Junior Achievement of Northern California’s Post

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the PolicyLink Equity Summit, themed "A Revolution of the Soul." It was an experience that deeply refueled my drive to lead boldly while challenging me to reflect on how I can be an even more inclusive leader, especially when it's not comfortable. Hearing from leaders like Carmen Rojas, PhD (she/her), Ibram X. Kendi, and Isabel Wilkerson, among many others, was nothing short of inspiring. Their perspectives and insights reminded me of the urgency and importance of justice driven work. As much as I walked away feeling reinvigorated, I also left with a deeper sense of responsibility. There is so much more to do, and we must all continue to ask ourselves: How can we lead in ways that ensure every person has the opportunity not just to survive, but to truly thrive? How can we be intentional about shifting systems and narratives to create lasting, transformative change? I encourage everyone to dive into the Stanford Social Innovation Review Series: A Revolution of the Soul, which set the tone for these vital conversations. https://lnkd.in/excVjbEz The series includes contributions from Atlanta's very own Nathaniel Smith, who graciously organized our Atlanta crew for the summit. Bravo Dr. Michael McAfee, Angela Glover Blackwell, Ashleigh Gardere and the entire team! If you read it, what does this bring up for you? #PolicyLink #EquitySummit #InclusiveLeadership #SystemsChange #ARevolutionOfTheSoul #LeadershipJourney #EquityForAll #SSIR

🌍 Experimentation as a Path to Address Complex Socio-Environmental Problems 🌍 In the face of increasingly complex socio-environmental challenges, the role of experimentation is critical. Our recent research (out this month in Organization Studies) with Paulo Savaget & Marc J Ventresca explores how activists are framing experimentation to tackle these "wicked problems"—issues deeply intertwined with institutional constraints. 🔍 By focusing on pragmatic action, these actors identify key symptoms of complex problems and work around entrenched barriers for small, incremental wins. Instead of trying to "solve" or tame the complexity, they embrace it, keeping options open for future, adaptive actions. Key insights: ✅ Experimentation allows for creative approaches that challenge rigid institutional structures. ✅ Small wins can lead to significant progress over time. ✅ Embracing complexity fosters innovation, rather than stifling it. As socio-environmental issues continue to evolve, embracing experimentation will be vital for driving meaningful, long-lasting change. #Innovation #Experimentation #WickedProblems #Sustainability #ManagementResearch #SmallWins #InstitutionalChange #Complexity

April is National Second Chance Month so I’m kicking off April early with a career highlight I'm humbled to share with you all! R3 Score Technologies is featured in a new report “Innovating for Equity: Unlocking Value for Communities and Businesses” with the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, which curates a global network of social innovators alongside The World Economic Forum, as well as my beloved Echoing Green, Dalberg Advisors, and GHR Foundation. This report comes at a time when discussions around equity, equality, inclusion, and belonging are front and center so being elevated as a global social innovator of color can’t be taken lightly because of the corporate/institutional courage it takes to release this work. This moment amplifies the body of work that is R3 Score and how we support our customers to take a more holistic review of talent and consumers with records. I do this for a living but in case anyone needs to know - right now 70+ million Americans, and soon to be 100 million Americans, have an arrest and/or conviction record. This means national and multinational corporations who want to remain competitive must partner with companies like R3 Score to screen 1/3 of all working age adults today. In this report, we had a chance to share the innovation that is R3 Score so if you’ve ever wondered what we do I encourage you to download the report. We are featured alongside Jehiel Oliver from Hello Tractor, Donnel Baird from BlocPower, Joseph Kenner from Greyston Foundation, Rebecca Hui from Roots Studio, and Adriana Barbosa from PretaHub. Each of us had a chance to share our approach to economic inclusion and how we unlock the vast potential of marginalized communities worldwide. You can review the report here: https://lnkd.in/gM7BFhRq For over a decade I've been committed to the social entrepreneurship pathway through Mission: Launch, Inc. and R3 Score Technologies with my Co-founder and mother, Teresa Y Hodge. In fact, the hybrid model is possible because of our 2018 Black Male Achievement Fellowship with Echoing Green (EG) so it is an extreme honor to be invited into this platform by way of EG. This will always be my beloved community and these are my people.

