Conversations with Chanda

Chanda Smith Baker
Conversations with Chanda

Chanda Smith Baker is the host of the award-winning Conversations with Chanda podcast. A nationally respected CEO, philanthropist, community leader and entrepreneur, Chanda continues tackling the gritty issues that communities wrestle with — race, leadership, philanthropy social justice and more — but dives even deeper into the profoundly personal stories that drive her guests to use their voice, leadership and resources to make a difference in their communities. From national luminaries like Eric Holder, Dr. Yaba Blay, Valerie Jarret and Ibram X. Kendi to local Twin Cities entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and business and community leaders making an impact, the Conversations with Chanda podcast explores, digs deeper and celebrates what’s relevant in our communities NOW. Download today!

  1. Honoring the Legacies that Sustain Us w/ Lauren Casteel

    3 DAYS AGO

    Honoring the Legacies that Sustain Us w/ Lauren Casteel

    Join Chanda Smith Baker in conversation with philanthropic leader Lauren Y. Casteel as they explore Black women's leadership in philanthropy. Lauren Y. Casteel is president and CEO of The Women’s Foundation of Colorado. Drawing from her family's civil rights legacy and 35-year career, Lauren shares powerful insights on community building, navigating racism, and fostering systemic change. Together, they discuss how bold, innovative philanthropy can create lasting impact for marginalized communities. https://voicevisionvalue.org/listen https://www.wfco.org/ www.conversationswithchanda.com IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker

    1h 14m
  2. How a Hip-Hop School is Revolutionizing Learning: A Conversation w/ Tony Simmons & David "TC" Ellis

    DEC 13

    How a Hip-Hop School is Revolutionizing Learning: A Conversation w/ Tony Simmons & David "TC" Ellis

    Discover how two visionaries turned music into a lifeline for struggling students, challenging everything you thought you knew about education. David "TC" Ellis, a pioneering Minnesota rapper and music producer, and Tony, an accomplished entertainment lawyer and educational leader, co-founded Studio 4 and the High School for Recording Arts (HSRA). Tony Simmons and David Ellis reveal the groundbreaking approach that's not just keeping kids in school, but launching careers and transforming lives. Find out how this innovative model could reshape education across America. www.conversationswithchanda.com IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker www.hsra.org/

    1h 8m
  3. A Prosecutor's Radical Approach to Healing and Reform with County Attorney Mary Moriarty

    NOV 29

    A Prosecutor's Radical Approach to Healing and Reform with County Attorney Mary Moriarty

    This episode of Conversations with Chanda takes you inside the mind of a prosecutor who is challenging the status quo and redefining what true public safety looks like. Mary Moriarty, the Hennepin County Attorney, shares a refreshingly honest and nuanced perspective on the criminal justice system - one that moves beyond simplistic notions of punishment and instead seeks to address the root causes of crime through compassion, rehabilitation, and community-based solutions. Her insights on the importance of early intervention, restorative justice, and empowering the community to engage with the legal process will leave you rethinking everything you thought you knew about the role of a prosecutor. www.hennepinattorney.org YT: @HennepinAttorney www.conversationswithchanda.com IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker

    1h 7m
  4. (Republish) Navigating Power and Purpose with Gladys Krigger Washington

    NOV 19

    (Republish) Navigating Power and Purpose with Gladys Krigger Washington

    This episode honors the life and legacy of Gladys Krigger Washington, the late Deputy Director of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, reflecting on her remarkable contributions to philanthropy and her role as a trailblazing Black woman leader. Through her impactful work, Washington exemplified the values of self-care, honesty, and community building, inspiring countless others. Her wisdom, including the importance of lightening up, truly listening, and engaging in challenging conversations, continues to resonate, offering a powerful reminder to embrace diverse perspectives and foster meaningful connections. https://voicevisionvalue.org/listen www.conversationswithchanda.com IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker

