The Leadership Drives Podcast

49 Lovely Durham, Associate Dean of Special Projects and Student Success at Morehouse College, passionately champions the HBCU experience and tirelessly advocates for black men. Through her dedicated work at Morehouse College, she channels her commitment to ensuring the success of both. Her overarching goal is to leave a lasting positive impact on the institution and the young men who enroll.

#BlackCollegeExperience #BlackSingleSexColleges #SpelHouse #StudentSuccess

49 Lovely Durham, Associate Dean of Special Projects and Student Success at Morehouse College, passionately champions the HBCU experience and tirelessly advocates for black men. Through her dedicated work at Morehouse College, she channels her commitment to ensuring the success of both. Her overarching goal is to leave a lasting positive impact on the institution and the young men who enroll.

#BlackCollegeExperience #BlackSingleSexColleges #SpelHouse #StudentSuccess

48 Dr. Roy Copeland, Esq., is an attorney, a law professor at Valdosta State University, Co-Founder of the Copeland African American Museum, and author. His accomplishments are numerous, and he is particularly proud of the ones that have given him an opportunity to positively impact the lives of students, people of color, and families

#Blackfamilywealth #estateplanning #Blackfamilyreunions

48 Dr. Roy Copeland, Esq., is an attorney, a law professor at Valdosta State University, Co-Founder of the Copeland African American Museum, and author. His accomplishments are numerous, and he is particularly proud of the ones that have given him an opportunity to positively impact the lives of students, people of color, and families

#Blackfamilywealth #estateplanning #Blackfamilyreunions

46 When Gwen Wood's mother said, "money is a microscope to the soul", it resonated deeply with her in that moment and it continues to drive her today. While Gwen is passionate about her career and business in finance, she is even more committed to educating families. You can hear the fire in her spirit she shares how personal faith and belief that knowledge is power translate into a calling to equip people better decisions so that they can leave an inheritance for their children's children.#Blackfamilywealth #estateplanning

46 When Gwen Wood's mother said, "money is a microscope to the soul", it resonated deeply with her in that moment and it continues to drive her today. While Gwen is passionate about her career and business in finance, she is even more committed to educating families. You can hear the fire in her spirit she shares how personal faith and belief that knowledge is power translate into a calling to equip people better decisions so that they can leave an inheritance for their children's children.#Blackfamilywealth #estateplanning

47 "Every social justice issue in our country, in some way, is connected to housing" says Andreanecia Morris, the Executive Director of HousingNOLA. While she has built her career on housing equity, she focuses her day-to-day efforts on addressing the housing crisis on New Orleans, Louisiana, one of America's poorest and blackest cities. She doesn't mince words about policies that are steeped in anti-black racism and respectability politics or the work that it takes to build an unapologetic agency.

47 "Every social justice issue in our country, in some way, is connected to housing" says Andreanecia Morris, the Executive Director of HousingNOLA. While she has built her career on housing equity, she focuses her day-to-day efforts on addressing the housing crisis on New Orleans, Louisiana, one of America's poorest and blackest cities. She doesn't mince words about policies that are steeped in anti-black racism and respectability politics or the work that it takes to build an unapologetic agency.

Whereas many people shy away from sensitive topics about people, race, and culture. Dr. Rolando Herts' actual job is to do just that. As the Director of The Delta Center at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS, he is charged with the responsibility of telling the stories of the lives of people in the Mississippi Delta. On the other hand, his personal and familial journey help him translate his responsibility into a passion and calling that validates and respects people who often go unseen.

Whereas many people shy away from sensitive topics about people, race, and culture. Dr. Rolando Herts' actual job is to do just that. As the Director of The Delta Center at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS, he is charged with the responsibility of telling the stories of the lives of people in the Mississippi Delta. On the other hand, his personal and familial journey help him translate his responsibility into a passion and calling that validates and respects people who often go unseen.

To whom much is given, much is required. Pam "Boss Lady" Chatman lives this mantra through her business, "Boss Lady Economic Planning and Development". As a daughter of the Mississippi Delta, Pam is doing for others what was done for her: helping people as they try to help themselves. Pam, like her fellow Mississippians, is no stranger to hard work, but she also knows that hard work must meet opportunity in order to be fruitful; thus, she is working to make sure the two actually meet.

