Podcast episodes
Season 1
Humizie My Hoodie Empowering Underrepresented Communities With Fashion
Andre Wright is a designer, activist, visionary, and community builder. He is the Co-founder of Humanize My Hoodie, a global fashion activism movement that designs hoodies to inspire, empower, and spark meaningful conversations. Andre has been recognized for his work and featured on New York Fashion Week, Politico, NPR, Essence Magazine, and more.Summary:Andre Wright discusses his journey as a designer and activist, and how he has dedicated his life to empowering underrepresented people. He shares his experiences growing up and his challenges as a Black creative. Andre also talks about the founding of Humanize My Hoodie and how it has grown into a global movement. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and staying true to oneself in pursuing success.Key Takeaways:Andre Wright's journey as a designer and activist has been driven by his passion for empowering underrepresented people.Humanize My Hoodie is a global fashion activism movement that uses clothing to inspire, empower, and spark important conversations.Authenticity and staying true to oneself are crucial in the pursuit of success and making a positive impact.Send your DEI&B questions to info@topranktalentsolutions.com, To learn more about Top RANK please visit topranktalentsolutions.com or follow us on social media. Linkedin bit.ly/TR_linkedinFacebook bit.ly/TR_face_bookInstagram bit.ly/TRC_Instagram
Navigating Challenges and Promoting Equity in Education and Sports
About The Guest(s): Robert L. Smith is a native of Dallas and a long-time advocate for equity in sports and education. He played football at the University of Iowa and has had a successful career as an NCAA Big Ten football official. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Educational Opportunity Programs and Special Community Services at the University of Northern Iowa.Summary: Robert L. Smith shares his journey as a black athlete and his experiences advocating for equity in sports and education. He emphasizes the importance of staying focused and engaged in the fight for equality, even in the face of legislation and policies that seek to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. He highlights the impact of influential figures like Hayden Fry and Brooke Fulbright in shaping his perspective and the need for representation and economic empowerment in the black community. Smith also discusses the challenges of navigating conversations about race and the importance of building relationships and understanding different perspectives.Key Takeaways:Keep your eyes on the prize and stay focused on the fight for equality.Representation and economic empowerment are crucial for the Black community.Black people need white allies to work together and create change.It is important to have open and honest conversations about race and challenge negative stereotypes.Building relationships and understanding different perspectives is essential for progress.Send your DEI&B questions to info@topranktalentsolutions.com,To learn more about Top RANK please visit topranktalentsolutions.com or follow us on social media.Linkedin bit.ly/TR_linkedinFacebook bit.ly/TR_face_bookInstagram bit.ly/TRC_Instagram
The Evolution of DEI: Stretching, Resilience, and the Fight for Progress
In this episode of Breaking Barriers we interview Alfred Ramirez. Alfred Ramirez is a keynote speaker, coach, trainer, and facilitator for public and private organizations. He has held various positions in the public and private sectors, including serving as President Clinton's White House Associate Director of Presidential Personnel and the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. During the show we discussed the evolution of the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) field and the impact of the George Floyd surge on the approach to DEI work. The conversation emphasizes the importance of expanding our hearts with empathy and compassion and highlights the need for self-care and mindfulness in the DEI space. Alfred also shares his personal experiences of facing racism and discrimination and offers advice on how to equip children to respond to these challenges.Key Takeaways:The DEI field has evolved from compliance and affirmative action to a focus on hiring and training, and now includes concepts like belonging and accessibility.The George Floyd surge has allowed for more open conversations about racism and white privilege, but there is pushback and attempts to silence these discussions.It is important to prioritize self-care and wellness in the DEI space to avoid burnout and continue the work.Children should be taught how to respond to racism and discrimination in a respectful and assertive manner, rather than meeting aggression with aggression.It is crucial to recognize the impact of trauma on individuals and communities of color and to provide support and resources for mental health.Send your DEI&B questions to info@topranktalentsolutions.com, To learn more about Top RANK please visit topranktalentsolutions.com or follow us on social media. Linkedin bit.ly/TR_linkedinFacebook bit.ly/TR_face_bookInstagram bit.ly/TRC_Instagram