🚀 Exciting News! The MacArthur Foundation is unleashing a whopping $100 million in its global 100&Change competition! This is the largest amount ever awarded to a single project, and I'm thrilled to see how this will drive positive change in the world. 🌍🌱 🏆 What's even more groundbreaking is that for the very first time, applicants are required to focus on addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. This bold move reflects the growing recognition of the importance of these crucial factors in driving social progress and innovation. 💪🌈 Here are my thoughts on this important development: 1️⃣ Significance of Funding: The MacArthur Foundation's commitment to allocating such a substantial amount of funds underscores their dedication to creating lasting impact. This level of investment will undoubtedly provide the opportunity for groundbreaking solutions and meaningful change. 💰💡 2️⃣ Addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: By placing emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the MacArthur Foundation is embracing an inclusive approach that recognizes the need to address systemic barriers. This requirement not only acknowledges the urgent need for social change but also encourages applicants to think innovatively and holistically about tackling these issues. 👥🌍 3️⃣ Catalyzing Innovation: This competition will not only foster collaboration but also unleash the power of innovation. It will bring together brilliant minds from various sectors and backgrounds who are passionate about making a difference. With diversity as a driving force, the resulting solutions have the potential to reshape industries and build a more equitable, inclusive society. ✨🚀 As an expert in the field, I'm optimistic about the transformative impact this initiative will have. I'm excited to witness the groundbreaking ideas and solutions that will emerge as a result of this competition. What are your thoughts on this exciting development? Share your insights and let's discuss! 💬 #MacArthurFoundation

As we look forward to our upcoming annual summit, we'd like to take a moment to remember last year's success! #trust #legacy #responsibleleaders #grandfounders #GFAS2023 #economicdevelopment #impactinvesting #responsibleleadership #nationalsecurity https://lnkd.in/g4aYf6DD

🏢Charleston’s Next Big Step: The Vision for an Innovation District🏢 Medical University of South Carolina is at the forefront of transforming Charleston into a hub of innovation with the development of an Innovation District that will unite universities, businesses, and innovators to drive economic growth and foster new discoveries. As a foundational step towards this vision, Blue Sky Labs is paving the way with help from Joe Fiore MBA, CAM, who has recently stepped into the role of Director at Blue Sky Labs. Joe, who also serves as Vice President of Operations at the Zucker Institute for Innovation Commercialization, will be balancing both roles, bringing his expertise in operations to drive forward both organizations' missions. In a recent discussion, Dr. David J. Cole, M.D., FACS, President of MUSC, and Dr. Jesse Goodwin, Chief Innovation Officer at MUSC, shared their vision for this ambitious project. This district is not just about advancing healthcare—it's about creating a dynamic community that attracts industry, fosters collaboration, and elevates the entire region. Joe Fiore's dual roles at the Zucker Institute and Blue Sky Labs are crucial in laying the groundwork for what will become a vibrant, knowledge-based economy in Charleston, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between industry, academia, and the community. Check out the full discussion to learn more about the future of Charleston’s Innovation District and how it will shape our region: https://lnkd.in/ezJsMeEu #InnovationInHealth #CharlestonHealthcare #KnowledgeEconomy #BlueSkyLabs #ZuckerInstitute #MUSC

🌟 Embracing Diversity in Innovation: Insights from ON Core Panel Discussion 🌟 CSIRO's ON Innovation Program recently hosted a dynamic panel discussion, drawing in over 300 founders, investors, and key drivers of Australian innovation. The focus? Diversity in innovation. Led by CSIRO's Torres Webb, the panel featured voices of Dr. Joni Sytsma (iLAuNCH, UniSQ), Luli Adeyemo (TechDiversity), and Scott Allen (Nallawilli Group). Their dialogue illuminated the pivotal role diversity plays in propelling innovation forward, dismantling barriers, and championing genuine change within the industry. Key takeaways: 🌐 Despite progress, there's still a noticeable lack of diverse representation across the industry. 🚀 Action speaks louder than words. It's time for Australia's tech and innovation sector to move beyond rhetoric and enact tangible change. 🤝 Partnerships with Indigenous and Black founders hold immense potential for creating impactful change on a broad scale. 💡 We must take ownership of driving the changes needed to foster diversity and inclusion. 🌈 Diversity matters profoundly. It fuels innovation by bringing in diverse perspectives, essential for solving the most complex challenges. Let's heed these insights and work together to cultivate an innovation ecosystem that truly reflects and celebrates the diversity of our society. Together, we can innovate, inspire, and create a better future for all! 💫 https://lnkd.in/g8G8hXnR #DiversityInInnovation #ONCore #InnovationLeadership

