On The Edge Of Equity

In this episode, Generation Capital Growth Founder and Managing Director Cory Nettles shares deeply personal stories about his upbringing in Milwaukee and his driving desire to move with urgency and efficiency to make a difference, specifically for communities of color. Nettles is deeply grounded in the values instilled in him by his grandmother, believing that human dignity and worth aren’t deter...

Laura Gutierrez, who is the first woman and person from UCC Southside neighborhood to lead the United Community Center, draws on early experiences while pushing forward initiatives like empowering thriving Hispanic communities through education opportunities as an equalizer regardless of zip code or birthplace status. She believes in servant leadership, and that it’s important for young generation...

In today's episode, the inspiring Lauren Feaster discusses the unique platform she has as CEO of Milwaukee’s Professional Dimensions (PD) and what it means to lead with intention, integrity and heart, all rooted in system thinking. Her commitment to the work is rooted in her desire to ensure women, especially women of color, are embraced, elevated and compensated for every professional dimens...

In our latest episode, Andres Gonzalez, the vice president of community engagement and chief diversity officer at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, discusses how to be a catalyst for change and lifts Milwaukee as a place where organizations are intentionally investing in the community. Gonzalez also says that, too often, people in positions of power try to prescribe so...

In this episode, Kenyatta Sinclair of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation shares why inclusion, humanity, and people feeling seen and valued are the most critical elements of doing transformational work. An equity, diversity and inclusion leader with more than two decades of experience, Sinclair also lifts what she sees as the differences between proformative, or symbolic, change verus true systemic...

The theater has always been a powerful tool for social change. Tammy is joined by Chad Bauman, the Executive Director at Milwaukee Repertory Theater and discusses how theater can be used to ignite conversations about important issues, and promote positive change in society. Chad also explores how performing arts can be used to make a difference in the world through promoting diversity, equity, and...

In today's episode, Kendra Ingram, President and CEO of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, shares her experience as a woman of color in the arts and culture industry and how she has used her platform to advocate for more diversity in leadership roles. She discusses how having more diversity in leadership positions can impact decision-making and how this can lead to more representative prog...

Thelma A. Sias, retired executive and the founder and president of the Sias Group, shares how her childhood and personal story influenced her capacity to lead and why she believes great leadership involves the ability to listen and follow other people. Sias discusses the importance of leading through critical conversations, as well as enabling others to grow as leaders themselves. Importantly, Sia...

In this episode, Catherine Knipstein, the Vice-President of Strategy of Athena Communications, tells us why words matter to her. She shares a story of when she realized she was going to translate this expertise into a career. She emphasizes simplicity when crafting your messages when you can. Catherine talks about her mantra, "Write tight." She also shares her thoughts on the term “fake news” and...

When the stakes are high, Dr. Alonzo Kelly has advice on how to navigate through, and succeed at, crucial conversations. As president and founder of the Kelly Leadership Group, Kelly recently was named a recipient of a 2022 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for Service and shares his expertise on purpose, growth and evolution. Kelly lifts the three elements of a cruc...

In this episode, Ellen Gilligan shares the critical leadership lessons she has learned as president and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation as it works toward its goal of "A Milwaukee for All." Importantly, she shares, reimagining philanthropy means recognizing that the work is “more than money.”  Gilligan discusses the need to shift from seeing people in under-resourced communi...

Civil rights activist and education reform advocate Dr. Howard Fuller shares his powerful thoughts about what being unbought and unbothered mean to him – and what does bother him. Dr. Fuller also shares his approach to having conversations with people with whom you fundamentally disagree and why words have such power, including importantly with the students who attend the charter school...

Speaker, trainer and professional coach Nick Dillon – the Believe Coach – shares how critically important a belief mindset is in our professional and personal journeys, importantly the need to disrupt patterns and thoughts that don’t serve you. Dillon shares his daily mantras, the importance of expressing gratitude and the need for leaders to leverage their emotional intelligence. He places a stro...

Multifaceted Faithe Colas discusses the power of community engagement and connecting people, emphasizing the importance of trust when building personal and professional relationships. She also shares her thoughts about authenticity and why she enjoys supporting young people as they’re coming up in their careers. Finally, Colas discusses community journalism in Milwaukee and how memb...

In this episode, Lazonnie Belton, a member of the Athena Speakers Bureau who built her career through dedication, commitment and innovation, shares her thoughts on purpose-driven leadership. Belton explains the importance of self-reflection -- including accepting feedback and being humble enough to ask for help. Belton also emphasizes the belief that “Together Everybody Achieves More” (TEAM), shar...

Why is centering community in philanthropy critical to the success of the work of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation? For Ellen Gilligan, the organization’s president and CEO, it’s because it’s imperative to lead with an asset-based approach that invests in people because they best know what they need. Additionally, Gilligan shares ideas about how individuals can make real and actionable change in c...

In a wide-ranging conversation that chronicles his journey from educator to leader to pastor, Dr. Marcus Arrington shares how his faith has undergirded his life’s work, in particular the key recognition that he believes that all individuals are made uniquely in the image of God and deserve respect and dignity because of this. Dr. Arrington also shares his thoughts about the importance of being a “...

With professional training as an engineer and in organizational behavior, Dr. Greer Jordan shares how she has navigated approaching equity, inclusion and belonging work from a systems approach, always seeking to understand how people best function together.  Dr. Jordan also explains why we must remember that we are mutually dependent upon one another – and that we may not always agree, but it...

In this episode, we’re joined by Paula Penebaker, who is as busy as ever after formally retiring in 2019 from her role as president of the YWCA Southeast Wisconsin. In a career spanning multiple industries, Paula has long led and championed authentic and honest conversations about race among people who have different lived experiences. Ultimately, Paula strives to embolden others to read, probe an...

Dr. Monique Liston is authentic, transparent and real. She discusses growing up in what’s considered the most nationally infamous ZIP code 53206, confirmation bias, measuring what matters and more. As the founder of Ubuntu Research and Evaluation, Dr. Liston highlights the importance of research-based accountability to create an equitable world. Dr. Liston further spotlights the burden of student...

No matter your age, developing resilience is important. In today's episode, Dr. Brandon Currie discusses the organization he founded and leads, STRYV365, a Milwaukee nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals overcome trauma by fostering resilience through responsible decision-making, self- and social awareness, self-management, and strong relationships. Why are these skills so important? Because...

In today`s episode, we are joined by Dr. Howard Fuller. He talks about how he is approaching his work from an equity perspective, removing personal agenda from the equation, and the importance of leadership and community involvement in achieving equity.  Dr. Fuller also shares his thoughts on how to create more inclusive environments, what he sees as the future of equity work, and why it is s...

In this inaugural episode of On the Edge of Equity, your hosts Tammy Belton-Davis, Becky Dubin Jenkins and Dave Ratfelders share the impetus behind launching a podcast focused on diversity, equity and inclusion and what the name means to them.  What should you expect? Tough questions, raw conversations. Time spent being comfortable with discomfort. The Athena Communications team centers its w...

On the Edge of Equity is a bold new podcast that features crucial conversations centered on equity, diversity and inclusion. But this isn’t just talking the talk. It’s about inspiring action… asking tough questions and getting honest answers – because that’s the only way that real change happens.  So if you’re ready to help move our communities from the Edge of Equity to a place of...