B The Way Forward is coming back with all-new episodes featuring a slate of incredible guests, taking on some of the biggest issues! Including the one that’s central to activism - can we create real change by working within the system? Or do we need to break it to fix it?   Featuring conversations about voter’s rights and political representation,  whether the current state of DEI is accomplishing its goals, how we can confront the enormity of climate change, and of course AI, this season is...

Welcome to B The Way Forward: Interludes - a mini series of special episodes and conversations that stand apart from our regular season, but are just too good not to share. Dr. Rebecca Anderson, Kendall Holbrook, and Supriya Gupta. All three are leaders within the technology, business and career development spaces. They are all working on truly innovative products, research, and technological solutions to pressing problems. We could do entire episodes with each of them individually about...

Welcome to B The Way Forward: Interludes - a mini series of special episodes and conversations that stand apart from our regular season, but are just too good not to share. These days, the headlines can sometimes mostly focus on the challenges in tech - issues  like AI ethics and data breaches. But in this special conversation, taped live at Grace Hopper Celebration 2024, Brenda wanted to shift gears! Because Grace Hopper Celebration is about the belief that when used by the right people,...

Welcome to B The Way Forward: Interludes - a mini series of special episodes and conversations that stand apart from our regular season, but are just too good not to share. Last night was election night in America, and as we publish this episode today (November 6th, 2024) we can say that it was historic - but not because the US elected its first female president. Once again, the highest glass ceiling was cracked but not shattered.  Kamala Harris wasn’t the only woman on the ballot this...

The B The Way Forward team is hard at work on Season 2, premiering in December 2024. But you won't have to wait until then for more of the the honest, insightful, and inspiring conversations you’ve come to expect from this feed. Introducing B The Way Forward: Interludes - special episodes and conversations that stand apart from our regular season, but are just too good not to share. First up, two interludes focused on ways that our democracy is working at a time when many of us are scared...

Welcome to B The Way Forward: Interludes - a mini series of special episodes and conversations that stand apart from our regular season, but are just too good not to share. A lot of things probably spring to mind when you hear the words “Federal Government.” “Innovation, understanding, adoption, and regulation of new technology” is likely not one of them. More likely, citizen-facing government technology brings to mind websites that feel outdated - like something still stuck in the era of...

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by AI and digital technology expert, Suchi Srinivasan. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Suchi is extremely sought after for her expertise and knowledge and is currently managing director and partner at Boston Consulting Group. Suchi sits at the helm of the artificial intelligence space where she is passionate about using technology to solve some of the world’s most complex problems. Suchi tells...

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson talks with multi-tasker extraordinaire Trishala Pillai. Outside of Trishala’s day job as senior product manager of supply chain innovation and automation at Walmart, she also serves as a board member at AnitaB.org and a producer at the media company she founded called Jugaad Community. Together, Brenda and Trishala talk through how to bring creativity to your career and how to find new opportunities in emerging technologies....

Devshi Mehrotra and Leslie Jones-Dove join host Brenda Darden Wilkerson on this inspiring episode of “B The Way Forward.” Devshi and Leslie are the CEO and CTO, respectively, and co-founders of JusticeText, an MIT and Google-backed startup that is building technology to better improve the criminal justice system. They talk Brenda through the mission of their company – to hold law enforcement accountable and ensure that low-income criminal defendants get their chance at an equal and fair...

Host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by speaker, author, founder, and DEI advocate, Yai Vargas, in this episode of “B the Way Forward.” Yai’s big belief that “women are the heart and soul of an organization” rings true in everything she does and stands for. Yai tells Brenda about her personal journey as a woman from the Dominican Republic who immigrated to the United States at an early age and realized quickly how important it was to connect with her Latin roots. After landing what she...

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson has a powerful conversation with Susie Jaramillo, an Emmy nominated director, artist, storyteller and entrepreneur who uses the power of media to introduce diverse cultures to children. Influenced by her Venezuelan roots, Susie noticed a lack of inclusive representation in storytelling for her two young kids. According to the US Census, Gen Alpha will be the most diverse generation in history, yet they remain severely...

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” you’ll receive a master class in soft power strategies with Forbes Columnist and leadership expert, Penny Abeywardena. Penny introduces us to her new company, Soft Power Strategies, and tells host Brenda Darden Wilkerson why the use of soft power is beneficial on a variety of issues. As the former Commissioner for International Affairs of the city of New York, Penny talks about her experiences leading the agency and what it was like to serve the largest...

