What can two middle-aged white guys bring to the table when it comes to the diversity conversation? Surprisingly, quite a bit if they're willing to have some honest, soul-searching chats with their fellow middle-aged white counterparts.
I sat down with Tony Fulgham on the newest podcast episode of Crossing the Axis to reflect on the year-long BIPOC internship program at his film studio, All is Well.
Let me tell you; it was a raw, candid, and an eye-opening conversation.
Tony opened up about his motivations behind starting the program, the ups, the downs, and everything in between. But perhaps the biggest lesson I took away from our chat was the importance of staying in your lane.
Tony shared how he initially tried to tackle everything under the sun, only to realize that his true expertise lay in certain areas – like writing and creative development – and that's where he could make the most impact.
For all you company owners out there considering ways to address racial access and inequality within your business, do yourself a favor and give our conversation a listen.
Not only will you learn concrete steps on how to design a meaningful curriculum - from budgeting to management - but you'll also gain insights into analyzing and developing your own motivations and strengths to offer new talent waiting at the door.
Here's the kicker, if you put in the hard work upfront to build a meaningful program, the rewards can be immense. Not just for the interns, but for the positive influence it will have in shaping your career and life too.
So, please give this episode a listen and share it far and wide. If it resonates with you, reach out to Africatown Community Land Trust to see how you can get involved and connected with diverse talent through their new program, The Creative Pipeline.
Remember, "A smart person learns from their mistakes, but a wise person learns from the mistakes of others." And there’s enough to learn from this conversation to make you wise beyond your years.
Learn more about the six interns who went through the program, see their work, and hire them.
Read about FujiFilm's participation and motivations for sponsoring the program and making the internships possible.
Hear Tony Fulgham describe the internship program and how it worked.
Comments