Sundays With Verna

Can DEI withstand the attack it's under? Imagine a future where inclusion not only survives but thrives, overcoming every obstacle and restoring balance to our workplaces. Vernā is joined for a very special episode by NY congressional candidate James Felton Keith (JFK), CEO of Inclusion Score. In this prerecorded conversation, they dive into why DEI is not going anywhere.  We explore the financial and legal risks companies face when they fail to prioritize inclusion, from rising insurance premiums to Title VII compliance pitfalls. Hear why avoiding DEI could cost more than you think, both ethically and economically. To JFK, inclusion is integral to the broader mission of promoting a human-centric economy and ideology. JFK unveiled groundbreaking ideas for a reimagined economy, one where individuals are truly valued for their labor and the data used to market goods to them. He highlights the systemic imbalance in value distribution, emphasizing how workers, particularly from diverse communities, are often denied fair compensation for their contributions.  Vernā and JFK's hopeful and pioneering ideas bring a fresh perspective that will inspire you! This episode provides a roadmap for a better world, outlining the action steps to achieve it and explaining why DEI will stand the test of time.  Join us for this compelling discussion and subscribe to ensure you never miss an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.   Visit Vernā Myers' Website here: Vernā Myers' Website To learn more about James Felton Keith: James Felton Keith For Congress

Think about the three people closest to you in your professional orbit.... If you were truly honest with yourself, how much do you really trust them?  Trust is in short supply, and workplace silence is on the rise... a challenge that poses significant risks for organizations at a time when we need it the most. Vernā sits down with workplace culture luminary, Minda Harts, to explore the transformative power of trust and compassion in the workplace.  Work culture is evolving rapidly, and these two experts reveal how trust drives innovation, strengthens teamwork, and maximizes profit in this dynamic shift. Minda's groundbreaking "Seven Trust Languages" framework, featured in her latest book Talk to Me Nice, stands out in the discussion, offering clear and actionable steps to foster trust in today's complex social landscape. Together, they share valuable insights and heartfelt humor as they explore the universal need for human connection and collaboration. This episode is not to be missed! ------ For more information on Vernā, visit her website: www.vernamyers.com For more information on Minda Harts and to purchase her new book, Talk to Me Nice, visit: www.mindaharts.com  

What does it mean to truly belong, to feel seen, and to build a community where every thread of identity is honored? As a society, we often pride ourselves on progress, yet the persistent barriers to truly inclusive spaces reveal that we may be further behind in embracing equity and belonging than we’d like to admit.  Join Vernā Myers for an extraordinary conversation with Prasanna (Pras) Ranganathan, a South Asian, queer, disabled consultant, filmmaker, ex-lawyer,  and tireless advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Pras has spent his 18-year career in tech, law, entertainment, and human rights dismantling barriers and fostering genuine inclusion. He challenges us to reflect on the distinctions between disability, accessibility, and inclusion while shedding light on the problematic ways society often conceptualizes disability. With his remarkable gift for communication and teaching, Pras eloquently unpacks what many of us misunderstand about disability, allyship, and how to cultivate inclusivity in today’s social climate. This episode is a must-listen for anyone striving to co-create a future where every individual is celebrated for their uniqueness, and collective collaboration drives the betterment of all. Listen now, and join us in creating a world where everyone belongs. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode to keep the conversation going! Visit Vernā's Website for more information, bookings, and online inclusion training courses: www.vernamyers.com   Visit Prasanna's Website here to learn more about him, his work, and how to collaborate with him: www.prasannaranganathan.com  

In this powerful episode of Sundays with Vernā, rising political star Deja Foxx shares her remarkable journey from a challenging childhood marked by homelessness and a single mother's struggle with addiction to launching a groundbreaking congressional campaign to become the youngest woman in Congress.   At just 25 years old, Foxx is running to be the first Gen Z woman elected to Congress in Arizona's 7th District. She brings a unique perspective shaped by her experiences with impoverishment, limited access to healthcare, and the critical importance of reproductive rights.    The conversation delves into her inspirational path, including her work on Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, her approach to leadership, and her urgent message about the need for young people to actively create political change.   Her captivating energy and storytelling make her the messenger we need right now.    With raw authenticity and unwavering determination, she articulates a vision of representative democracy that centers the experiences of those most often overlooked by traditional political systems. Vernā invites us to peer into the future and see the young people who thoughtfully and passionately nurture our hopes and progress. To learn more about Vernā Myers and get connected: www.vernamyers.com   To learn more about Deja Foxx: www.dejafoxx.com  

