Trailblazing In Color

Hosted by Sarah Bacerra

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Jan 2024

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About the show

If you are a changemaker focused on creating more equity in the spaces you occupy and looking to better embody your voice, find ways to increase your impact, and get empowered to keep going, then you are in the right place. The Trailblazing in Color Podcast is an intentional space for changemakers: leaders and innovators hell-bent on amplifying our collective impact. We'll be interviewing innovative equity builders and learning how we can all apply lessons learned from one area of practice and apply it directly to another, creating shortcuts to equity from which we can all benefit. www.trailblazingincolor.com

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23 recent

January 3, 202425 min

Blueprints of Change: A Legacy of Impact on Housing Justice with Troy Chapman (Part 2)

Hey there, Trailblazers! We're back with part two of an extraordinary journey on the Trailblazing in Color podcast. If you missed part one, make sure to hit rewind and catch up on the inspiring tales of Troy Chapman, a seasoned leader in housing justice.I'm thrilled you've chosen to join us on this trailblazing adventure.  Now, let's dive into the continuation of Troy's remarkable story.In this episode, we explore Troy's international efforts in scaling his work. From national to county levels, Troy shares his experiences in passing on the knowledge of financing affordable housing to governments worldwide. Learn how Troy became a sought-after international expert, the challenges faced, and the impact created in various countries.Troy reflects on the different approaches that proved effective in the United States. From electing influential leaders to using data and influencing decision-makers, discover the multifaceted tactics Troy employed to secure funding and support for affordable housing initiatives.A big thank you to our listeners for being a part of this conversation. Trailblazing in Color is more than a podcast; it's a celebration of impactful journeys and the changemakers shaping a brighter future.Tune in next time for more inspiring stories and continue blazing your own trails.Finally, we’d love to hear from you: What are you celebrating? What support do you need? Reach out at sarah@trailblazingincolor.com to share with me and let’s stay connected.As always, thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to knowing better and doing better. (Thank you, Maya Angelou, for this endlessly useful sentiment.)Carry on, trailblazers and equity warriors. If you want to tune into the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss an episode. Thanks, Trailblazer!www.trailblazingincolor.comA Podcast Launch Bestie production

January 3, 202443 min

Blueprints of Change: A Legacy of Impact on Social and Housing Justice with Troy Chapman (Part 1)

Today's episode features a remarkable individual whose dedication to affordable housing has transformed communities and touched the lives of countless individuals.Our guest today is Troy Chapman, a seasoned leader in housing justice and lifelong public servant. From organizing sit-ins during the civil rights movement to becoming the Acting Director of the Office of Housing Programs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, DC, Troy Chapman's collaborative impact has been expansive.Appointed by both the Ford and Carter administrations, Troy played a pivotal role in shaping the regulations that influenced the management of the nation's public and Native American housing. Under his leadership, $200 million in HUD Target programs were implemented to address challenges in 250 of the most problematic housing authorities across the country. Notably, his office was the chief architect of the Vietnam Relocation and Housing Program at the end of the Vietnam War.Troy's journey continued as an Attaché at the US State Department Embassy in New Delhi, India, and later as the Chief Operating Officer and Secretary/Treasurer of Housing Authorities in Montgomery County, Maryland, Wilmington, Delaware, and Chester County, PA. Throughout his career, he served as an international expert in affordable housing development and financing, offering consulting services to governments and foundations worldwide.But Troy's impact goes beyond statistics; his initiatives have led to the development of thousands of affordable and cost-effective housing units, with a particular focus on seniors, veterans, educators, first responders, healthcare workers, and the working poor. His commitment to making housing programs tangible for individuals from diverse walks of life is evident in every step of his journey.Join us as we delve into Troy Chapman's inspiring story and a conversation filled with insights, experiences, and wisdom gained from a lifetime devoted to making a difference.Finally, we’d love to hear from you: What are you celebrating? What support do you need? Reach out at sarah@trailblazingincolor.com to share with me and let’s stay connected.As always, thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to knowing better and doing better. (Thank you, Maya Angelou, for this endlessly useful sentiment.)Carry on, trailblazers and equity warriors. If you want to tune into the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss an episode. Thanks, Trailblazer!www.trailblazingincolor.comA Podcast Launch Bestie production

