Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV

About Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV

Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV is a podcast that explores all things diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) related. In each episode, Oscar and his guests have lively discussions around DEI topics, explore the latest research on the topic, and discuss the implications so that listeners will be more knowledgeable about the topics and be able to apply the insights to their lives.

Publisher

Oscar Holmes IV

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Mar 2020

Latest episode

13 Sept 2024

Latest episodes

29 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Sept 2024

   Legacy: Racism in Medicine

   Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV Season 5, Episode 5 Episode Title: Legacy: Racism in Medicine Guest: Dr. Uché Blackstock   Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV is a podcast that explores all things diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) related. In each episode, Oscar and his guests have lively discussions around DEI topics, explore the latest research on the topic, and discuss the implications so that listeners will be more knowledgeable about the topics and be able to apply the insights to their lives.   Show Summary:  "The under 6% representation of Black physicians stems from policies like the Flexner Report, which closed many HBCU medical schools, reducing Black doctors and care quality in underserved communities. We must correct these injustices by improving access to education and support in medical training." — Dr. Uché Blackstock Black physicians have shown resilience, but systemic barriers persist across generations. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Uché Blackstock, a physician, health equity advocate, and author of Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine. She’s focused on breaking down these barriers to improve care for marginalized communities. We explore the history of Black representation in medicine, the impact of systemic racism, and urgent reforms for equitable healthcare. Dr. Blackstock offers actionable steps for change, making this a vital listen for anyone committed to health equity. 3 Exceptional Highlights: Even with Harvard degrees, Black individuals still face major health disparities due to systemic and interpersonal racism. Socioeconomic status helps, but Black families still have fewer resources than white families, limiting access to education and opportunities. AAMC data shows wealthier students perform better on the MCAT and are more represented in medical schools due to better access to resources, not intelligence.   Show Highlights:    Can you discuss your mother’s journey as a black woman in medicine and the lessons you learned from her?   02:35 - Dr. Uché Blackstock   My mother overcame tough challenges growing up. As the first in her family to attend college, she went on to Harvard Medical School. Her journey taught me the value of returning to serve your community, no matter your education.   What are some urgent reforms needed in our healthcare system to address disparities?   13:07 -  Dr. Uché Blackstock   Opening new medical schools is a step in the right direction, but we need federally and privately funded pipeline programs from early education and more equitable learning environments.   How does the wealth gap contribute to the opportunity gap in education, particularly in medical school?   14:51 -  Dr. Oscar Holmes IV   Unlike fully funded PhD programs, law and medical schools require a full-time commitment and significant financial resources, disadvantaging those without support.   What advice would you give to patients who feel they are not receiving the best health care, and how can they advocate for themselves?   24:47 -  Dr. Uché Blackstock   Prepare questions, bring support, ask about your diagnosis and treatment, and don't hesitate to get second opinions if unsure about your care. Can you share some insights about your mentors and any critical advice that helped you through tough times? 29:15 -  Dr. Uché Blackstock Cross-racial mentoring is essential. Seek out mentors, and offer mentorship when you can. Important Links:   Episode Sponsor Links:    Producer Links:   Host Social Media Links:   Subscribe to Diversity Matters  Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher

2. 

