000s." They told me, man, like, "This is what you do. This is how you start it. This is how you grease your lines. Check your lines before you get in there." Next day, I went over there. I went back to H&E, filled out an application. Have you ever been convicted of a felony? I checked no. If I check yeah, they're not even going to talk to me. Right? Scott: Right. I don't blame you.Kiana: Yeah, I check no.Scott: I'm all for it. I support it. Kiana: I check no. They took my application that day, they called me back the next day. Actually, I was at the head, because minority crane operators are nine and void. Scott: High demand. Kiana: Yes, nine and void. Really, really nine and void. I ain't no shit about no crane. I know you can make $50 to operate the crane for 10 minutes. Shane: Yes, sir. Kiana: I didn't know that. $50 an hour, and you up there 12 hours a day, but you're only working for 10 minutes, 15 minutes. They called me, and I went in the next day. I had my nice shoes on, my suit, I'm job ready. I'm ready for this. I'm prepared. And that's what a man like-- you could start at 41? I'm like, "Yeah, I can start." He said, "Come on, let's go. We don't need the interview. I just want to see if you could do it." So, we went out there, I walked around the crane, looked up under it, popped the bottom where the lines were at. I always checked the grease lines. When I did that, said, "Hey, man, we're going to get you trained."Scott: We got one professional. Kiana: That was basically all it took. I worked there for my first two and a half, three years.Scott: Let me ask you a question. The no box on the application, that never came up?Kiana: It never came up until my passion of what I wanted to do in life. It started really burning me because I started getting frustrated with waking up in the morning.Scott: Working for somebody else?Kiana: Not really working for somebody else. I'm not aligning myself with what I'm supposed to be doing. Scott: Okay, I feel you. I understand that.Kiana: I'm making good money. At this point, I'm a crane mechanic. I went to training. I just started getting some things to really put me in a position to be this operator. But I'm waking up in the morning and I'm like--Shane: You're not happy.Beatty: Yeah.Scott: You don't feel like you feel--[crosstalk] Kiana: I'm in the tool room and the conversations that I was having a year ago, I'm not having these conversations with these people. I'm not feeling it. I'm starting to see myself drift more into Project Detour, because now I'm starting to take my check, and I'm taking young kids in my community, and we go and get some chicken and sit under the park and talk for 45 minutes, asking them what they need. Now, I'm taking my check, and now I'm helping them get school uniforms and putting shoes on their feet and attending the football games and trying to help out with the coaches and talking to the students.Then, I started actually getting in tune with the courts because a lot of my young brothers had records. I had to sign them off on my [unintelligible [00:44:53] because their daddy in jail and their mom out on drugs. So, I started seeing that I was needed in the space that I wasn't occupying. I was getting money. I'm straight. I'm driving a Range Rover, this is in '13, I got a 12 Range Rover, just came out, of BMW. I'm doing good. Scott: Bought by H&E crane money? Kiana: Yes, definitely. Shane: Mechanic money that is.Kiana: But when you're not aligned with your values in life, man, you can have all the riches in the world, it's not going to sit right with you. It's not going to feel because right now, man, I feel I'm in the best place in my life that I have been in my life, and I look at every day as me getting better than I was yesterday, because my worst day out here subsides the best day I had inside of there. Shane: That's right. Kiana: It oversees, it just demolishes. Scott: From H&E, you just said, "Hey, look, I'm going to--" [crosstalk] Kiana: Yeah, I've got to go. I've got to start what I want to do. I want to start my passion. Scott: So, what was next? Kiana: So, Project Detour was next. Project Detour, full-fledged. Got the board, got the bylaws, got the policies and procedures in order, got everybody on the card. We just started doing a lot of mentoring in the city, and then I went back to school. Now, it's me running the organization, attending Delgado Community College full time. Shoutout Delgado. Shane: Big shoutout--[crosstalk] Scott: What's their mascot?Kiana: The Patriot. Scott: The Patriot. Kiana: Yeah, they're a patriot. Scott: Delgado Patriot. Kiana: If I got you wrong, shoutout Delgado. [laughter] Kiana: Something like that a buccaneer or a patriot. But, yeah, definitely I'm getting my criminal justice degree. Actually, I have eight more credits that I need, so I'll be graduating next year. Scott: Are you still going right now? Kiana: Yeah, I'm attending SUNO right now. Shoutout SUNO. It's a lot that I'm doing, man. I'm trying to better myself in all aspects, not just my personal outside life, but my internal being. All of that comes into the space, and I don't think that I'm going to be fully, fully healed until I get exonerated. So, that's