Trust Your Voice

Latest Episodes:

#13 The Creative Economy w/ Janice Bond - Deputy Director, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

Janice Bond (b. 1984, Houston, Texas) is a photographer and visual artist based in both Houston and Chicago, Illinois. Her works in photography, collage, textile, and video are inspired by intersecting human experiences and nature. Her intention is for others to experience a new form of cultural mapping built on trust, liberation, and love when engaging with her work. Bond has exhibited in a variety of spaces, including Woman Made Gallery (Chicago, IL), Mark Rothko Art Center (Daugavpils, Latvia), SE Center for Photography (Greenville, SC), MANA Contemporary (Jersey City, NJ), and more. In 2020 her photography was featured in” BORDERS”, an international arts and architecture festival in Venice, Italy. Her ongoing projects, Beyond the Binary (2016 - ) and I Still Love Him (2016 - ) affirm that it is imperative for women, particularly women of color to take the lead in documenting each other as well as other marginalized bodies across mediums and platforms. She creates because creating is truth – the most earnest reflection of us all in our most divine formation.

https://www.janicebond.com/aboutme

Our goal is to offer unbiased fact based information that acts as a starting point for you to get involved and have a larger positive impact on your community.

When it comes to civic and community leadership most of us don't know where to start and we definitely don't feel we have all the facts. That’s why each episode of The Civic Leader goes beyond the headlines to bring you facts and data points that will help you understand the role of business, government and its citizens to solve society's greatest challenges.

01:30 The state of the arts and getting to know Janice Bond

04:30 The creative economy

12:00 Art, entrepreneurship, and society

17:45 Technology helped Art expand to a wider market

28:15 Investing in the creative process

32:45 Art, the private enterprise and philanthropy

40:45 Community level support for the arts

46:15 National level support for the arts

54:45 Engaging with the creative economy

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#12 Space-Making Through Public Art w/ Cynthia Noble - Executive Director at Art on theMART Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

Cynthia Noble is an accomplished arts and cultural leader with more than two decades of experience in interpretive programs, partnership cultivation, relationship management, donor engagement and strategic planning at top international cultural institutions and businesses, including theMART, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Guggenheim Museum, Northwestern University and The University of Chicago. Drawing upon this experience, Cynthia is the Executive Director of Art on theMART and leads Noble Private Art Tours and Events, a boutique cultural tourism company offering expert and multilingual access for groups and individuals to the world of art in Chicago and beyond.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-noble-a9761227/

Our goal is to offer unbiased fact based information that acts as a starting point for you to get involved and have a larger positive impact on your community.

01:00 What is Public Art?

05:45 How public art is initiated

07:00 Public Art in Chicago

13:15 Art on the Mart

17:00 Switching up the art

21:00 Thinking long term

26:45 Art on theMart as a model

28:15 Starting a public art project

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#11 Understanding Health Disparities w/ Theodia Gillespie - President, Quad County Urban League Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

Theodia B. Gillespie has dedicated more than four decades to the mission of the Urban League. A native of Missouri and graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, she began her career with the Quad County Urban League in 1984. Theodia became the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Quad County Urban League in 1993 after serving as its Education Coordinator, Director of Education, Director of Employment and Program Director. Combining a passion for serving clients through education and workforce development and a commitment to service leadership, Theodia has transformed Quad County Urban League into a thriving affiliate by improving operations and public perception and by developing collaborative community partnerships, which expanded the agency’s profile and provided wrap-around services in DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will counties. An outspoken advocate for equality, Theodia dedicates herself to a host of community and regional boards and organizations, and was recently appointed as Co-Chair of the Education and Workforce Development transition team for the newly elected mayor of Aurora. A thought leader in education, employment, law enforcement and politics, Theodia has received several awards for her outstanding record of service. Innovative and forward-thinking, she continues to foster, develop and mentor in the areas of non-profit management, organizational development, and fund development to create a sustainable, economic and civil community model with global impact. https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodia-gillespie-a15753a/ https://twitter.com/QCUL Our goal is to offer unbiased fact based information that acts as a starting point for you to get involved and have a larger positive impact on your community. When it comes to civic and community leadership most of us don't know where to start and we definitely don't feel we have all the facts. That’s why each episode of The Civic Leader goes beyond the headlines to bring you facts and data points that will help you understand the role of business, government and its citizens to solve society's greatest challenges. 01:00 Getting to know Theodia Gillespie 17:05 Why this issue matters 23:40 Health Disparities in context 29:10 The role of the federal government 34:40 State and local government participation 38:55 The role of the private sector 48:25 Social determinants of health 47:10 Health Behaviors 53:40 Lack of trust in the healthcare system 59:55 Education and health literacy 1:07:10 Employment and income issues 1:13:25 Nutrition in the US 1:19:55 Community-based solutions and how we can get involved Subscribe to TCL on YouTube

#10 Let’s Talk Finances w/ Nicole Cline - Director, External Relations & Expansion the Policy Circle Dec 10, 2020

Show notes

Nicole Cline is Director of External Relations and Expansion at The Policy Circle.

