The Jali, host Melyssa Barrett

The Jali Ep 165: When They Step Back, We Step Forward: Keeping DEI Alive

On today’s podcast, I want to shine a light on the recent cutbacks to DEI initiatives that have been happening as of late. I’ll explore the pushback against these efforts and discuss how we can reenergize the movement through the teachings of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa.
As corporations and governments scale back their commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, what can we do to keep the movement strong? Let's explore ways to reclaim the power of DEI through community action, advocacy, and economic investment. We don’t need permission to create change—we ARE the change.

The Jali Ep 164: Courageous Leadership: Black Wealth & Boycotts

Amidst this month's critical economic discussions and the rising economic boycotts—Target, Amazon, Walmart—Dr. Shelley Jones-Holt joins Melyssa Barrett on The Jali Podcast to address courageous leadership and economic empowerment. With DEI under attack, Dr. Shelley shares vital strategies for building Black wealth, leveraging cooperative economics, and fighting back against erasure. Discover the power of strategic ownership and community-driven resilience in these challenging times. Tune in for actionable insights and a powerful call to action.
 
#TheJaliPodcast #MelyssaBarrett #CourageousLeadership #DEI #DiversityEquityInclusion #EconomicEmpowerment #BlackWealth #CooperativeEconomics #FinancialLiteracy #Ownership #Community #Resilience #Kwanzaa #Nia #Ujamaa #BlackHistoryMonth #SupportBlackBusinesses #BlackPodcast #PodcastRecommendations #ListenNow #EconomicBoycott #TargetBoycott #AmazonBoycott #WalmartBoycott #DEIErasure #BlackDollar #DrShelleyJonesHolt #LeadershipLegacyConsulting #FamilyLegacy5

The Jali Ep 163: Navigating Leadership and Empowerment

Dive into Episode 163 of The Jali Podcast featuring C.G. Lewis—business leader, inspirational speaker, and author. This episode focuses on leadership, self-empowerment, and intentional living, particularly aimed at women navigating career transitions and economic uncertainties. C.G. Lewis shares essential tools and strategies for fostering values-driven leadership and achieving genuine self-realization. Discussing her newly released book, “Brown Sugar Goals: Sweet Success,” she provides insightful methods for setting impactful goals. This episode is perfect for anyone looking to thrive in their personal and professional life. Listen now for free on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred streaming service.
Hashtags:#Leadership #Empowerment #WomenInBusiness #PersonalGrowth #JaliPodcast #CGLewis #BrownSugarGoals #SustainableSuccess #CareerDevelopment #LeadershipGoals

The Jali ep 162: Legacy of Leadership – LaJuana Bivens on Civil Rights, Equity, and Empowering Communities

In this powerful episode of The Jali Podcast, host Melyssa Barrett sits down with the esteemed LaJuana Johnson Bivens—civil rights activist, government leader, and champion for socio-economic empowerment. From her roots in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to her influential work in Stockton, California, LaJuana has dedicated her life to advancing equity and justice.
As the CEO of Equity Alliance Group, Inc., a longtime leader within the NAACP, and the current President of the Mu Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, LaJuana has played a pivotal role in advocating for policies that uplift marginalized communities. She has served on the NAACP National Board of Directors, the National Elections Committee, and led critical initiatives in human rights, voting access, and affirmative action.
This episode delves into her incredible journey—her early inspirations, the challenges she has faced, and the legacy she continues to build. As we honor the founding of the NAACP, LaJuana reflects on the organization’s historical fight for justice and its evolving mission in today’s socio-political climate. With a heart for service and a mind for strategy, she shares insights on leadership, mentorship, and the ongoing work required to create systemic change.
Join us for a compelling conversation that bridges history and the future of civil rights activism. Whether you're an advocate, leader, or simply passionate about justice, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
 Tune in now to be inspired by a true trailblazer!
Let's make sure we also add #naacp #keepadvancing #naacpstockton #naacpstocktonyc #cahinaacp 
She also celebrates a lot of people and names in here... she is a Legacy builder so let's go with the Title: Legacy of Leadership – LaJuana Bivens on Civil Rights, Equity, and Empowering Communities

The Jali Ep 161: Kendrick Lamar: Storytelling Hip-Hop and the Fight for DEI

In this episode, I reflect on the Kendrick Lamar’s electric Super Bowl Halftime presentation showcasing DEI center stage during the most-watched event nationwide. Join me as we deep dive and unpack the cultural significance, legacy and contemporary storytelling of the performance. 
 
 

The Jali Ep 160: Holistic Healing: A Strategic Guide to Overcome Burnout

This week I am joined by Self-care Surgeon Benita Williams. Benita is the founder of a boutique coaching and consulting company that aims to relieve women executives from burnout while restoring their purpose to pursue their business endeavors. This episode will explore promoting self-healing using a holistic restoration method to achieve mental clarity and prioritize one’s well being. 
Benita Williams, The Self-Care Surgeon, is an International Bestselling Author and CEO of Benita Williams Enterprises LLC, a boutique coaching and consulting company where she helps women leaders who feel drained revive so that they can thrive in purpose. Through her signature programs and retreats, she empowers women executives and entrepreneurs to master strategic rest, leading to enhanced clarity, innovation, and sustainable growth. Coach Benita transforms how high-achieving leaders approach success by integrating holistic restoration with business excellence. Her proven methodology has helped countless leaders break free from burnout to lead with renewed purpose and vision, while scaling their businesses without sacrificing wellbeing.
Social Media Accounts to Tag:: https://www.facebook.com/authorbenitakbrown
https://www.instagram.com/benitabwilliams/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/benita-williams-688393175/

