Fatimah Gilliam, Esquire. is the Founder and CEO of The Azara Group. As a skilled strategist, business leader, negotiator, and trusted advisor, she has spent her career advancing her clients’ goals. She leverages her expertise to provide real-world guidance. Her mission is to empower her clients to be strong business leaders, drive results, have su…

Portia Burch is a Black queer activist and Omaha native with a specific focus on anti-racism work and abolition. Portia was activated by the murder of Michael Brown Jr. and the subsequent protests and riots in Ferguson, MO. As consciousness shifts towards reckoning with racism and white supremacy in the world, Portia is working to create spaces tha…

Portia Burch is an activist and educator, with a focus on deconstructing current societal norms and systems in power to create a more equitable and just world. She believes in creating change from the inside out which involves identifying the root cause, where change needs to begin, and encouraging growth beyond. Portia works with both nonprofit an…

Jill Nagle is a published author, coach, facilitator, and founder of Evolutionary Workplace. She aims to help reduce harm to Black and Brown people, as well as support white people in liberating themselves from the effects of white supremacy’s toxic mythology. She uses somatic tools to help white anti-racist leaders dismantle white supremacy and li…

James Joyce III is Founder and Chief Visionary Ocer of Coee With A Black Guy, an innovative movement in which he provides consultation and coaching that is rooted in facilitating conversations about race and perspective for community groups and organizations. Joyce is an educator, a former award-winning journalist, and runner up in the 2021 Santa B…

KL Collins is a Cornell University graduate who has worked for several large studios, including Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and DreamWorks. After years of writing as hobby, he took a draft of his screenplay, Talk Show, and used it to gain entrance into the Guy Hanks and Marvin Miller Screenwriting Fellowship Program at the University of South…

Description Leteria Bailey is a motivated Jamaican-American professional with a passion for serving and advocating for youth and people of color (POC). Through her work serving 5 NGOs in Montgomery County, Maryland, Leteria has researched and developed digital platforms, coordinated public-facing organization events, and supported the distribution …

Buck Angel's message of empowerment through self-acceptance and the mission to encourage everyone to be comfortable in their own skin - whatever that means to them - has struck a passionate chord with people around the world. Buck was born female on June 5,1962. He never felt female and struggled through life until he had the life-changing opportun…

When David Romano began to feel the early symptoms of depression in middle school, he thought everyone felt that way, and that it was part of growing up. The popular student and multi-sport athlete tried to maintain his outward image as the fun, goofy kid, and used sports and other activities to cover his inner struggle. A mental health checklist h…

Description Dr. Jennifer Mullan, founder of Decolonizing Therapy, wrote the book, "Decolonizing Therapy: Oppression, Historical Trauma & Politicizing Your Practice,”. Dr. Mullan, lovingly called “The Rage Doctor”, is also an organizational consultant, teacher, course creator, community builder, and decolonized mental health movement starter. She ha…

Description Dr. Eric FitzMedrud is a culturally aware clinician, trainer, speaker, podcast guest, author and a licensed psychologist. He specializes in evidence-based practices that include sex-positive wisdom and celebrating the joys of pleasure. Eric’s new book is The Better Man, A Guide to Consent, Stronger relationships and Better Sex. What You…

Dr. Eric FitzMedrud is a culturally aware clinician, trainer, speaker, podcast guest, author and a licensed psychologist. He specializes in evidence-based practices that include sex-positive wisdom and celebrating the joys of pleasure. Eric’s new book is The Better Man, A Guide to Consent, Stronger relationships and Better Sex. What You Will Hear: …

Qasim Rashid is a human rights lawyer who built his career fighting for survivors of domestic violence, asylum seekers, and low income communities. He and his family immigrated from Pakistan to the United States with his family when he was five. As a child, Qasim grew up in Section 8 housing in DuPage county. Qasim’s parents, who were both teachers…

Description Fletcher Cleaves is a native of Memphis, TN who decided to turn his tragedy into a testimony. As an advocate and motivational presenter, he speaks out against the dangers of texting and driving as well as overcoming adversity. He aspires to share his journey in hopes it will save lives and inspire others to reach their goals, regardless…

Urban educator and inner-city school advocate Jasmyn Williams is an Upper Elementary School Dean in East Cleveland, Ohio. Over the years she has developed the awareness, compassion, and knowledge to effectively lead and educate students with severe behavioral needs and learning disabilities in the inner city realm. In 2019, she received a Master of…

Ernest Crim III is an Anti-Racist Educator and hate crime survivor who uses (Black) historical narratives to empower and educate families and train educators through an equitable lens. Mr. Crim, a south side of Chicago native and University of Illinois graduate, is a former high school history educator of 12 years, who now advocates for social just…

Ernest Crim III is an Anti-Racist Educator and hate crime survivor who uses Black historical narratives to empower and educate families and train educators through an equitable lens. Mr. Crim, a south side of Chicago native and University of Illinois graduate, is a former high school history educator of 12 years, who now advocates for social justic…

Description Daniel Collins has had a challenged but also blessed journey. He had it all, then lost it, more than once and now he’s coming back. Daniel is transparent about his journey and the good news is he didn't give up! Daniel continues to be an activist for anti Black racism and prison reform. He's back to give us updates and to talk about his…

JD and Martin Drux discuss the need for diversity and inclusion in corporate spaces. Martin is a multinational executive who manages cross-cultural teams for a Global US-headquartered consulting firm. When the world shut down Martin’s opened up and that’s when he found Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEI&B). It became his new passion and …

JD and Dr. Ally continue their conversation around mind, body, community, healing and everything next level. Dr. Allycin Powell Hicks, aka Dr. Ally has her PhD in clinical psychology. She is the host of Discovery Plus and OWN's tv show that she hosts with her mother, Dr. Cynthia, aptly named Like Mother Like Daughter. From self worth, to anxiety, t…

JD Welcomes back Dr. Ally. Dr. Allycin Powell Hicks, aka Dr. Ally, has her PhD in clinical psychology. She is the host of Discovery Plus and OWN’s tv show that she hosts with her mother, Dr. Cynthia, aptly named Like Mother Like Daughter. From self worth, to anxiety, to self doubt, Dr. Ally has the solution. She is an entrepreneur, a media personal…

Resmaa Menakem is the author of “My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Bodies,” published in September 2017, which appeared on the New York Times bestseller list in May 2021 as well as "The Quaking of America: An Embodied Guide to Navigating our Nation's Upheaval and Racial Reckoning," published in 2022…

Resmaa Menakem is the author of “My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Bodies,” published in September 2017, which appeared on the New York Times bestseller list in May 2021 as well as "The Quaking of America: An Embodied Guide to Navigating our Nation's Upheaval and Racial Reckoning," published in 2022…

Description Natasha Desjardins is a trusted, creative, result-driven Human Resources Practitioner and DEI Strategist with expertise at the intersections of HR, DENI, and Wellness. Natasha has a proven track record of enhancing employee experience, engagement, and retention. Her impact spans industries such as Public Media/ Broadcasting and trade as…

JD sits down with filmmaker Pallavi Somusetty to talk about identity, representation, consumerism, truth and filmmaking. Pallavi creates doc portraits that center BIPOC voices in the hope that we feel fully seen in the complexities of our identities and journeys, and that meaningful impact can result. Since 2020, she has been a series producer for …