In this episode, Walter speaks with Rick Banks, the Senior Program Manager of African American Affairs with the Milwaukee County Office of Equity. Rick was inspired to get involved in leadership after witnessing the election of Barack Obama and studying Economics during the 2008 recession.

They discuss initiatives to increase recognition of black culture in the county, support cultural institutions, and improve African-American health. Rick shares how the non-profit organization MKE Black started from an idea to create a database of black-owned businesses on a website or mobile app that eventually grew into a nonprofit organization supporting business development for local black businesses.

Tune in to hear an inspirational, thought-provoking conversation between Walter and Rick as they discuss why solidarity is essential in a segregated city, how homeownership and housing stability are key, what economic development can do for black Milwaukee's future success, and why leadership succession planning is important for long-term movement sustainability.

Episode Highlights

06:18 - What we did was we went out and engaged residents, knocking door to door and asking, "What is it like for the black community to thrive?" And getting that data, getting that response, and then using that to inform and organize.

11:49 - Economic development, and so making sure that from the county, that we're doing the best that we can to make sure that we're getting as many black-owned and other minority-owned businesses as vendors for county dollars and county contracts, and making sure that we're supporting.

20:17 - I think that black people, and specifically in Milwaukee, like this renaissance we're having and is positioning us well to be able to fully take advantage of that.

21:05 - I want to make sure that we're in some way developing some policies that are ensuring that folks' housing is secure, and that they're living in high-quality homes and things like that. And I think when we do that, and if we can build a system where domestic violence victims don't have to worry about the burden of not having to find housing to get away from their abusers and things like that, we can start to lay a lot of these other societal issues. I think a lot of it comes down from housing stability.

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Walter Lanier

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Rick Banks

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In this episode, Walter Lanier talks to Kendra Ingram, who is moving from Milwaukee to Pittsburgh to become the CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, which is a performing arts organization that also has a bit of a visual arts element.

Kendra highlighted the necessity for leaders to drive improvement and progress by taking a leadership role in Arts and Culture and how it could have great impact. She pointed out that money is not everything, as having core values that align with those making decisions for you can be crucial to finding career fulfillment.

Listen to Kendra to learn more about the importance of being intentional in diversifying your network and breaking out of your circle to gain insights from different types of people. Connections beyond your innermost circle can push your understanding and personal growth further. That’s why diversity of thought within network relations should not be understated.

Episode Highlights:

06:22 - In our business, you know, most of these arts organizations are fairly flat. So, if you want to move up, you typically have to move out.

11:48 - Where you truly have the greatest impact is in that decision-making role. You really are driving the strategy and vision for the organization.

13:19 - I think my biggest learning lesson in my first executive director position was that my voice carries more weight than it did when I was a colleague.

37:51 - They hired me as a CEO, not Chief Diversity Officer. So, yes, we need to represent and lift up this work. But honestly, I've told the Board, "I'm not doing it all by myself."

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Walter Lanier

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Kendra Ingram

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In this episode, Walter Lanier talks to Bro. Keith Stanley, who is moving to Charlotte to become the president and CEO of University City Partners. They discuss the work Stanley has done in Milwaukee with Near West Side Partners, including reducing crime and increasing investment in Black-owned businesses.

Bro. Keith discusses how he will replicate this model in Charlotte, with a focus on private investment from anchor institutions like universities and hospitals. They examine the challenges and opportunities for Black leadership and stress the importance of knowing when to speak up or speak out, and recognizing the role one plays in their position.

Listen to learn about the quality and potential of Black leadership in Milwaukee. Bro. Keith says that those who can make it here are dynamic people and hear him also talk about some things he still wants to do before he leaves, including helping those suffering from mental illness or addiction.

Episode Highlights:

07:58 - We've been able to really map out ways that we know we can directly impact our community and a part of that also, too, which I know you would appreciate, Walter, we also survey every single constituency in our community. So, we survey our residents, our students, our employers, and our employees, and we hear what their concerns are.

