Reconstructing Inclusion Podcast
Welcome to the Reconstructing Inclusion podcast, hosted by Mr. Amri B. Johnson. With over 20 years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion, Amri is the author of the book, Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable, a social capitalist, epidemiologist, and entrepreneur, whose mission is to create thousands of organizations that thrive via inclusive behaviors, leadership, structures, and practices. As CEO/Founder of Inclusion Wins, Amri and a virtual collective of partners converge organizational purpose to create global impact with a lens of inclusion. His theory of change is focused on building ‘Inclusion Systems.’ Inclusion systems provide direction and momentum in the complexity of organizations that allow them to be antifragile—leaning into and engaging with resistance, stressors, disruptions, and disequilibrium and being stronger as a result of such engagement. His book, Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable outlines how organizations can create inclusion-normative cultures and build approaches to DEI that are designed for and with everyone, unambiguously prioritized, and purpose aligned. Born in Topeka, Kansas (USA), Amri has worked and lived in the U.S., Brazil, and currently lives in Basel, Switzerland, with his wife Martina and their three kids. Learn more about Amri and his work by visiting https://inclusionwins.com/
Episodes
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Reconstructing Inclusion S1E5: Social Media Storms’ Strategic Ignorance
Wednesday May 31, 2023
Wednesday May 31, 2023
In this episode, Amri unpacks the social media backlash and the polarized opinions surrounding “Don’t Call Me Karen,” a series of dialogues facilitated by Uber’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Bo Young Lee. Amri encourages listeners to consider Lee’s profound message and the need to challenge our own strategic ignorance in order to foster systemic change.
Key highlights
The comparison between Steve Jobs and Travis Kalanick
A look back at the case of Denise Young Smith at Apple
Bo Young Lee's response to the backlash
The concept of "strategic ignorance"
The limitations of social media discourse
The significance of bringing diverse voices into conversations
About the Host
As CEO/Founder of Inclusion Wins, Amri B. Johnson and a virtual collective of partners converge organizational purpose to create global impact with a lens of inclusion.
His theory of change is focused on building ‘Inclusion Systems.’ Inclusion systems provide direction and momentum in the complexity of organizations that allow them to be antifragile—leaning into and engaging with resistance, stressors, disruptions, and disequilibrium and being stronger as a result of such engagement.
His book, Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable outlines how organizations can create inclusion-normative cultures and build approaches to DEI that are designed for and with everyone, unambiguously prioritized, and purpose aligned.
Born in Topeka, Kansas (USA), Amri has worked and lived in the U.S., Brazil, and currently lives in Basel, Switzerland, with his wife Martina and their three kids.
Reconstructing Inclusion is also on Substack. Subscribe and be part of the conversation!
Friday Apr 28, 2023
Reconstructing Inclusion S1E4: Beyond Race and Gender
Friday Apr 28, 2023
Friday Apr 28, 2023
In this episode of the ‘Reconstructing Inclusion’ podcast, Amri chats with April Thomas, Chief Solutions Officer of SDMS 360. She shares her story of how she came to be involved in diversity management work after her father, Dr. Roosevelt Thomas Jr.'s passing. April reflects on his approach to diversity, and discovered his work was based on principles and that this resonated with her. Don't miss out on this informative and thought-provoking conversation!
Key highlights
Expanding the conversation beyond representational diversity
Looking at organizational culture, systems, and policies in order to increase retention rates and reduce attrition
Prioritizing systems over symptoms
Having a business rationale for diversity management
The importance of representation and humanizing the workplace
The challenges of making changes at the structural level
About the Guest
Armed with a mantle of the legacy of Strategic Diversity Management and the truth that a life lived by principles can do the impossible, April Thomas took the helm of his father, Dr. Roosevelt Thomas Jr.’s work. She began SDMS 360 with the singular goal to show that the principles of SDM are timeless and universally relevant, across cultures, generations, and industries.
Since that integral moment, she has sought to create effective sustainable business solutions that equip organizations to operate by these principles to create inclusive environments in the midst of constantly changing requirements and objectives.
About the Host
As CEO/Founder of Inclusion Wins, Amri B. Johnson and a virtual collective of partners converge organizational purpose to create global impact with a lens of inclusion.
His theory of change is focused on building ‘Inclusion Systems.’ Inclusion systems provide direction and momentum in the complexity of organizations that allow them to be antifragile—leaning into and engaging with resistance, stressors, disruptions, and disequilibrium and being stronger as a result of such engagement.
His book, Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable outlines how organizations can create inclusion-normative cultures and build approaches to DEI that are designed for and with everyone, unambiguously prioritized, and purpose aligned.
Born in Topeka, Kansas (USA), Amri has worked and lived in the U.S., Brazil, and currently lives in Basel, Switzerland, with his wife Martina and their three kids.
Reconstructing Inclusion is also on Substack. Subscribe and be part of the conversation!
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Reconstructing Inclusion S1E3: Wokeness, Cancel Culture, and DEI
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
Tuesday Mar 28, 2023
In this episode of the ‘Reconstructing Inclusion’ podcast, Amri argues that while some individuals are engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and anti-racism work with a generative spirit that deconstructs and reconstructs, many others are becoming entrenched and egoistic, resulting in a breakdown in relatedness.
Key highlights
The DEI space is becoming brittle and entrenched rather than anti-fragile
Companies are pulling back on some of the anti-racism and DEI commitments made, which can only be surmised because they don't openly say why
Lived experience alone does not equate to proficiency or skill in DEI or anything for that matter, and it can be weaponized
The motte-and-bailey fallacy is an example of how a lack of good faith within our approaches can hinder long-term sustainable advancement of DEI
Some people have taken a rhetorical stance against anything directly related to or adjacent to social justice, such as anti-racism, critical race theory in intersectionality and DEI
Intersectionality is a container to look at organizational life with a multi-dimensional lens, characterized by two fundamental elements of an Inclusion system: interdependence and mindful reflection.
