Episodes

This is an oldie, but goodie! I recorded a devotional talk with student leaders around 2018. In this talk, we reflect on the Bible Passage Matthew 24:42, with the following key takeaways on how we can stay ready as leaders: ✅ Stay close to vine: Building a strong relationship with Christ is essential for staying ready. Connect wdivineith the divine and be in tune with His guidance and purpose. ✅ Seize opportunities: Be prepared to take action when opportunities are presented. Whether it's spe...

I had the pleasure of interviewing Bryant Malone, a passionate financial educator, on the latest episode of "On the Mic with Ray White." We dove deep into the world of financial literacy and its impact on our community. Here are three key takeaways from our enlightening conversation: 1️⃣ Don't be afraid to face your finances: Many people tend to avoid looking at their financial situation when they're struggling. But as Malone wisely mentioned, if you don't analyze the problem, you can't change...

Pondering on the Patio is back! This series is a bit of reflection and answering big questions while looking at nature from my patio. In this episode, we dive into two pondering thoughts: 1. There is no substitute for putting in the time and effort to improve yourself. 2. How I try to view things as experiments and concentrate on the process rather than being fixated on the outcome Share your pondering with me as I ponder with you! ___________________ How can I help you? Do you need a spe...

Shout out to Mike White of Willamette Equity Advisors and Owner of Best Damn BBQ sauce! In this episode of Hot Mic W/ Ray White, we discuss the importance of planning and how it affects the success of businesses/entrepreneurship initiative Here are 3 key takeaways from our conversation: 1️⃣ Planning is Crucial: Many individuals have a vision but lack the track record to turn that vision into reality. Having a well-thought-out plan provides stability, helps you understand your customers, and a...

I had the pleasure of interviewing Riegna Breaux, the owner of Tasten Cee Barbecue Soul Food in Salem, Oregon on the latest episode of Hot Mic with Ray White. Riegna's passion for cooking and creating a sense of community through food is truly inspiring. Here are 3 key takeaways from our conversation: 1️⃣ Resilience and passion: Despite facing obstacles, Riegna never gave up on her love for cooking. Her journey reminds us of the power of perseverance and the impact that following our passions c...

In this latest episode, we dive deep into the challenges and changes happening in the corporate world regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Key Takeaways from the episode: 1️⃣ Different Tactics for Different Situations: As advocates for DEI, it's essential to develop a diverse set of skills and approaches. Direct communication, questioning, reasoning, or even demanding may be needed based on the context. Remember, different situations require different tactics! 2️⃣ Mind...

Pondering on the Patio is back! This series is a bit of reflection and answering big questions while looking at nature from my patio. In this episode, we dive into two pondering thoughts: 1. How to be an inclusive leader in 5 minutes (based on Tim Ferriss' 5 good minutes perspective). 2. How the vision of others can inspire you to go after your dreams! Share your pondering with me as I ponder with you! Pick up my first book, Advocacy In Action, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://raymondwhite.net/shop/ai...

Welcome back to "On the Mic with Ray White," the podcast where we dive deep into the world of equity, inclusion, and organizational development. In today's episode, we're tackling an important and timely topic: the challenges faced by Chief Diversity Officers in today's corporate landscape. We're living in a time where business decisions often seem to take priority over human-centric positions. It's disheartening to see CDOs being cut, programs being slashed, and commitments being walked back, ...

In this episode of "On the Mic with Ray White," join your host Ray White as he delves into the power of reflection. Taking a moment to pause and think allows us to identify areas for improvement and process life's experiences. Whether it's watching nature on his back patio or creating intentional moments of introspection, Ray explores how reflection can lead to growth and fresh insights. Tune in to discover the importance of finding space for oneself to reflect and how it enhances leadership ca...

Pondering in the Patio is back! This series is a bit of reflection and answering big questions while looking at nature from my patio. In this episode, we dive into two pondering thoughts: 1. The concept of dominion and how our approach to cultivating what we have been given can shape our responsibilities, institutions, and relationships. 2. Challenge to see our community where people are heard, seen, and valued. Share your pondering with me as I ponder with you! Pick up my first book, Advo...

In this episode of "On the Mic W/ Ray White," we talk about the power of tension and why it should not be avoided. Embracing tension can make us stronger leaders and create a sense of belonging for everyone. For my gym enthusiast, I work to draw parallels between working out with resistance bands and navigating through challenging conversations. What does it look like for you to navigate tension to foster personal growth, resilience, and inclusivity? Let me know your thoughts in the comments...

Alright, so I ranted a little bit... In this episode, we'll delve into the importance of creating equitable and inclusive environments and the challenges that leaders face when making this a priority. There is the need to make firm decisions about who we want to serve and what kind of future we want to create within our organizations. We'll explore the tensions between appeasing stakeholders and prioritizing marginalized individuals, and why picking a side is crucial. If you like these off-the...

