The Empowerment Zone

Next episode out on Monday, July 10th with guest Dr. Vicki Ruiz What is one of the most powerful gifts to give to others?

Dr. Shaun M. Anderson: Advancing social responsibility in sports — Sports teams and athletes have always influenced social change.  In this episode Ramona talks to professor and social responsibility champion Dr. Shaun M. Anderson about the power of athletes and sports teams in impacting and transforming society.  His work focuses on the intersections of sports, politics, race, and society.  Dr. S...

Next episode out on Monday, June July 3rd with guest Dr. Shaun M. Anderson How can sports teams be more effective in community impact?

Dr. Emma Pérez: The power of writing in transforming people and society —  Life-writing can be healing, empowering, and community-making when shared with others. Ultimately, words have the power to change minds and lives. That is why writing our own stories is so important.  Listen to Ramona’s conversation as she talks with the esteemed historian Dr. Emma Pérez. Dr. Pérez discusses the magic that...

Next episode out on Monday, June 26th with guest Dr. Emma Pérez Why is writing a significant aspect of empowerment?

A Texas Family Celebrates: Izora Jones, Loretta Houston, and Rita Sibert —  Juneteenth is now a National Holiday, and The Empowerment Zone” is celebrating.  In today’s episode Ramona provides a brief overview of the history of Juneteenth.  Afterwards, she has a lively and engaging conversation with her family about the history and significance of Juneteenth. Natives of Texas, the family has lived...

Next episode out on Monday, June 19th with guest Izora Jones, Loretta Houston and Rita Sibert It is Juneteenth! A Texas Family Celebrates

Dr. Sarah Zenaida Gould: Mexican American Civil Rights Institute —  Most of the time when we think of US Civil Rights history, we primarily think of it in a black/white dichotomy.  In today’s episode, Ramona talks to museum professional and public historian Dr. Sarah Zenaida Gould about the importance of expanding our understanding of US Civil Rights History by including the historical narratives...

Next episode available from Monday, June 12th with guest Dr. Sarah Zenaida Gould How do Museums Advance History and Social Change?

Neelu Kaur: Empowering Women for Self-Advocacy —  Were you raised in an individualistic or collective culture? Based on your answer to this question, you may experience challenges when it comes to self-advocacy and self-promotion. Those of us who come from collective cultures, or are raised by parents in collective cultures, struggle with speaking up for ourselves as well as speaking about ourselv...

Next episode available from Monday, June 5th with guest Neelu Kaur Do you know how to be your own cheerleader?

Dr. Elena Foulis: Teaching students how to “be agents of change” —  Leadership development and the importance of impacting your community are and should be a significant component of a college education. In today’s episode Ramona talks to Dr. Elena Foulis about her efforts in teaching her students to “Be agents of change.” As Dr. Foulis explains, learning how to be an impactful leader in the commu...

Next episode available from Monday, May 29th with guest Dr. Elena Foulis Documentary film “Blurring the Color Line: Chinese in the Segregated South"

Dr. Crystal Kwok: Examining the Complexity of African American and Chinese Relations — This month “The Empowerment Zone” is celebrating Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI) by featuring Dr. Crystal Kwok and her documentary film “Blurring the Color Line:  Chinese in the Segregated South.” Join the conversation as Ramona talks to Dr. Kwok about her film, which exam...

Next episode available from Monday, May 22nd with guest Dr. Crystal Kwok Leadership Development in Higher Education for Greater Impact

Gloria Neal: Empowering Companies to Maximize their ROI through DEI&A and ESG —  Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEI&A) are buzz words these days, but how many companies really understand what it means to embrace DEI&A? Join Ramona today as she has a very candid conversation with Gloria Neal about why DEI&A is vital for any company or organization doing business in the 21st Century...

Next episode available from Monday, May 8th with guest Gloria Neal How does DEI&A and ESG contribute to the bottom line?

The Importance of Philanthropy within the Black and Brown Communities —  Dr. Mara Perez, Founder and Principal of Latino Futures, discusses the importance of Latinos and African Americans engaging in philanthropy—both as donors and as professionals. According to Dr. Perez, the Black and Brown communities must become more involved in the philanthropic sector on multiple levels to ensure the viabili...

Next episode available from Monday, May 1st with guest Dr. Mara Perez The Importance of Philanthropy within the Black and Brown Communities

Nedra Deadwyler: How to maintain culture and community despite change —  Are you in a community that is being disrupted and/or destroyed by gentrification?  If so, are you interested in preserving the history and culture of your community despite these changes? In this episode Ramona talks to Nedra Deadwyler about the need for communities to protect and maintain their history and culture.  Accordi...

Next episode available from Monday, April 24th with guest Nedra Deadwyler Heritage preservation in the midst of gentrification

Richard Martinez: Transforming Minds and Actions through Messaging -  Current leadership in the United States has the dual challenge of unifying the communities they serve and ending systemic racism within their spheres of influence—no small feat.  Today  Ramona talks with leadership development trainer Richard Martinez, who explains the importance of communication and messaging in leading social...

Next episode available from Monday, April 17th with guest Richard Martinez How can leaders operate as healers and uniters?

Regina Jackson: Host of Race2Dinner, conversations on racism -  How many of us have participated in conversations that explore how white women uphold white supremacy?  Join Ramona in her conversation with Regina Jackson as Regina shares how she has found a creative way to have challenging yet hopeful conversations around racism, systems of oppression, and white supremacy with white women through h...

Next episode available from Monday, April 10th with guest Regina Jackson, Host of Race2Dinner, conversations on racism.