In this powerful episode of Sundays with Vernā, New York Times bestselling author Charles Duhigg reveals the hidden dynamics that can make or break workplace communication. Drawing from his latest book "Super Communicators," Duhigg unpacks the critical skills leaders and employees need to break through organizational silence and create meaningful dialogue.  Discover how workplace conversations are actually composed of three distinct types - practical, emotional, and social - and learn why misunderstanding these can lead to toxic communication breakdowns. Duhigg provides practical strategies for: Asking "deep questions" that reveal genuine understanding Creating psychological safety in difficult conversations  Listening beyond words to truly hear your colleagues Navigating sensitive topics without creating further division Whether you're a manager seeking to build a more connected team or an employee wanting to improve workplace relationships, this episode offers transformative insights into how communication can either fracture or fortify organizational culture. Key Takeaways: Why most workplace communication fails  Techniques to have more authentic conversations How to create trust in a divided workplace Practical communication skills that build stronger teams A must-listen for anyone committed to creating more human, understanding workplaces in our increasingly complex professional landscape. To connect with Vernā: Verna Myers | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree www.vernamyers.com To connect with Charles: Charles Duhigg – Bestselling Author & Speaker

HBCUs receive just $1 for every $100 in endowment funds that predominantly white institutions enjoy. Now, under increased budget cuts, legislative challenges, and attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, their survival is being tested more than ever. Join us for a compelling conversation with Morehouse College President David A. Thomas as he shares with Vernā a powerful blueprint for defending and uplifting Historically Black Colleges and Universities against the anti-DEI onsalught of the new Trump era. He explains why this issue goes beyond funding. It's an attack on civil rights. Discover how HBCUs foster racial equity, drive economic mobility, and shape future leaders, making them a prime target for an administration intent on dismantling our collective steps toward a just and civil society. Learn about the real-world impact these institutions have on students, communities, and local economies, and find out why your advocacy and action matter. With optimism and clarity, President Thomas shines a light on the path forward, encouraging allies to invest, educate, and empower. Don’t miss this inspiring discussion about the enduring power of HBCUs in shaping a more just and equitable world. For resources, updates, online DEI trainings, or bookings visit Vernā's Website: www.vernamyers.com Get connected with Vernā: Verna Myers | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree Watch video episodes of Sundays With Verna on YouTube: Vernā Myers - YouTube

In this episode of Sundays with Vernā, we celebrate Women's History Month with an uplifting and insightful conversation with tech trailblazer and business powerhouse Shelmina Abji. Shelmina is the CEO of Show Your Worth.AI and the author of Show Your Worth: Eight Intentional Strategies for Women to Emerge as Leaders at Work. Shelmina shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Tanzania to becoming one of the highest-ranking women of color at IBM, offering valuable insights on career advancement, leadership, and overcoming barriers. The conversation delves into Shelmina's groundbreaking AI-powered platform, which offers personalized career guidance, her visionary approach to hacking career advancement and accelerating opportunities, and why people-pleasing and an overemphasis on hard work are obstacles in women's career paths. Through personal anecdotes and professional wisdom, Vernā and Shelmina discuss the importance of intentionally defining success, maintaining work-life balance, and exuding the right energy to attract opportunity. This episode is an action-oriented guide for women to advance their careers while embracing balance, purpose, and the power of knowing their priorities!

This week on Sundays with Vernā, Vernā sits down with Mahlet Getachew, Managing Director of Corporate Racial Equity at PolicyLink, for a robust conversation about redefining leadership in corporate America. Mahlet shares her inspiring journey from corporate law to becoming a passionate advocate for equity, shaped by her experiences as a first-generation immigrant from Ethiopia.  Together, they discuss PolicyLink’s groundbreaking Business Standards for 21st Century Leadership, a bold framework that empowers companies to embed equity into every facet of their work, from governance and leadership to community impact and political engagement. Mahlet highlights how these standards support businesses in prioritizing people and the planet alongside profits, offering a path toward a thriving and fair society. She emphasizes the essential benefits companies achieve by prioritizing equity while underscoring how her work transcends racial boundaries to address universal issues of economic disparities and access to a high standard of living for all.  Tune in to explore how equity-driven leadership can pave the way for a harmonious future where our values, ambitions, and lived experiences come together.

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Patrice Gordon, a multi-award-winning professional with extensive leadership experience at British Airways, Royal Mail, and Virgin Atlantic. Her pioneering work in reverse mentoring, including her role as a reverse mentor to Virgin Atlantic's CEO, Craig Krieger, has transformed organizations worldwide. Vernā and Patrice discuss the origins of her Reverse Mentoring methodology and her subsequent development of structured reverse mentoring programs for organizations. Patrice shares her journey from accountant to executive coach and author, publishing her book, Reverse Mentoring: Removing Barriers and Building Belonging in the Workplace, in 2022. Their conversation explores the unique challenges and experiences Vernā and Patrice have faced as Black women navigating corporate spaces, highlighting the contrasts shaped by their different generations, geographical contexts between the U.S. and the U.K., and personal journeys. Reverse mentoring is an essential tool for building more inclusive workplace environments. Throughout the episode, Patrice emphasizes the importance of psychological safety, authentic leadership, and meaningful action beyond surface-level exercises in diversity and inclusion initiatives. This approach is crucial for creating workplaces that are not only innovative and inclusive but also foster psychological safety, empowering everyone to thrive. Tune In!

