Inclusion Catalyst

25/06/2025

Theresa Lau, Senior Policy Counsel at the Southern Poverty Law Center, recently met with Mickey to address the potential impacts of the proposed federal budget cuts on social programs and states.

The House-passed budget bill includes significant tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, alongside substantial reductions to vital social safety net programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, which assist low-income families. Specifically, the SNAP program faces a $300 billion cut over a decade, potentially leading to 4.6 million individuals losing essential benefits. States may also be required to cover a portion of costs, forcing difficult decisions on coverage allocation.

stands to endure nearly $1 trillion in cuts over the same period, risking health coverage for 13.7 million people. Increased work reporting requirements and frequent renewals could further impede eligible individuals from accessing Medicaid services. Moreover, the bill aims to limit federal judges' ability to hold government officials accountable for disregarding court orders, diminishing overall transparency and oversight.

Listen to this engaging episode here:

Theresa Lau, Senior Policy Counsel, Eradicating Poverty at the Southern Poverty Law Center, visits with Mickey again to discuss the proposed federal budget cuts and their potential impacts on social programs and states.

12/06/2025

🎧 Inclusion Catalyst: Budget Cuts, Equity, and Public Policy

What do the proposed federal budget cuts mean for disability equity?

In this timely episode, Theresa Lau—Senior Policy Counsel, Eradicating Poverty at the Southern Poverty Law Center—joins host Mickey to examine how cuts to essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP will disproportionately impact people with disabilities and other vulnerable communities.

While tax breaks for corporations expand, critical lifelines are under threat. This conversation, produced with the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center, is a call to action for disability professionals and advocates alike.

📢 Tune in, stay informed, and help amplify the voices that matter:
https://inclusioncatalyst.com/2025/06/10/federal-budget-cuts-social-program-impact-teresa-lau/

03/10/2024

This episode was originally produced for the Nonprofit SnapCast. Dr. Johanna Moya Fábregas visits the SnapCast. Dr. Fábregas is the Executive Director of Con Mi MADRE, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Latina girls and their loved ones through education and emotional support. We talk about Texas State Bill-Seventeen, which is known informally as “the anti-DEI law,” shutting down diversity, equity and inclusion offices like university + centers. We discuss:

* SB-17 is changing the nonprofit landscape, it’s important to “SB-17 proof” your organization to continue doing the work
* Difficult decisions must be made when you lead a nonprofit and the important thing is looking at the big picture and moving towards the decision that will ensure sustainable growth
* Even during difficult times, the goal is to continue supporting all participants to the best of our ability
* How can an organization that’s run for 20 years continue to run for the next two decades?

SB-17 Is Changing The Nonprofit Landscape

20/06/2024

[This episode was originally published as part of the Nonprofit SnapCast.] Christal M. Cherry is a nationally recognized nonprofit board consultant and certified leadership coach. She is the Principal and CEO of The Board Pro. We talk about Board Recruiting with an eye on Diversity and Equity. Changing beliefs, behaviors, and practices related to board service and leadership can be challenging, but with the right coaching and tailored training you can steer your organization toward a sustainable future and an equitable governance mindset.

Board Recruiting Through A DEI Lens

29/04/2023

Today on the show, Julien speaks with Richard Mireles, the Director of Communications at the Oakland-based non-profit CROP Organization. CROP stands for Creating Restorative Opportunities and Programs and their mission is to reimagine (for justice-involved folks) through a holistic, human-centered approach to , , and skill development for the future of work. Richard’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, transformation, and dedication. After spending nearly two decades incarcerated, Richard was granted parole in 2019 and has since become a leading voice in the movement for criminal justice reform.

As the Director of Communications at CROP Organization and host of The Prison Post Podcast, Richard has dedicated his life to helping returning citizens transform their lives and stay free. He leads CROP’s transformational workshops for nonprofits, community college faculty and students, and provides leadership development to individuals through the Quest program at Solano State prison. Richard’s journey is a true inspiration to all those who seek to overcome adversity and make a positive impact in the world. His unwavering commitment to personal growth, education, and social change is a testament to the transformative power of the human spirit.

Welcoming Back Our Neighbors

29/04/2023

Join LeNaya Hezel, director of , , and at Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) as she chats with three alumni of the WSP program, Army veteran Chris Twigg, Navy veteran Desaree Edwards, and Marine Corps veteran Jessica Nelson. In this episode, they’ll discuss life after military service, the role higher education plays in transitioning to civilian life, owning the veteran narrative, and their plans to continue to serve and “make the world a better place.”

Veterans & Higher Ed, Part 2: Join LeNaya Hezel, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) as she chats with three alumni of the WSP program, Army veteran Chris Twigg, Navy veteran Desaree Edwards, and Marine Corps veteran Jessica Nelson. In this episode, they’l...

04/04/2023

Today on the Inclusion Catalyst: Join LeNaya Hezel, director of , , and at Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) as she chats with WSP’s director of education, Dr. Cassie Sanchez, about how the WSP program supports transitioning service members in their pursuit of higher education by meeting the student veteran community “where they are.” The two also discuss how using an assets-based approach ensures inclusivity is embedded in WSP’s culture.