what I'm working on right now.Shane: Fulfilling that passion, that burning desire. Kiana: I'm working with the district attorney now with Jefferson Parish. We've been having maybe a few meetings, a couple of meetings, and that's how I want to close the film with him saying, "Yeah, Kiana, we think that you have done everything that you've need to need to do in the course of your life, man, and we want to honor your wishes." [crosstalk] Scott: Are you working with--? Kiana: Paul Connick? Scott: No, the organization that does the--Kiana: The Innocent Project? Scott: Yeah.Kiana: Funny story about that, man. The Innocent Project, they don't work with individuals who's free. Scott: Oh, they only do incarcerated.Kiana: Yes. That was a problem that I really didn't understand when I went to them, because, trust me, I probably ruffled every feather in the state of Louisiana trying to see what can I do, until I was just like, "You know what? Just keep walking in your purpose. It's not what you're doing, is where you're going." That's the overall piece of this entire synopsis, man. I think that's when I'm going to get completely holistically healed. Well, I could be able to get exonerated. I've done a lot of work and then once I get exonerated, I want to continue to be a force. Scott: I want to ask you this. I'm completely guilty of all the crimes that I committed. So, when I was in prison, I had to-- go ahead.Beatty: Allegedly committed. [laughter] Scott: No, I did all that. Kiana: He was convicted, so it's over. Scott: It's over. I was in prison, and I had to swallow the pill, "Okay, you've done a lot of dumb shit and I'm paying for it." But I can't imagine the mental that a person must go through in your situation that spent 17 years in prison and not have done the crime. Dude, I don't want you to go into great detail because I know, but what's the mental process for that? Kiana: It was basically piggybacking what you just said. I have done a lot of shit in my life. I wasn't a choir boy when I was out here. A lot of things that I didn't do, it shouldn't have amount to that sentence, that such severe sentence. But just being open minded, you can imprison me physically, but you can't entrap my mind, that was kind of like the cage bird sings. I strive myself on education because I was so uneducated sitting in this trial. Only thing I could understand is objection, overrule, sustained, objection, overrule, sustained. What does that mean? I know when they say that, the judge say something that counters what they say. So, I felt stupid. It felt like I was in Charlie Brown. [onomatopoeia] That's how my entire trial felt. And my trial was like nine days, the first one. Might I add that it was a non-unanimous jury? Shout out to the UJC. Scott: [crosstalk] -nonunanimous jury. You want to explain what that means real quick for our layman? Kiana: Yeah, for the laymen. Non-unanimous jury, I was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder, non-unanimously, meaning that 1 person out of the 12 said that I was innocent, saying that the state did not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, which the law states that you should be judged by a jury of your peers and unanimously deliberated upon. Louisiana and Oregon were the last two states that upheld the non-unanimous jury pool, which means that 10 people can say that you're guilty, and two people can say that they don't believe that you're guilty, and you still can be sent to prison for life. And that happened to me twice. My first trial was 11-1. I was found guilty and sentenced to life. In 1998, with the great help of Christopher Aberle, my appellate attorney, shoutout Chris, He put together a wonderful brief, and my case was remanded and set aside for further proceedings.I was sent back to Jefferson Paris, tried again for second-degree murder, and I was found guilty again. That jury deliberations were 10-2. Two people said this time that, "Oh no, he didn't do that." And 10 people said, "Yes." I was found guilty again on a lesser charge, which was manslaughter. They sentenced me to 34 years under Act 138, which gave me 17 years inside of a penal institution and 17 years remaining on parole. Honestly, we have right now currently over 5700 people that are incarcerated, serving life or high numbers on a non-unanimous jury. That PJI, shoutout PJI, Promise of Justice Initiative, they're working closely trying to get those individuals home on that. In 2018, I had the-- man, that was one of the peak campaigns in my existence. Scott: I do want to talk about the documentary that I had the fortunate privilege of watching.Kiana: Kiana's Mission. Scott: Yeah, man. I said at the beginning of this podcast, it takes to make me cry. My wife would say different. She says I'm a big teddy bear. I don't believe that. I believe I'm a big lion. But I did, and I teared up and it touched me on multiple spots in the documentary. I want you to talk about that a little bit and then talk about 40 for 40 and then Roots. Just tell everybody about what inspired the documentary and how long you've been doing it. Kiana: Definitely. Kiana's Mission is a documentary, like I said a little bit earlier, it's a story