Join Sundays with Vernā for an inspiring conversation with Ginny Clarke, a former Google executive and renowned leadership expert. Ginny's extraordinary career, which has spanned multiple disciplines and sectors, has paved the way for her to guide top executives at global powerhouses. Through her visionary "Five Dimensional Leadership" model, she continues to challenge leaders to rethink traditional approaches, driving meaningful change across organizations and empowering individuals to lead with purpose. The 5D leadership model is a framework centered on self-awareness, truth, love, consciousness, and personal mastery, enabling leaders to achieve an optimized state of what she calls “conscious leadership”, driving progress for individuals, team members, and the organization as a whole. Together, Vernā and Ginny unlock powerful leadership strategies for building truly inclusive workplace cultures, driven by their unwavering faith in humanity’s boundless capacity for positivity, connection, and meaningful change. Ginny opens up about how spirituality and personal loss influence her leadership style, combining purpose and self-awareness. Together, they take a thoughtful look at the future, addressing the overlooked pitfalls leaders face, strategies for navigating toxic workplaces, and the pressing need for both personal growth and societal evolution.

In this special conversation, Vernā interviews former mentee, Brenda Rodriguez, CEO of Lynn Community Health Center in Massachusetts. Brenda shares her journey from overcoming challenges like pre-teen pregnancy and homelessness to becoming a passionate healthcare leader. She reflects on the vital role of community health centers in delivering inclusive, comprehensive care.  Together with Verna, who played a pivotal role in her youth, Brenda revisits their shared past and they discuss the lessons they’ve learned from one another. She also offers a heartfelt perspective on leadership, emphasizing equity, transparency, staff development, and a commitment to creating patient-centered spaces for marginalized people. She shares stories which illustrate how deeply rewarding it is to lead with a focus on advocating for others who are overcoming challenges she once faced herself. Through personal stories of growth, purpose, and the importance of family and faith, Brenda delivers a powerful message about resilience, accountability, and the strength of community. Don’t miss this engaging episode filled with wisdom, inspiration, and powerful stories of perseverence, as well as actionable insights to personal and professional development.

Join us in this episode with Rodney Bolden, the Executive Director of Industry Engagement and Learning at Morgan Stanley at Work, as we explore the impact of equitable workplace benefits and the data-driven strategies behind creating inclusive benefit packages. Rodney offers invaluable advice on financial planning, breaking down the formula to reach your financial goals. He and Vernā reflect on their personal journeys toward social mobility and mastering financial literacy from scratch. The conversation highlights the critical role of employee perks in fostering an inclusive workplace and tailoring them to meet the needs of marginalized groups. As they discuss the changing intergenerational workforce, they explore how to accommodate disability and neurodivergence to create a more inclusive environment. Additionally, the episode examines how historical and cultural factors influence financial attitudes, providing a comprehensive outlook on enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within organizations.

Join us for an inspiring episode of "Sundays With Verna" featuring the phenomenal Carla Harris, a Wall Street veteran with over 35 years of experience. As a Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley, Carla offers extraordinary insights on achieving success in every aspect of life. In this episode, Verna and Carla delve into the art of winning conversations and leading across generations, sharing strategies for effective leadership and time management. Learn how to "massage the calendar" and become "maniacal" about time management to transform your passion projects into success stories. This engaging discussion is packed with positivity and wisdom, reshaping your understanding of success. Tune in now for your weekly dose of inspiration and subscribe to our podcast for more episodes on leadership, success, and achieving your goals.  

In the latest episode of "Sundays With Verna," host Verna sits down with Michael Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work, for a riveting discussion on redefining modern corporate culture. Great Place to Work is a pioneering research and analytics firm that assesses employee satisfaction globally. Known as "the global authority on workplace culture," they survey over 20 million employees at 25,000+ businesses worldwide, aiming to measure not just satisfaction but trust. Together, Verna and Michael delve into why prioritizing employee well-being, diversity, and social and environmental responsibility isn't just ethical—it's smart business, boosting long-term financial performance. Michael passionately argues that true inclusivity goes beyond diversity metrics, emphasizing the importance of deeply valuing varied perspectives and experiences. He underscores the critical role of ESG principles and urges leaders to adopt sustainable and ethical business practices. The conversation also explores the value of hiring for 'power skills' like grit and adaptability. Michael shares insights on how including underrepresented backgrounds in teams can spark innovation and drive success. Don't miss this insightful dialogue packed with actionable takeaways for building a thriving, inclusive workplace!