12:32 - Safety is not easy, but it's not as challenging as housing. Our biggest challenge is housing. Housing is very unique, but we're working on it. We've been able to partner with JP Morgan Chase, received a grant to focus specifically on black home ownership. So, I would say for us it's transformative because we have support of our anchor institutions, and they are able to put financial dollars to support the work we're doing.

20:565 - I meet so many Black folks who are in leadership position, who a lot of times they're bleeding on their followers. They're going off and I say, "Give me the vision, and let's work. Motivate me toward the vision. Don't tell me off when I'm trying to follow you or don't make me feel belittled, and I believe in you."

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Walter Lanier

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Bro. Keith Stanley

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Dr. Jeanette Mitchell is the founder of the African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee (AALAM), an initiative addressing the development and sustainability of Black leadership throughout Milwaukee. She is also the Chief Creative Officer of Leadership by Dr. Jeanette, a consultancy focused on engaging in creative partnerships to direct, design and manage leadership development programs throughout the Greater Milwaukee community. Along with host Walter Lanier, the President & CEO of AALAM, they talk about the journey of AALAM and their vision to help African American Leaders to be elevated.

Highlights:

03:40 - But in order for us to move forward, I believe that we have all the ingredients to make it happen.

07:57 - So it's really good to recognize that this is about black leadership and how we built it.

09:37 - So, all of that was like, I kept thinking, we have to do more for black people.

21:34 - I mean it was like our community didn't have work being done but as you said oftentimes they were siloed. There was no place that was someplace that could bring people together.

26:32 - That's what we're saying if we want to be a global destination by 2025, obviously, we must be asking because everybody wants to come here.

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Sherri Jordan is a Deputy Director in the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) at Milwaukee County. DAS deals with IT, budgeting, finances, economic development, procurement, risk management - some of the more important aspects of Milwaukee County. Sherri talks about what they are doing through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Milwaukee County’s vision is to become the healthiest county in Wisconsin. They are very strategic and very intentional about all of their policies. What are the steps they have been taking to reach this goal? Listen to this episode and find out.

What we talk about:

03:53 – We issue an employee engagement service every two years. We issue a racial equity survey as well.

07:11 – One of the most important things that we have in place is that in 2019 we declared racism a public health crisis in Milwaukee County. In everything we do, we use the equity lens.

16:10 – I think a lot of people feel that if we’re uplifting one group of people, another group of people is getting left behind. That’s not what we’re doing. We’re just trying to move from equity to equality.

26:10 – One of the things we are doing as a County, all County employees are responsible for taking racial equity training. It is mandatory.

36:00 – The racial equity budget tool is not the only factor for making decisions, but it is an important factor.

What we mention:

Milwaukee County

Sherri Jordan’s email

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Corry Joe Biddle is the Executive Director of FUEL Milwaukee, a community engagement group for young professionals who live and work in the Milwaukee region. FUEL is branded as a stand-alone program but is a service of the Metro Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC). Through in-person events with diverse speakers, they have been trying to signal to everyone that Milwaukee is for all of us, and every part of Milwaukee is for you, not just one little piece. Their work is more virtual now, but their mission is still the same - connecting, engaging, loving Milwaukee, and making it better for everybody.

According to Corry Jo, the culture that you create in your organization is all about what is acceptable, what is not acceptable, and how you respond to acceptable and not acceptable. What tone are you setting for equity, diversity, and inclusion? It is not just about diversity. It does not mean that because you’re in the room you are included and your voice matters. Let’s get as many leaders as possible because leaders create more leaders, and that creates sustained change over time.

What we talk about:

04:55 – We were doing that through in-person events, speaking engagements. When the quarantine hits and social distancing, it was all about virtual, and we are now doing our work through Race Bridge webinars.

11:19 – The first conversation we had was with all young professionals at the diverse panel, and it was them giving their reaction to what they have seen in the video. And 400 people registered for that conversation.