To whom much is given, much is required. Pam "Boss Lady" Chatman lives this mantra through her business, "Boss Lady Economic Planning and Development". As a daughter of the Mississippi Delta, Pam is doing for others what was done for her: helping people as they try to help themselves. Pam, like her fellow Mississippians, is no stranger to hard work, but she also knows that hard work must meet opportunity in order to be fruitful; thus, she is working to make sure the two actually meet.

Sirena's journey to founding Roc the Peace is one of tremendous courage and turning tragedy into something meaningful. On the other hand, she was open about her leadership challenges: what does a leader do when the organization turns into something very different from their initial vision for it?#communityviolence #communityorganizations #urbancommunities

Sirena's journey to founding Roc the Peace is one of tremendous courage and turning tragedy into something meaningful. On the other hand, she was open about her leadership challenges: what does a leader do when the organization turns into something very different from their initial vision for it?
#communityviolence #communityorganizations #urbancommunities

Shemekka is a the kind of woman and professional who cannot be limited to one label or category. While she is an author, coach, speaker, and business owner with serious magnetism, her focus on and commitment to her business, clients, and community are laser sharp.#blackwomenentrepeneurs #racialjustice #ministry

Shemekka is a the kind of woman and professional who cannot be limited to one label or category. While she is an author, coach, speaker, and business owner with serious magnetism, her focus on and commitment to her business, clients, and community are laser sharp.
#blackwomenentrepeneurs #racialjustice #ministry

We work and live in a culture where the image of what it means to be a professional is often steeped in classism, formality, distant coldness, and hierarchical power dynamics. These expectations are even more strident if you are a mathematician! As Dr. Washington shares glimpses into her career and her leadership style with the Data Science Initiative, we can easily see that she is anything but formal and cold. Her humility, confidence and authenticity is a breath of fresh air among the many profiles of leadership.
#AllLeadershipIsPersonal

We work and live in a culture where the image of what it means to be a professional is often steeped in classism, formality, distant coldness, and hierarchical power dynamics. These expectations are even more strident if you are a mathematician! As Dr. Washington shares glimpses into her career and her leadership style with the Data Science Initiative, we can easily see that she is anything but formal and cold. Her humility, confidence and authenticity is a breath of fresh air among the many profiles of leadership.
#AllLeadershipIsPersonal

Can you be effective in a role and on a team, even if you don't think building relationships is a big deal? After all, you can do the actual job, right? While some leaders don't care as much about how you get the job done as long as you get it done: Kelly isn't that leader. She insists on building a team that is characterized as by respect, comradery, and strong connections.

Can you be effective in a role and on a team, even if you don't think building relationships is a big deal? After all, you can do the actual job, right? While some leaders don't care as much about how you get the job done as long as you get it done: Kelly isn't that leader. She insists on building a team that is characterized as by respect, comradery, and strong connections.

What do you do when your organization provides an incredibly important service, but your organization struggles to compete in the area of wages? One thing is for sure: you can't afford to let your leadership team leave figuring it out to HR! Shari shares with us how Jewish Home Life tackles this issue so that it can better serve its employees and the families that have come to rely on them.

What do you do when your organization provides an incredibly important service, but your organization struggles to compete in the area of wages? One thing is for sure: you can't afford to let your leadership team leave figuring it out to HR! Shari shares with us how Jewish Home Life tackles this issue so that it can better serve its employees and the families that have come to rely on them.

What is the last place you think of when you think of leadership? I bet cemeteries didn't even make the list! However, in a place Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, the stakeholders demand great leadership, and their Executive Director, Richard Harker, delivers!. It is an active cemetery, a garden, a city park, and all in one and its eternal residents include people from all walks of life, from enslaved people, Margaret Mitchell, former Mayor Maynard Jackson, golf legend Bobby Jones, Morris Brown College Founder Wesley John Gaines, 6 Georgia governors and 25 other Atlanta mayors.

What is the last place you think of when you think of leadership? I bet cemeteries didn't even make the list! However, in a place Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, the stakeholders demand great leadership, and their Executive Director, Richard Harker, delivers! It is an active cemetery, a garden, a city park, and all in one and its eternal residents include people from all walks of life, from enslaved people, Margaret Mitchell, former Mayor Maynard Jackson, golf legend Bobby Jones, Morris Brown College Founder Wesley John Gaines, 6 Georgia governors and 25 other Atlanta mayors.