    1h 12m
  5. Turning Pain Into Purpose: A Conversation with Sheena Meade

    NOV 8

    Turning Pain Into Purpose: A Conversation with Sheena Meade

    Chanda Smith Baker hosts a conversation with Sheena Meade, highlighting her journey from being a teen mom and facing domestic violence to becoming an advocate for criminal justice reform. Sheena shares her experiences with incarceration, including a $87.26 bounced check leading to arrest and the impact on her life. Sheena is the CEO of the Clean Slate initiative, which aims to automatically clear records for eligible individuals, with 12 states adopting such laws and 15 million people benefiting. The conversation emphasizes the need for bipartisan support, narrative change, and community involvement in criminal justice reform. Discover how her work with The Clean Slate Initiative is changing lives and transforming communities. www.conversationswithchanda.com IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker www.cleanslateinitiative.org Sponsored by: Greater Twin Cities United Way https://www.gtcuw.org/

    1h 8m
  6. Investing in Community-Driven Change: A Conversation with Simone Hardeman-Jones and Ali Knight

    OCT 25

    Investing in Community-Driven Change: A Conversation with Simone Hardeman-Jones and Ali Knight

    Chanda Smith Baker hosts a conversation with Simone Hardeman-Jones, Executive Director of GreenLight Fund Twin Cities, and Ali Knight, the incoming national director and CEO. GreenLight Fund is a national network of sites partner with local communities to tackle the barriers that prevent individuals and families from achieving inclusive prosperity. They select and scale proven programs to directly address those barriers identified by each community. The model involves identifying local leaders and unmet needs and then adapting proven models to fit local contexts. They have expanded to 13 cities, with 14 sites, including a new one in Miami. Simone emphasizes community-led processes and partnerships, citing their first investment in LEAD Minneapolis, housed at Pillsbury United Communities. The conversation also touches on the importance of risk-taking and learning from failures in innovation. www.conversationswithchanda.com IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker greenlightfund.org IG @greenlightfund Sponsored by: The Black Collective Foundation https://www.minnesotablackcollectivefoundation.org/

    1 hr
  7. How Black Women Leaders Can Thrive in a World That Often Silences Them with Andrea Caupain Sanderson

    OCT 16

    How Black Women Leaders Can Thrive in a World That Often Silences Them with Andrea Caupain Sanderson

    Andrea Caupain Sanderson, a racial and social justice advocate for over 25 years, discussed her journey from immigrating to the U.S. at 12 and becoming a single mother at 19 to becoming CEO of the Byrd Barr Place. She is currently the co-founder and co-executive director of the BIPOC Executive Directors Coalition and one of four architects of the Black Future Co-op Fund, Washington’s first cooperative philanthropy created by and for Black people to ignite Black generational wealth, health, and well-being. In this episode, she emphasized the need for black-led organizations to receive funding and support and highlighted the importance of self-care and creating spaces for black leaders to thrive. https://voicevisionvalue.org/listen https://bipocedcoalitionwa.org/ https://www.blackfuturewa.org/ www.conversationswithchanda.com IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker

    58 min
  8. My Life as a Black Cop and a Championship Coach: A Conversation with Charles Adams (OA)

    OCT 10

    My Life as a Black Cop and a Championship Coach: A Conversation with Charles Adams (OA)

    Chanda Smith Baker speaks with Charles Adams, an Author of Twin Cities: My Life as a Black Cop and a Championship Coach, about his Northside upbringing and the complexities of community policing. They discuss the challenges black officers face, the impact of George Floyd's murder, and the removal of officers from schools. Joining the conversation is Jayland Baker, a North High alumnus and former football player coached by Charles, who shares his perspective on the importance of having officers in schools and the sense of security they provided. To purchase 'Twin Cities: My Life as a Black Cop and a Championship Coach': https://www.amazon.com/Twin-Cities-Black-Championship-Coach/dp/030683054X www.conversationswithchanda.com IG @chandasbaker & @conversationswithchanda Twitter/X: @chandasbaker

    1 hr
See All (155)

4.7
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

Chanda Smith Baker is the host of the award-winning Conversations with Chanda podcast. A nationally respected CEO, philanthropist, community leader and entrepreneur, Chanda continues tackling the gritty issues that communities wrestle with — race, leadership, philanthropy social justice and more — but dives even deeper into the profoundly personal stories that drive her guests to use their voice, leadership and resources to make a difference in their communities. From national luminaries like Eric Holder, Dr. Yaba Blay, Valerie Jarret and Ibram X. Kendi to local Twin Cities entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and business and community leaders making an impact, the Conversations with Chanda podcast explores, digs deeper and celebrates what’s relevant in our communities NOW. Download today!

Information

  • Creator
    Chanda Smith Baker
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    155
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Conversations with Chanda

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