Inclusion Inc. | Diversity at Work LaunchPod Media

We find power in diversity and inclusion, and we thought it important to create a platform to discuss how we implement this into the workplace. Within our episodes, we expose several companies and their D&I efforts, especially those that excel in the subject. These episodes are not only relevant to the CEOs of a company, but entry-level employees and everyone in between will find Inclusion Inc to be an eye-opening docu-series. Our mission is to give businesses and individuals alike the courage to begin, or expound upon, the journey toward inviting diversity and lending an inclusive hand to every person.

Working with us to create this series is a company called RevRoad. RevRoad is a unique blend of accelerator, agency, and venture capital, known as venture services. They work with businesses at any stage of growth to help them scale their efforts. RevRoad provides value to its portfolio companies by giving them an in-house professional team, services, and networking opportunities. Learn more at http://revroad.com

In this episode of Inclusion Inc, we talk with Derrin Hill, CEO of Rev Road, and Reddit's Head of Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging, Christina Shareef. We dive deep into how they successfully lead D&I efforts within the workplace. We also highlight instances where Derrin has gone the extra mile to include those on the outskirts of the company. Derrin introduces the idea of being a "man-bassador" and talks about the need for women to be represented in various fields of work. Christina, an expert in the topic, talks about what it means to become fluent in the language of diversity and inclusion. As a leader, Christina focuses on investing in people and she shares how that's done through hiring, mentorship, and promoting her employees.

4:34 The Value of Diversity and Inclusion
13:39 Where Do We Begin?
22:36 Becoming "Fluent" in the Language of Diversity and Inclusion
31:50 What Does Investing in People Look Like?

"Don't be shy. True social change happens when it catches fire." -Derrin Hill (Rev Road)

Working with us to create this series is a company called RevRoad. RevRoad is a unique blend of accelerator, agency, and venture capital, known as venture services. They work with businesses at any stage of growth to help them scale their efforts. RevRoad provides value to its portfolio companies by giving them an in-house professional team, services, and networking opportunities. Learn more at http://revroad.com

In this episode of Inclusion Inc, we are joined by Sawyer Norman and Johnny Hannah to address mental health in the workplace. Sawyer is currently working with Internal Operations at Divi and he supports those struggling with their mental health through his clothing brand, “Keep On.” He shares his personal experience with depression and how his work associates buoyed him up during his difficult times. Johnny Hanna, Co-Founder and CEO of Homie, tells us about the values and lessons he introduces to his employees to support their “mental fitness.”

7:05 Sharing Mental Health Stories in the Workplace
13:53 Mental Health is the Foundation of D&I
19:22 Trainings and Values affecting Workplace Mental Health
29:03 Addressing Domestic Violence
37:45 Where Do We Begin?
42:53 “Keep On”

"In my head . . . these people didn't deal with depression, they didn't deal with any mental health issue... until I started doing research." -Sawyer Norman (Keep On)

Working with us to create this series is a company called RevRoad. RevRoad is a unique blend of accelerator, agency, and venture capital, known as venture services. They work with businesses at any stage of growth to help them scale their efforts. RevRoad provides value to its portfolio companies by giving them an in-house professional team, services, and networking opportunities. Learn more at http://revroad.com

Today’s episode involves Donnaly Crull and Parker Gentry of Skill Struck, a company that uses education and software to create positive relationships between future generations and technology. Parker and Donnaly point out the lack of representation in the tech industry and they give advice about how companies can find a diverse workforce. We are also joined by Luke Mocke who is the founder of Fairstream, an organization that helps companies scale. Luke walks us through the importance of tapping into various talent pools and how inclusivity alone can increase company diversity and success.

9:30 Inclusivity in Tech
16:44 Finding a Diverse Workforce
21:52 Inclusive vs. Exclusive Company Cultures
26:58 Finding Underrepresented Talent
33:51 Being More Inclusive at Work & School

"To have a representative team is important because you're tapping [into] all talent pools that way." -Luke Mocke (Fairstream)

Working with us to create this series is a company called RevRoad. RevRoad is a unique blend of accelerator, agency, and venture capital, known as venture services. They work with businesses at any stage of growth to help them scale their efforts. RevRoad provides value to its portfolio companies by giving them an in-house professional team, services, and networking opportunities. Learn more at http://revroad.com

Today, Kim Crowder and Karen E Rodriguez La Paz join us in a conversation about race in the workplace. Growing up in Houston and living in Korea for some time, Kim was exposed to an array of cultures and with that, a passion for D&I was born. Because of this passion, she eventually ended up on the New York Times, Forbes list, and Hubspot’s podcast, “The Growth Show.” In our conversation, Kim addresses the challenges with inclusivity and she stresses the important role of transparency in having diversity and inclusion at work. Karen Rodriguez, CEO of Code in Color, is accomplishing her dream of providing black and brown individuals with tech education. She discusses reconciliation for those of color and the value of having a diverse workforce. They both address inclusivity in the workplace and their experiences with being a black woman in the workplace.

5:20 Inclusion: What it is, Challenges, How to
15:57 A Leader's Role in D&I
23:03 Code in Color's Story
28:14 Why is Representation an Important Topic?
34:38 "Innovate In Power"

"Inclusion is finding a way to get everybody to sit at the table and, even if people disagree with each other, they can still find a common ground." -Karen Rodriguez


Working with us to create this series is a company called RevRoad. RevRoad is a unique blend of accelerator, agency, and venture capital, known as venture services. They work with businesses at any stage of growth to help them scale their efforts. RevRoad provides value to its portfolio companies by giving them an in-house professional team, services, and networking opportunities. Learn more at http://revroad.com

In this episode, we are joined by Stephan Jacob, Co-Founder of Cotopaxi, and Benjamin Dent, Co-Founder of Hallo. Both companies have excelled in maintaining and upholding company values which, in turn, has led to wholesome and inclusive environments. Because their values are deeply rooted and aren't just pretty words on an office wall, the impact they've had is far-reaching and impressive. Stephan tells us how the Cotopaxi Foundation was born and how it became the key to amplifying the original desire, which was to "Do Good." Ben tells us how his natural entrepreneurial spirit led him to create Hallo, a service that unites people of different cultures under one roof: English. Today we focus on values and how they drive success, inclusion, and equity.

2:26 The Initiation of Cotopaxi's Values
8:38 D&I at Cotopaxi
12:26 "Do Good"
20:03 Including Diverse Cultures/People
34:55 The Cotopaxi Foundation

"Our reason to exist is to have a measurable positive impact on the world." -Stephan Jacob


Working with us to create this series is a company called RevRoad. RevRoad is a unique blend of accelerator, agency, and venture capital, known as venture services. They work with businesses at any stage of growth to help them scale their efforts. RevRoad provides value to its portfolio companies by giving them an in-house professional team, services, and networking opportunities. Learn more at http://revroad.com