About the Host
As CEO/Founder of Inclusion Wins, Amri B. Johnson and a virtual collective of partners converge organizational purpose to create global impact with a lens of inclusion.
His theory of change is focused on building ‘Inclusion Systems.’ Inclusion systems provide direction and momentum in the complexity of organizations that allow them to be antifragile—leaning into and engaging with resistance, stressors, disruptions, and disequilibrium and being stronger as a result of such engagement.
His book, Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable outlines how organizations can create inclusion-normative cultures and build approaches to DEI that are designed for and with everyone, unambiguously prioritized, and purpose aligned.
Born in Topeka, Kansas (USA), Amri has worked and lived in the U.S., Brazil, and currently lives in Basel, Switzerland, with his wife Martina and their three kids.
Reconstructing Inclusion is also on Substack. Subscribe and be part of the conversation!
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Reconstructing Inclusion S1E2: Love and Power in DEI
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Monday Feb 27, 2023
In this episode of Reconstructing Inclusion, Amri chats with Doug Harris, CEO of The Kaleidoscope Group with over three decades worth of experience in diversity, equity & inclusion consulting. During this inspiring conversation, they discuss how DEI work is about making people better than when you found them - doing it all with love! Discover how powerful individuals can create meaningful change for a more equitable society from two experts in the field!
Key highlights
The death of George Floyd and the global pandemic have caused an inflection point in DEI work since 2020
Doug Harris has been doing DEI work since 89 and has been involved ever since. It can be draining on the spirit but his motto is ‘to leave people better than he found them, and do it with love’
If you don't believe in the change process for everybody, you may become a selective DEI consultant who only wants to hang out at Starbucks with people who think like you
The focus today is really on value. As practitioners, how can you make organizations better?
Powerful people make a difference but you have to believe you're powerful to make the difference
About the Guest
Doug Harris is the CEO of The Kaleidoscope Group with over 30 years of experience in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting. As the leader of The Kaleidoscope Group, Doug’s knowledge, and expertise guides organizations through the creation of customized strategies that address the specific needs of the business. A few of Doug’s clients over the years include Blue Cross Blue Shield, Federal Reserve Banks, McDonald's Corporation, New York City Fire Department.
Doug’s extensive experience in managing cultural differences extends into the global arena. He has designed and delivered global strategic consulting solutions and cultural education workshops for Caterpillar, Dana Corporation, and Northrop Grumman. His engaging style and unique ability to give diversity meaning at all levels of the organization have made him a sought-after and renowned DEI expert, speaker, and facilitator.
About the Host
As CEO/Founder of Inclusion Wins, Amri B. Johnson and a virtual collective of partners converge organizational purpose to create global impact with a lens of inclusion.
His theory of change is focused on building ‘Inclusion Systems.’ Inclusion systems provide direction and momentum in the complexity of organizations that allow them to be antifragile—leaning into and engaging with resistance, stressors, disruptions, and disequilibrium and being stronger as a result of such engagement.
His book, Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable outlines how organizations can create inclusion-normative cultures and build approaches to DEI that are designed for and with everyone, unambiguously prioritized, and purpose aligned.
Born in Topeka, Kansas (USA), Amri has worked and lived in the U.S., Brazil, and currently lives in Basel, Switzerland, with his wife Martina and their three kids.
Reconstructing Inclusion is also on Substack. Subscribe and be part of the conversation!
Thursday Jan 26, 2023
Reconstructing Inclusion: The Inaugural Episode
Thursday Jan 26, 2023
Thursday Jan 26, 2023
In this first episode of the Reconstructing Inclusion Podcast, hosted by Amri B. Johnson, a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategist and author of Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable, he shares at a high level what this podcast is all about.
About the Host
As CEO/Founder of Inclusion Wins, Amri and a virtual collective of partners converge organizational purpose to create global impact with a lens of inclusion.
His theory of change is focused on building ‘Inclusion Systems.’ Inclusion systems provide direction and momentum in the complexity of organizations that allow them to be antifragile—leaning into and engaging with resistance, stressors, disruptions, and disequilibrium and being stronger as a result of such engagement.
His book, Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable outlines how organizations can create inclusion-normative cultures and build approaches to DEI that are designed for and with everyone, unambiguously prioritized, and purpose aligned.
Born in Topeka, Kansas (USA), Amri has worked and lived in the U.S., Brazil, and currently lives in Basel, Switzerland, with his wife Martina and their three kids.
Reconstructing Inclusion is also on Substack. Subscribe and be part of the conversation!
"This podcast goes far beyond what I consider redundant, how-to diversity, equity, and inclusion dialogues.
It will be more contrarian than conventional. More dissenting than agreeable. More mirror-holding than window-peering. More inclusion than representation.
More systems than symptom. More extraordinary than mundane.
We aim to create a space to speak the truth and examine context in DEI. This means creating a path forward for everyone to rethink and recognize the benefits of inclusion individually and collectively.
Reconstructing in this sense is about creating organizational systems and networks where everyone belongs."
Why should you tune in and subscribe to the Reconstructing Inclusion podcast?
Many resources have emerged on diversity, equity, and inclusion over the past two to three years. These include books, podcasts, social media influencers with massive reach, YouTube channels, etc.
I've found only a few that are targeted to go beyond their echo chambers.
So if you are committed about how to make DEI accessible to everyone, actionable, that is unambiguously prioritized and sustainable, aligned with personal and organizational purpose, this space is for YOU.