25:42 – MMAC’s Region of Choice initiative is focused on employers. It is a program with goals around hiring for Black and Brown talent. The first pillar is representation. When we look at the management level across organizations in Milwaukee, black and brown talent are not being elevated to the level of manager at the same rate as their white counterparts. It is significantly less.

30:34 – 111 companies have signed the pledge. In five years, we will collectively increase the number of Black and Brown managers by 25% and increase the number of Black and Brown talent hired at large by 15%.

39:17 – About 70% of millennials and Gen Zers list diversity as a factor when they’re choosing a job or a city.

What we mention:

FUEL Milwaukee

MMAC

Black Holocaust Museum

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Nikki Purvis is Chief Equity officer of the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the City of Milwaukee. The Office of Equity and Inclusion is very new as of January 1st, 2021, and it will work on addressing, eradicating, and dismantling racism within the city government.

According to Nikki, just because this office is new, it does not mean that they have not been engaged in the work. They have developed a Racial Equity Action Plan, and the creation of this Office is a part of that plan. It is about creating the infrastructure so that they can be impactful and start to create some change. Our goal, our task is to implement our action plan but also to identify policies, programs, and procedures and to identify what should change. If you want different outcomes, you have to make sure that you have all those diverse voices at the table. You have to have all three (diversity, equity, and inclusion) working in sync with one another. They intermingle.

If you have ideas, thoughts, or you want to help, feel free to email us. And you can always share with your elected officials your thoughts and opinions about how we move forward in this work.

What we talk about:

03:50 – I’m still trying to figure out what that (diversity and equity) means for me personally, and even from the city’s perspective because we’re new on this journey that it is going to take us some time to determine and define what that means for us as an agency and an organization.

11:42 – I do not know if we’ll ever completely dismantle racism. It didn’t happen overnight; it’s been over 400 years. But we all have to have a personal commitment to eradicate and dismantle racism. It’s not just one person’s responsibility. It is everyone’s responsibility.

14:05 – The city of Milwaukee has a Racial Equity Action Plan. And that plan was created by several members from various departments. We participated in the government alliance for race and equity of this community learning group.

19:00 – There are some small wins that we have accomplished, like the racial equity leadership training. Our racial equity and inclusion leadership team is composed of representatives from each city department and most of our elected officials’ offices.

28:05 – It is important that we hold ourselves accountable to make sure that it is just not a transactional change, but a transformative, and that we are transparent in our process and accountable to the works that we do or do not do.

What we mention:

Office of Equity & Inclusion

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Dr. Jeanette Mitchell grew up in St. Lewis, Missouri and moved to Milwaukee at high school. She spent 30 years at telephone company AT&T, where she has learned how to be a manager, how to be a leader. She left the company as the highest-ranking black woman. As the Program Director at Cardinal Stritch University she established the Leadership Center, through which she helped design and manage several leadership development programs. She is the founder of African American Leadership Program, and African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee. For Dr. Jeanette, Leadership is influence. Influence of yourself and other towards the goal that is mutually beneficial, morally and ethically. But you first have to get right with you and then as you get right with you, you get right with others. And yes, her blackness is an asset.

What we talk about:

05:45 – Alverno helped me to realize that this was not just about Jeanette, that I need to give back to community.

15:50 – That’s how AALP came about. The idea behind it was to have people cross-sector, so that you get to know each other.

22:18 – Transformation is like inner grounding where you really start to look at where your values are, what it is about. And that can bring you to a change.

28:00 – Right now we’re trying to redefine Milwaukee as the top-ranking city for African Americans. We want to make sure that African American Leaders chose to live, work, and prosper here.

33:00 – To be a leader, you really have to know who you are. Leadership is from the inside out, which means you have to take time to reflect on your practices, how congruent are you, is your work aligned with your values, how are you really living your life. It is important. And the awareness - taking time to become aware who you are and how you’re interacting with those around you.

What we mention:

Alverno College

Cardinal Stritch University

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AALAM

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