   22 Jun 2024

   Raising Native American Voices

   Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV Season 5, Episode 4 Episode Title: Raising Native American Voices Guest: Dr. Joe Gladstone   Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV is a podcast that explores all things diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) related. In each episode, Oscar and his guests have lively discussions around DEI topics, explore the latest research on the topic, and discuss the implications so that listeners will be more knowledgeable about the topics and be able to apply the insights to their lives.   Show Summary:  "For any Native American advocate, be who you are, find what you’re passionate about, and do your best not to let people talk you out of it. Things won't change instantly, but in the grand scheme of things, good work done diligently will ultimately prevail.” — Dr. Joe Gladstone   Too often, the vibrant tapestry of Native American cultures gets flattened into a single, oversimplified narrative. But their powerful voices demand to be heard in all their diversity.    In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Joe Gladstone, whose roots span the Blackfeet Tribe of Montana and Nez Perce. As an esteemed educator, he's on a mission to bridge the worlds of modern management principles and the rich wisdom of Native and Indigenous cultures. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Management at Washington State University’s Carson College of Business.    From exploring the deep symbolism of land acknowledgment ceremonies to preserving Indigenous languages, his insights will challenge you to reflect on the profound respect owed to Native communities. We also touch upon transplanar wisdom, a foundational Native American and Indigenous philosophy, and its influences on organization management and business ethics.   3 Exceptional Highlights:   Over 500 federally recognized Native American tribes in the U.S. retain sovereignty, as enshrined in the Constitution defining them as sovereign nations alongside foreign states. Land acknowledgments should be accompanied by tangible efforts to recognize, honor, and give back to the Native communities that have historically been connected to that land.  Rather than deeming any Native tradition or culture obsolete, we must examine which ones are genuinely authentic to pre-reservation times and which are more recent adaptations.   Show Highlights:    Can you share how your cultural heritage has influenced your personal and professional journey?    02:31 - Dr. Joe Gladstone   Working with tribes has given me a deep understanding of how different cultures perceive and navigate the world. This understanding has influenced my focus as an educator on respecting and helping others draw from their own experiences.   What does it mean to be enrolled into a particular tribe, and what does life look like for people on reservations?   08:39 - Dr. Joe Gladstone   Each tribe has its own rules around enrollment, which is essentially citizenship. For many tribes like the Blackfeet, you need a certain 'blood quantum' or degree of ancestry to enroll. Your enrollment is usually decided by your parents when you're young based on the tribe's rules. Reservation life ranges from isolated rural communities to urban existences, depending on the tribe's geography and enterprises.   What does The PhD Project mean to you?    14:37 - Dr. Joe Gladstone   I’m grateful to the PhD Project for connecting me to schools like New Mexico State that were interested in my background with American Indian communities.  For minorities to build strong economies, we need business skills around making, managing, and accounting for money. Having professors who look like the students and can make business real for them keeps them engaged to graduate.   One of the things that I often get asked is about the practice of Land Acknowledgments and whether or not people should do them. What is your take on it?   21:46 -  Dr. Joe Gladstone   Land acknowledgments have a deep spiritual tradition among Native peoples. When entering someone else's land, we acknowledge that we are guests, honor past inhabitants, respect the current stewards and their rules, and commit to protecting the land for future generations.   How can organizations show authentic respect alongside land acknowledgment ceremonies?    25:15 -  Dr. Joe Gladstone   Simply saying the words of a land acknowledgment is not enough. Organizations should pair the acknowledgment with concrete actions to give back to the tribal communities whose land they occupy, like building a park, rehabilitating land, holding an annual ceremony/event, etc. Another way would be to educate themselves about the specific Indigenous people who originally lived on and knew that land intimately.   We know there are difficulties in preserving Native American culture and art plays an important role in doing that. One of my favorite The Moth episodes is a story that Manuelito Wheeler shared wherein he spearheaded dubbing Star Wars in the Navajo language. What is the importance of projects preserving Native languages?   29:25 -  Dr. Joe Gladstone   Language and faith are deeply intertwined—preserving language preserves how we understand and view the world through our cultural lens. Dubbing Star Wars into Navajo helps keep the language alive, which is valuable. However, I wonder if translating a deeply philosophical film like Star Wars fully conveyed the metaphysical and spiritual meanings embedded in the original English version. We must explore the question of whether dubbing English films captures the full nuanced meaning, versus creating original Navajo-language content from the start.   What advice do you give to other Natives on navigating the challenges of maintaining traditional cultural values while also living in contemporary society?   35:32 -  Dr. Joe Gladstone   There is this concept of "transmotion" from Native philosopher Gerald Vizenor. It’s the ability to fluidly code-switch between cultural identities, drawing from the useful values and innovations of each world to navigate life's journey seamlessly and carry out our purpose. Transmotion allows you to stay grounded in your traditions while also adapting compatible parts of the mainstream, enabling you to thrive in all spheres of your life's journey.   I'm just curious, are there any Native American cultures or traditions that you feel perhaps need to change?   40:06 -  Dr. Joe Gladstone   It's hard for me to speak on every tribe's customs since there are over 500 different tribes. But I can reflect more broadly on this idea of cultural resilience and how we preserve traditions. The "traditions" practiced today descend from post-reservation elders, so we should examine their deeper ancestral roots. How do you see the future of Native American activism and advocacy evolving in the coming years? Are there any particular initiatives or projects that you want to shout out that involve uplifting Native American voices?    47:06 -  Dr. Joe Gladstone   One area I've advocated for is getting Native and Indigenous representation recognized in business academia. I founded the Native and Indigenous Peoples Caucus to give more Native voices authority by defining what Indigenous research means, guiding scholarship in this area, and providing editorial oversight. Another powerful form of activism is getting authentic Native stories and characters represented in media, like the work Lily Gladstone does in uplifting those narratives on screen as more than just background roles. Important Links:   Episode Sponsor Links:    Producer Links:   Host Social Media Links:   Subscribe to Diversity Matters  Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher

