Ally2Action Ally 2 Action

Frank Chi joins us on Episode 10 of the A2A Pod. We jam about his passion for creating and uplifting film and narratives around inclusion and identity in American life. Frank’s debut film 38 AT THE GARDEN - about the cultural significance of Jeremy Lin’s 2012 “Linsanity” run, premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short. It is available on HBO and HBO Max.

Ally2Action Episode 9: Sara Toussaint

Jon Laster is an award winning, New York based comedian, who has performed across the USA. Jon has been featured in the New York Times, Rolling Stone magazine and on the syndicated morning TV show, The Breakfast Club. Other career highlights include, hosting the Billion Dollar Show at the world-famous Comedy Cellar in New York City, appearing on Comedy Central on This Week at The Comedy Cellar and as a writer for two Super Bowl commercials the ESPY’s, BET Awards and a digital series for the Huffington Post, Celebrities Have Issues. Jon has also produced an indie film One Bedroom that won 12 awards at 12 different festivals and was recently released on iTunes.

Karim Webb and Ron Walden are executives and entrepreneurial activists who keep service, mentorship and community at the center.  This conversation breaks down many aspects of how they feel true advocates and allies can show up for historically under-resourced and represented groups; the difference between equity and parity; the importance of helping people gain access to capital; and accountability and transparency of representation within corporate America and ultimately improve outcomes.  Major takeaway: ADVOCACY MATTERS.

Quency Phillips joins us and reminds us what and how our "WHYS" change over time - but also what never changes. To see and be seen. His father a major inspiration in his mission - Quency dives into how his new journey of fatherhood only cements his desire to continue leading the way in spaces of equity and dedication as a beacon of his family and community.   



Quency is executive director of Joint Venture’s Building Back Better initiative, established in 2021 as a backbone effort to support regional recovery and reduce stark inequities magnified by the pandemic. Phillips has been committed to social good for more than 25 years through community service and entrepreneurship. Phillips most recently steered community engagement for Google Development Ventures’ $15B Silicon Valley development portfolio. Phillips was selected as a co-chair for the IWBI Health Equity Advisory, as well as the D&I Council for the Americas for Lendlease. Phillips was selected by Lendlease to provide the Keynote for the Global People & Culture Conference, addressing the path to allyship.

Episode 5 is a treat. We welcome Carri Twigg, co-founder of Culture House Media and former Special Assistant to President Obama and Director of Public Engagement for Vice President Joe Biden. Carri's experience in the spaces of American and cultural identity are vast and we are lucky to count her as the founding A2A scholar/expert. We sat down and discussed many things, including her origin story as a bi-racial girl growing up in rural Ohio, her articulation of an America that isn't zero sum and how important it is to read, learn, and tell stories that shift/shape culture. Her thoughts and ideas are a fundementally different approach to parity and progress. We're thankful she stopped by to share her insight and incredible mind with us.   Carri is deeply engaged with content that takes on the urgent cultural questions confronting America and the world. 

After 10 years in politics, she is focused on challenging our status quo media narratives. She is a Co-Founder and Head of Development for Culture House media, a Black, Brown, Women owned full service premium film and TV production company. Carri also leads Culture House's consultancy work, collaborating with major studios and creatives to ensure their projects are culturally productive. Carri is an expert in crafting engaging, socially relevant and politically resonant stories, and has been seen on stages from TedX to SXSW.   



CARRI TWIGG  

Instagram - www.instagram.com/carritwigg  

Website - www.culture.house