Innovating Inclusion

Workforce development guru Nicholas Wyman joins us today to talk about how his company IWSI America build apprenticeships, especially around the disability community. He will also discuss his new book, Attract, Retain,, Develop: Shaping a Skilled Workforce for the Future.NICHOLAS WYMAN BIONicholas “Nick” Wyman began his career as an award-winning chef before becoming a globally recognized leader in workforce innovation. As founder and CEO of IWSI America, he has pioneered national apprenticeship initiatives — from the first registered U.S. forestry apprenticeship in 35 years to groundbreaking healthcare programs for people with disabilities.Nick is the author of Job U: How to Find Wealth and Success by Developing the Skills Companies Need (Penguin) and Attract, Retain, Develop: Shaping a Skilled Workforce for the Future (Fast Company Press, 2025). He contributes to Forbes, Fast Company, CNBC, and the MIT Press Journal, and is known for translating global best practices into practical solutions that reshape careers and communities. His latest work explores the intersection of wellness and work — how personal health, resilience, and performance fuel not only individual success but also the future of organizations.WEBSITEShttps://www.iwsiamerica.org/https://www.readywillingable.us/who-we-arehttps://www.nicholaswyman.com/LINK TO AMAZON for Nick's New BookIf anyone is interested in a complimentary copy of Attract, Retain, Develop: Shaping a Skilled Workforce for the Future, please contact [email protected]. Audio books are also available.  Thank you, Nick!CO-PRODUCED BYAlexandra RushHOST & PRODUCERAkira Nakanowww.innovatinginclusion.org

Katie and Steven sit down with CEO Lauren Branch, as she talks about building NewView Oklahoma into the largest employer of people who are blind in the state. BIOLAUREN BRANCH has been with NewView Oklahoma, formerly the Oklahoma League for the Blind, since 1997. A native of Houston, Texas, Lauren received her bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from Texas A&M University in 1986. She is also a certified public accountant.Under Lauren’s leadership, NewView Oklahoma has undergone unprecedented growth, employing more than 150 individuals, most of whom are blind or low vision and serving thousands of Oklahomans with vision loss. NewView is now the largest employer of people who are blind in the state and has been recognized both locally and nationally as one of the premier organizations in the country providing comprehensive low vision services for people losing their vision. Over the years, NewView has received numerous awards and recognitions including National Industries for the Blind Employment Growth Award, Oklahoma ABLE Tech Partner of the Year, Oklahoma Attorney General Keith Boyd Employer of the Year Award, American Optometric Association Apollo Award, DHS Aging Services Achievement in Aging Program of the Year, Blue Cross Blue Shield Dr. Rodney L. Huey Memorial Champions of Oklahoma Health Award, Oklahoma State Use Program Organization of the Year Award, and Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits “One Award” Finalist in Self-Sufficiency.Lauren is very active in her community, having served in various capacities over the years in the non-profit and business sectors. She currently serves on the board of National Industries for the Blind and is the current chairperson of VisionServe Alliance, a national organization dedicated to improving the quality of life to and for people with vision loss. Lauren is also a member of Leadership Oklahoma City, Class XXVIII and Leadership Oklahoma Class XXVII . She is a member of Rotary Club 29 in Oklahoma City and has been since 2004.WEBSITEnvoklahoma.orgHOSTSSteven McCoyKatie Corbett www.innovatinginclusion.org

