Skip to main content

Introducing: The Colors of Influence Podcast



The first episode of the Colors of Influence podcast is now available! The journey toward launch wouldn't have been possible without the support of the House of Pod and Amped Women of Color podcast incubator.

Those of you who have been following the Colors of Influence blog and associated social media handles over the last few years know that with Colors of Influence, I merge my personal passions with my academic and professional inclinations to create my labor of love. The Colors of Influence podcast continues this story arc, by focusing on lives of purpose and intention, highlighting leaders who are working to make institutions and systems more equitable and more just. Colors of Influence intends to reach out to Black, Brown, indigenous and immigrant people of color who advance diversity, equity and inclusion through their everyday work.

Why a podcast and why now? The idea for adding a podcast to Colors of Influence offerings has been in the works for sometime now. I listen to podcasts during daily gym workouts and during road trips, so I'm familiar with the medium and appreciate its potential to educate and inform, intentionally adding a sense of immediacy and intimacy to important conversations. Stripped of my daily commute due to working from home during COVID-19 quarantine, I found myself with extra time to devote to learning how to create a podcast. I was fortunate to have been selected to be part of the 2020 Women of Color podcast incubator through Amped. Throughout six, very busy weeks, I'm grateful for the lessons shared by the House of Pod community, as I work toward the goal of extending the reach of Colors of Influence to a new audience. 

Who will listen to the Colors of Influence podcast? I imagine the typical listener as someone who is doing diversity, equity and inclusion work within an organization, or operating a business or non-profit with a direct tie-in to the work of diversity, equity and inclusion. Their primary motivation for listening to Colors of Influence is to enhance their knowledge and be inspired about how other leaders of color are applying innovative approaches to addressing myriad issues, while also staying true to their values of service, inclusiveness and equity.

Season one of the Colors of Influence podcast will consist of at least five episodes and a short teaser. As host and producer, I plan to spend about 10 hours per week on scheduling, interviewing, editing and producing each episode. Thus far, for the first season, I have already completed three Zoom interviews in August. Editing audio is a time-consuming process: I'm learning to pace production tasks so I don't feel overwhelmed. 

Give a listen to my interview with Yolanda Chase, founder of Diversity Way-Maker. Follow or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere you get your podcast. 

Thanks for tuning in! 

 

Popular posts from this blog

Minding the Wealth Gap

As a Black investor and startup founder, Cliff Goins IV brings firsthand experience and sharp insight to one of America’s most urgent issues: the racial wealth gap. Having navigated the worlds of finance and entrepreneurship, Goins has seen up close the systemic disparities in wealth creation, access to capital, and asset management. From unequal opportunities in homeownership and education to persistent challenges in business funding and employment, the historical gaps are perpetuated in present-day practices. In "Minding the Wealth Gap," Goins skillfully blends data, lived experience, and the insights of experts to illuminate the deep-rooted economic disparities facing Black Americans. More importantly, he highlights the power of collective uplift. Through the voices of nine dynamic “gap closers,” Goins shows how real change happens when Black investors and leaders open doors for others. Each success “play” or strategy underscores the ripple effect of support. Selena Cu...

A Beginner’s Guide to the Roots of Yoga

The modern practice of yoga in Western culture is often criticized for disconnecting from its cultural, historical, and spiritual roots. In many studios and gyms, yoga is reduced to a fitness routine—focused on stretching rather than its original purpose of enlightening the mind. In "A Beginner’s Guide to the Roots of Yoga," celebrated practitioner Nikita Desai reconnects readers with yoga’s ancient Indian origins. Drawing on her Indian heritage, Desai explores the deeper meanings behind yoga’s forms, postures, and intentions, offering a rich historical and philosophical context for those seeking a more authentic practice. Desai shares her personal journey of reclaiming yoga’s essence, inviting readers to do the same by integrating cultural awareness into their practice. Her tone is welcoming and nonjudgmental, making the book accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Although I do not practice yoga, my meditation roots lie in Zen Buddhism. Through conversations with prac...

Wash

Ebony Stewart’s "Wash" is a powerful, unflinching poetry collection that draws the reader into a world of raw emotion, deep introspection, and lyrical brilliance. As I read through the poems, I found myself captivated by Stewart’s honest reflections on identity, love, loss, and healing. Her voice is unapologetically bold, revealing the complexities of being a Black womxn navigating relationships, societal expectations, and hard-fought victories toward self-worth. Yet, her themes are universal, resonating with anyone who has grappled with their own identity and relationships. What struck me most was Stewart’s emotional transparency: each poem feels like a cleansing, a shedding of shame, doubt, and grief, revealing the triumph of knowing one’s value in a world that often seeks to diminish it. Stewart doesn’t shy away from exploring the pain of extractive love or the vulnerability of desire, but she also leaves room for empowerment and resilience. As a celebrated spoken word ...