Breaking Barriers
Breaking Barriers is a dynamic and unapologetically honest podcast about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B), hosted by Anthony Arrington, Nick Ford, and Joy Briscoe. We dive deep into raw conversations, cutting through the noise of companies using "diversity" as a buzzword. DEI&B isn’t just a box to check—it’s either part of your company’s DNA, or it’s not. With expert guests, we tackle the real challenges that stand in the way of building a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture—one where everyone feels like they belong. Whether you're a small business, a large enterprise, or part of a community, DEI&B is essential to your success. And we’re here to guide you on that journey with energy, authenticity, and a little fun along the way. This isn’t a corporate newscast—this is real talk. If you’re ready for candid conversations and actionable insights that inspire real change, you’re in the right place. Welcome to Breaking Barriers, brought to you by Top RANK Talent Solutions. Explore more at toprankculture.com
Episodes
On the eve of Election Day, this episode dives into the essential issues driving tomorrow's vote and the critical reasons why showing up to the polls matters. Anthony and Joy discuss reproductive rights, equity in leadership, and the challenges surrounding voting rights—emphasizing the need for continued advocacy for marginalized voices. We also explore the impact of systemic issues, from the role of empathy in global crises to the...
In this episode of Breaking Barriers, recorded at the Empowerment Symposium in Iowa City, Anthony, Nick, and Joy explore racial equity, economic development, and generational shifts in the workplace. They discuss the courage needed for organizations to stand for racial justice, the importance of empowering women of color in economic development, and the generational focus on equity and work-life balance. The episode also touches on...
About the Guest(s):
Michele Sullivan is a renowned speaker, author, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Born with a rare form of dwarfism, Michele has overcome numerous challenges throughout her life and has become a strong advocate for equal opportunities for all. She had a successful career at Caterpillar, where she served as the Director of the Caterpillar Foundation, leading global philanthropic efforts. After ret...
About the Guest(s):
Kameron Middlebrooks is a highly driven individual dedicated to advocating for civil rights and social change. His career began when he served as a youth representative on the NAACP board of directors before transitioning to a leading role within the organization. Kameron has a rich history of organizing and mobilizing communities, including registering over 15,000 voters during his tenure. He has previously work...
About the Guest(s):
Dana James is a prominent figure in the journalism industry, particularly championing the voice of the Black community in Iowa. She stands as the publisher and founder of Black Iowa News, which is currently the only Black-owned newspaper in Iowa. With her background as a former reporter for the Des Moines Register, Dana brings her extensive experience to the forefront in her current pursuits. Beyond her editorial...
About the Guest(s):
- Dr. Ladrina Wilson: CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, with a background in higher education administration and a passion for community service.
- Nicole Sallis: Director of Communications for Grow Cedar Valley, with experience in fashion, entertainment, branding, and marketing.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Dr. LaDrina Wilson and Nicole Sallis discuss their experiences as black women in lea...
About the Guest(s):
Jasmine Briscoe is a young, driven professional making her mark from Iowa all the way to New York City. She graduated with an IB diploma from the first International Baccalaureate program in Waterloo, Iowa, and moved on to attend NYU as an MLK scholar, majoring in psychology and sociocultural analysis with a concentration in intersectionality. She now works in public health research, focusing on vaccine hesitancy...
About The Guest(s):
Jeff Disterhoft is the former CEO of GreenState Credit Union, where he led the organization's growth and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. He has a background in finance and has been nationally recognized for his leadership in the industry.
Summary:
Jeff Disterhoft discusses the importance of diversity in homeownership and the impact it can have on future generations. He shares his personal...
About The Guest(s): Melanie Ryan is a leadership and culture development expert with over 20 years of experience. She is the founder of a nonprofit called Beck's Place and has a background in finance. Melanie is passionate about creating equitable teams and facilitating individual growth.
Summary: Melanie Ryan discusses her decision to leave her corporate job and dedicate her career to diversity, equity, and inclusion work. She emph...
About The Guest(s): Kyle Roed is the Vice President of Human Resources at CPM Holdings and the Founder and CEO of Human Innovation LLC. He is also the Co-Founder of Disrupt HR in Cedar Valley and the creator and host of the Rebel HR Podcast.
Summary: Kyle Roed, Vice President of Human Resources at CPM Holdings, joins the Breaking Barriers podcast to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the manufacturing industry. He emp...
About The Guest(s):
- Reggie Sanders: Former Major League Baseball player, played for 17 years, won the World Series with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, currently works for the Kansas City Royals in their front office.
- Dmitri Young: Former Major League Baseball player, played for 13 years, won the National League Comeback Player of the Year in 2007, currently works in amateur baseball and coaching.
- Brian Jordan: Former Major Leag...
About The Guest(s):
- Preston Wilson: Former professional baseball player who played 10 seasons in the major leagues, won the World Series in 2006, and was an All-Star in 2003.
- Ray Burris: Former professional baseball player who played 15 years in the big leagues and is currently involved in developing young athletes.
- Michael Tucker: Former professional baseball player who played 13 years in the big leagues and is now focused on hel...
About The Guest(s):
Earnest “Coach E” Horton is the Founder and CEO of Black Baseball Media, a high-profile company based in Chicago that focuses on providing opportunities for minorities in the game of baseball. He is also a baseball coach and is passionate about helping young players develop their skills on and off the field.
Summary:
Coach E discusses the need to attract more minorities to the game of baseball at an earlier age. He...
Reshonda Young is the co-founder of Bank of Jabez, a Black-owned bank and community development financial institution (CDFI) in Waterloo, Iowa. She is also the director of 24/7 Black, a Black business entrepreneurship accelerated program that helps Black business owners develop and market their ideas.
Reshonda is a native of Waterloo, Iowa, and has been an active voice in advocating for pay equity, equitable healthcare, and other is...
About The Guest(s): Charity is the Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation and has been involved in nonprofit work for many years. She is passionate about advocating for libraries and protecting intellectual freedom.
Summary: Charity discusses the issue of book banning and censorship in libraries. She explains that book banning is a form of censorship that silences marginalized voices and restricts access to...
About The Guest(s): Robert L. Smith is a native of Dallas and a long-time advocate for equity in sports and education. He played football at the University of Iowa and has had a successful career as an NCAA Big Ten football official. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Educational Opportunity Programs and Special Community Services at the University of Northern Iowa.
Summary: Robert L. Smith shares his journey as a ...
Checkout the full show: ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyoCvyghdPQ&t=55s
Vince and Chris are experts in the field of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. They have a unique and authentic approach to addressing culture issues within organizations. They challenge traditional methods and focus on understanding the root causes of diversity and belonging challenges.
Summary:
Vince and Chris discuss their authentic approach to a...
In this episode of Breaking Barriers we interview Alfred Ramirez. Alfred Ramirez is a keynote speaker, coach, trainer, and facilitator for public and private organizations.
He has held various positions in the public and private sectors, including serving as President Clinton's White House Associate Director of Presidential Personnel and the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
D...
In this episode, we had the privilege of having an inspiring conversation with the founders of TurnSignl, an innovative tech company that's making waves in the social justice space.
Jazz Hampton, Andre Creighton, and Michael are three Black men who decided to use their skills and backgrounds in law, finance, and technology to create a platform that could truly impact and change the institution of fair and transparent policing.
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