This month on Sundays With Vernā, Vernā sits down with Brenda Darden Wilkerson, the president and CEO of AnitaB.org, an organization that advocates for gender equality in technology. Wilkerson shares her professional journey, from studying pre-med to discovering her passion for computer science and facing barriers as a Black woman in the tech industry. She discusses her work in creating the 'Computer Science for All' program in Chicago public schools and her current role at AnitaB.org, which aims to support and empower women in tech through community building, training, and policy advocacy. Vernā and Brenda discuss how women can get the support they need in challenging environments,  the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on women's careers, the need for generational wealth-building opportunities for underrepresented groups, and the importance of self-belief and taking risks. They also tackle the looming AI question and possible solutions for the emergence of biases in AI behavior.    

In this episode of "Sundays with Vernā," Thomas Vozzo, the CEO of Homeboy Industries, a gang rehabilitation and re-entry organization, and Vernā have a conversation about Homeboy's history, methodology, and mission, the business benefits of  DEI, the possible positive impact the corporate sector could have on our society, the role of faith and spirituality in his leadership, and Homeboy's response during the COVID-19 pandemic as a business. Tom also shares his journey from the corporate world to Homeboy Industries, driven by a desire to impact society positively. They discuss the challenges faced by impoverished people, including systemic barriers and lack of opportunities. This conversation highlights Homeboy's approach of providing jobs, support, and a path to healing through kinship, empathy, and social justice. Together, they explore the importance of leading with humility, understanding the struggles of the impoverished, and fostering an environment where all people can thrive.

In this thought-provoking episode, Vernā engages with the talented Emmy-nominated storyteller Baratunde Thurston in a wide-ranging discussion covering community, unlikely allies, intergenerational lessons, and dispelling myths related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Baratunde discusses how different and seemingly unrelated peoples connection with nature has impacted his perspective of interdependence, the future prospects of community and why nature deserves the same rights humans do.  Vernā and Baratunde’s conversation is a testament to the power of discourse in bridging societal divides and imagining a future rooted in shared understanding and cooperation.  Click here to learn more about Baratunde Thurston’s PBS series "America Outdoors" and the "How to Citizen" podcast. In these, he uses a blend of humor, insight, and fresh perspectives to address complex issues and help us understand how to improve society for everyone.  

In this episode of "Sundays with Vernā," Anu Gupta, CEO of BE MORE with Anu and author of Breaking Bias (to be released in September 2024), joins Vernā as the latest guest. Together, they discuss the integration of mindfulness, science, and spiritualism in their work. He explains the journey that led to him receiving a foreword from the Dalai Lama. Anu also shares insights into the scientific tools he has developed to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Anu talks about his past struggles with mental health and how it inspired him to create the PRISM toolkit, a scientific methodology he developed to address biases. He also explains how principles of non-harming are incorporated into his DEIB practices. During the conversation, Vernā and Anu delve into the history of nonviolence in social movements worldwide. They also highlight the significance of AAPI Heritage and mental health awareness while they examine the obstacles that biases present. Vernā and Anu stress the importance of developing emotional competencies for DEI(B) work, self-love, and compassion. Anu also emphasizes the role of businesses in advancing social movements in the 21st  century.    

On this Episode of Sundays With Vernā, Verna and her guest, Dr. Jenn M. Jackson, delve into Jackson's new book Black Women Taught Us: An Intimate History of Black Feminism, her personal journey into Black Feminism, and the stories of influential Black feminist figures featured in the book. In this discussion, Jackson pays homage to Black feminist foremothers such as Toni Morrison, Ida B. Wells, and Bell Hooks, praising their resilience and ingenuity in the face of systemic obstacles and personal struggles. Their stories are instrumental in understanding the continuum of Black Feminism. Vernā and Dr. Jackson navigate the nuanced concept of freedom and the value of choice and agency on the path to equity. Jackson stresses the importance of recognizing and learning from the history and ideology of Black Feminism, with an emphasis on supporting and uplifting the community's youth as they assume the torch of advocacy and change. A powerful and compelling episode for newcomers to this philosophy seeking to learn how to support Black women in the workplace and their communities

In this episode of Sundays with Vernā, we are featuring a powerful conversation with Robert P. Jones, author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American Future. The research on which Robert’s latest book is based delves deeply into the painful truth of our nation’s historic violence against Indigenous people and those of African descent. By having difficult conversations, Jones brings imagination to the task of repairing past injustice, embracing equity and above all remembering: We can do better.