Today we speak to West Covina City Councilman Ollie Cantos as we recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and White Cane Day.Blind since birth and born in Los Angeles to Filipino immigrants, Ollie as a native son of West Covina was raised here since age 4. He defied conventional wisdom of what was then considered possible or practical in light of the relatively limited expectations about persons with disabilities during his formative years. The product of West Covina values — proud, strong, and determined-- he has spent his life, breaking new ground and paving the way for others to follow. Ollie is the first blind person and individual with a visible disability ever to be elected to the City Council since West Covina's founding in February 1923.Early leadership roles include Student Body Vice President at Hollencrest Junior High in Eighth Grade; Junior Class President and Student Body President at Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente; and Student Senator, Speaker of the Senate, Vice President of Student Services, and Executive Vice President and Chairperson of the Student Senate at Loyola Marymount University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. The year he graduated, he received the Stanley Chan Award, the highest honor to be given by the University's Political Science Department.After earning his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles and becoming an attorney, he served as Staff Attorney and Director of Outreach and Education at the Disability Rights Legal Center, General Counsel and Director of Programs for the then 70,000-member American Association of People with Disabilities, Special Assistant and later Special Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, Associate Director for Domestic Policy at the White House under President George W. Bush, and now Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education. He has also received presidential appointments from two different Presidents of the United States. His work at the Federal Government level has spanned across both Republican and Democratic administrations since 2004.In addition to his ongoing Federal Government responsibilities, Ollie is Attorney Mentor with the American Bar Association's Commission on Disability Rights, Member of the Kiwanis Club of West Covina, and Chairman of the Board at RespectAbility, a multi-million-dollar national nonpartisan non-profit cross-disability organization that fights stigmas and advances opportunities on behalf of this nation's more than 61 million Americans with disabilities.Prior leadership posts include Member and Vice Chair of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities,  Legal Officer for the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Vice President of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Member of the Board of Directors of the Loyola Marymount University National Alumni Association, and Member of the Board of Governors of the Loyola Law School Alumni Association.  Among others, he was also on the boards of the ENDependence Center  of Northern Virginia and Community Lodgings.But Ollie is most grateful for his adoption of three blind triplet boys – Leo, Nick, and Steven.  Their compelling story has been told by National Public Radio, PEOPLE Magazine, The Washingtonian Magazine, USA Today, and videos that went viral on www.innovatinginclusion.org

Our Superstar Guest, Saran Tugsjargal is a student with ASD, SLD, ADHD starting her freshman year at Rice University. She is an advocate for equitable education with a goal is to prove that disabilities don't hinder leadership. Collaborating with ACLC's special education department, she amplifies disabled student experiences. Initiating the Mongolian American Disability Mentorship program in Summer 2023, she mentored over 50+ families. In October 2023, she became one of California's first student commissioners with disabilities, representing over 800,000 students. Speaking at conferences like Breaking Barriers and CarsPlus, she's influenced over 400+ educators. Notably, she championed bill AB2173, changing "emotional disturbance" to "emotional disability." Recognized with awards like the Rotary Youth Leadership Award and the Ronald Reagan Leadership Medal, she's celebrated for her exceptional leadership and advocacy.LINKShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/saran-tugsjargal/email: [email protected] HostDennis Tran is a social impact storyteller, DEIA speaker, and consultant committed to fostering a neuroinclusive and accessible world. As a queer, partially blind, late-identified autistic-ADHDer (AuDHD) Vietnamese American with C-PTSD and glaucoma, Dennis channels his lived experiences to support others navigating similar challenges. Holding a degree in Public Health Policy with a Business Management minor from UC Irvine, Dennis has successfully built a multi-faceted career across sectors, including digital media, technology, healthcare, entertainment, and philanthropy.Through storytelling, cultural and disability inclusion consultation, and accessibility advising, Dennis empowers neurodivergent and disabled individuals to live fulfilling lives. His advocacy work emphasizes the transformative power of representation and the importance of creating inclusive spaces where individuals don’t have to hide or “overcome” who they are. Dennis is passionate about uplifting the AANHPI community, addressing cultural stigma, and bridging intergenerational gaps.Dennis has spoken at UCSF, CSUF, Autodesk, Steelcase, and Heap, sharing insights on neurodiversity, anti-ableism, and DEIA best practices.He is one of the co-hosts and co-producers of the Innovating Inclusion podcast.His work is driven by the belief that disability and neurodiversity are not a limitation but a source of resilience and creativity.CONTACT DENNISwww.innovatinginclusion.org