Veterans & Higher Ed: Join LeNaya Hezel, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) as she chats with WSP’s director of education, Dr. Cassie Sanchez, about how the WSP program supports transitioning service members in their pursuit of higher education by meeting...

22/03/2023

Today on the show, Julien speaks with Maurice Jones, the CEO of the non-profit One10. OneTen is a coalition of leading chief executives and their companies who are coming together to upskill, hire, and promote one million Black Americans over the next 10 years who do not yet have a four-year degree into family-sustaining jobs with opportunities for advancement. Prior to joining OneTen, Maurice was the President and CEO of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), one of the country’s largest organizations supporting projects to revitalize communities and catalyze economic opportunity for residents.

A Skills-First Mindset: Connecting Black Talent to Family-Sustaining Jobs

01/02/2023

Today on the show, Julien speaks with Alana Beard. A philanthropist and entrepreneur, Alana utilizes the power of business and sports to shift how women and girls experience opportunities.

She is the Founder of Transition Play, a talent firm that specializes in helping women athletes live prolific lives across their personal, professional, and public domains beyond the game. Alana is the Founder and President of the 318 Foundation, a nonprofit committed to improving college, career, and life outcomes for young women in underrepresented communities through the 318 V.I.S.I.O.N mentorship program. Alana is also leading a bid to acquire the rights to a WNBA franchise.

Best known for her storied athletic career, Alana won Championships at every level, from high school to the WNBA and internationally. She was the first woman basketball player to have her jersey number retired at Duke University, a four-time All-Star, and an integral piece in leading the Los Angeles Sparks to a WNBA Championship in 2016. At the back end of her career, Alana won back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year Awards in 2017 and 2018. She retired in January 2020 after 15 years.

During and after her time in the WNBA, Alana found success as a owner, start-up founder, mentor, and advocate for female athletes in corporate America. After her retirement in 2020, she served as a Senior Associate at Silicon Valley Bank.

Today we discuss:

* The resilience of elite and how their value on the court or field translates powerfully into value in corporate spaces.

* Seeing is believing—the importance of representation and setting the pace for those that follow after you.

* How inclusive leaders can support elite athletes in their transition and the power of instant feedback.

Thriving in Transition: During and after her time in the WNBA, Alana found success as a small business owner, start-up founder, mentor, and advocate for female athletes in corporate America. After her retirement in 2020, she served as a Senior Associate at Silicon Valley Bank.

19/01/2023

Today on the show, Julien speaks with Ashanti Branch. Ashanti is a key-note speaker, advisor to the US Surgeon General, a Fulbright Fellow and 4x TedX Speaker. His work with youth has been featured at SXSW, on CNN with Lisa Ling, on the Kelly Clarkson Show, and in the documentary about American masculinity ‘The Mask You Live In’, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival. He is the Founder and Executive Director of The Ever Forward Club (EFC), a non-profit organization that ensures underserved students graduate high school by addressing the underlying causes of dropout rates and youth violence, and providing grassroots solutions like mentorship, safe spaces and emotional tools.

Addressing Youth Mental Health

19/12/2022

Today on the show, Julien speaks with Jamey Harvey. Jamey is a technologist and white guy from Washington DC who in 1999, with a collective of multi-racial friends, founded the 2020 Project. Their goal and commitment to one another was to be accountable to each other for pursuing the end of racism in the United States by the year 2020. Though the group dissolved in the early 2000s, Jamey has successfully founded multiple tech organizations and the 2020 Project’s founding principles have underpinned his leadership and work. Today, we’re talking about the intersection of racism and technology and why white men, like Jamey, who benefit from compounding privilege and occupy many positions of power are instrumental in dismantling and sunsetting racism.

Today on the show, Julien speaks with Jamey Harvey. Jamey is a technologist and white guy from Washington DC who in 1999, with a collective of multi-racial friends, founded the 2020 Project. Their goal and commitment to one another was to be accountable to each other for pursuing the end of racism i...

27/10/2022

Today on the show, Julien is joined by James and Krista White, the father and daughter team behind the book Anti-Racist Leadership: How to Transform Corporate Culture in a Race-Conscious World (Harvard Review Press). Their book is based on the indisputable premise that every leader must be anti-racist, actively seeking opportunities to create more environments through both deed and word. Centering on James’ experience as a Black executive, CEO, and parent, and Krista’s perspective as a millennial, writer, and DEI practitioner, this collaborative endeavor is a testament to the power of intergenerational and to the actionable steps that leaders can take to advance cultures of greater inclusion.

Today we discuss:

* Why all leaders must embrace anti-racism work and how all stakeholders win when they do.
* Why CEOs are also Chief Diversity/Culture Officers, and what they can do to ensure their actual CDOs succeed.
* Practical steps that leaders, at all levels, can take to dismantle systemic racism in the workplace.

Anti-Racist Leadership