In this episode of "On the Mic with Ray White," I dive into the multifaceted concept of identity. We explore how our sense of self is shaped by both personal reflection and societal categorization. Drawing on examples of privilege and marginalization, I emphasize the importance of self-love and challenging societal narratives. #Identity #SelfLove #belonging Pick up my first book, Advocacy In Action, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://raymondwhite.net/shop/aiabook⁠⁠⁠ ___________________ How can I help you? Do...

In this thought-provoking episode of "On the Mic with Ray White," we dive into the significance of creating inclusive spaces for marginalized identities. This mini Ray-Rant is to challenge you to critically reflect on your role in promoting inclusivity and understanding why certain spaces may not be inviting for marginalized individuals. While we reflect on current events that are centering diverse identities and allowing individuals to find spaces where they can truly belong, this episode inv...

Now that you've identified that you want to be a social justice advocate in your community, what do you do now?! In this episode, I highlight some key mindset perspective to have on this journey, including the importance of progress over perfection and intentional steps towards creating an inclusive environment. I want to encourage you to not stop at just one resource on becoming anti-racist and to continuously seek out opportunities to enhance your knowledge. Tune in to learn how to become a...

On this episode of On the Mic w/ Ray White, I reflect on my experience celebrating Juneteenth in Salem, Oregon. I had the opportunity to attend events, Juneteenth Celebration and NAACP Salem Keizer chapter Fundraiser dinner. There is so much power in the black community coming together to celebrate. I also discuss the challenges our Black community faces in education, the judicial system, home ownership, and community safety, underscoring the need to address these issues to create opportunities ...

On this episode of On the Mic w/ Ray White, we talk about what it looks like to show up in multicultural spaces! Having an understanding of social dynamics and system inequities helps us to know how we can be an advocate for others. But we can't just jump in without building relationships with others first. What we see as a solution may not always be what's best for those impacted. So how do we navigate that? Listen in and let's work through this together! This episode highlights a chapter in...

On this episode of On the Mic w/ Ray White, I talk about the importance of embracing child-like joy and incorporating it into our daily lives. I've experienced so much joy as a father of three boys! I've been learning the importance of being present with our family and creating spaces where individuals can express themselves fully. I want to encourage you to connect and engage with others in your life. Hold on to the joy and fun in life and prioritize creating inclusive environments where ever...

In this episode of On the Mic w/ Ray White, we continue our series on social justice and advocacy with the release of the book "Advocacy in Action: Nine Practical Actions for Allies of Social Justice," which provides practical steps for becoming a culture change agent and advocate for social justice. You can pick up the book here: ⁠https://raymondwhite.net/shop/aiabook This episode highlights the power we have to make a change, regardless of position, title, and status in the community. Take ...

In this episode of On the Mic w/ Ray White, we delve into the hot topic of social justice and advocacy with the release of the book "Advocacy in Action: Nine Practical Actions for Allies of Social Justice," which provides practical steps for becoming a culture change agent and advocate for social justice. You can pick up the book here: https://raymondwhite.net/shop/aiabook We dive deep into how biases play a crucial role in relationships, and building empathy towards social injustice is essent...

On this episode of On the Mic w/ Ray White, We are talking about knowing our advocacy position in relation to social justice. Knowing our position can help us become aware of social injustices and inequities in their spaces. It is essential for advancing social equity and creating an inclusive community where every identity can thrive! This is a framework outlined in my new book titled "Advocacy in Action: Nine Practical Actions for Allies in Social Justice" Get your copy here: https://raymon...

On this episode of On the Mic w/ Ray White, we're excited to chat about my brand new book called "Advocacy in Action: Nine Practical Actions for Allies and Social Justice." This book is about empowering individuals to act against racism and oppression through tangible steps within their own spaces. The book is structured around three circles of influence and includes reflective questions and areas to journal your thoughts. My goal with the book is to demystify advocacy and show that everyone ha...

YEAH BUDDY! My Book Advocacy In Action: Nine Practical Actions for Allies in Social Justice is READY FOR PURCHASE NOW! The book will drop on May 5th, 2023! Here are three key takeaways from this inspiring episode: - The book offers practical steps for individuals to take to be culture change agents and engage in multicultural spaces. By learning the nine practical actions outlined in the book, individuals can become advocates for social justice within their communities. - The book aims to cr...

In this episode of On The Mic W/ Ray White, we discuss the importance of accountability in creating an organizational culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. A leader's words need to align with their actions in order to create a psychologically safe workplace where staff members feel like they belong and can thrive. Accountability can be a scary word for some leaders but it is essential in creating a standard and expectation that ensures that goals are met. This episode offers four ways to...