Jeannine Gant, Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Officer at the Detroit Regional Partnership, joins Robert Wilson to discuss Detroit's transformation into a global hub for mobility, and emphasizes the city’s shift to become a leader in electric vehicles. Jeannine highlights the importance of inclusivity and addressing wealth disparities, particularly among marginalized communities. Leveraging a $52 million federal grant and strategic initiatives, Jeannine is working to ensure equitable access to emerging industries for historically excluded groups, positioning Detroit as a model for inclusive economic development. She also shares her personal journey and family’s legacy in racial equity work, advocating for the integration of diversity into Detroit’s future growth.

Kourtney Toney, manager of Community Engagement and Programming for the Academy of Country Music is dedicated to increasing the representation of people of color across the country music industry. Kortney discusses the importance of providing access to vital resources and opportunities for talented individuals from all walks of life and shares how artists of color are creating their own spaces within country music, putting on their own showcases and supporting each other while Nashville truly lives up to its name as Music City where all our diverse voices are welcomed and heard.

Cornelius Brownlee is the Executive Director of Equity and Inclusion at Tennessee State University, and believes in the importance of sustaining Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Although he did not attend an HBCU, he explains how important they are in creating safe spaces to foster a sense of empowerment and opportunity for those who feel different. In this episode, Brownlee debunks some of the misconceptions of HBCUs, and explains how and why they play such an essential role both in the Black community and the institutional educational space as a whole.