December 14, 202351 min

Breaking Boundaries: A Conversation on Organizational Change, Inclusion, and Creating Cultures of Dissent with Dr. Sana Shaikh

In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Dr. Sana Shaikh, an expert in organizational change management, culturally responsive organizational practices, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programmatic initiatives. With over 14 years of experience in operations and policy research, Sana is the founder of TimeED, a company that focuses on developing anti-racism and anti-bias learning solutions for national non-profits, parent-teacher organizations, and school districts.Sana's research has centered on the intersection of racial identity and relational coordination in cultivating culturally responsive classrooms. She has had the privilege of presenting her research both domestically and globally, participating in relational coordination roundtables from Portland, Oregon, to Copenhagen, Denmark.Our conversation delves into the significance of relational coordination in creating inclusive environments. Sana emphasizes the importance of slowing down to clarify the "why" behind change initiatives, the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder, and the incorporation of identity and experience into the equation.We also explore the common pitfalls of DEIB initiatives, and the need to shift away from the mindset of external saviors. Sana emphasizes the importance of creating a partnership approach that integrates external consultants as team members.Sana shares insights into making data-driven decisions that promote equity and inclusivity. She highlights the importance of humility, courage, and an organizational culture that embraces dissent, as organizations navigate the complexities of transformation in pursuit of more equitable and inclusive practices.Thank you for joining us on this episode of Trailblazing in Color! Finally, we’d love to hear from you: What are you celebrating? What support do you need? Reach out at sarah@trailblazingincolor.com to share with me and let’s stay connected.As always, thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to knowing better and doing better. (Thank you, Maya Angelou, for this endlessly useful sentiment.)Carry on, trailblazers and equity warriors. If you want to tune into the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss an episode. Thanks, Trailblazer!www.trailblazingincolor.comA Podcast Launch Bestie production

December 6, 202351 min

Transforming Global Development with Dr. Christine Sow

In this week's episode, we are joined by Dr. Christine Sow, CEO and President of Humentum, whose work centers on making global development equitable, accountable, and resilient. Christine joined Humentum in November 2019 from a 25-year career in international development, having worked at all levels of the sector, from providing technical assistance to leading global operations and project management in some of the sector's largest organizations. As a seasoned convener and coalition builder, Christine brings deep experience in best practices associated with organizational membership models. We'll dive into her journey in international development and explore the transformative work Humentum is focused on, centered around creating an equitable, accountable, and resilient global development community.Thank you for joining us on this episode of Trailblazing in Color. Be sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review. Finally, we’d love to hear from you: What are you celebrating? What support do you need? Reach out at sarah@trailblazingincolor.com to share with me and let’s stay connected.As always, thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to knowing better and doing better. (Thank you, Maya Angelou, for this endlessly useful sentiment.)Carry on, trailblazers and equity warriors. If you want to tune into the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss an episode. Thanks, Trailblazer!www.trailblazingincolor.comA Podcast Launch Bestie production