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” Host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by Beena Ammanath, an executive, author, advocate, AnitaB.org board member, and nonprofit founder, who aims to increase awareness on the use, risks, and benefits of artificial intelligence, all while promoting diversity in this niche tech space. Beena is the Executive Director at the Deloitte Global AI Institute, where she helps companies and businesses learn how to leverage AI in the most practical and safe ways...

In this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by Girls Who Code CEO, Tarika Barrett. Tarika took over the helm at Girls Who Code in 2021 and has been the driving force behind the nonprofit that aims to close the gender gap in technology careers by inspiring, educating and equipping students with computing skills to take on 21st century opportunities. Since Girls Who Code was launched in 2012, they have reached over 600,000 young people with their educational...

In this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson speaks with Chelsey Glasson about pregnancy discrimination in the workplace and why your voice matters. Chelsey, author of, “Black Box: A Pregnancy Discrimination Memoir,” gives us an inside look at how companies may perpetuate harassment in the workplace, and offers tools and resources to navigate these scenarios. In this conversation, Chelsey explains the pregnancy discrimination that she faced at a large tech company and...

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by Linda Kamau, Founder & Executive Director of AkiraChix, a Kenya-based company dedicated to providing training, mentorship and outreach programs to increase the number of skilled women in technology. As a champion for women in tech, Linda hopes to bring more women to the center of the growing technology ecosystem in African communities and beyond. When women come together to participate in AkiraChix programs...

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by Mariana Carvalho, a computer scientist, author, career mentor, DEI advocate and so much more. Mariana is a great example of the success that comes from networking and finding community for women in tech – She’s a Grace Hopper Celebration Scholar, a Systers Pass it On Award winner, an AnitaB.org scholarship reviewer and mentor. She’s used her successful experiences to empower other women through sisterhood, self...

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson sits down with career coach and DEI professional, Aaron Fung, to talk about balancing your personal passions with your career goals. Aaron’s career coaching business, CoachingAF, helps people find a career path that actually resonates with them. As someone who moved around jobs and industries in the past, Aaron hopes to help others feeling the same way he did – stuck or lost – to find their true passions. Brenda and Aaron...

On today’s episode of “B The Way Forward” we’re busting some common menopause myths with Dr. Mary Claire Haver. Host Brenda Darden Wilkerson sits down with Dr. Haver who not only is a board-certified OB/GYN, physician, and entrepreneur but she’s also amassed over 3 million followers on her social media platforms. Dr. Haver uses her voice as a resource for women to better understand both perimenopause and menopause symptoms and solutions for improved health. She’s also founder of the “Pause...

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson and guest Jhillika Kumar discuss her passion to empower the neurodivergent community. Jhillika’s list of accolades started at a young age including the AnitaB.org Student of Vision Award, her inspiring Ted Talk and Forbes 30 Under 30 recognition. Jhillka is the CEO and founder of Mentra, an employment network committed to matching neurodivergent individuals with employers. From a young age, Jhillika was inspired to build an...

This episode of “B The Way Forward,” explores how to take action and overcome bias with world renowned diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant, Vernā Myers. Vernā has spent over 25 years in DEI consulting, helping companies find value and focus on more inclusive environments. She tells Brenda about her early career journey – as a Harvard educated lawyer – and why she ultimately founded The Vernā Myers Company for building more inclusive and culturally competent work environments. Vernā...

In today’s digital age, there’s been a massive shift in the way we’re teaching and learning in the classroom. On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” Dr. Monica Burns, author of EdTech Essentials, joins host Brenda Darden Wilkerson to unpack the unique ways to use technology in education. Monica is an EdTech consultant and expert who started the online platform, Class Tech Tips. She helps students, teachers, administrators and parents alike learn how they can benefit from and integrate new...

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson explores what it means to be more than your job description. Our guest, Liz Fong-Jones is the perfect example of a talented tech employee who engages in workplace activism for employee rights while also excelling in her day job as an engineer. Liz began a lot of her activism while she was a site reliability engineer at Google. As a trans woman, Liz discusses the importance of workplace inclusion and why she fights so hard...

On this episode of “B The Way Forward,” host Brenda Darden Wilkerson is joined by Ruthe Farmer, activist and policymaker, who has trailblazed a path toward increasing diversity, building inclusion, and prioritizing gender equity in technology. In Ruthe’s illustrious career, she has leveraged successful and current infrastructures to promote girls’ and womens’ participation in these fields. Ruthe continues to be a champion in this space - ushering in, and supporting, a new wave of women in...