Black Gems Dive In Podcast

Kua and Kendra sit down with Dr. Janice Gassam Asare—organizational psychologist, consultant, and LinkedIn’s #1 Top Voice in Racial Equity—to discuss the alarming job losses facing Black women and the broader backlash against DEI. Drawing from her recent writing, Dr. Gassam Asare connects today’s challenges to a long history of resistance that follows progress, and offers insights on how we can bu...

In this episode of  Black Gems Dive In , Kua and Kendra tackle the latest headlines and hard truths impacting our communities. They begin with the sharp rise in unemployment among Black women—over 320,000 jobs lost since April under the new administration—before turning to the BBC’s report on U.S. immigration raids in Los Angeles, where lifted limits give ICE a green light for racial profiling. Fo...

In this episode of  Black Gems Dive In , we explore the latest headlines impacting Black women in the workforce and leadership. We unpack the Justice Department’s investigation into Chicago’s hiring practices following Mayor Brandon Johnson’s celebration of Black hires, and dig into troubling new data showing that Black women experienced the steepest job losses in April—shedding 106,000 jobs. We a...

In this episode of  Black Gems Dive In , Kendra and Kua explore the cultural and political whirlwind of the moment. Our Diversity Dispatch covers the ongoing Target consumer boycott—what sparked it, how it’s evolving, and what it says about corporate accountability. For our Hot Topic, we revisit the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency and reflect on how those early decisions still shape the chaos...

In this episode of Black Gems Dive In, we unpack the appointment of a man fearful of Black pilots to the U.S. Air Force advisory board and examine how Trump continues to stack military boards with MAGA loyalists like Michael Flynn and Charlie Kirk. We then explore the potential impact of major tax changes that could devastate student loan borrowers, particularly in marginalized communities. Our De...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. LaShonda Brenson and Kimberly Victor, two researchers from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies—America’s Black Think Tank. Together, we explore their groundbreaking work tracking racial diversity among top Congressional staff and why it matters more than ever. We discuss the deep disparities in representation on Capitol Hill, the institutional...

In this episode of the  Black Gems Dive In , we explore the latest headlines impacting culture, politics, and equity. We discuss artists withdrawing from performances at the  Kennedy Center  after Trump’s appointment as board chair, examine  South Africa and European nations  seeking new global allies, and take a deep dive into Trump’s ultimatum for universities to eliminate  DEI efforts  or lose...

In this episode, we dive into the latest  Diversity Dispatch , unpacking the  DEI Watchlist website  and its impact on organizations committed to equity and inclusion. We also break down  Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance , exploring the powerful symbolism, imagery, and the controversy surrounding how different audiences perceived it. Shifting to politics, we analyze  JD Vance’s recent tweet q...

In this episode of Black Gems Dive In, we dive deep into the uncertain future of DEI under Trump’s administration. With executive orders aimed at dismantling diversity programs, what does this mean for corporate, nonprofit, and governmental DEI efforts? Our guest, Kim LaVare, joins us to unpack the political landscape, historical patterns of equity rollbacks, and what organizations can do to susta...

In this episode of Black Gems Dive In, we explore the intersection of leadership, technology, and politics in a rapidly changing world. We begin with our Diversity Dispatch: John Hope Bryant’s bold call to action for greater leadership in DEI, emphasizing the critical role of economic empowerment in driving systemic change. Next, we dive into our Hot Topic: the mass migration from X (formerly Twit...

On this week's episode of the Black Gems Dive In Podcast, we're joined by special guest Jamil Crews of Crews Control Media. For our Diversity Dispatch we break down Dr. Phil’s recent comments on DEI at the Trump MSG rally. Next, our Hot Topic highlights a powerful moment in history: the 1960s civil rights activists who bravely staged sit-ins now having their arrest records cleared. Lastly,...

Join us for an exciting episode of the Black Gems Dive-In Podcast as we broadcast live from the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C. This year marks the 53rd annual legislative conference, and we’re thrilled to discuss pressing issues affecting our communities. In this episode, we welcome our special guest, Miles Gresham, the Policy Director at Neighbor-to-Neighbor Massachusetts. Miles s...

In this week's episode of the Black Gems Dive In, we highlight a Diversity Dispatch, and dive into the recent rollback of DEI efforts by Jack Daniels’ owners, Brown-Forman, and highlight the controversial role of Robby Starbuck in the ongoing battle against diversity initiatives. We also tackle the "meeting industrial complex" and the growing trend of white-collar work being dominated...