October 24, 202339 min

Breaking Barriers In The Fashion Industry with Grace Correy

Welcome everyone to this week's episode of the Trailblazing in Color podcast. I am very excited to tell you a little bit more about today's trailblazing guest, Grace Correy. Grace graduated from Parsons School of Design with a major in fashion design and rose through the ranks of the fashion industry to become a senior executive at Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Spanx, Victoria's Secret, The Gap, J. Crew, and Speedo, among others. As an entrepreneur and co-founder/CEO of skincare brand Biophile, which has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Elle, and Marie Claire and was sold in over 30 retail stores in three countries. Grace is also an entrepreneur and was the co-founder and CEO of the skincare brand Biophile, which has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Elle, and Marie Claire and was sold in over 30 retail stores in three countries. Throughout our conversation, we'll be talking about how her personal and professional life experiences have helped her build high-performing, cross-generational teams, paved the way as often the first or only biracial Black woman in her environment, and led to a passion and commitment for creating more equity in the world.Thank you for joining us on this episode of Trailblazing in Color!Finally, we’d love to hear from you: What are you celebrating? What support do you need? Reach out at sarah@trailblazingincolor.com to share with me and let’s stay connected.As always, thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to knowing better and doing better. (Thank you, Maya Angelou, for this endlessly useful sentiment.)Carry on, trailblazers and equity warriors. If you want to tune into the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss an episode. Thanks, Trailblazer!www.trailblazingincolor.comA Podcast Launch Bestie production

October 18, 202334 min

Amplifying Marginalized Voices & Telling Untold Stories with Cher Hale

Welcome to today's show! We're thrilled to introduce our guest, Cher Hale, the founder and director of Ginkgo PR, an agency dedicated to using public relations to create a more equitable media landscape. Cher, a Taiwanese Black American woman, is passionate about amplifying the voices of historically excluded authors and entrepreneurs and is committed to amplifying the voices of those from marginalized communities in the media. Cher shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind founding Ginkgo PR and how this deeply influenced her mission to support those who lack a platform or privilege in sharing their authentic stories. We also dive into her unique cultural background and how it influences her approach to public relations and storytelling.Join us as we talk about the current media landscape, what trends Cher is seeing such as the rise of independent magazines,  the power of podcast guesting, and how to stand out by telling authentic, real stories that people need to hear. Cher is a true trailblazer in the media space and we are so excited for you to listen to this episode. To learn more about Cher Hale and her work visit https://ginkgopr.com/And get vetted podcasts to pitch yourself to right to your inbox from Cher here: https://pitchslapped.substack.com/Resources Mentioned:EmancipatED Illustrated Hidden History Cards: https://emancipatededucation.com/Fifteen Percent Pledge: https://15percentpledge.org/Finally, we’d love to hear from you: What are you celebrating? What support do you need? Reach out at sarah@trailblazingincolor.com to share with me and let’s stay connected.As always, thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to knowing better and doing better. (Thank you, Maya Angelou, for this endlessly useful sentiment.)Carry on, trailblazers and equity warriors. If you want to tune into the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss an episode. Thanks, Trailblazer!www.trailblazingincolor.comA Podcast Launch Bestie production

October 4, 202342 min

Embracing Authenticity: Navigating Self-Connection and Inclusion with Nate Shalev

Welcome to another episode of the Trailblazing in Color podcast! In today's conversation, we dive deep with our incredible guest, Nate Shalev, a speaker, author, and inclusivity expert who helps individuals embrace their true selves.Nate's expertise has been featured in prestigious publications like the Harvard Business Review, New York Times, Huffington Post, and more. We're thrilled to have Nate here to share their wisdom and insights.Join us as we explore Nate's inspiring origin story, the power of self-acceptance, and the significance of embracing your true self. Discover the courage it takes to be authentic, the importance of inclusion roundtables, and the art of choosing when to reveal your authentic self. Tune in for an insightful conversation that will leave you inspired to embrace your own authenticity.Connect with Nate on LinkedIn here. Sign up to receive Nate's free newsletter hereQuote credit mentioned in episode "Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries" - James A. MichenerFinally, we’d love to hear from you: What are you celebrating? What support do you need? Reach out at sarah@trailblazingincolor.com to share with me and let’s stay connected.As always, thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to knowing better and doing better. (Thank you, Maya Angelou, for this endlessly useful sentiment.)Carry on, trailblazers and equity warriors. If you want to tune into the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss an episode. Thanks, Trailblazer!www.trailblazingincolor.comA Podcast Launch Bestie production

