Conversations with Chanda

Hon. Harriette Chiggai, Advisor on Women’s Rights to the President of Kenya, joins Chanda Smith Baker for a powerful and deeply human conversation about courage, bias, and the fight for safety and dignity in leadership.

From growing up in Nakuru to advising the highest office in her country, Harriette shares what she has learned about resilience, mentorship, and the cost and reward of breaking barriers. Together they explor...

In this episode, Chanda sits down with Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon for a conversation that goes beyond the ballot box. Together, they unpack the state of democracy in America and why choosing not to vote isn’t resistance, but resignation.

From the real impact of government shutdowns to the erosion of public trust, Simon shares a behind-the-scenes look at how democracy actually functions and what happens whe...

Steve Grove, a former Google executive and current Star Tribune leader, joins Chanda Smith Baker on 'Conversations with Chanda' to discuss his new book, 'How I Found Myself in the Midwest.' Listen as Steve dives into his personal journey of reinvention, the challenges and triumphs faced in his career transitions, and the unique community dynamics in Minnesota. Discover how local stories of hope and innovation can inspire b...

Guests Danielle Mkali and Lavasha Smith of Nexus Community Partners, and recipient Tari Sudduth, join Chanda Smith Baker to unpack the $50K Open Road Fund. Seeded by a $50M Bush Foundation grant, it’s redefining wealth, honoring Black futures, and repairing harm through direct investment in descendants of the transatlantic slave trade.

https://nexuscp.org/
2025 applications are now open! Apply by July 21, 2025, 11:59 pm ...

In this episode, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan shares her inspiring leadership journey and discusses the influences of her upbringing by strong women. She highlights the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in public service, the power of community, and the role of hope and activism in sustaining democracy. Flanagan also explores the challenges of motherhood and balancing personal and professional life while...

Join Chanda Smith Baker in a powerful conversation with Dr. Tonya Jackman Hampton—a seasoned HR executive, author, and transformational leader. Raised in Minnesota, Tonya reflects on her family legacy, including her grandfather’s founding of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, and how it shaped her belief in the power of storytelling. She shares what it means to lead as a Black woman in corporate America, the importance of d...

In this powerful episode of Conversations with Chanda, former Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria “Rondo” Arradondo joins Chanda Smith Baker for an unflinching and deeply personal conversation about leadership, justice, and the weight of public service. As the first Black police chief in Minneapolis, Chief Arradondo reflects on his decades-long career, the crisis of George Floyd’s murder, and the decisions that defined his le...

In this episode of Conversations with Chanda, Girl Scouts River Valleys CEO Marisa C. Williams and four-time bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones shatter the myths of perfectionism and self-doubt. They dive into the transformative power of borrowed courage, revealing how women and girls can silence their inner critic and step boldly into their purpose. Girl Scouts River Valleys: https://www.girlscoutsrv.org/ Luvvie Ajayi ...

Sharon Bush, President of Grand Victoria Foundation, joins Chanda Smith Baker to challenge leadership norms. She reveals why sometimes the most radical act is choosing stillness over noise. Learn how an introverted leader transforms communities by listening deeply, building strategic power, and centering Black abundance—not just surviving, but thriving with purpose. https://grandvictoriafdn.org/ www.conversationswithchan...

Pierre Berastaín, Regional Director of CPI Center for Public Impact, is a Harvard-educated, gay Latino immigrant who turns personal barriers into blueprints for social transformation. In this raw, powerful conversation, he dismantles systemic barriers through personal resilience, revealing how marginalized communities can transform pain into profound social change. Discover radical strategies for healing, leadership, and r...

Karla Henderson, the new CEO of Project for Pride in Living (PPL), joins Chanda Smith Baker to unpack her journey of unapologetic leadership. In a raw, powerful conversation, she reveals how to navigate complex challenges, stay true to community values, and transform unexpected opportunities into meaningful impact—all while redefining what it means to lead with resilience and purpose. Project for Pride in Living (PPL): ht...

Dr. Sherece West-Scantlebury, President of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, joins Chanda Smith Baker to expose philanthropy's hidden power dynamics. In a raw, unfiltered conversation, she reveals how Black women leaders strategically navigate and dismantle institutional racism, offering a masterclass in resilience, strategic resistance, and transformative leadership that challenges the very foundations of charitable gi...

Join Chanda Smith Baker and the Jeremiah Program's CEO Chastity Lord, Board Chair Meredith Moore, and alumna Lavasha Smith as they discuss JP's two-generation approach to disrupting poverty. This conversation explores how JP's holistic support empowers single mothers and their children, combining personal experiences with different perspectives. Jeremiah Program: https://jeremiahprogram.org/ www.conversationswithchanda.c...

Chanda sat down with Christo Brand, a former prison guard on Robben Island, who shares his remarkable story of friendship with Nelson Mandela. Discover how an unlikely bond formed between a jailer and the iconic leader, and the profound lessons of respect, humanity, and forgiveness that transformed them both. https://christobrand.co.za/ To purchase "Doing Life with Mandela" book: https://a.co/d/bK7jCAh www.conversationswit...

In this episode of Centering Conversations, an exclusive segment with Voice Vision Value, Ashleigh Gardere, the President of PolicyLink, shares a bold vision to redesign the nation from the ground up. Challenging the status quo, Gardere argues that current systems were never designed for collective flourishing - it's time to redefine the values and legal frameworks that will deliver a just and equitable future for all. Re...

We are highlighting an episode on Centering Conversations aired in 2023 with the award-winning journalist and author L'Oreal Thompson Payton. Her debut book, Stop Waiting for Perfect, was published in August 2023. Dive into overcoming perfectionism, identity struggles, and the importance of representation. From burnout lessons to reclaiming dreams, this episode is a powerful exploration of vulnerability, resilience, and se...

Dr. Christopher Emdin is the Professor of Science Education and Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller, “For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood and the Rest of Y’all Too," "STEM, STEAM, Make Dream," and much more. Chanda and Chris discussed the major challenges in our education system. Emdin boldly declares ...

Detria Austin Everson, CEO of the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, shares her inspiring journey in philanthropy and social justice. Discover how service can be your superpower as Everson reveals the keys to unity, resilience, and hope in leadership. Learn how celebrating small victories can lead to big changes and why black women's voices are crucial in the fight for equity. https://detriaaustineverson.com/ https...

John W. Rogers, Jr. is the Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, the global value-based asset management firm he founded in 1983 and first African American-owned asset management firm in American history. Chanda sat down with John to talk about moving away from supplier diversity and into business diversity, along with the importance of creating multigenerational wealth for Black and Brown communities. https://www.arielinvestments...