Keeping It Real with Dr. Anita

 Hello Community!  In case you hadn’t noticed, DEI is at a crossroads.   But here’s the hard truth: If we want to move forward, we have to get real about total diversity. That means making room at the table for everyone, including those who have been skeptical or outright opposed to past diversity approaches. If we say we want inclusion, that has to include people we may not agree with. Otherwise, what are we really building? Join me for another Real Conversation from the C-Suite with my guests, Todd Levinson and Andre Thomas, co-hosts of The Healing Race Podcast, as they help us unpack what gets in the way when we talk about race in real ways that increase understanding. Connect with me!Web - https://www.doctoranita.com/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTubeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/

Hello Community! This month on Real Conversations from the C-Suite I will be joined by Todd Levinson and Andre Thomas co-founders and hosts of the podcast The Healing Race Show.  Friends for over 25 years, Todd is a Jewish man and best friends with Andre, a gay African American man, and they freely talk about living in each other’s presence as roommates and now co-hosts.  It’s the most fascinating Real Conversation from the C-Suite you’ve ever heard. Connect with me!Web - https://www.doctoranita.com/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTubeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/

Hello Community! Beginning with a shout-out to National Women’s Day on March 8th, and Ceasar Chavez Day on March 31st, I have quite a bit to share with you today.  For the past few years, the term "DEI" has carried both promise and pressure. It's been a rallying cry for progress, but in some spaces, it's become a political lightning rod. We are at a crossroads. At its core, this work isn’t about checking boxes, establishing quotas, or maintaining compliance.  Retiring the term "DEI" does not mean walking away from the work. It means rewiring our approach.  This work is too important not to get right.  Let’s do it together.Connect with me!Web - https://www.doctoranita.com/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTubeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/

Hello Community!  As mandates to dismantle DEI initiatives gain traction, many organizations are at a crossroads. Those that choose to prioritize inclusion and equity as part of their culture will be the ones that thrive in the face of change.  Culture is more than a buzzword—it’s the invisible thread that shapes how people experience the workplace. It’s about shared values, everyday interactions, and a commitment to fairness. Organizations that focus on creating inclusive cultures will be better positioned to innovate, retain talent, and remain competitive in a rapidly changing world.  Join me for our last Real Conversation from the C-Suite with Ms. Britt Houge, Founder, and CEO of The Collective Good, to remind us that commitment to culture will be the way to thrive in 2025.Connect with me!Web - https://www.doctoranita.com/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTubeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/

Hello Community!  With all the controversy surrounding the term DEI, some are asking: Is it time to retire it? For some, the term has become synonymous with division or performative efforts. If we were to retire it, how could we rewire it, and what could replace it?  My guest on Real Conversations from the C-suite, Ms. Britt Hogue, Founder, and CEO of The Collective Good returns to help us brainstorm possibilities. Connect with me!Web - https://www.doctoranita.com/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTubeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/

Hello Community!  In case you hadn’t noticed, there is a real push to dismantle DEI as we know it to be.  Many argue that we’ve always had DEI, just under different names. Efforts to address inequality—whether through civil rights movements, affirmative action, or workplace fairness initiatives—have always sought to create a level playing field. The language may change, but the mission endures.  Join me for another Real Conversation from the C-Suite when my guest, Ms. Britt Hogue, Founder and CEO of The Collective Good, helps us recognize what DEI has been, is now, and can become in the future other than three little, yet impactful letters. Connect with me!Web - https://www.doctoranita.com/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTubeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/

Hello Community! February is Black History Month—a time to reflect on the past, engage with the present, and envision a more inclusive future. One topic sparking much conversation lately is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, or DEI. But what does DEI truly mean, and why has it become so divisive?  My guest this month on Real Conversations from the C-Suite, Ms. Britt Hogue, Founder, and CEO of The Collective Good, will help us think through this question from several perspectives.Connect with me!Web - https://www.doctoranita.com/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTubeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/

 February is here, and as we step into Black History Month, we find ourselves reflecting on the past, engaging with the present, and envisioning a more inclusive future… still. Today, I want to unpack a topic that has sparked much discussion, debate, and even division in recent years—Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, or DEI. What does DEI truly mean? And why has it become such a divisive term? Let’s start with the basics. DEI, at its core, is about creating spaces where everyone has an equitable chance to succeed, where differences are valued as strengths, and where inclusion becomes the foundation of how we work together. But as the term has gained prominence, it's also attracted pushback. For some, it feels like a political agenda. For others, it’s been co-opted into buzzwords that lack real action. So, what’s behind the resistance?  Stay tuned and find out more.Connect with me!Web - https://www.doctoranita.com/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTubeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/

Hello Community!  As January draws to a close and we prepare to step into February, think about the last time you allowed yourself to truly play at work.  Creativity and play aren’t just for children; they’re essential tools for navigating complex challenges. Whether it’s brainstorming sessions, team-building activities, or simply creating space for innovative thinking, play can unlock new ways of approaching culture and change. In a time when rigidity threatens to stifle progress, creativity and play remind us to remain flexible, adaptive, and open to new possibilities. They allow us to see obstacles not as insurmountable walls but as puzzles to be solved.  Join me for our last Real Conversation from the C-Suite with Avish Parashar to help us harness the power of creativity and play in the workplace.Connect with me!Web - https://www.doctoranita.com/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTubeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/

Hello Community!  To quote Bob Dylan who wrote and sang the song "The Times They Are a-Changin'” let’s have a real conversation about the fact that in times like these, it’s tempting to default to vague, lofty ideals. But if we want to make meaningful progress, we need SMART goals—those that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, instead of saying, “We want to improve diversity,” a SMART goal might look like, “We will increase representation of underrepresented groups in leadership roles by 10% by the end of the year.” At the same time, let’s not completely discount the value of non-SMART goals in the form of visionary thinking.  Visionary thinking, the kind that may seem unmeasurable at first, is where innovation begins. By blending SMART goals with a willingness to dream big, we can maintain momentum and ensure that DEI is more than just a checkbox—it’s a cornerstone of business strategy.  My guest on Real Conversations from the C-suite, Avish Parashar, will explain how to do that.Connect with me!Web - https://www.doctoranita.com/YouTube - https://bit.ly/DrAnitaYouTubeLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-polite-wilson-ph-d-77695b/