In our latest episode of the Black Gems Dive In Podcast, we explore the intersection of diversity and sports, kicking off with a Diversity Dispatch segment that highlights the diversity within Team USA during the Olympics. Kendra and Kua welcome our guests, all PGA REACH WNY Pathfinder Trustees: John Osberg Director of Development & Foundation Operations, Western New York PGA, Royce Woods VP C...

In this episode of the Black Gems Dive In Podcast, Kua welcomes two distinguished guests, Kim LaVare, Managing Director of Clementine Gold Group, and Natalia Rice, Education, Policy & Creative Director at Clementine Gold Group. In our Diversity Dispatch segment, we dissect an article from the Financial Times titled "Companies Drop DEI Targets from Bonus Plans on Pressure from Conservatives...

In this episode of the Black Gems Dive In Podcast, co-hosts Kua and Kendra are joined by Andrew Delmonte, Executive Director of Cooperation Buffalo, to discuss the power of cooperative business ownership in communities of color. The pair discuss the 'Diversity Dispatch' segment analyzing the latest trends in how SHRM, a professional HR organization is removing the “E” in “DEI” as reported...

On this episode Kua and Kendra discuss the Diversity Dispatch, spotlighting a significant advancement in healthcare equity. New York Medicaid recipients now have access to doulas, a crucial support service for maternal health. The pair also discuss the Hot Topic of connecting to voters of color-exploring key facts about Black eligible voters in 2024, based on a thorough analysis by Pew Research Ce...

Welcome to this week's episode of the Black Gems Dive In Podcast, where we explore impactful stories and issues affecting our community. **Diversity Dispatch:** We begin with a powerful look into the enduring effects of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Hear the stories of Black survivors and their ongoing fight for justice. **Hot Topic:** Our Hot Topic addresses the debate around men and the Sele...

In this episode of the Black Gems Dive In Podcast, we tackle pressing issues in the realm of diversity and inclusion. We start with a Diversity Dispatch on "Meta's AI Council Criticized For Excluding Women And People Of Color," followed by a discussion on Byron Donalds' controversial comments about the Jim Crow era. Our main topic dives deep into the crucial subject of generational...

In this episode, Kua and Kendra dive into a significant court ruling of the Fearless Fund, impacting grants given to Black Women Entrepreneurs. The pair also discuss the monumental achievements of the Uncle Nearest Brand and controversial moments in the WNBA, with the latest coverage of the newest rookies and various perspectives of the league. Finally, Kua and Kendra share their “Gem of the Day”.

On this episode of Black Gems Dive In, Kendra and Ekua tackle the controversy of two Virginia schools reverting to Confederate names. The pair also delves into the heated exchange between U.S. Representatives Jasmine Crockett and Marjorie Taylor Greene, shining a light on microaggressions in the workplace. Finally, they share their ‘Gem of the Day’. 

In this episode, join hosts Kua and Kendra for a poignant and powerful live episode of the Black Gems Dive In Podcast, recorded on the second anniversary of the tragic May 14 racist mass shooting that took the lives of 10 community members in Buffalo, NY. In this special episode, we honor the memory of those we lost and celebrate the strength and resilience of the Buffalo community. Broadcasting f...

In this episode of The Black Gems Dive In Podcast, Kua and Kendra dive deep into a captivating conversation with Kim LaVare, Managing Director of Clementine Gold Group, delving into the recent rap feud between Kendrick and Drake. In this episode, we boldly explore the authenticity of Drake’s Identity: is it genuine or monetized? Join us as we delve into questions of identity and representation, un...

In this episode, Kua and Kendra discuss the Diversity Dispatch Hot Topic: Duke University's decision to end a scholarship program for black students has sparked mixed reactions. The pair also discuss the concept of targeted universalism as an alternative way to reframe and rebrand diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. They explore the challenges faced by DEI practitioners in the curren...

In this episode, hosts Kendra and Kua welcome David Shands, Entrepreneur and Founder of Sleep is 4 Suckers as they dive into a conversation about the current attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. They discuss the proposed legislation that aims to roll back efforts made since 2020 and the impact it has on marginalized communities. The hosts also touch on the concept of "...