A special edition of the Innovating Inclusion podcast where Civil Rights Attorneys Jessie Weber and Paul Grossman unpack the ADA and Section 504, Title II, and tell us how it all relates to Roy Payan, Portia Mason, and the National Federation of the Blind in their case against the Los Angeles Community College District.BIOSFor over 30 years, PAUL GROSSMAN served as the Chief Regional Attorney for the US Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in San Francisco. In Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, Paul has worked on every type of education discrimination matter under Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA, including securing equal access and academic accommodations for students with disabilities in higher education. For nearly 20 years, Paul also had lead responsibility for internal disability law training for OCR and continues to provide training services for OCR.For over 20 years, Paul was an Adjunct Professor of Disability Law at Hasting College of Law, University of California, one of many law schools that use the textbook he publishes with Distinguished Professor, Ruth Colker. Paul is a much sought-after keynote speaker at education and law conferences, including the University of California, Berkeley School of Law; Harvard Graduate School of Education; the Association for Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) and its regional chapters; the National Association of ADA Coordinators (NAADAC); and Children and Adults with AD/HD (CHADD). Paul also provides consulting services to institutions of higher education (Grossman and Vance, Beyond the ADA). For five years, Paul was also a member of the Board of Directors for AHEAD and remains a member of the Public Policy Committees of CHADD and AHEAD as well as a faculty member for NAADAC.Paul is an individual with several disabilities including dyslexia and diabetes.JESSIE WEBER enjoys helping clients navigate a diverse range of difficult legal issues, with a focus on civil rights, including disability and LGBTQ rights, employment law, including wage and hour cases, and appellate litigation. Jessie’s successes include obtaining a $1.25 million settlement for a class of Baltimore City school bus drivers and attendants wrongly denied their full pay, securing an injunction requiring the Maryland Board of Elections to make absentee voting accessible to voters with print disabilities, and winning an arbitration award of more than $250,000 on behalf of an African-American former Hooters server who was fired from her job because of Hooters’ racially discriminatory image policy.Jessie is an experienced appellate litigator. She has argued before the Fourth, Sixth, Ninth, and D.C. Circuit Courts of Appeals and has also submitted briefs in the United States Supreme Court, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and in state appellate courts in Maryland and Washington State. She is known for her groundbreaking work obtaining equal access for individuals with disabilities to voting, websites, and government information and services. Jessie is well versed in both complex litigation and negotiations and enjoys using a range of tools to obtain justice for her clients.www.innovatinginclusion.org

Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD) affected individuals, Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts are making their voices heard as they speak with Katie Corbett and Mandeep Ladhar. Together they hope to tackle misconceptions surrounding disability and give a loud voice to the, often forgotten, rare disease community.CMD is a rare genetic muscle disorder causing them to break down faster than they can repair or grow, which leaves Berger and Roberts as wheelchair users relying on them as their main source of mobility and independence.The duo got together in New York City, something that’s few and far between considering there’s a good 10-hour distance between the two. Berger resides in Ohio, while Roberts is just outside the NYC area.While together, it was pertinent that they shot some powerful photographs as they navigated the city in their power wheelchairs, illustrating that mobility doesn’t halt their existence in the outside world.Lack of accessibility isn’t a deterrent for either Berger or Roberts to be active participants in today’s society. Curbs, stairs, and/or other barriers aren't stopping them from pursuing an active and social lifestyle. “We are here, we are exhausted of being excluded and it’s our time to shine, no matter what obstacles we have to overcome,” Berger says.When the friends aren’t turning heads with their power wheelchairs around the city, they support other young adults in the rare neuromuscular disease space. Both Berger and Roberts work remotely as a part of the Community Outreach Team for the non-profit organization, Cure CMD. They host a bi-monthly virtual Zoom Webinar Series together providing educational content and offering a unique angle as they are both affected by the same CMD subtype, Collagen VI.Today, more than 90% of rare diseases have no FDA-approved treatment or cure, including CMD. It’s the conversations surrounding rare and advancing steps toward potential future progress that keep Berger and Roberts hopeful.The two are continuing their advocacy efforts into 2025 where they plan to advocate for rare on Capitol Hill during Rare Disease Week and virtually attend Rare Across America this summer.LINKSAvery’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avery.nicole916/Avery’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averyroberts916Kelly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekellyberger/Kelly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekellyberger/www.innovatinginclusion.org