She works to promote The Policy Circle among various constituencies through outreach activities and plays a leading role in the organization’s recruitment and growth efforts nationally and internationally. In leading The Policy Circle’s membership initiatives, Nicole is also responsible for policy engagement strategies and leadership development among its members.

Prior to joining The Policy Circle, Nicole was Public Affairs Manager at the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, where she worked with Connecticut’s leading companies to influence the legislative process.

Nicole is also an accomplished food publisher. Her food photography and recipes have been featured on the websites of Time, Inc., Country Living, Women’s Day, The Huffington Post and Buzzfeed. Her recipes and photos can be found at https://www.seasonlycreations.com/

Our goal is to offer unbiased fact based information that acts as a starting point for you to get involved and have a larger positive impact on your community.

1:00 Getting to Know Nicole Cline

4:14 Case Study

10:44 Why Financial Literacy Matters

15:29 Defining Financial Literacy

27:14 Financial Literacy by the Numbers

32:59 The Role of the Federal Government

35:59 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

38:59 State Level

42:00 Role of the Private Sector

46:15 Measuring Financial Literacy

52:30 Teaching Financial Literacy

54:00 Destigmatizing Talking About Finances

57:45 Confidence and Personal Responsibility

1:01:00 Breaking Cycles

1:05:45 The U.S. Military & Veterans

1:13:30 How You Can Get Involved

Subscribe to TCL on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR03IkIycQdu5B-4b8xsDyg

#9 The Fabric of a Neighborhood w/ Heather Way Kitzes, Chicago Cubs Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

Did you know for a neighborhood to thrive, there are many factors involved – business development, government relations, housing development, technology, and more? Every neighbor has a vital role to play in building flourishing communities. Have you identified your role yet?

During this conversation, Sylvie and Heather Way Kitzes discuss the importance of each of these factors and how one affects the other's success. Listeners will also learn simple actions they can take to build their own communities.

Heather Way Kitzes has dedicated her life to civic and community engagement. She has spent nearly 20 years advocating for small business and non-profit organizations. Her passion for building flourishing communities is evident through her work with the Chicago Cubs and the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce. While with the Chamber, she led many initiatives, including the commission of SSA 27, the Lakeview Area Master Plan (LAMP); The latter winning international recognition. During her tenure, Lakeview was named by CNN Money Magazine as one of the top three "Best Big City Neighborhoods" to live within.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherway/

1:30 Introduction

6:33 Understanding Neighborhoods

12:17 Why They Matter

18:03 The Role of the Federal Government

22:18 The Local Government

26:38 How Are Neighborhoods Changing Through Small Businesses

29:00 Effects of the Digital World on Neighborhoods

30:47 Tax Incentives and the Amazon Effect

31:50 Social Infrastructures

37:42 Zoning

42:34 What Does This Mean for the Future of Neighborhoods and How We Can Get Involved

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#8 Healthcare in America w/ Lianna Callentine, MD, MEd - Pediatrician, Author, Speaker, and Advocate Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

Lainna Callentine, MD, MEd, is a pediatrician and member of the Physicians Resource Council of Focus on the Family. She is a speaker, teacher, missionary doctor and the founder of Sciexperience. Her work as an author includes the book series God’s Wondrous Machine a hands-on curriculum for children showcasing the human body. Follow Dr. Callentine at sciexperience.com.

In this episode, we take a deeper look into the state of healthcare, health insurance, and government policies that surround healthcare in the USA.

Our goal is to offer unbiased fact based information that acts as a starting point for you to get involved and have a larger positive impact on your community.

5:30 Why Talking About Healthcare Matters

9:45 How health insurance started

13:00 Where Do Americans Get Insurance?

20:15 Government’s Participation in Health Insurance

25:00 What We Need to Improve With the Current Health Policy

33:30 The Cost of Prescription Drugs

44:15 The Affordable Care Act

51:45 Medicare for All

54:45 The Single-Payer System

1:04:15 Employer-Based and Private Insurance

1:11:45 The Role of Technology

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#7 Understanding Campaign Finance w/ Megan Cummings Hansen - Vice President of Political Affairs, Quicken Loans Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

Megan Cummings Hansen is Vice President of Political Affairs at Detroit-based Rock Central, a professional services company that supports Rocket Mortgage, Quicken Loans and the Rocket Family of Companies. In that role, she leads Rock Central’s political strategy and fundraising at the federal, state and local levels. Megan also leads the company’s federal government affairs team, advocating for Rocket Companies’ legislative priorities in Congress.