When an organization has a large and powerful mission and a growing team that is located across an entire country, how does it achieve alignment and make sure everyone is on the same page? How does an organization prevent the rise of lone rangers who will pursue their own agendas at the expense of the organization? At the end of the series, I’ll share my thoughts. As you listen to the episode, take note of what these four leaders have in common! 

When an organization has a large and powerful mission and a growing team that is located across an entire country, how does it achieve alignment and make sure everyone is on the same page? How does an organization prevent the rise of lone rangers who will pursue their own agendas at the expense of the organization? At the end of the series, I’ll share my thoughts. As you listen to the episode, take note of what these four leaders have in common! 

While some women allow their fears and insecurities to discourage them from pursuing challenging roles, Dr. Laurel Harry did not and is Pennsylvania’s newest Secretary of Corrections. From her first position with the PA DOC to her current post, her career path demonstrates her commitment to people. She takes seriously her duty to improve the lives, outcomes, and experiences for the people under her charge, no matter which side of the wall they’re on.

While some women allow their fears and insecurities to discourage them from pursuing challenging roles, Dr. Laurel Harry did not and is Pennsylvania’s newest Secretary of Corrections. From her first position with the PA DOC to her current post, her career path demonstrates her commitment to people. She takes seriously her duty to improve the lives, outcomes, and experiences for the people under her charge, no matter which side of the wall they’re on.

Can you imagine what you would be like if you’d spent the last 40 years of your life and career as a jail warden? What about being a female warden for 40 years in a very Republican town when you’re a liberal in a very liberal state? You probably can’t imagine, and neither could we! After spending a little over a year as a retiree, Sandy Mueller, invited us into her home to share how she went from studying psychology and dance in college and wound up working her way into the warden’s office. Simultaneously, she is everything you expect and everything you don’t: candid, politically savvy, confident, and a proud potty mouth.

Can you imagine what you would be like if you’d spent the last 40 years of your life and career as a jail warden? What about being a female warden for 40 years in a very Republican town when you’re a liberal in a very liberal state? You probably can’t imagine, and neither could we! After spending a little over a year as a retiree, Sandy Mueller, invited us into her home to share how she went from studying psychology and dance in college and wound up working her way into the warden’s office. Simultaneously, she is everything you expect and everything you don’t: candid, politically savvy, confident, and a proud potty mouth.

If you were blindfolded and eavesdropping on a conversation among a jail warden, a social worker, and a chaplain, do you think you could tell which speaker was the jail warden? If Warden Karen Taylor was one of the speakers, I don’t think you could. Warden Taylor is a career corrections professional with more than 26 years of experience, and she is focused on corrections rather than punishment. Her efforts to address the root causes of recidivism has set her on a path to figuring out how to make sure that people who are jailed in her county get what they need so that they don’t come back. As you listen to this leadership drive, you’ll hear why leaders from the Biden Administration and White House wanted to know so badly what she’s doing and how that they paid her a visit.  

If you were blindfolded and eavesdropping on a conversation among a jail warden, a social worker, and a chaplain, do you think you could tell which speaker was the jail warden? If Warden Karen Taylor was one of the speakers, I don’t think you could. Warden Taylor is a career corrections professional with more than 26 years of experience, and she is focused on corrections rather than punishment. Her efforts to address the root causes of recidivism has set her on a path to figuring out how to make sure that people who are jailed in her county get what they need so that they don’t come back. As you listen to this leadership drive, you’ll hear why leaders from the Biden Administration and White House wanted to know so badly what she’s doing and how she's doing it that they paid her a visit.   

When you think about the people who are leaders in law enforcement and correctional institutions, is love the first thing that comes to mind? If you answered no, you would not be alone! Nevertheless, it is through the lens of love and compassion that Cyn Link viewed her work. Over the course of a career spanning more than 25 years, going from corrections officer to superintendent, she came to believe the human connection with their people is a leader’s core obligation and perhaps the foundation of their legacy. As you listen to this leadership drive, consider whether you think it is possible to effectively lead people without love.