about resilience. It's a story about overcoming the hurdles of life and coming out the end still feeling prosperous. I've been shooting this documentary maybe about-- what we in '22 now? So, maybe about nine years, having the ability to get introduced to a camera. When I came home, I learned that the camera is therapeutic, being able to sit down and tell pieces about you and not feel vulnerable, because eventually somebody may see this and it may help change their lives.What I did was I just walked around with the camera with me all day taking basic photos, and then I was like, "You know what, bro? I think it's time that you start putting your life in perspective. How can you get your story heard?" Because everybody has a story. Not everybody makes it to cable. Everybody has their intention. So, just having the ability to be in a position to where my life work, it needs to be televised. So, I'm working with Roots of Renewal. Shoutout Roots. Shane: Shoutout big Roots.Kiana: I'm the ED over there. Scott: What's Roots? Kiana: Roots is a reentry organization geared to our young men, 18 to 26, reentering home from incarceration. Scott: Is that in New Orleans? Kiana: Yes, New Orleans. Actually, we're in three different parishes. We're in New Orleans. We're in Jefferson and we're in Terrebonne. Just being available for those young men. What we do is we purchase blighted properties throughout the city's area, rehab them, give the guys job skills so that they may be productive in the construction field if they choose to.Beatty: That's awesome. Kiana: Yeah, definitely. Scott: They get any type of certification? Kiana: Yes, definitely. So, I pride myself on training.Scott: Okay.Kiana: I think that we can't go through life without the proper tools. Once they come to Roots, what we do-- In the documentary, you can see that I have that camera setting up, interviewing my young men, because that's the first initial engagement. I want you to understand that I want to know how you were when you first came to me. And then throughout the middle course of this pace, we're going to do another one, just to do a recap, a summary on what you have done. I use the Poverty Stoplight method. Shout out Dr. Martin Burt. He's running for president of Paraguay. Man, I got you, you're my dog. I'm on your team. Beatty: You've got my vote.Kiana: You already know. I was introduced to the Poverty Stoplight, Dr. Martin Burt, maybe in about 2017. Scott: Is he from New Orleans? Kiana: No. He's from Paraguay. Scott: Oh, Paraguay. That's the country?Kiana: Yeah. Scott: Where is that at? I'm geographically challenged. Kiana: That's like in the Middle East over there by Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, but not in that area. Scott: Oh. He's running for the president of that country.Kiana: Of that country, yes. He's already the secretary.Scott: Hey, my boy got president friends. Kiana: Yeah, definitely. I'm actually in his book. You could go check it out Who Owns Poverty. Kiana Calloway is in that space. He's a professor at Georgetown University. Scott: I'm going to get your autograph before you leave.Kiana: Oh, man. I got some things--Scott: [crosstalk] -now before you blow really big.Kiana: I've got something on the horizon, man.Scott: I bet you do.Kiana: So, working with Dr. Martin Burt, we sat down, and he told me about how broke poverty down into six dimensions. Income and infrastructure, education and employment, housing and motivation, and integrity and insurance. It shows how we can put these indicators into a life map so that you can actually see what poverty looks like. Instead of feeling it, now you can see it. Scott: How does it work as far as showing the guys? Is it a progress chart or something? Kiana: Yeah, definitely. It gives back in data on-- it comes into the red, yellow, and green. What I did was I restructured that model because the way that poverty looks in Paraguay, it don't look this way in Uptown New Orleans.Shane: That's right. Kiana: What we did was we developed the New Orleans spectrum, I'm the parenting hub here in the United States that had this data tool. Anyway, so what we did was we identified, if you're coming home from incarceration, it's practically like you're bankrupt. You're coming home after filing bankruptcy. You have nothing. Income, transportation, housing, internet access, a clean bed to sleep in, all of those are indicators of poverty, but we don't understand that, so when we come home--Shane: And it's vital.Kiana: Very vital. They're vital to you reentering, and they're vital to recidivism. If you start with Roots of Renewal in the 26 survey, and out of the 26 questions, you have 25 reds, we got work to do. Like, we got work to do. Scott: So, they fill out an assessment. Kiana: Yes. Scott: And then, you track their progress based on that assessment. Kiana: As we work forward, the tools that they need.Scott: [crosstalk] -red to yellow to green. Kiana: Reds to yellows to greens. Scott: Nice. Kiana: We try to achieve that in four months because Roots of Renewal is a 16 week job training program. Inside of that program, which Project Detour, is over the programming side of it, it gives personal development