3. 

   1 Jun 2024

   DEI Backlash

   Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV Season 5, Episode 3 Episode Title: DEI Backlash Guest: Dr. Enobong “Anna” Branch   Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV is a podcast that explores all things diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) related. In each episode, Oscar and his guests have lively discussions around DEI topics, explore the latest research on the topic, and discuss the implications so that listeners will be more knowledgeable about the topics and be able to apply the insights to their lives.   Show Summary:  “Despite efforts to dismantle DEI, our inherent differences remain. These differences will continue to shape our neighborhoods, school systems, and nation. Will we accept inequity and division or invest in an inclusive future for all?” — Anna Branch   America's strength lies in its diversity. But as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts face scrutiny, how can we ensure the American Dream remains achievable for everyone?    In this episode, we're privileged to have Dr. Enobong "Anna" Branch join us for an insightful discussion around this timely topic. Dr. Branch is the esteemed Senior Vice President for Equity at Rutgers University, where she provides strategic leadership to ensure equity is embedded across research, education, and public engagement for faculty, staff, and students.   Drawing from her extensive expertise in confronting DEI challenges, Dr. Branch offers invaluable perspectives on navigating the evolving DEI landscape. Her insights illuminate pathways to overcome systemic barriers and build a more equitable future where opportunity knows no boundaries.   3 Exceptional Highlights:   True progress in diversity and inclusion requires not only representation but also actively addressing the unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups in leadership roles. Schools must champion equity, not just equality. This means dismantling racial bias and fostering a truly inclusive environment for all students. The promise and myth of the "American Dream" being achievable through hard work resonates across racial/ethnic groups. However, this myth overlooks broader systemic factors, which can lead other minority groups to question why Black Americans haven't succeeded. Show Highlights:    What lessons have you learned as a leader for equity at this moment?   08:15 - Anna Branch   Embracing directionality and progress, even during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, is crucial for effective leadership.  If we aren't intentional about creating environments that allow people of diverse backgrounds to thrive in higher education, we will be in trouble.    What inspired you to write the book "Work in Black and White," and what should readers gain from it?   15:34 -  Anna Branch   The book aims to explore how workers themselves understand and experience labor market inequality, moving beyond trends and data. Changing labor dynamics challenged the job stability and American Dream notion of hard work alone leading to success, prompting the re-examining of these concepts through racial experiences.   How can we address racial inequalities without conflating first-generation status?   19:41 -  Anna Branch   Being a first-generation student means navigating unspoken academic rules and norms that can pose challenges if not properly supported. Assumptions, stereotypes, and lack of representation can undermine the sense of belonging for students of color, regardless of their generational status.   Is education alone enough to achieve the American Dream?   27:32 - Anna Branch   Distressingly, Black women with terminal degrees can earn similar incomes as white men with only some college education, highlighting educational attainment not translating to equal economic opportunities across races.   How can we approach the current level of backlash against DEI efforts today?   38:24 - Anna Branch   Early DEI efforts (post-2020) prioritized hiring over tackling systemic issues within institutions. The real work is dismantling these ingrained patterns of inequity.   What is your advice for finding joy?   53:11 - Anna Branch   Black joy is a powerful act of resistance. It defies the narrative of suffering and celebrates the beauty of simply existing. We are human beings, not just human doings. Taking time to simply "be" can bring peace in a chaotic world. Important Links:   Episode Sponsor Links:    Producer Links:   Host Social Media Links:   Subscribe to Diversity Matters  Apple | Google | Spotify | Stitcher

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Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

12 ratings

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