If you are coming to Opportunity Collaboration this weekend, I want to invite you to the "All Boats Rise" workshop I will be leading with my three esteemed brethren and sistren in the struggle for power shifting! Measuring Power, Unlocking Impact: The Path to Liberatory Development: The first step towards equitable and liberatory capital flows for development and humanitarianism begins with understanding the vectors of power, visible and hidden, and the ways that honest, activated change can loosen legacy bottlenecks of colonialism, capitalism, geopolitical friction, and more. The Power Footprint model is an emergent framework much like the carbon footprint measurement: simply put, co-designing means to quantify, and thereafter redistribute equitably, the power that organizations hold. We believe this honest and quantifiable assessment can help us collectively re-design bottom-up, holistic strategies for social impact that will, frankly, WORK. This gathering will aim to explore the opportunities and possibilities for such a tool and discuss questions such as: What are key considerations towards a power footprint model? What other modes of mapping power do you think are important? What stands in the way of building a power footprint? What are our next steps? Excited to lead this session with the incredible change-makers Isabelle Clérié, Vincent Mwangi, and Ben Wrobel! Thank you to Jessica Loman and Topher Wilkins for helming another amazing OC; cannot wait! (Also special props to my all-time homie John Anner who had continually encouraged me to join OC for many years. I am HONORED to be a member of the global Advisory Council heading up the JEDI group. (that's justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. I am not a Star Wars person at all)... don't @ me. ------- This workshop is based on work that I was part of almost three years ago with Sonja Betschart and the fine folks at WeRobotics along with some serious thought leadership from Lorena Garcia Duran of Ashoka and excellent thought-partnership from much-admired Brent McCann. The work has continued with members of the OC "Shifting the Power Thought-Leadership Group" and we are excited to see where our next steps will lead us collectively! See you in Ixtapa in just a few days!

A Partnership for a Better FutureBill Gates has dedicated a significant portion of his life to developing human potential and solving global problems. In his post "Partners of Human Potential," he once again emphasized how partnerships and collaboration can lead us toward a better future.The story begins with an idea, a dream, where every individual can realize their full potential. Bill Gates and many like him work with the belief that the right use of technology, science, and innovation can address the world's biggest challenges. In his post, he shared how he and his partners have made significant contributions in the fields of health, education, and sustainability.This post is not just a message; it is a call, an invitation for us to join this journey. A journey toward making the world a better place, where every person has equal opportunities and resources.Let's be a part of this initiative and contribute to this journey of human potential. https://lnkd.in/dp5bz_rS #HumanPotential #Partnerships #BillGates #SocialImpact #Innovation #Philanthropy #Leadership #Technology #Empowerment #GlobalHealth

Ladies and Gentlemen, Today, I want to talk about the incredible potential of our youth—the innovators, the dreamers, and the leaders of tomorrow. In an ever-changing world, young people possess unique perspectives and skills that are essential for addressing the challenges we face. Their energy and creativity drive innovation across industries, from technology to social change. They are not just consumers of information; they are creators, problem solvers, and advocates for a better future. However, with this potential comes responsibility. It’s crucial that we provide the support, mentorship, and opportunities necessary for our youth to thrive. By investing in education, fostering entrepreneurship, and encouraging civic engagement, we can empower the next generation to make meaningful contributions. Let’s also recognize the importance of inclusivity. Every voice matters, and diverse perspectives lead to richer solutions. As we cultivate a future that welcomes all, we strengthen our communities and industries. In conclusion, let’s commit to championing our youth. Together, we can create an environment where their ideas flourish and their impact is felt far and wide. The future is bright, and it starts with us investing in our young leaders today. Thank you.