In the latest episode of "Diversity Straight Up," hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Janet Godwin, CEO of ACT, about diversity, inclusion, equity and engagement in an industry best known for getting elite students into elite colleges. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by the city of Cedar Rapids.

Janet Godwin: Equality in standardized testing

In the latest episode of CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Rafael Espinal, the executive director of Freelancers Union, about freelancers in today's workplace ... who they are, why their ranks are growing and why their diversity matters.
Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

Rafael Espinal: The voice of the freelancer

In the latest episode of CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Hugh Ekberg, CEO and president of CRST, about diversity in the trucking industry. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

Hugh Ekberg: Diversity in the trucking industry

In the latest episode of CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Marcus Bullock, co-founder and CEO of Flikshop, an app and website to keep families connected with loved ones in prison, about being your authentic self, resiliency and justice reform. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

Marcus Bullock: From incarceration to innovator

In the latest episode of CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Ray Brown, CEO of ESCO, about his purpose and passion and being mindful of the big picture. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

Ray Brown: Living your values

In the latest episode of CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Cedric Ellis, executive vice president and chief enterprise services officer at CUNA Mutual Group, about his family background and work ethic. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

Cedric Ellis: Equity and accessibility

In the latest episode of Diversity Straight Up, hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk to national authority on diversity Dr. Nika White about strategies for battling “diversity fatigue.” Also, legendary broadcaster Tavis Smiley talks about overcoming mistakes and defending yourself during the age of cancel culture. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

Dr. Nika White: Battling 'diversity fatigue'

On the latest episode of Diversity Straight Up, hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington, talk to Mark Nook, president of the University of Northern Iowa. Mark discusses the work required to make sure all groups have equal opportunity for success on a university campus, how his previous experiences with prejudice have prepared him for his current role, and how a nationwide pandemic has impacted the communities he represents. Diversity Straight Up is brought to you by GreenState Credit Union and sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

Mark Nook: Equal opportunity for success

In this final episode for 2021 of Diversity Straight Up, hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk about pitfalls to avoid, best practices, and trends in 2022. Diversity Straight Up is sponsored by Alliant Energy. Additional support is provided by Collins Aerospace and the city of Cedar Rapids.

Diversity Straight Up: Season 2 Finale

On this episode of Diversity Straight Up, hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington, talk to James Klein, President of Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust. Mr. Klein recently became one of the the first leaders in the state of Iowa to earn their Certified Diversity Professional credential within the banking industry. The Certified Diversity Professional credential (CDP) is a professional qualification credential that is designed to enhance cultural competency and help an organization enrich its approach to inclusion. In this episode, Mr. Klein speaks about his experience in becoming certified. Diversity Straight Up is sponsored by Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, ACT and Alliant Energy.

James Klein: Striving toward inclusion

Hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Marci Chickering, executive VP and chief human resources officer with Wellmark, about gender parity in the C-suite, building diversity in the insurance industry and finding people's innate gifts. Presented by the City of Cedar Rapids, Collins Aerospace and Alliant Energy.

Marci Chickering: Making All Voices Heard

Hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Phil Jasper, president of Mission Systems at Collins Aerospace, about the role of diversity in innovation, reverse mentoring and the importance of cultural competency in leadership. Presented by the City of Cedar Rapids, Collins Aerospace and Alliant Energy.

Phil Jasper: Leveraging Cultural Competencies

In the latest episode of the CBJ podcast, “Diversity Straight Up,” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington talk with Alanna Arrington, Anthony's daughter, about about her life as a global supermodel and diversity and equity issues in the world of high fashion.

Alanna Arrington: From Iowa to the global stage

“Diversity Straight Up” hosts Sarika Bhakta and Anthony Arrington dig into the topics of equity, diversity, inclusion and engagement (EDI&E) through authentic and challenging conversations with C-suite leaders. Expect frank questions and honest answers, and real-life lessons on how to leverage diversity as an asset, rather than see it as a liability. Released monthly.

Diversity Straight Up

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