In this episode, Debra Johnson, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for External
Affairs for the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), details the life experiences that have taught her why EDIB principles matter—in the workplace and in our personal interactions.

From her younger years in the South Side of Chicago to her pioneering work with notable figures like Carol Mosley Braun, Pete Buttigieg, and Bobby Rush, Debra offers candid reflections on the challenges and triumphs of navigating leadership roles while advocating for racial equity.

Along with hosts Tina Wright-Ervin and Alex Figueroa, Debra argues for the importance of having a sounding board, making your presence felt and, ultimately, the power of creating warm, welcoming spaces for leaders of color.

On this episode, we are joined by Dr. Raquel Hatter, Managing Director of the Human Services
Program at the Kresge Foundation, to discuss her approach to leadership as well as how she
implements equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) in her work every day.

At Kresge, Dr. Hatter focuses on family-centered systems change, with a particular emphasis on communities of color. This interview delves into the necessity for system change and the many challenges that arise in effecting those positive transformations.

Dr. Hatter's work is deeply rooted in her lived experience of growing up in a two-generation
household that relied on services, and in this interview, she offers lessons to other leaders as
they pursue this necessary work within their communities.

Resources:
“Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Meyer: https://amzn.to/4aN8Jh4
“Collective Courage” by Jessica Gordon Nembhard: https://amzn.to/44boGv8

We sit down with Michael Becketts, the Director of Fairfax County, Virginia Department of Family Services. Michael shares the details of his professional journey, from being a social worker to understanding his desire to create a more macro-level impact in the sector as a
leader.

In his current role, Michael has learned the importance of seeing individuals as whole people, embracing their intersecting identities, and fostering authentic conversations that help them bring their best selves to the table.

This conversation provides an approach for human services workers to better understand and apply their strengths as they help communities thrive while also offering insight into how to navigate the intersections of race and identity.