Diego Mariscal, Founder and CEO of 2Gether-International, discusses his trailblazing efforts to help 5000 disabled entrepreneurs by the year 2030. A compelling conversation you cannot miss.BIODIEGO MARISCAL is Disabled and Proud! A trailblazer at the intersection of disability advocacy and entrepreneurship, Diego is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Disabled Officer of 2Gether-International, a 501c3 nonprofit and the leading startup accelerator run by and for disabled entrepreneurs. He has dedicated his career to creating a sustainable impact through business ventures led by and for Disabled Founders and currently serves on the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission's Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, among many other boards.Since his teenage years, Diego has been a catalyst for change. At just 18, he founded "Limitless Prepa Tec," an educational program that tackles disability awareness in his hometown of Monterrey, Mexico. Over four years, Limitless expanded to more than seven high schools and educated over 3,000 students, solidifying its reputation as one of Monterrey's largest youth-led initiatives.In 2012, Diego took his advocacy to the next level with the establishment of 2Gether-International (2GI), a nonprofit accelerator empowering entrepreneurs with disabilities. Under his leadership, 2GI has supported more than 700 startups, helping them secure approximately $84 million in outside investments, acquisitions, and revenue. His role has positioned 2GI as a leading resource for disabled entrepreneurs and has also enabled strategic collaborations with international organizations such as the U.S. Department of State, Organization of American States, and Inter-American Development Bank, as well as corporate partnerships with Comcast NBCUniversal, JPMorganChase and others.Diego’s work has garnered international acclaim, earning him accolades like the Architect of the Future Award from the Waldzell Institute in Vienna and the Global Changemaker title from the British Council. His influence has been recognized by multiple international bodies; he was a Youth in International Development and Affairs Fellow for the U.S. International Council on Disabilities in 2014, and in 2016, he attended the inaugural United Nations World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul.In 2017, Diego marked another milestone by becoming the first entrepreneur with a disability to represent the U.S. delegation at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India. That same year, he received the Global Leadership in Equitable Development Award at the World Trade Credit & Risk Summit in Washington, DC.Recently, in 2022 and 2023, Diego engaged in high-level dialogues on disability and entrepreneurship with President Clinton and President Biden. He was featured as a panelist in a discussion moderated by Hillary Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative University annual meeting. Additionally, Diego was appointed to the Advisory Board of the 2024 SXSW Pitch and took part as a panelist at the 2025 SXSW.Born with Cerebral Palsy in New Orleans but raised in Monterrey, Diego is not just an advocate but also an athlete, representing the state of Nuevo León in the Mexican National Paralympics from 2004-2009.LINKShttps://www.2gether-international.org/2gi.orgwww.innovatinginclusion.org

Voice actor JAY MANUEL and Co-Executive Producer KRISTIN DiQULLO introduce Jeff Mouse on the PBS Kids series, Donkey Hodie. An intrepid explorer and avid nature lover, Jeff Mouse was born with congenital muscular dystrophy, which limits his physical abilities, but not his can-do attitude! He was created in honor of Jeff Erlanger, a young guest who appeared in an unforgettable episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and sang a moving duet of Fred’s song, “It’s You I Like,” with the famous show host. To portray Jeff Mouse authentically, Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures engaged Disability Belongs, the national disability-led nonprofit that works to empower people with disabilities to have a better future, to advise on the development of the character and Permobil, a global leader in power and manual wheelchair solutions, to help create Jeff’s chair.  With the introduction of this endearing new character, Donkey Hodie is helping to further Fred Rogers’ legacy for today’s preschoolers of inclusion and kindness.+ + + + +JAY MANUEL is a music producer and content creator based in Georgia. Despite facing challenges such as being hard of hearing and living with a rare brittle bone condition known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 3, as well as Autism, Jay has dedicated his career to breaking barriers and representing young professionals with disabilities in the music industry.As a full-time content creator, Jay produces engaging content that showcases his unique perspective and personality. He has collaborated with top companies like Coca-Cola and Snapchat and has produced songs for both independent and label artists such as Yung Bleu, Fred the Godson, Boldy James, DJ Luke Nasty, and many others. Jay is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy and mentors up-and-coming music producers while continuing to create content that positively impacts his community.As Co-Executive Producer of Donkey Hodie, KRISTIN DiQUOLLO provides leadership and creative vision to Fred Rogers Productions' and Spiffy Pictures' puppet series for preschoolers. which is inspired by characters from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.  Prior to joining the company, she led production of broadcast and digital content for the PBS Kids series, Cyberchase as executive producer and story editor of WNET New York, helping to spearhead its expansion on digital platforms, including strategies for accessibility, as well as its evolution as a series focusing on math and environmental themes for 6-8-year-olds A nominee for multiple Daytime Emmy awards, and a winner for Cousin Hodie Playdate, Kristin was honored with Parents' Choice and Kidscreen awards and oversaw Cyberchase's national family and educator engagement efforts, broadening the series' reach to new public media audiences.Experienced in using research to inform development and design of content, she has worked on several projects that investigate learning outcomes from educational media. Kristin previously worked in educational outreach and marketing for the IMAX Corporation and as an associate editor and projects coordinator for Merlyn's Pen, a magazine and website showcasing the works of teenage writers.  She received ther B.A. in Englihs from Providence College.HOSTSSteven McCoyAngie CastroWEBSITESPBS KidsDisability BelongsThis episode co-produced by Steven McCoy with Alison Grand and Christina Gorski. Our producer is Akira Nakano.www.innovatinginclusion.org

