Diversity Be Like

Diversity Be Like

In this podcast, our host, Sequoia Houston, explores the nuanced dynamics of diversity and what true diversity looks like. Enjoy interviews with industry leading experts as they discuss challenges associated with diversity in various forms, why diversity is important and what we can all do to foster a culture that is committed to authentic diversity, equity, inclusion and respect.

Episodes

June 2, 2022 74 mins

In this season 2 finale episode of Diversity Be Like, host Sequoia Houston chats with Brett Dismuke, film producer and General Manager of AllBlk & WEtv at AMC Networks. Brett shares stories from his 20+ years of marketing, production, sales and branding while dropping gems about how he was able to build his own table and create his own opportunities. 

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In this week’s episode of Diversity Be Like, host Sequoia Houston chats with three powerhouse guests in media and entertainment, Tammi Mac of The Tammi Mac Late Show, Kelvin Washington of Spectrum News One and Jason Douglas Lewis of the LA Standard Newspaper. The four discuss the differences in community news vs. mainstream media, the power and importance of telling our own stories and the impact social media has had on news r...

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In this week’s episode of Diversity Be Like, host Sequoia Houston chats with Shawn Francis and Brian Altounian, the dynamic duo of the Just Two Dads podcast.

The trio discuss the importance of preparing children with special needs for a successful future, what organizations can do to support their teammates raising children with special needs, the significance of the language we use to describe those with different abilities...

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On today’s episode of Diversity Be Like, host Sequoia Houston chats with Dr. Adrienne Madison. Dr. Madison is the Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention and Protection team chief at US Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory in Fort Rucker, Alabama. In her current role, she oversees the injury biomechanics research and ensures that the helmets that soldiers wear in military environments do not contribute to decreased mission performan...

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On today’s episode of Diversity Be Like, host Sequoia Houston chats with special guest Donica Beckett, an award-winning strategist, speaker, and founder of Complete Package Publishing and Communications LLC. Ms. Beckett is a seasoned public health professional, researcher, epidemiologist, and educator of all ages who is passionate about building healthier, wealthier legacies through wellness and power.

The two discuss COVID-...

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In this episode, Sequoia Houston talks to Dr. Bernadette P. Smith, licensed therapist and owner of Aspen Counseling & Wellness in Houston, Tx. Sometimes you need Jesus AND therapy - and this conversation touches on how to navigate that experience. Tune in to hear the two explore the mental health stigma in the Black community and what Dr. Smith and her team are doing to help change the narrative and make mental health acce...

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April 21, 2022 58 mins

On this episode of Diversity Be Like host Sequoia Houston talks to Rob Smith, founder and CEO of The Phluid Project, a gender-free clothing and apparel brand that also serves as an educational hub for all things in service of the LGBT community.

They discuss the importance of gender neutrality and ensuring that people have safe spaces to be their authentic selves.

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In this episode, Sequoia Houston talks to guests Jessica and Rae from Brave Trails, a leadership summer camp for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and queer youth. Jessica, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is a co-founder and director of the camp. Rae is a camper who is in the Counselor in Training program.

In this insightful conversation, Rae shares what it's like being a transgender teen and what he wishes people kn...

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In today’s episode of Diversity Be Like, host Sequoia Houston talks to Brian Blackmore, the CEO of BK Credit Consultants.

Credit can be a tricky thing for anyone to navigate. Adding to that, bias in lending has led many in BIPOC communities to have an adversarial relationship with it. Brian helps demystify the process by sharing battle-tested tips and best practices for how to make credit work for you.

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In today’s episode of Diversity Be Like, host Sequoia Houston speaks to Robin Haynes. Robin is a seasoned professional in the financial industry with over 20 years of experience. She is a business and financial strategist, a speaker, and an author.

Robin shares tips and best practices for making money work for you so that you can thrive instead of simply exist.

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March 24, 2022 56 mins

In today’s episode, Sequoia Houston talks to the CEO of Lendistry, Everett Sands. Lendistry, an organization that provides responsible financing for small business owners and unreserved communities, ranks second nationwide in SBA community advantage lending.

The discuss small business entrepreneurship, what lenders are looking for and creating a legacy that outlives you.


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March 17, 2022 74 mins

On this episode of Diversity Be Like Sequoia Houston talks to Farrah Wilder- the chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for the California Association of Realtors (CAR).

They discuss fair housing, the importance of homeownership and how it is a wealth building tool, the impact of bias on underrepresented communities and what CAR is doing to support fair housing and diversity.

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March 10, 2022 62 mins

In today’s episode, Sequoia Houston talks to Edgar Villanueva about the wealth gap for BIPOCs, why healing is important to not only underrepresented communities but for us all and the erasure of Native stories, both historical and modern.

Edgar is a globally recognized author, activist, and expert on social justice and philanthropy. He is also the author of the bestselling book decolonizing wealth and is the founder and prin...

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In this episode, Sequoia Houston talks to guest Danyahel Norris, intellectual property attorney and board trustee for the Harris County Department of Education. They discuss education from a systemic point of view and also talk about ways we can all participate in helping close the achievement gap and set our children and our communities up for success.



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On today’s episode of Diversity Be Like, host Sequoia Houston talks to Senator Cory McCray.

Senator McCray was elected to office in 2018 and serves as a member of the Maryland Senate for Maryland's 45th district, located in northeast Baltimore City. He shares important details about his life and the work he is doing to make his community a better place for all. He details his experiences of being a young person growing up in...

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February 23, 2022 5 mins

In this intro to Season 2 of Diversity Be Like, host Sequoia Houston gives listeners an idea of what to expect from the podcast when the new season launches on February 24, 2022. 

Episode Highlights: 

  • Sequoia thanks listeners and supporters of the podcast
  • Sequoia briefly introduces herself and the podcast to new listeners. 
  • In 2017, she started mochastock.com due to a lack of stock photos featuring people of color. 
  • She hop...
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In this season finale episode, Sequoia Houston talks to Paul C. Brunson – A mentor, entrepreneur, TV host, globally recognized matchmaker, and a certified life coach.

They discuss the importance of interpersonal relationships and their impact on success, how to prioritize and what marriage looks like past, present and future.

We hope you've enjoyed Season 1 of Diversity Be Like!

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In this episode, Sequoia Houston talks to Jay Kim,President and CEO of AAAZA, Inc, a multicultural marketing agency based in Los Angeles, CA. They discuss their joint passion for multicultural marketing and its importance, the origins of the Model Minority Myth and how Black and Asian communities can work together to overcome bias.

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April 29, 2021 30 mins

On this episode of Diversity Be Like, host Sequoia Houston talks to Phil aka The Blerd Explorer, avid traveler and author of The Black Traveler's Guide to Daegu, South Korea. Phil has been an expat since 2016 and shares his experiences being Black abroad.

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In this episode, Sequoia Houston talks to Doctor Alaina Davis. She is a communication sciences and disorders expert, a medical speech-language pathologist, and a Howard University professor. She is also an alumnus from Sequoia’s dear old alma mater, the University of Houston. #GoCoogs

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