Megan got her start in politics working at the Bellwether Consulting Group, a political fundraising firm, she also served as Finance Director at the NRCC.

A Washington, D.C. native, Megan is a graduate of the University of Richmond. She lives in D.C. with her husband, Chris, and son, Owen.

In this episode, Megan discusses the value and role of campaign financing and why it matters as our expression of free speech.

Our goal is to offer unbiased fact based information that acts as a starting point for you to get involved and have a larger positive impact on your community.

1:30 Getting to Know Megan Cummings Hansen

2:45 Why Campaign Finance Is a Form of Free Speech

7:00 Are Politicians Bought Out by Large Contributions?

10:45 What Are Election-Related Organizations?

18:00 527s AND 501Cs

25:15 The Role of the Government in Campaign Finance

29:00 Campaign Finance Legislation

34:15 Significant Court Cases That Affected Campaign Finance

42:45 Contributing to Campaigns

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#6 Becoming a More Active and Informed Voter w/ Mary Dunne - Communication Associate at Ballotpedia Oct 12, 2020

Show notes

Mary Dunne is a Communications Associate for Ballotpedia. She spent several years dedicated to national and then global humanitarian work before her lifelong interest in politics led her to pursue a degree in Political Science. Mary is based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she lives with her partner and their three dogs.

In this episode we talk about everything you need to know when voting from registration to elections. Furthermore, we dive deep on how to become an active voter, and how to properly assess your candidates.

Our goal is to offer unbiased fact based information that acts as a starting point for you to get involved and have a larger positive impact on your community. When it comes to civic and community leadership most of us don't know where to start and we definitely don't feel we have all the facts. That’s why each episode of The Civic Leader goes beyond the headlines to bring you facts and data points that will help you understand the role of business, government and its citizens to solve society's greatest challenges.

1:45 Mary Dunne’s thoughts on diplomacy, voting, and the election process

4:15 Registering to vote

9:15 Where to go on Election Day

12:30 What to bring when voting

16:30 Researching a candidate

23:45 Ballot Measures

30:45 Poll Workers

Subscribe to TCL on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR03IkIycQdu5B-4b8xsDyg

#5 Breaking Down Venezuela’s Fall w/ Patricia Rucker - State Senator, West Virginia Oct 05, 2020

Show notes

Patricia Rucker is a first generation American citizen, born in Caracas, Venezuela, coming to the US, Montgomery County Maryland, in the 80s when her father was assigned by Agence France Presse to the Washington DC desk, eventually becoming its Latin American Editor.

She is the co-founder and former president of We the People of West Virginia-Jefferson County. And became a West Virginia State Senator serving in the 16th District.

In this episode she breaks down Venezuela pre and post Hugo Chavez. We discuss how Venezuela went from being the 4th wealthiest country, to drowning in poverty.

Our goal is to offer unbiased fact based information that acts as a starting point for you to get involved and have a larger positive impact on your community.

3:15 Venezuela’s Transformation Through Patricia’s Eyes

5:15 Why Talk About Venezuela

8:15 What Life Is Like in Venezuela

12:15 Why Talking About Venezuela Matters

14:00 Hugo Chavez’ Campaign Promises

22:15 How Government Mismanagement Brought the Collapse of Venezuela

25:30 Venezuela’s Nationalization

30:00 Freedom of Speech in Venezuela

32:15 Suppressing the Opposition

37:30 The Oil Curse

45:00 Healthcare Problems in Venezuela

51:15 The Refugee Crisis

57:15 The International Response to Venezuela’s Downfall

1:08:30 How to Get Involved and What We Can Do

Subscribe to TCL on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR03IkIycQdu5B-4b8xsDyg

#4 The Bridge Out of Poverty w/ Karen Wells Sep 21, 2020

Show notes

Karen is the CEO of Bridge Communities, and President and CEO of AIW Group. She has more than 25 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience. As VP of nutrition, she led McDonald’s negotiating team with Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative. A champion and thought leader in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership, she is an accomplished keynote speaker and soon to be a published author.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-wells-ab8708126/

0:50 - Karen’s Background (She’s Kind of a Big Deal!)

8:00 - Case Study: Kimi Gray

11:00 - Some Historical Context

13:00 - Poverty in America by the Numbers

17:00 - 4 Categories of Poverty

22:15 - The Role of Government in Alleviating Poverty

28:00 - How the Human Factor Complicates Policy

35:50 - Challenges and Areas for Reform

46:00 - The Poverty Trap & the Income Leap

50:50 - The Local Approach

1:02:00 - Measuring Income Disparity