Breaking Barriers
by Top RANK Talent Solutions
Latest episode
Your Vote, Your Voice: The Power of Showing Up Tomorrow
Your Vote, Your Voice: The Power of Showing Up Tomorrow
About this podcast
Breaking Barriers is a dynamic and unapologetically honest podcast about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B), hosted by Anthony Arrington, Nick Ford, and Joy Briscoe. We dive deep into raw conversations, cutting through the noise of companies using "diversity" as a buzzword. DEI&B isn’t just a box to check—it’s either part of your company’s DNA, or it’s not.
With expert guests, we tackle the real challenges that stand in the way of building a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture—one where everyone feels like they belong. Whether you're a small business, a large enterprise, or part of a community, DEI&B is essential to your success. And we’re here to guide you on that journey with energy, authenticity, and a little fun along the way.
This isn’t a corporate newscast—this is real talk. If you’re ready for candid conversations and actionable insights that inspire real change, you’re in the right place. Welcome to Breaking Barriers, brought to you by Top RANK Talent Solutions.
Explore more at toprankculture.com
Episodes
The newest 20 of 34 episodes
- Your Vote, Your Voice: The Power of Showing Up Tomorrow · 54 min · Season 2 Episode 32On the eve of Election Day, this episode dives into the essential issues driving tomorrow's vote and the critical reasons why showing up to the polls matters. Anthony and Joy…
- Empowerment Symposium: Inspiring Black and Brown Professionals to Lead · 39 min · Season 2 Episode 31In this episode of Breaking Barriers, recorded at the Empowerment Symposium in Iowa City, Anthony, Nick, and Joy explore racial equity, economic development, and generational…
- Embracing Differences and Making a Difference · 53 min · Season 2 Episode 30About the Guest(s): Michele Sullivan is a renowned speaker, author, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Born with a rare form of dwarfism, Michele has overcome…
- Finding Common Ground: Strategies for Productive Conversations · 52 min · Season 2 Episode 29About the Guest(s): Kameron Middlebrooks is a highly driven individual dedicated to advocating for civil rights and social change. His career began when he served as a youth…
- Black Iowa News Founder Fights for Representation and Equity · 51 min · Season 2 Episode 28About the Guest(s): Dana James is a prominent figure in the journalism industry, particularly championing the voice of the Black community in Iowa. She stands as the publisher…
- Black Women in Economic Development: Navigating Challenges and Driving Change · 1 h 0 min · Season 2 Episode 27About the Guest(s): • Dr. Ladrina Wilson: CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, with a background in higher education administration and a passion for community service. •…
- The Intersection of Identity · 48 min · Season 2 Episode 26About the Guest(s): Jasmine Briscoe is a young, driven professional making her mark from Iowa all the way to New York City. She graduated with an IB diploma from the first…
- The importance of diversity in homeownership and his personal journey towards DEI&B · 44 min · Season 2 Episode 25About The Guest(s): Jeff Disterhoft is the former CEO of GreenState Credit Union, where he led the organization's growth and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and…
- It's Personal: Why DEI&B Matters to Me · 54 min · Season 2 Episode 24About The Guest(s): Melanie Ryan is a leadership and culture development expert with over 20 years of experience. She is the founder of a nonprofit called Beck's Place and has a…
- Breaking HR In The Manufacturing Industry · 56 min · Season 2 Episode 23About The Guest(s): Kyle Roed is the Vice President of Human Resources at CPM Holdings and the Founder and CEO of Human Innovation LLC. He is also the Co-Founder of Disrupt HR in…
- Major League Baseball Legends Discuss Racism and Diversity in the Sport · 49 min · Season 1 Episode 22About The Guest(s): • Reggie Sanders: Former Major League Baseball player, played for 17 years, won the World Series with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001, currently works for…
- Lack of Funding and Heart Hinders Diversity in Baseball · 42 min · Season 1 Episode 21About The Guest(s): • Preston Wilson: Former professional baseball player who played 10 seasons in the major leagues, won the World Series in 2006, and was an All-Star in 2003…
- From the Field to the Boardroom: Understanding the Business Side of Baseball as a Minority Player · 37 min · Season 1 Episode 20About The Guest(s): Earnest “Coach E” Horton is the Founder and CEO of Black Baseball Media, a high-profile company based in Chicago that focuses on providing opportunities for…
- Breaking Barriers in Banking and Community Development · 51 min · Season 1 Episode 19Reshonda Young is the co-founder of Bank of Jabez, a Black-owned bank and community development financial institution (CDFI) in Waterloo, Iowa. She is also the director of 24/7…
- Banned Books: Censorship and Silencing the Marginalized · 58 min · Season 1 Episode 18About The Guest(s): Charity is the Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation and has been involved in nonprofit work for many years. She is passionate…
- Humizie My Hoodie Empowering Underrepresented Communities With Fashion · 51 min · Season 1 Episode 17Andre Wright is a designer, activist, visionary, and community builder. He is the Co-founder of Humanize My Hoodie, a global fashion activism movement that designs hoodies to…
- Navigating Challenges and Promoting Equity in Education and Sports · 1 h 11 min · Season 1 Episode 16About The Guest(s): Robert L. Smith is a native of Dallas and a long-time advocate for equity in sports and education. He played football at the University of Iowa and has had a…
- Hightlight: The Authentic Approach to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging · 5 minCheckout the full show: ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyoCvyghdPQ&t=55s Vince and Chris are experts in the field of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. They have a…
- The Evolution of DEI: Stretching, Resilience, and the Fight for Progress · 52 min · Season 1 Episode 15In this episode of Breaking Barriers we interview Alfred Ramirez. Alfred Ramirez is a keynote speaker, coach, trainer, and facilitator for public and private organizations. He…
- Driving Change with Justice Tech TurnSignl - Innovating for Safer Police Interactions and Social Justice · 42 min · Season 1 Episode 14In this episode, we had the privilege of having an inspiring conversation with the founders of TurnSignl, an innovative tech company that's making waves in the social justice…
