Dimensions of Diversity

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes Derek Demeri, a New Jersey-based attorney, adjunct professor at Rutgers Law School and lifelong advocate for marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ community, sex workers and workers’ rights. Most recently, Derek founded Q Law NJ, Inc., New Jersey’s first LGBTQ+ bar association. Derek and Lloyd explore Derek’s inspira...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes Shari Leid, a former attorney turned author and life coach, for a discussion on managing identity shifts as an empty nester. Leid outlines three power moves for navigating empty nest syndrome: the stories you tell yourself change everything about yourself; human connection outlasts any automated task; and rather than waiting...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes Tito Valdes, the executive director of LGBTQ affairs for the City of Philadelphia, to discuss his leadership of the Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs and explore how public policy, cross-sector partnerships, cultural expression and community-centered approaches can help create more inclusive cities and institutions. Valdes outlines th...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes Jummy Kirby, Founder of Relinquish & Transcend Counseling + Consulting, to discuss the emotional and mental health needs that currently exist surrounding pregnancy loss, particularly for Black women. Jummy shares with Lloyd her personal journey with miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy, which inspired her to create a ther...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes Gigio Ninan and Swee Shankar, partners at Shankar Ninan & Co. LLP Law Firm, to discuss their long and challenging journey to parenthood – including their experiences working through various fertility treatments, surrogacy, and ultimately a remarkable, unexpected natural pregnancy. Lloyd discusses with Gigio and Swee how t...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes Pennsylvania House Speaker Representative Joanna E. McClinton during Black History Month to discuss the recent passage of the C.R.O.W.N. (“Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair”) Act. This piece of legislation bans discrimination based on hair type, texture, etc. Lloyd discusses with Rep. McClinton the details...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes the newly minted Dr. Ky’a Jackson, to discuss her doctoral research which focused on the academic resilience of African-American female college students from Camden, New Jersey. Dr. Jackson explains how the intersection of race, gender, and place shaped the students' experiences, drawing heavily on her own background growing...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes Squire Servance, the founder of the life sciences investment firm Syridex Bio, to discuss how his career in law and life sciences, combined with the health equity issues highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired him to start his firm and consider public service. Lloyd leans in to that calling to public service and ch...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes David Eapen and Sarina Aghazadeh-Alavi, two Buchanan attorneys, to discuss their involvement as board members of the South Asian Bar Association of Philadelphia (SABA-Philly). Lloyd chats with David and Sarina about the history of SABA-Philly, their personal journeys with the organization, and the current leadership’s focus o...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity we revisit a conversation Lloyd Freeman had during a webinar earlier this year celebrating Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. He welcomed Patricia Liu, a Korean American author, entrepreneur, and media executive. The conversation focused on Korean American representation in leadership and the media. Liu shared her per...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes Dr. Tiffany Gill and Dr. Steve D. Mobley, Jr. to discuss the recent Ralph Lauren Oak Bluffs collection and what it represents regarding cultural representation, black heritage, and wealth in the Black community. The conversation delved into the complex and often uncomfortable topic of classism within the Black community, anal...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity we revisit a conversation Lloyd Freeman had during a webinar earlier this year celebrating Arab American Heritage Month. Lloyd welcomes three Arab American leaders from the legal community: Judge Shalabi, Rami Jabara, and Sandra Frantzen. The panelists discussed the origins and purpose of both local and national Arab American Bar Associations, which were...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes Renata Robinson to discuss her personal struggles with infertility, her decision to adopt through the foster care system, and the challenges she faced in getting her son Preston's autism diagnosis and accessing resources to support him. Lloyd chats with Renata about her unwavering faith, determination, and love for Preston, a...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes Donna Hughes to discuss her work with her leadership development and advisory firm that provides coaching services to leaders across various industries. With an extensive background as an attorney, in-house counsel, and chief people officer, Donna has firsthand experience navigating major organizational changes and challenges...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman reflects on a conversation he had recently during a Women’s History Month Webinar in which he welcomed three women leaders, La-Toya Hackney, Sophia Lee, and Joan Carter – to discuss their experiences and insights on navigating corporate leadership roles and board service. Together, the trio discuss their personal journeys, the challen...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman reflects on a conversation he had recently during a Black History Month Webinar in which he welcomed a trio of diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders at prestigious law schools to discuss the impact a recent Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and UNC has had on college and law school admissions, partic...

In this special episode of Dimensions of Diversity, Lloyd Freeman, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, engages in an inspiring conversation with Sozi Tulante, the former City Solicitor of Philadelphia. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sozi shares his remarkable journey, which includes seeking political asylum, attending Harvard University, and build...

In this special episode of Dimensions of Diversity, host Lloyd Freeman welcomes back Dr. Oscar Holmes IV, Associate Professor of Management at Rutgers University in Camden, NJ, and Stacy Hawkins, Professor at Rutgers Law School. Their conversation explores the debate around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) versus the concept of meritocracy in the workplace and society. Dr. Holmes and Profess...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity , host Lloyd Freeman welcomes his colleague Jennifer Minter, Executive Shareholder at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney and the Chair of the firm’s Corporate Section. Jennifer’s securities practice involves counseling companies on compliance with federal and state securities law regulation and advising on issues related to corporate governance matters and p...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity, host Lloyd Freeman examines the changing landscape of disability rights with Robert Dinerstein, Professor Emeritus at American University’s Washington College of Law. With over forty years of experience, Robert has been a prominent advocate for disability rights, serving on the President’s Committee on People with Intellectual Disabilities and consulting...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity, host Lloyd Freeman reconnects with former Buchanan intern Jai'Noah Martin, now a freshman at Virginia State University. Jai'Noah shares how his internship at Buchanan, through Nazareth Prep’s unique program, exposed him to new career possibilities, mentorship and the invaluable lessons that shaped his path to studying business management. From navigating...

On this episode of "Dimensions of Diversity," host Lloyd Freeman is joined by Dr. Chantal Hailey, an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin and a National Academies of Education Spencer Postdoctoral Fellow. Together, they explore Dr. Hailey's groundbreaking research on how race and racism influence American schooling and contribute to patterns of in...

In this milestone 100th episode, host Lloyd Freeman takes a heartfelt and unfiltered look back at the incredible journey of Dimensions of Diversity. This special solo episode captures the essence of the podcast's mission—fostering deeper conversations about diversity & inclusion across every facet of society. Lloyd reflects on how the podcast has tackled complex issues like systemic racism, cr...

On this episode of Dimensions of Diversity, host Lloyd Freeman explores the experiences of first-generation professionals breaking barriers within their families and communities. Joined by colleagues Jordan Yeagley, Jayme Bronson and Michael Valenti, Freeman delves into the unique challenges first-generation professionals may face as they navigate new professional environments, such as limited acc...

In this episode of Dimensions of Diversity, Lloyd Freeman interviews Thomas H. Prol, a pioneering advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and equity. Prol shares his journey, which includes serving in the Peace Corps, co-founding Garden State Equality and becoming the first openly gay president of the New Jersey State Bar Association. He discusses pivotal legal battles, particularly his key role in securing ma...