The Mix: A Diversity Podcast

On this episode we sit down with early stage startup investor Yele Bademosi. Yele is founder of Bundle (a cryptocurrency platform) & Microtraction (a VC fund that backs early stage African startups) based in Lagos, Nigeria. We explore the under representation of Black founders in the technology ecosystem. Why do Black entrepreneurs struggle with receiving investments from VC funds not just locally here in the US, but globally? Yele shares practical tips for how founders can overcome this obstacle, and sheds some light on why investing in black businesses is not only the right thing to do but can lead to fantastic returns for investors as well.

On this episode of the mix we sit down with Nigeria's first female Web Development Expert and Buycoins founder Ire Aderinokun to discuss what it means to be an activist in the digital age. We explore and how social media is amplifying discourse of activists and shaping a global conversation around equity. Ire is one of the co-founders of the Feminist Coalition, a group of young Nigerian feminists formed in July 2020 with a mission to champion equality for women in Nigerian society. The Feminist Coalition played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s #EndSARS movement which  spawned over 150 mass protests in cities across the country, with demonstrations intensifying after soldiers reportedly fired live rounds into protesters at the Lekki toll plaza in Lagos on Oct. 20. The movement inspired solidarity protests in major cities of the world, including London, New York, Berlin and Washington.   Disclaimer: The content of this podcast and the opinions expressed are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.

In this episode we dive into the topics of allyship and fragility. What does it mean to be an ally? How should you respond when someone points out a problematic belief you hold, or thing you say? Why is everyone a work in progress when it comes to allyship? We examine these concepts through the lens of current news stories and our lived experiences. Specifically touching on news surrounding hate crimes against the asian community in the US, strained allyship between the Black and Asian American communities, and recent allegations of racism in the British royal family across the pond. We hope this conversation will invite you into an opportunity to do and be better.   Disclaimer: The content of this podcast and the opinions expressed are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.

In celebration of International Women's Month join us as we sit down with Kriti Jindal & Eset Alemu to discuss their experiences as women in technical roles  in the public and private sectors. We took a different approach to this topic asking our guests to relay their experiences through the lens of romantic relationship. Did they describe it as blissful love or a toxic mess. Tune in to find out.    Disclaimer: The content of this podcast and the opinions expressed are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.

Join us as we sit down with audience favorite Dr. Ndidi Nwaneri & Dr. Daaim Shabazz for this special Black History month episode. What are the structures that preserve white imperialism? Why does the global system perpetrate the lie of white supremacy? Why is Africa the richest continent in terms of resources but the poorest continent in terms of wealth? Our expert guests examine Black History through the lens of global injustice, and spend time debunking commonly held misconceptions of US Black History, examining key historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln and The Black Panther Party along the way.   Disclaimer: The content of this podcast and the opinions expressed are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.   Find Dr. Nwaneri: Twitter- @ndidi_nwaneri, Facebook- @ndidi.nwaneri, Instagram- @ndidinwaneri, Website- www.ndidinwaneri.com    

Join us for this season two premier were I sit down with my new co-host Dzifa Biga to discuss her perspective on diversity and inclusion, the burdens of being a minority in corporate America and things to come for the upcoming season. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast and the opinions expressed are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.

This episode features public policy & social justice expert Dr. Ndidi Nwaneri and Vice President of People & Culture (IBM Systems & Research), Drew Valentine. In honor of Juneteenth we sit down to examine the history of US capitalism and its foundation of chattel slavery. The recent tragic deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd has spark a global discourse regarding the systemic oppression of black people in the United States. To change a system we must first understand that which supports it. To be a true patriot is to push our nation to live up to its ideals and be better, always. I personally found this conversation extremely valuable and cathartic and I hope you will too. Happy Juneteenth!  Disclaimer: The content of this podcast and the opinions expressed are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions. Find Dr. Nwaneri: Twitter- @ndidi_nwaneri, Facebook- @ndidi.nwaneri, Instagram- @ndidinwaneri, Website- www.ndidinwaneri.com  

In honor of Pride Month (June) I sit down with proud members of the community Peter Mostachetti & Colin Wakeford to try and tackle the complex topics of gender and sexuality. This episode seeks to shed light on issues and discourse surrounding the more marginalized groups represented under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. We offer historical context surrounding Pride as we know it today, and the perhaps surprising connection between the civil rights movement and the gay rights movement. 

Join me for another solo episode where I delve into the topic of implicit bias and its pervasive nature and broad implications for minority groups in the context of both job opportunities and criminal justice. I offer my perspective on recent news stories such as Amy Cooper and the tragic death of George Floyd, and conclude by recounting a couple personal anecdotes illustrating how nobody, myself included is immune to this phenomenon. I sincerely hope you will derive value from the episode and do your part to check your own biases and do better Disclaimer: The content of this podcast and the opinions expressed are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions

In this episode design researchers Estefania Acosta, Karina Campos and I explore the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appropriation. Our discussion centers around the importance cultural preservation, the context in which issues of appropriation show up in our personal lives, and how we might encourage people to explore different cultures while preserving the respect and dignity of those cultures.  Disclaimer: The content of this podcast and the opinions expressed are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions

This episode we sit down with Experience Designer Chris DeCicco to talk about how heritage shapes us as individuals. It can impact the cultures we identify with, and in turn how we move through the world. Chris shares with us his family’s epic history, and how genetic testing and DNA were the final pieces of the puzzle missing from the picture of his identity. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast and the opinions expressed are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions

Join us as we sit down with IBM executives Shani Sandy (Executive Design Practice Leader) & Drew Valentine (Vice President, People & Culture, IBM Systems) to get the executive perspective on diversity. We had a very open conversation about their diversity as individuals, discussed “covering”, the value of diversity and how we can continue to build a more diverse community in corporate America that is truly representative.  Disclaimer: The content of this podcast and the opinions expressed are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions

Join us this episode as we sit down with Jeff Bisti (z Ecosystem Architect), and Tanya Buchanan (Senior Software Engineer), to get their insights and lessons learned about diversity over the course of their respective 18 year careers. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast and the opinions expressed are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions

On our debut episode we are joined by two lovely guests Lindsay Baer & Femi Omoyeni. Join us for part one of this segment as we get the conversation started around the new hire perspective of what diversity means to them! Stay tuned for parts 2 & 3 where we will be getting the perspective of tenured and executive professionals. Disclaimer: The content of this podcast and the opinions expressed are my own and don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions