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In this episode, Grace Yung Foster, founder of The Inclusion Initiative, talks about the challenges of transracial adoption; Dan Egol, founder of IDEAS Generation, explains how intersectionality is important creating understanding; and Jerry Mitchell, founder of the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting, discusses the importance of investigative reporting in obtaining justice. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/erik-fleming1/support
Founder & CEO, The Inclusion Initiative
Grace was born in South Korea. At 3 years old, she was orphaned and abandoned at the local market. She immigrated to the US at 5 years old, eventually ended up in the foster care system, and then adopted.
Her experiences as an immigrant, a person of color in a very white community, and also her very difficult experience as a transracial adoptee and foster youth influenced her narrative of self-rejection of her Asian identity. She was in constant pursuit of finding “white belonging” for over 25 years. But now she has created that belonging for those who share these intersectional identities by leveraging her own lived experience and conveying why this matters. She founded The Inclusion Initiative to increase visibility through storytelling and community-building for professionals who share her lived experiences.
Grace has over 10 years of experience in leadership roles in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. She has extensive experience with leading teams, building strategies for growing organizations, and honoring mission-aligned work by incorporating lived experience.
She holds an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business, an Associate's degree in Business Administration, and a BA in Communications from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Investigative reporter/Author
The stories of investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell have helped put four Klansmen and a serial killer behind bars. His stories have also helped free two people from death row, exposed injustices and corruption, prompting investigations and reforms as well as the firings of boards and officials. He is a Pulitzer Prize finalist, a longtime member of Investigative Reporters & Editors, and a winner of more than 30 other national awards, including a $500,000 MacArthur “genius” grant.
His memoir for Simon & Schuster, Race Against Time, details how some of the nation’s most notorious murders came to be punished decades later. The New York Times made it an Editors’ Pick, and NPR selected it as a Best Book of the Year.
After working for three decades for the statewide Clarion-Ledger, Mitchell left in 2019 and founded the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting, a nonprofit that exposes injustices and raises up the next generation of investigative reporters. The stories of MCIR have already led to two separate Justice Department investigations. Since summer 2022, the nonprofit, now a part of Mississippi Today, has been working with The New York Times on a series that has exposed allegations of how Mississippi sheriffs and their deputies have carried out horrific crimes, including torturing suspects, and the beatings and sexual abuse of those behind bars.
In this episode, Dr. Tiffany Manuel, President/CEO of TheCaseMade, explains the concept of strategic casemaking and its impact on social change. Then, Rachael Keri Williams, Executive Director of SOAL: Saving Our Ancestors’ L...
In this episode, Sabrina Clarke, The Golden Brain Entrepreneur, explains the challenges of being a female entrepreneur, British politics, and the similar struggles of Africans in the UK. Then, Dr. Agatha Caraballo, Founding D...
In this episode, Dr. Dawn Hicks Tafari, Associate Professor at Winston-Salem State University, defines hip-hop feminism and promotes her book, The Journey of Kamau Miller. Then, I offer my opinion about the lack of integrity,...
In this episode, Bridgette Washington, Founder/CEO of RaveVenn App, discusses how her app will better inform young Americans about the political process, and Ty Pinkins, the Democratic Nominee for the United States Senate in ...
In this episode, former news anchor and print journalist Marty Davis looks into her crystal ball to see, and assess, what’s happening in our political world. Then, MiDian Holmes, Founder/CEO of The Epitome of Black Excellence...
In this episode, Evelyn LaChapelle, founder of The Weed Lady Gift Shop/lifestyle brand, talks about her mission to be a successful entrepreneur and an advocate for the formerly incarcerated. Then, Dr. C. Nicole Mason, founder...
In this episode, Ekemini Uwan, author of Truth’s Table, talks about the challenges of theological activism; Glenn Rushing, Managing Director/SVP at the PeterDamonGroup, discusses his experience and observation as a Black man ...
In this episode, Ashleigh Ewald, Student Body President at Oglethorpe University, talks about issues that impact her generation; Nikola Ilic, founder of ChangeLab Global, explains why he focuses his activism towards human dev...
In this the first episode of the 9th season, Della Duncan explains the concept of Renegade Economics; Author Marcie Bianco talks about her new book: Breaking Free; and Jason Berlin, founder of Field Team 6, discusses his work...
In this episode, the Consul General of Israel for the Southeastern United States, Anat Sultan-Dadon, discusses the current state of the Israeli-Hamas conflict, and Mike Podhorzer, former political director of the AFL-CIO, tal...
In this episode, former US Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell talks about his book, American Shield; Professor Marvin King discusses the challenges and importance of political science; and Development Director Alexis Buc...
In this episode, we spotlight three books and their authors: Dr. Karida Brown & Charly Palmer of the New Brownies’ Book; Professor Juliet Hooker of Black Grief/White Grievance; and Fatimah Gilliam of Race Rules: What Your Bla...
In this episode, three Democratic political commentators: Kaivan Shroff, Chai Komanduri, and Shalonda Spencer give their thoughts on how 2024 will go for the Democrats. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com...
In this episode, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist David Cay Johnston talks about the real Donald Trump, while Retired Special Agent Jerri Williams talks about her experience with the FBI and the truth about the Bureau. --- S...
In this episode, Dr. Joanna Shoffner Scott, Principal and Founder of Stamey Street Consulting, discusses the future of DEI in corporate America. Then, it’s the debut of The Podcast Law Firm of Pearson & Pearson, as Dr. Tracy ...
On this first episode of Season 8, Hajar Yazdiha, author of The Struggle for the People’s King, discusses her book and expresses her thoughts about the current political climate. Then, I express my thoughts about Donald Trump...
In this episode, the first of the 6th Season, Mississippi State Representative Chris Bell, (D-Jackson 65th Dist.), updates us on the Jackson, Mississippi Water Crisis. Later, I give my thoughts on the African Diaspora's react...
In this episode, Kim Crayton, The Anti-Racist Economist, talks about her book, Profit Without Oppression, and the work she does based off the book. Later, I offer a tribute to the iconic Harry Belafonte. --- Support this podc...
In this episode we address violence, particularly gun violence, in the African American community. Pastor Michael McBride, Director of the LIVE FREE Campaign, and Dr. Shani Buggs, Assistant Professor at the UC-Davis Violence ...
On this episode, Dr. Sheena Mason, author of Theory of Racelessness, discusses her work in moving American society from the binding thoughts of "race" and racism. Also, Mark Talley, son of Geraldine Talley, talks about the ad...
This episode lifts up the names of Anthony Watts, Areanah Preston, Amy St. Pierre and Jordan Neely. It is the hope that their tragic deaths invokes conversations concerning gun violence, homelessness, mental health awareness ...
In this episode, the legendary April Reign explains how African American social media influencers, like herself, can impact future political campaigns. Next, Dr. Garen Wintemute, Director of the UC-Davis Violence Prevention R...
In this episode: Annemarie Shrouder, author of Being Brown In A Black and White World, discusses inclusion and Rick Roberts, Economist and Monmouth University Professor, discusses economics. --- This episode is sponsored by ·...
Dr. Jayne Morgan, M.D., creator of the Stairwell Chronicles and CNN Medical Contributor, updates us on our current Covid pandemic status, what monkeypox is, and explains how poverty/systemic racism creates a health disparity ...
The Poet Laureate of Buffalo, NY, Jillian Hanesworth, gives an update on the East Buffalo community nearly two months after the mass shooting there and talks about the honest conversations that need to happen now in her city....
In this episode, Larry Sharpe, host of The Sharpe Way podcast, makes the case for African American voters to choose Libertarianism and I’ll do my best to play catch-up on some of the recent hot topics. --- This episode is...
In this episode, Curtis Valentine, Founder of Real Men Teach, talks about why he started the organization and the importance of African American men in the classroom. Later, I appeal for us, as a community, to uplift Black me...
Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, discusses how we move our nation forward during this post-Roe era. Plus, I'll share my thoughts on how both political parties are missing the mark. --- This episode is sp...
In this episode, Coach Felecia Killings, author, minister and founder of the Conscious Conservative Movement, explains why African American voters should not put their political eggs in one basket, and Attorney Will Cooper, p...
Attorney Patrice Sulton, Executive Director of DC Justice Lab, discusses her ground breaking work revising the District of Columbia Criminal Code; Dr. Cecelia Martin, author of the book, Incarcerated: Escaping the Prison of Y...
In this episode, Artinese Myrick, Lead Organizer for Live Free Illinois, makes the case for a permanent Office of Gun Violence Prevention to be created in the City of Chicago. This podcast also highlights the victory the Divi...
In this episode, Maya Ford, Principal of FordMomentum!, talks about her unique strategies to empower the disenfranchised. Later, I make the case for the Delegate of the Cherokee Nation to be seated in Congress. --- This episo...
