Diversonomics

A Discussion with Rawlson King: Exploring Ottawa’s Anti-Racism Strategy and the Importance of Civic Engagement

We are excited to share that Diversonomics is back with our hosts Phedely Ariste and Gladys Osien. In the first episode of this season, Ottawa City Councillor Rawlson King joins our co-hosts for an engaging discussion about the City’s first Anti-Racism Strategy approved by Ottawa City Council in 2022. The conversation focuses on the grassroots efforts to develop and implement the strategy, the importance of civic engagement and the collective ability to advocate for meaningful change. King is Ottawa’s first Black city councillor and is the liaison for the City’s Anti-Racism and Ethnocultural Relations initiatives. A strong believer in public service, King previously served as president of the Overbrook Community Association and was the first co-chair of the Ottawa Police Service Community Equity Council.

The importance of intentionally claiming your agency

After a brief hiatus, we’re excited to share that Diversonomics is back . On the premiere episode of season six, Gladys and Phedely are in conversation with Raphael Tachie, current president of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) and head of Gowling WLG's Private Client Services team in Vancouver. On the premiere episode of season six, Gladys and Phedely are in conversation with Raphael Tachie, current president of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL) and head of Gowling WLG's Private Client Services team in Vancouver. Together, they discuss the importance of claiming one’s agency, the value of legal mentorship/sponsorship, and reflect on what is required to achieve success in the profession – particularly from the perspectives of people of colour.

504 The long game: Alternative ways to entrench diversity & inclusion in the workplace

Repeatedly, we hear the terms diversity and inclusion (D&I) thrown around within the context of initiatives to be undertaken within organizations to improve work culture and client service. Nevertheless, herein lies the problem: initiatives are only meant to be short-term and D&I requires far more than a short-term fix. In this episode of Diversonomics, our hosts Roberto Aburto and Cindy Kou have a very insightful discussion with former in-house counsel turned chief legal officer, Naveen Mehta. Together, they delve into the common pitfalls organizations face when trying to prioritize diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and new ways in which employers can think of and approach D&I for long-term, sustainable change.

502 Holding space: A new era of mindfulness in Indigenous allyship

Sometimes, doing the right thing is not always easy… and for many people, becoming an ally to a marginalized or systematically oppressed population is just that – the right thing, but far from easy. Many questions can begin to surface, such as: Where do I start? What if I say or do the wrong thing? I don’t have a personal tie to this particular marginalized community, so how can I really help? These are the questions that can keep potential allies up at night. On this week’s episode of Diversonomics, our co-hosts are joined by Gowling WLG associate lawyer Alyssa Flaherty-Spence. Alyssa shares the pros and pressures of being an Indigenous lawyer in big law, tips on how to effectively create and hold space for meaningful Indigenous representation within the legal space, and what all Canadians can do to dismantle the status quo when it comes to the mistreatment and underrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

503 Solving for X: The problematic advancement equation for Black people in the workplace

How do we achieve a justice system that provides equal and fair representation without discrimination, especially for Black people and people of colour? Some might say that one way to get to a just society is through diverse and dedicated lawyers working at their best. In this episode, we hear from Charlene Theodore, in-house counsel at the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, and the Ontario Bar Association’s first Black president (and first “pandemic” president too!). Charlene candidly discusses her experiences as a Black female lawyer in Canada and sheds light on her forward thinking initiatives “Work that Works” and “Not Another Decade,” aimed at reimagining workplaces from an equity and diversity framework.