Ensuring Racial Equity in America: Insights from Portia Allen Kyle
In this episode of the Project Good Podcast, host Annmarie Hylton discusses ensuring racial equity in America with Portia Allen Kyle, the interim executive director of Color of Change. They explore the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election, systemic racism in different sectors like criminal justice, healthcare, and education, and the rollback of DEI initiatives under the new administration. Portia, who has a rich ...
Ensuring Racial Equity in America: Insights from Portia Allen Kyle
In this episode of the Project Good Podcast, host Annmarie Hylton discusses ensuring racial equity in America with Portia Allen Kyle, the interim executive director of Color of Change. They explore the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election, systemic racism in different sectors like criminal justice, healthcare, and education, and the rollback of DEI initiatives under the new administration. Portia, who has a rich history in civil rights and racial equity, shares her experiences and insights on the importance of narrative, organizing, and building power to drive change. She emphasizes the role of joy in activism, the need for tangible solutions, and how Color of Change is tackling significant issues like corporate accountability, tech regulations, and tax reforms. The episode concludes with Portia's call to action, urging individuals to find their community, take collective action, and maintain hope in the fight for racial justice.
00:00 Introduction to Project Good Podcast
00:26 Current State of Racial Equity in America
01:31 Interview with Portia Allen Kyle
03:19 Challenges and Solutions for Racial Justice
06:24 Portia's Personal Journey and Motivation
16:35 The Role of DEI and Corporate Accountability
25:52 Strategies for Building Power and Organizing
38:58 Color of Change's Focus and Initiatives
50:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Speaker Bio:
Portia Allen-Kyle is the Interim Executive Director of Color Of Change, a digital-first organization powered by millions of members nationwide leveraging campaigns, organizing, and narrative pressure against government and corporations to act on real solutions for racial justice. In this capacity, she leads the organization’s strategic advocacy and day-to-day operations.
She previously served as a Biden-Harris Administration appointee as Senior Advisor for Equity, Policy, and Stakeholder Engagement in the Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Transportation under Secretary Pete Buttigieg. For over 15 years, Portia has spent her career advancing civil rights and civil liberties through a lens of racial equity by crafting innovative policy reports and solutions, building and supporting coalitions, and implementing legislative and stakeholder engagement strategies. She is also the author of Advice to Thrive By: How to Use Your Resume and Cover Letter to Build Your Brand and Launch A Dynamic Public Interest Career, a book aiming to demystify public interest career trajectories for law students and young attorneys. She earned her J.D. from Rutgers Law School, her M.A. in African American Studies from Columbia University, and her B.A. in Africana Studies and Economics from Wellesley College. Portia has been featured as a speaker or quoted in print by outlets including the Washington Post, Bloomberg Law, NBC News, Associated Press, Semafor, and more.
Connect with us:
- Subscribe to the Project Good Work Blog to read the article version of the interview.
- If you have a passion for an unserved community, a social justice problem or want to change minds contact Project Good Work at www.ProjectGood.Work to start your project of change today.
