Being a leader requires a unique combination of self-awareness, intellect, skills, experience, vision and commitment. The most effective leaders are willing to open themselves to constant learning and to look deep within for the source of their success. Dorrier Underwood's "Empowering Leadership” podcast provides insights, real-life stories, and interviews with leaders to support your leadership as well as those above, below, and beside you. Subscribe now and get a regular dose of leadership exploration with Doug McVadon, President Dorrier Underwood.
Rena Witherspoon - Senior Program Director, Diverse Donors and Field Engagement, American Red Cross
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease that disproportionately affects the African-American community, and is one of the nation’s leading causes of death. While we mostly know the Red Cross for their emergency and disaster relief, they’re also fighting against blood-borne illnesses like sickle cell.
For more than 25 years, Rena (pronounced like “Renae”) Witherspoon has been boots-on-the-ground in communities from Omaha to Dallas educating people about the dangers of sickle cell. Her tireless work involves connecting donors, volunteers and medical professionals, and her goal is to dismantle the misconceptions around the disease that cause those in vulnerable communities to not get checked.
Rena Witherspoon joins host Doug McVadon on the Empowering Leadership podcast for a discussion about sickle cell awareness and what the Red Cross is doing to stop the disease. Rena talks about her own experience with the disease as a survivor herself, and how the work she and the Red Cross has impacted those impacted by sickle cell and other blood diseases.
Connect with Rena Witherspoon on LinkedIn.
20 Nov 2023
Episode 26: Michael DeVaul - YMCA National Director of Strategy for Boys and Young Men of Color
The future generations of young leaders of color are some of those most in need of positive role models, and Michael DeVaul of the YMCA is one the leading voices in this discussion.
A long-time community leader in Charlotte, NC, Michael has worked with the YMCA professionally for more than 40 years. It was in 2020 that Michael stepped into a new role working on a national level to help provide leadership training, programming and resources to the next generation of leaders of color.
Michael DeVaul joins host Doug McVadon for a discussion about what the needs of future leaders are now and how we can step up to meet those needs. Michael discusses how his family upbringing and support from institutions in Evanston, IL helped teach him perseverance, and how he plans on instilling some of those values in the next generation.
16 Oct 2023
Rev. Louis Negrón - Executive Director of 100 Black Men of Atlanta
The city of Atlanta is unquestionably one of the capitals of Black culture in America. From being the home of Martin Luther King Jr. to the birthplace of trap music, Atlanta is consistently at the heartbeat of Black America.
This makes the city and region a center for Black leadership, and today’s guest on the Empowering Leadership podcast is one of the voices leading that charge. Reverend Louis Negrón Sr. is the Executive Director and CEO of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged youth in Atlanta.
Rev. Negrón sits down with Empowering Leadership host Doug McVadon for a conversation about the work that 100 Black Men of Atlanta does, and who that work touches. Rev. Negrón also touches on the value of leadership in young urban communities, and how his organization is working to address those needs.
Learn more about 100 Black Men of Atlanta at 100blackmen-atlanta.org.
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