Today, SALYNE EL SAMARANY discusses Special Olympics global mission of bringing inclusion into the classroom through micro-credentialing for educators.  She talks about the importance of UDL (Universal Design for Learning) and how Special Olympics leads by example around the world.=====SALYNE EL SAMARANY is the Vice President of the Global Center for Inclusion in Education at Special Olympics International, where she works with a global team to lead initiatives to promote inclusive education and social inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). She advocates for leveraging technology, including AI, to improve learning experiences for students with disabilities and professional development for teachers. Previously, Salyne was the CEO of Teach For Lebanon, an NGO focused on improving education for thousands of children in Lebanon, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds. She addressed educational inequalities by empowering teachers and youth leaders to drive education reform, particularly in emergency settings. Salyne holds an MBA from the University of Balamand and has expertise in consultancy for change, providing strategic advice to improve organizations' social impact. She participated in the 2007 Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Program at Georgetown University, which shaped her commitment to addressing civil society and educational inequalities. Throughout her career, Salyne has received numerous awards, including the 2014 UN Special Envoy for Global Education’s Youth Courage Award. She also received the Arab Creativity Award in 2016 for her leadership in social change and was recognized by Facebook in 2018 as part of the Facebook Community Leadership Program for her leadership efforts to create informed online communities through education and technology.LINKSSpecial Olympics Global Center Webpage: https://www.specialolympics.org/what-we-do/youth-and-schools/global-center-for-inclusion-in-education Special Olympics Global Center Briefs and Case Studies: https://www.specialolympics.org/what-we-do/youth-and-schools/resources/briefs?locale=en  Community Impact Stories :  https://www.specialolympics.org/stories/impact/pioneering-inclusive-sports-education-in-slovakiaHosted by Katie Corbett & Lee Fox BeauregardOpening Music by Alex Cap. Incidental Music by Bruce Maginnins.Produced by Akira Nakanowww.innovatinginclusion.org

KEISHA GREAVES is a motivational speaker, adaptive fashion designer, and a disability advocate.  She is the Founder & CEO of the brand, Girls Chronically Rock; Founder of GCR Adaptive Solutions; Founder of Trust Your Abilities Nonprofit for People of Color; and a Board Member of the Disability Law Center.Keisha frequently speaks at conferences, for pharmaceutical companies,high schools, colleges, and universities to spread awareness about Muscular Dystrophy, work-life-chronic illness balance, raising money for causes, advocating for disability, and other related topics. Keisha has been featured in several national media outlets including Good Morning America, The Today Show, ABC News, and more. One of her proudest moments is when she was featured in Today Style Heroes 2018.Keisha has personally worked alongside Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and successfully got September 30th officially proclaimed as Limb- Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day. Furthermore, she also received theproclamation from previous Cambridge Mayor Marc McGovern and current Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui. Keisha earned her BA in Fashion Designand Merchandising from Framingham State University and an MBA from Cambridge College.LINKS:WEBSITE: girlschronicallyrock.comINSTAGRAM: @girlschronicallyrockclothingX: @girlschronical1HOSTS: Steven McCoy & Amgie Castro with Katie CorbettCO-PRODUCER: Angie CastroPRODUCER: Akira Nakanowww.innovatinginclusion.org

The hosts talk to Blind, Not Broken author, LUCY EDWARDS, a UK based, RTS award-winning presenter, journalist, content creator, speaker, entrepreneur and disability activist. After losing her sight at 17 due to Incontinentia Pigmenti, Lucy committed to sharing her experiences and raising awareness about disability. Her engaging personality and open commentary have garnered her a social media following of over 2.8 million, with her content being viewed over one billion times. Lucy's influence makes her a leading voice in the global diversity, equity, and inclusion space.WEBSITE: https://www.lucyedwards.com/COMPANY: etiaLINKShttps://www.instagram.com/lucyedwardsofficial/https://www.tiktok.com/@lucyedwardshttps://www.youtube.com/lucyedwards https://linktr.ee/ellajonesvsthesunstealerhttps://blindnotbroken.cmpgn.page/LGZ6f6MENTIONS: Grace BeverleyHOSTS: Katie Corbett & Angie CastroC0-PRODUCER: Angie CastroPRODUCER: Akira Nakanowww.innovatinginclusion.org