Driving Change with Justice Tech TurnSignl - Innovating for Safer Police Interactions and Social Justice
Driving Change with Justice Tech TurnSignl - Innovating for Safer Police Interactions and Social Justice
In this episode, we had the privilege of having an inspiring conversation with the founders of TurnSignl, an innovative tech company that's making waves in the social justice space. Jazz Hampton, Andre Creighton, and Michael are three Black men who decided to use their skills and backgrounds in law, finance, and technology to create a platform that could truly impact and change the institution of fair and transparent policing.TurnSignl is a Minnesota-based tech company that provides real-time legal guidance from an attorney to drivers during traffic stops, all while their camera records the interaction. This brilliant idea was born out of the tragic loss of Philando Castile–who the founders knew personally—and the global outcry following the death of George Floyd. The founders saw a need for a tangible solution to make interactions with law enforcement safer and less stressful for everyone involved. The use of technology resources to overcome the hurdles in the criminal justice system is a niche field called justice technology (aka, “justice tech”), and TurnSignl is on the cutting edge of these efforts.We delved into the challenges they faced in bringing this innovative solution to life, from gaining buy-in from law enforcement to navigating the slow-to-innovate legal profession. Despite these hurdles, they've managed to create a tool that not only serves as an accountability measure during traffic stops but also provides guidance during other stressful situations like car accidents.We also discussed the importance of keeping the momentum of the social justice movement going, even as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion budgets are being slashed in many organizations. The founders of TurnSignl believe that their platform is more than just a DEI benefit; it’s a tool for health and wellness, helping to reduce the stress, fear, and anxiety that can come from interactions with law enforcement. As three Black men who have all experienced these interactions and feelings firsthand, this is a transformative social mission.This episode is a testament to the power of innovation, determination, and the belief that we can all be a part of the change we want to see in the world. So, whether you're an entrepreneur, an activist, or just someone who cares about social justice, this episode is sure to inspire and motivate you.Remember, our diversity, our differences, when joined together by a common set of ideals, make us stronger than ever. So, let's keep breaking barriers and making changes. Until next time, stay bold, stay energized, and keep striving for a more inclusive and equitable world.Send your DEI&B questions to info@toprankculture.com, To learn more about Top RANK please visit toprankculture.com or follow us on social media. Linkedin bit.ly/TR_linkedinFacebook bit.ly/TR_face_bookInstagram bit.ly/TRC_Instagram
Top RANK Culture Anniversary Episode
Happy 5 year anniversary to Top RANK! We are so glad to be helping all of the organizations and communities we have had the opportunity to collaborate with on advancing DEI&B, and we look forward to continuing the journey. WOW has the world changed since 2018! What has happened? Why are we in so much turmoil in America and globally? Are we being honest about what we see? Are we seeking to understand the truth? Are we willing to talk about it? So many questions, so many answers needed. However, we believe one thing is for certain: that real talk about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is at the root of every answer. So in true Top RANK fashion, we go there.In this episode:We delve into the challenges of discussing politics and social issues, acknowledging the generational divide and defensive mentalities that hinder productive conversations.We discuss the power of millennials and Gen Z in shaping the political and social landscape of the future, highlighting the resilience and leadership potential of youth throughout history, and the need to support and amplify their voices.We spoke truth to power with facts about false narratives that stir up racial divide (can you say “CRT”?)Why has there been an avalanche of laws and policies passed in America to blatantly block the ability of educators to tell the truth about U.S. history? Why are the politicians who resist these laws not responding in stronger fashion?We emphasize the importance of engaging with politicians who align with our values and concerns, including environmental issues like climate change. Additionally, we explore the recent firings of media personalities Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon, questioning whether they were a result of the media going too far or a form of damage control. Our episode concludes with a call to shift the focus from individual figures to our collective responsibility as viewers and society.A jam packed episode that you don’t want to miss!Send your DEI&B questions to info@toprankculture.com, To learn more about Top RANK please visit toprankculture.com or follow us on social media.Linkedin bit.ly/TR_linkedinFacebook bit.ly/TR_face_bookInstagram bit.ly/TRC_Instagram