SLO Equity Podcast

Hosted by Diversity Coalition SLO County

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Jun 2026

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| SLO Equity Podcast - Making Space for Every Story | SLO Equity is an episodic podcast that dives into the origins of systemic racism, and unconscious bias in San Luis Obispo County. It tells the stories of the minorities affected by it as well as the stories of those people working to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in this predominantly white community. Presented by the Diversity Coalition of San Luis Obispo County, we discover how businesses, community members, local schools and government are navigating conversations of diversity, equity and inclusion and how community members can get involved and become allies in the fight for equality.

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9 recent

June 10, 202632 min

The Ethics Edit | What Do We Owe One Another? | Father Ian Delinger

This episode is part of The Ethics Edit: Applied Ethics in DEI in the San Luis Obispo Community, a special subseries of the SLO Equity Podcast created and developed by Mikayla Mariano as part of her senior project at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), with support from the Diversity Coalition of San Luis Obispo County.This episode of the SLO Equity Podcast features a conversation between host Mikayla Mariano and Father Ian Delinger, Rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in San Luis Obispo and host of Playing with Food on KCBX.As part of The Ethics Edit, this discussion explores how ethical principles such as justice, dignity, inclusion, and responsibility take shape within community life. Drawing from his experiences in ministry, public engagement, and relationship-building across diverse groups, Father Ian reflects on what communities owe one another and how belonging can be cultivated in meaningful ways.Together, Mikayla and Father Ian examine the ethical dimensions of inclusion in San Luis Obispo County, discussing the role of faith communities, the importance of recognizing human dignity, and the responsibilities individuals and institutions have in creating welcoming spaces. The conversation also considers how ethical values can help bridge differences and foster stronger, more connected communities.Guest: Father Ian Delinger — Rector, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, San Luis Obispo; Host of Playing with Food on KCBXHost: Mikayla Mariano — Host, SLO Equity Podcast; Creator of The Ethics Edit: Applied Ethics in DEI in the San Luis Obispo Community--The views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organizations.To learn more about the Diversity Coalition of San Luis Obispo County, support our work, or get involved, visit diversityslo.org.This episode was edited and produced by Mikayla Mariano, Velanche Stewart, and Rita Casaverde.

April 29, 202654 min

Men of Color: Navigating Community in SLO County

This episode of the SLO Equity Podcast — Making space for every story centers a conversation with men of color living in San Luis Obispo County on California’s Central Coast.Recorded as an in-person roundtable, this discussion brings together four local voices to reflect on a simple but layered question: What is it like to be a man of color in San Luis Obispo County?From navigating visibility and isolation to questioning how community is experienced across different spaces, the conversation surfaces both the progress in diversity and inclusion and the realities that continue to shape everyday life in SLO County.Roundtable speakers:Ben Arona — Restaurant owner (Benny’s Pizza) and History Professor at Cuesta CollegeCornel Morton — Community leader and Board Chair, Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County Ernesto Reyes — Senior Coordinator for Equity & Inclusion, Cal Poly Velanche Stewart — Community member, creative, and Diversity Coalition's Community Outreach Committee memberThe views expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organizations.Continue learning:Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County — https://www.diversityslo.org Learn more about local programs, trainings, and community efforts.

March 25, 202651 min

Built This Way: Talking About Housing Inequity

The SLO Equity Podcast is back! In this relaunch episode, we talk about housing in San Luis Obispo County, not just as policy, but as something we’ve experienced and had to navigate ourselves.We break down redlining in a friendly conversation, and connect it to what people are still dealing with today. We also interview RACE Matters' Executive Director, Courtney Haile, about their documentary short "Restrictions Apply". Courtney was also featured in a past podcast episode, Why San Luis Obispo Lacks Diversity, where we discussed the then-upcoming documentary release. Now, we return to it, capturing new reactions, reflecting on the film, and the work that still needs to be done.This episode also includes reflections from an anonymous resident sharing their own experience navigating housing in SLO County. Real conversations, local context, and a deeper look at what’s shaping our community.In this episode, we:Share lived experiences with housing in SLO CountyReact to Restrictions Apply by RACE Matters SLOReflect on how these systems continue to shape everyday lifeSHOW NOTESGet involved with Diversity Coalition and the SLO Equity Podcast: https://www.diversityslo.orgRACE Matters SLO – Restrictions Apply short documentary (18 mins): https://www.racemattersslo.org/restrictions-applyPrevious episode: Why San Luis Obispo Lacks Diversity: https://www.diversityslo.org/sloequityUnderstanding Housing InequityA Gender Equity Perspective on California’s Housing Crisis 👉 Read the reportEuropean Institute for Gender Equality – Gender Mainstreaming 👉 Learn moreCalifornia Tenants Guide - A guide to residential tenants’ and landlords’ rights and responsibilities 👉 Learn moreThis episode is coming to you thanks to:Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo CountyDiversity Coalition's Community Outreach CommitteeSpecial thanks to: Velanche Stewart, Chenda Lor, KT Bertrand, Yolande Sukal, Courtney Haile,

March 26, 20241 hr 5 min

M’Lynn Martin’s Story - Part 2 What Racism Looks Like Today (re-upload)

In this second part episode, M’Lynn Martin shares about how her voice was systematically shut down in San Luis Obispo County for standing up for what she believed in. This is what racism looks like today.This episode was first published on 09/24/21

March 26, 202436 min

M’Lynn Martin’s Story - Part 1 Growing Up Black in North County (re-upload)

In this special 2 part episode M’Lynn Martin, a youth pastor shares how she was raised in San Luis Obispo county and what it was like to be on of the only black girls in north county. In the second episode you’ll hear how her voice was systematically silenced by the church she worked for in 2020 for speaking out against racism. This episode was first published on 09/24/21

March 26, 202454 min

Serving Underserved Populations (re-upload)

Garrett Olson, CEO of the Food Bank and Dr. Nooristani Founder of the Noor Foundation and Noor Clinic share their missions for serving the underserved and why people of color are often a large percentage of that population.This episode was first published on 9/30/21

March 26, 20241 hr 30 min

SLO Businesses Navigating DEI in the Workplace (re-upload)

CEO of RRM Design Group, Erik Justesen shares his personal journey learning about DEI and then taking the leap to make Diversity a strategic priority at his company. Regina Wallace Jones, Senior Vice President of Product and Engineering at MINDBODY shares her perspective as a woman of color and former Mayor of East Palo Alto on the opportunities San Luis Obispo businesses have to learn and grow by making diversity, equity and inclusion intentional and mentoring people of color to become leaders in our community.This episode was first published on 09/30/21

March 26, 202459 min

Why San Luis Obispo Lacks Diversity (re-upload)

Homeowner Jaime Lewis and Courtney Haile of Race Matters record the process of finding and removing racial covenants on Jaime’s San Luis Obispo home title, and informing neighbors that many neighborhoods in San Luis Obispo, and throughout the U.S. were systematically designed to keep people of color out. They share the process of making their film "Restrictions Apply".This episode was first published on 09/30/21

March 23, 20241 hr 51 min

Activism & Advocacy in SLO (re-upload)

Cheryl Vines of the San Luis Obispo County NAACP, Michael Boyer Founder of Diversity Coalition of San Luis Obispo County and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Mid Central Coast, and recent Cal Poly Engineering Graduate and the City of San Luis Obispo’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Task Force Chairman Amman Asfaw share what motivates their activism and advocacy.This episode was first published on 9/30/21.