September 27, 202352 min

Revolutionizing Financial Education with Kalilah Reynolds

In this episode of the Trailblazing in Color podcast, we had the pleasure of chatting with Kalilah Reynolds, a financial journalist, educator, and entrepreneur who is transforming the landscape of financial education. Her company, Kalilah Reynolds Media, creates financial news and education that's easy to understand, helping people create and maintain personal wealth and prosperous economies. Kalilah is the creator and executive producer of Jamaica's most influential business talk show, Taking Stock, with over 4 million views on YouTube.Kalilah’s journey from a journalist to a financial education trailblazer is an inspiring story of passion, perseverance, and a commitment to making complex financial topics accessible to all. Be sure to check out her show, "Taking Stock," on YouTube for invaluable insights into the world of finance.And catch up with Kalilah on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/kalilahrey/And LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalilahrey/Or head over to KalilahReynolds.comFinally, we’d love to hear from you: What are you celebrating? What support do you need? Reach out at sarah@trailblazingincolor.com to share with me and let’s stay connected.As always, thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to knowing better and doing better. (Thank you, Maya Angelou, for this endlessly useful sentiment.)Carry on, trailblazers and equity warriors. If you want to tune into the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss an episode. Thanks, Trailblazer!www.trailblazingincolor.comA Podcast Launch Bestie production*Thank you for tuning in to the Trailblazing in Color podcast. Don't forget to subscribe and stay tuned for more inspiring conversations with trailblazers like Kalilah Reynolds.*

September 20, 202345 min

Reimagine Inclusion with Mita Mallick

In this episode of the Trailblazing in Color podcast, we dive deep into the world of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) with Mita Mallick, author of "Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths to Transform Your Workplace" and co-host of "The Brown Table Talk." Mita shares her expertise and experiences, providing invaluable insights for organizational leaders working towards creating more inclusive and equitable cultures and societies, especially in the context of sustainable systems change.Preorder Reimagine Inclusion: You can preorder Mita's book, "Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths to Transform Your Workplace," on Amazon or find it at your local bookstore. The book, releasing on October 3rd, is a comprehensive guide to rethinking and implementing inclusion strategies in organizations.Connect with Mita:LinkedInInstagramOrder "Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths to Transform Your Workplace"_____________Thanks for your ongoing commitment to keep knowing better and doing better!Be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss an episode: www.trailblazingincolor.com/join We’d love to hear from you: What are you celebrating? What support do you need? Reach out at sarah@trailblazingincolor.com to share with me and let’s stay connected.www.trailblazingincolor.comPodcast Intro/Outro Music composed by Troy ChapmanA Podcast Launch Bestie production

September 13, 202345 min

Using Communications to Achieve Equity with Catharine Montgomery

Catharine Montgomery is our guest today, and she is the founder and CEO of Better Together, a communications agency focused on positive change for purpose-driven organizations through creative strategies, messaging, and branding.As an experienced communication professional with a background in education, environment, and social justice, Catharine founded Better Together after a successful career in various communications agencies and in-house roles. Throughout her career, Catharine has focused on supporting social justice efforts, utilizing her expertise in media outreach, stakeholder engagement, and community involvement to support marginalized communities.Catharine’s business is young, but she’s already doing important work helping businesses build intentional business relationships and assimilate DEI work into the work they already do. It’s very easy for businesses and corporations to throw around buzzwords to make it sound like they’re doing the work to make the world better, but Catharine helps make sure they know how to walk the walk.To learn more about Catharine and her work, visit https://thebettertogether.agency/NASDAQ | Company Founding Stories That Will Capture Your Heart and Make You Believe Anything is Possible_____________Thanks for your ongoing commitment to keep knowing better and doing better!We’d love to hear from you: What are you celebrating? What support do you need? Reach out at sarah@trailblazingincolor.com to share with me and let’s stay connected.Be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss an episode: www.trailblazingincolor.com/join www.trailblazingincolor.comPodcast Intro/Outro Music composed by <a href="https://www.troychapman.com/read-me" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"...