courses, financial literacy courses. It gives critical thinking, transaction analysis. We deal with the rehabilitation of the being because--Shane: Of the individual.Kiana: Of the individual. We need you to be in the right space if we want to send you to this job. So, we've got to help you build this resume. We partner with local construction companies throughout those areas so that long-term employment is definitely in the realms.Scott: After the program.Kiana: Exactly. Along with lifetime membership, alumni perks, because once you get in the Roots, man, you're a brother now. It's not that you just come through a program or a project. No, you got my seven numbers. You could call my seven numbers at any given time, and they do that right now. Scott: It's awesome, man. Kiana: Yeah, definitely. So, that's Roots of Renewal. I began to be the ED at Roots of Renewal in 2019. I started there as the programs manager, just dealing with the programs with Project Detour. I was contracted in through Amy and Brendan, who were the actual founders of this space, as the programs manager. I definitely just dealt with peer support groups. Like, how can we develop a curriculum that's going to show the impact of these individuals actually reentering? We got a non-recidivism rate of 98.9%. Only one brother, and that's Javelle. He comes home next month, I believe. Shoutout, Javelle, we got you when you get out here, man. Just trying to stay active, implying myself into a space the way I know that I'm desperately needed. Scott: Man, you're doing it. Also, an Instagram page that caught my eye that you also set up, and it's a project that you work on 40 for 40. Tell the audience about the 40 for 40, A, what they need to look up, and then, B, what prompted it and how that went.Kiana: 40 for 40 Worldwide. Definitely, man. Like I said, during COVID me, Durado Brooks-- Shoutout, Durado. Mark Kerry. Shoutout, Mark. We traveled Louisiana, man, and we had an opportunity of interviewing over 400 individuals that's formerly incarcerated. Over 400 formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs. A lot of these individuals have their own businesses, started their own businesses. We went to donut shops, we went to sandwich shops. We went to Twisted Wings, Twisted Burgers. We went out there while people were cutting grass and washing cars. Everywhere that they were, when we say we were in their space, we were pulling up on them for like an hour. We had the conversation, man. "Tell me what it's like after incarceration?" Man, the stories were beautiful. I just had to try to figure out how can we take that collage and turn it into power because our stories are powerful within themselves. So, during COVID, me, Durado, Mark, we sat down on the videos, we kept going over them. Actually, this year, I said, "Man, we need to do something with this. Let's drop a Black History Month project." So, that's where the Instagram came from. We drop one story every day of Black History Month-Scott: For 28 days. Kiana: For 28 days, you're going to see 28, and we're going to do the same thing next Black History Month. We're going to try to replicate that. Scott: It's like an annual thing. Kiana: Yes. It don't make sense to just have it once. We correlated stories, we drop one every day, and we correlated these stories of impacted survivors today. If you could read the actual captions, we're putting them in the spaces of W. E. B. Du Bois. We put them in the spaces with Medgar Evers. We put them in the spaces with Fred Hampton. Like, we're putting them in the same energy to let them know that man, the narrative that our ancestors were speaking-- and I don't say ancestors, I'm talking like, 40 years ago, 50 years ago, 60 years ago. The same narrative that they were speaking, we're still saying that same narrative. I think that we need to wake up and understand, how can we put a face to pain? They went through a lot, but they're overcomers. They're survivors. So, yeah, go punch into Instagram, 40 for 40 Worldwide. If you are in any other state that has a jail, contact us, because we're coming into your state. Jim: All right. I don't ever do this, by the way. I normally sit back behind that camera unless I'm running my podcast. But I'm going to tell you what you inspired me--Scott: What's your podcast?Jim: Local Leaders: The Podcast, Bloody Angola. I produce Real Life Real Crime with Woody Overton and got a bunch more coming out. I've listened to everything that you said, and inspiring. Inspiring shit. I'll tell you-- Kiana: Appreciate it.Shane: Real shit too. Jim: Yes, exactly. What impresses me the most about you is you said something a few minutes ago. You give back a lot. A true leader gives back. We are raised in our lives to believe being first in anything is the leader, winning. No, giving back is winning. You have done nothing but have people-- in my opinion, people try to hold you down, and it seems like the harder you get held down, the harder you push back. And that's an innate quality. It's rare and impressive, man. I want to obviously shout you out for that. But I have one question. Before all this happened in your life, we
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