All Episodes

June 1, 2024 53 mins
Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV Season 5, Episode 3 Episode Title: DEI Backlash Guest: Dr. Enobong "Anna" Branch Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV is a podcast that explores all things diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) related. In each episode, Oscar and his guests have lively discussions around DEI topics, explore the latest research on the topic, and discuss the implications so that listeners will be more knowledgeable about the topics and be able to apply the insights to their lives. Show Summary: "Despite efforts to dismantle DEI, our inherent differences remain. These differences will continue to shape our neighborhoods, school systems, and nation. Will we accept inequity and division or invest in an inclusive future for all?" — Anna Branch America's strength lies in its diversity. But as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts face scrutiny, how can we ensure the American Dream remains achievable for everyone? In this episode, we're privileged to have Dr. Enobong "Anna" Branch join us for an insightful discussion around this timely topic. Dr. Branch is the esteemed Senior Vice President for Equity at Rutgers University, where she provides strategic leadership to ensure equity is embedded across research, education, and public engagement for faculty, staff, and students. Drawing from her extensive expertise in confronting DEI challenges, Dr. Branch offers invaluable perspectives on navigating the evolving DEI landscape. Her insights illuminate pathways to overcome systemic barriers and build a more equitable future where opportunity knows no boundaries. 3 Exceptional Highlights: True progress in diversity and inclusion requires not only representation but also actively addressing the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups in leadership roles. Schools must champion equity, not just equality. This means dismantling racial bias and fostering a truly inclusive environment for all students. The promise and myth of the "American Dream" being achievable through hard work resonates across racial/ethnic groups. However, this myth overlooks broader systemic factors, which can lead other minority groups to question why Black Americans haven't succeeded. Show Highlights: What lessons have you learned as a leader for equity at this moment? 08:15 - Anna Branch Embracing directionality and progress, even during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, is crucial for effective leadership. If we aren't intentional about creating environments that allow people of diverse backgrounds to thrive in higher education, we will be in trouble. What inspired you to write the book "Work in Black and White," and what should readers gain from it? 15:34 - Anna Branch The book aims to explore how workers themselves understand and experience labor market inequality, moving beyond trends and data. Changing labor dynamics challenged the job stability and American Dream notion of hard work alone leading to success, prompting the re-examining of these concepts through racial experiences. How can we address racial inequalities without conflating first-generation status? 19:41 - Anna Branch Being a first-generation student means navigating unspoken academic rules and norms that can pose challenges if not properly supported. Assumptions, stereotypes, and lack of representation can undermine the sense of belonging for students of color, regardless of their generational status. Is education alone enough to achieve the American Dream? 27:32 - Anna Branch Distressingly, Black women with terminal degrees can earn similar incomes as white men with only some college education, highlighting educational attainment not translating to equal economic opportunities across races. How can we approach the current level of backlash against DEI efforts today? 38:24 - Anna Branch Early DEI efforts (post-2020) prioritized hiring over tackling systemic issues within institutions. The real work is dismantling these ingrained patterns of inequity. What is your advice for finding joy? 53:11 - Anna Branch Black joy is a powerful act of resistance. It defies the narrative of suffering and celebrates the beauty of simply existing. We are human beings, not just human doings. Taking time to simply "be" can bring peace in a chaotic world. Important Links: Anna Branch - Senior VP for Equity at Rutgers Division of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement Anna Branch on LinkedIn Get the book Work in Black and White by Enobong Hannah Branch (Author), Caroline Hanley Episode Sponsor Links: www.whconsultingfirm.com Producer Links: WH Consulting Firm Diversity Matters Podcast Section Pod Kai Media Host Social Media Links: Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Subscribe to Diversity Matters Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

The Burden

The Burden

The Burden is a documentary series that takes listeners into the hidden places where justice is done (and undone). It dives deep into the lives of heroes and villains. And it focuses a spotlight on those who triumph even when the odds are against them. Season 5 - The Burden: Death & Deceit in Alliance On April Fools Day 1999, 26-year-old Yvonne Layne was found murdered in her Alliance, Ohio home. David Thorne, her ex-boyfriend and father of one of her children, was instantly a suspect. Another young man admitted to the murder, and David breathed a sigh of relief, until the confessed murderer fingered David; “He paid me to do it.” David was sentenced to life without parole. Two decades later, Pulitzer winner and podcast host, Maggie Freleng (Bone Valley Season 3: Graves County, Wrongful Conviction, Suave) launched a “live” investigation into David's conviction alongside Jason Baldwin (himself wrongfully convicted as a member of the West Memphis Three). Maggie had come to believe that the entire investigation of David was botched by the tiny local police department, or worse, covered up the real killer. Was Maggie correct? Was David’s claim of innocence credible? In Death and Deceit in Alliance, Maggie recounts the case that launched her career, and ultimately, “broke” her.” The results will shock the listener and reduce Maggie to tears and self-doubt. This is not your typical wrongful conviction story. In fact, it turns the genre on its head. It asks the question: What if our champions are foolish? Season 4 - The Burden: Get the Money and Run “Trying to murder my father, this was the thing that put me on the path.” That’s Joe Loya and that path was bank robbery. Bank, bank, bank, bank, bank. In season 4 of The Burden: Get the Money and Run, we hear from Joe who was once the most prolific bank robber in Southern California, and beyond. He used disguises, body doubles, proxies. He leaped over counters, grabbed the money and ran. Even as the FBI was closing in. It was a showdown between a daring bank robber, and a patient FBI agent. Joe was no ordinary bank robber. He was bright, articulate, charismatic, and driven by a dark rage that he summoned up at will. In seven episodes, Joe tells all: the what, the how… and the why. Including why he tried to murder his father. Season 3 - The Burden: Avenger Miriam Lewin is one of Argentina’s leading journalists today. At 19 years old, she was kidnapped off the streets of Buenos Aires for her political activism and thrown into a concentration camp. Thousands of her fellow inmates were executed, tossed alive from a cargo plane into the ocean. Miriam, along with a handful of others, will survive the camp. Then as a journalist, she will wage a decades long campaign to bring her tormentors to justice. Avenger is about one woman’s triumphant battle against unbelievable odds to survive torture, claim justice for the crimes done against her and others like her, and change the future of her country. Season 2 - The Burden: Empire on Blood Empire on Blood is set in the Bronx, NY, in the early 90s, when two young drug dealers ruled an intersection known as “The Corner on Blood.” The boss, Calvin Buari, lived large. He and a protege swore they would build an empire on blood. Then the relationship frayed and the protege accused Calvin of a double homicide which he claimed he didn’t do. But did he? Award-winning journalist Steve Fishman spent seven years to answer that question. This is the story of one man’s last chance to overturn his life sentence. He may prevail, but someone’s gotta pay. The Burden: Empire on Blood is the director’s cut of the true crime classic which reached #1 on the charts when it was first released half a dozen years ago. Season 1 - The Burden In the 1990s, Detective Louis N. Scarcella was legendary. In a city overrun by violent crime, he cracked the toughest cases and put away the worst criminals. “The Hulk” was his nickname. Then the story changed. Scarcella ran into a group of convicted murderers who all say they are innocent. They turned themselves into jailhouse-lawyers and in prison founded a lway firm. When they realized Scarcella helped put many of them away, they set their sights on taking him down. And with the help of a NY Times reporter they have a chance. For years, Scarcella insisted he did nothing wrong. But that’s all he’d say. Until we tracked Scarcella to a sauna in a Russian bathhouse, where he started to talk..and talk and talk. “The guilty have gone free,” he whispered. And then agreed to take us into the belly of the beast. Welcome to The Burden.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.