The Jali Ep 159: Embracing Change and Cultivating Inclusive Leadership

In Episode 159 of The Jali Podcast, host Melyssa Barrett engages with the dynamic Kelli Lester, an acclaimed change management consultant and founder of Onyx Rising. This insightful conversation dives deep into Kelli's transformative approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which she integrates with her extensive background in communications and HR. Listen as Kelli shares her personal journey of embracing constant change, from her childhood moves to her impactful career shifts that led her to advocate for financial wellness and inclusive leadership. The episode unveils Kelli’s strategies for fostering environments where innovative thinking and diverse leadership thrive. Join us to explore how inclusive practices can propel organizational and personal growth, setting a foundation for a future where everyone rises together
 
GUEST BIO:
Kelli Lester is Co-founder and Partner of Onyx Rising, a change management consulting firm specializing in individual, team, and organizational behavior transformation. Her “occupassion” lies in fostering environments where inclusive leadership thrives, leveraging over two decades of experience to drive meaningful progress. Kelli’s expertise includes leadership development and coaching, strategic consulting, organizational culture enhancement, change management, problem-solving, and employee engagement. She is adept at helping leaders cultivate cultures and environments that value alternative perspectives, foster equity in opportunities, and promote employee well-being. With over 20 years of experience in driving leadership-focused initiatives within consumer goods and multi-media industries, Kelli is a dynamic leader and market analysis expert who supports organizations in vision creation, strategy development, and execution. Throughout her career, she has worn many hats: Consultant, Entrepreneur, Coach, Leader, Facilitator, Change Agent, and Community Advocate, and Ambassador to various local and national groups. Kelli was named one of EBONY’s “30 Young Leaders of the Future” and has a proven record of implementing change that leads to long-term, sustainable impact. She continues to empower individuals and organizations to unlock their potential and create environments where everyone can excel.

The Jali Ep 158: The Intersection of Technology and Public Service

Join us on this episode of The Jali Podcast as we delve into the transformative world of smart cities and digital integration with Lawrence Eta, a global expert in digital transformation and former Chief Technology Officer of Toronto. With over two decades of experience, Lawrence has been pivotal in advancing technological infrastructures to foster innovative, equitable, and inclusive urban environments. In this episode, he shares his unique journey from his early days in Nigeria to his influential roles across the globe, emphasizing his efforts in using technology to enhance public service and civic engagement. Dive deep into discussions on smart city innovations, digital equity, and the crucial role of leadership in navigating the complex landscape of urban technology. Don’t miss Lawrence's insights on balancing technical advancements with the critical human elements that ensure these technologies serve the community effectively.

The Jali Ep 157: Revolutionizing Digital Accessibility

In this episode of The Jali Podcast, host Melyssa Barrett sits down with Michael Paciello, a pioneer in digital accessibility and the Chief Accessibility Officer at AudioEye, Inc. With over four decades of experience, Mike has played a transformative role in making the digital world more inclusive. From receiving recognition by President Bill Clinton for his work with the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative to founding The Paciello Group and authoring the first book on web accessibility, Mike’s contributions have shaped the accessibility landscape.
Join us as we discuss his journey into accessibility, the challenges and opportunities in inclusive design, and how emerging technologies like AI are revolutionizing the field. Learn about his vision for a fully accessible digital world and how organizations can embed accessibility into their core practices. Whether you’re an advocate, a business leader, or simply curious about creating an equitable digital space, this episode will inspire and educate.
Tune in to learn how Michael Paciello is leading the way in digital accessibility and making a lasting impact on communities worldwide.
Paciello is the Chief Accessibility Officer at AudioEye, Inc., a digital accessibility company. Prior to joining AudioEye, Mike founded WebABLE/WebABLE.TV, which delivers news about the disability and accessibility technology market. Mike authored the first book on web accessibility and usability, “Web Accessibility for People with Disabilities” and, in 1997, Mr. Paciello received recognition from President Bill Clinton for his work in the creation of World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) WebAccessibility Initiative (WAI). He has served as an advisor to the US Access Board and other federal agencies since 1992. Mike has served as an international leader, technologist, and authority in emerging technology, accessibility, usability, and electronic publishing. Mike is the formerFounder of The Paciello Group (TPG), a world-renowned software accessibilityconsultancy acquired in 2017 by Vispero.

The Jali Ep 156: Building HR Technology for Tomorrow

Joel Quintela, CEO of Quintela Group, a minority-owned business that's transforming the HR tech world. He has a Ph.D. in Business Psychology and a background in computer systems engineering. Joel is not your typical HR guru - he's the tech genius streamlining HR processes for Fortune 500 companies and tech giants. 
 
For more than 25 years, Joel's been in the trenches of HR technology innovation, experiencing and propelling the evolution from clunky, complex systems to efficient solutions. With his background in psychology, he's got this one-of-a-kind way of understanding how people and technology interact in the workplace. Joel is not just about creating sophisticated algorithms. Joel's focused on using tech to help companies perfect their hiring game.