NICOLE HOMERIN, M.Ed. (she/her) is the Director of CVI Education in The CVI Center at Perkins School for the Blind. She is excited to return to Perkins, where she began her career as a Teaching Assistant in the Deafblind Program. Nicole formerly served as a special education teacher for students with a variety of disabilities, including CVI, in both Boston and Los Angeles. Most recently, she served as the Inclusion Communities Manager at Partners for Youth with Disabilities. In this role, she oversaw the Dinah F.B. Cohen NDMC DREAM Fellowship, a national fellowship for college students and recent graduates with disabilities. She also wrote curriculum and provided trainings to mentoring organizations, non-profits, schools, communities, and corporations on disability inclusion, accessibility, and a variety of other disability-related topics.Nicole is passionate about disability advocacy and making learning accessible and equitable for students and teachers alike.She was named the 2023 Steve Bartlett Award recipient by RespectAbility for her work in disability advocacy, leadership, and empowerment. She was also named the recipient of the 2023 Trailblazer Award from Boston University Wheelock School of Education and Human Development for her exemplary leadership in the fields of education and disability advocacy. She serves on the Heumann Education Advisory Council for the Just Say Hi! Inclusive Education Curriculum created by the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.Nicole holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Boston College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Boston University.Editor's  Note: Nicole has also completed six marathons.'[email protected]://www.perkins.org/cvi-now/https://www.linkedin.com/in/homerinn/Company: Homerin Educational ServicesPartners for Youth with Disabilities: https://pyd.org/HOSTSKATIE CORBETT iis a marketing professional and entrepreneur who brings passion for accessibility to all she does. Katie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and a certificate in human resources from Madison College. AKIRA NAKANO is the Program Officer for the Fox Family Foundation and the Producer of the "Innovating Inclusion" Podcast. He runs the Los Angeles Inception Orchestra which is currently working to provide music education to people of all abilities.  He was the host of the previous Fox Family Podcast and the Inception Podcast.www.innovatinginclusion.org

BETH RUFFIN, DEIB and Self Inclusion coach, TEDx speaker, and podcast hosts brings an important conversation to the table on belonging and making space for yourself. Join hosts Steven McCoy and Angie Castro as they speak with Beth about one of the hottest topics of today, DEIB.BETH RUFFIN BIOKnown as “The Everyday Inclusionist,” Beth Ruffin is a respected DEIB expert, author, podcast host, and TEDx speaker who helps women discover doable, “everyday” steps that add up to realizing potential and belonging at their organizations and within themselves. With 45,000+ views, her TED talk on Self Inclusion has taught a global audience how to flip the script by taking back your own belonging. She shares her insights as the host of the “You Belong Here with Beth Ruffin” podcast and in her two books, Get Up and You Belong Here. To this work, Beth brings a decade of experience, a 20-year career in Corporate America, an Executive Education Certificate in Diversity Leadership from Harvard University's JFK School of Government, and an MBA from Southern Wesleyan University. She’s proudly invested in her community as the Chair of the Women’s Rights & Empowerment Network (WREN) Board of Directors, Board member of Able SC, and member of the Richland County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated. When Beth’s not walking alongside women toward greater inclusion, you might find her deep into a book, hanging with her daughter and cat, or enjoying life in her current city of Elgin, South Carolina.  www.bethruffin.comSocial Media Handle: TheBethRuffinPodcasts: You Belong Here, The Permission ProjectCompany: The Everyday InclusionistHOSTSSTEVEN McCOY is an award-winning advocate, activist, and journalist, celebrated for his groundbreaking work in promoting inclusivity and empowerment. As the founder of Spoken Heroes, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization and with a strong social media reach, MrMcCoy's dedication has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Spangenberg-Chappell Memorial Award, Disney Alumni Association Inductee, and honored as AT&T’s “Black Future Maker,” He was recently named to the Forbes 40 under 40 list. Steven also proudly serves on the Board of Directors for the Usher Syndrome Coalition and the Leadership Board for Foundation Fighting Blindness,  and as a Representative for the State of New Jersey Rehabilitation Council.Steven's contributions have been further recognized by organizations such as the National Association of Black Journalists and state councils in New Jersey, New York, and Oklahoma. He is also a film consultant, making sure that films are displaying inclusive and equality. Steven's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion has been recognized in various states around the world, including the National Association of Black Journalists.ANGIE CASTRO wis the host and producer of the podcast, “This Is What Blind Looks Like” which focuses on educating the general public about Blindness.Angie has also worked as a communications coordinator, for Blind, Inc. as well as providing administrative support for a digital marketing company.www.innovatinginclusion.org