Inclusivity Included: Powerful personal stories

A. Scott Bolden: Living at the intersection of business, law, politics and race

Reed Smith Managing Partner A. Scott Bolden shares stories about his childhood during the civil rights movement, reflects on his successful career, and offers his unique insight on the need for more discussion and reconciliation around race relations, in an episode recorded earlier this year. Bolden is the current managing partner of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

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Deconstructing white privilege: Calling all upstanders (Part 3)

In Part 3 of our series “Deconstructing White Privilege,” former Reed Smith partner Mike Scott, associate Lora Spencer, and co-hosts Iveliz Crespo and John Iino discuss their work on the case to remove the Confederate battle emblem from the Mississippi state flag. They also will emphasize the importance of upstanders who support the Black community and interrupt racism.

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Deconstructing white privilege: When white women cry (Part 2)

Jenna Chandler-Ward, founder of the Multicultural Teaching Institute and the Teaching While White podcast and blog, joins Dr. Dana Alvaré, Reed Smith’s global gender equity advisor, Liza Craig, deputy chair of Reed Smith’s Black business inclusion group, and Global Diversity Chair John Iino for a lively discussion on: the intersectionality between gender and race; why white women feel uncomfortable discussing race; and how white women can engage in discussions around race and racism.

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Deconstructing white privilege

Ryan Williams-Virden, author and instructor on Reimagining Whiteness, joins Reed Smith Diversity & Inclusion Global Chair John Iino and Senior Public Relations Manager Devon Jaffier for a provocative discussion examining white privilege, why it is difficult for white people to discuss race, and what organizations can do to address systemic racism. 

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Xenophobia against Asian Americans during the Coronavirus crisis

Since its official launch on March 19, 2020, the STOP AAPI HATE reporting center has received more than 1,700 reports of coronavirus-related verbal harassment, shunning and physical assault against Asian Americans. Manjusha Kulkarni, Esq., executive director of the Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council, along with D&I Global Chair John Iino and D&I Advisor Iveliz Crespo, present a brief history of discriminatory laws against Asian Americans, discuss the impacts of discrimination against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, and conclude with thoughts on how we can support each other during these times. 

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Jean Lee: Fighting for equity beginning as an Asian immigrant

Jean Lee, president and chief executive officer of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, joins John Iino to share her personal stories, starting in her childhood, on how being a first-generation Korean-American immigrant shaped her commitment to advocacy and equity. Jean discusses systemic racism impacting the justice system and the legal profession, her work to disrupt these inequities, the importance of allyship and strategies for truly inclusive leadership. 

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Disability inclusion: Removing barriers to finding top talent

Jane Burton, chair of the Lawyers with Disabilities Division of the (UK) Law Society, and two Reed Smith associates - Danielle Liebl and Kevin Hara - join guest host Iveliz Crespo to share best practices that help ensure your D&I efforts are inclusive of people with disabilities. They share personal stories and discuss tips for hiring, recruiting and retaining people with disabilities - including the importance of flexible work arrangements. 

For more information, please visit Reed Smith's Diversity & Inclusion page.

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Strategies to remain inclusive during the Coronavirus crisis (Part 2)

Kevan Skelton, Reed Smith’s chief HR officer, and Jeni Taylor, director of HR for Europe, the Middle East and Asia, join John Iino to discuss tactical steps organizations can take and programs they can use to support and engage personnel around the world during the COVID-19 crisis. They share collaboration efforts between Reed Smith’s Human Resources and Diversity & Inclusion teams, including specific programming organized by their business resource groups, their wellness program, and their Mental Health Task Force, as well as some key actions leaders can take. 

For more information, please visit Reed Smith's Diversity & Inclusion page. For more information on the legal and business implications of COVID-19, visit the Reed Smith Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center.

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Strategies to remain inclusive during the Coronavirus crisis

Iveliz Crespo, Reed Smith’s global Diversity & Inclusion advisor, joins John Iino in this episode to discuss strategies that business leaders can adopt to foster inclusion and mitigate the effects of social isolation on their employees. Formerly an employment and civil rights lawyer, Iveliz has advocated for inclusion of some of society’s most marginalized communities. Iveliz and John will offer recommendations to address xenophobia, guidance on allyship and upstanders, tips for inclusive crisis communication, and ways to maximize employee resource groups during these times. 

For more information, please visit Reed Smith's Diversity & Inclusion page. For more information on the legal and business implications of COVID-19, visit the Reed Smith Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center.

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Lloyd Johnson: Founder of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association

Lloyd Johnson, CEO of Chief Legal Executive and founder of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), joins John Iino to share his history, his personal stories, and advice from his mentors over the years. Lloyd, who toured the world as a member of the NCAA champion USC track and field teams in 1976 and 1978, was able to bring a global perspective to his work. “For the most part, we look at prism through the conflict of race. However ... when you look at conflict through the prism of power, history, and information, all of a sudden things take on a completely different meaning. [The MCCA] is a clearing house of information. It provides multiple forums ... and that's an opportunity for people to focus on what is common, versus what is different.” 

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