Diversity Conversations W/ Eric Ellis & Tommie Lewis

Epilepsy affects millions of people around the world, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood neurological conditions.

In this episode of Diversity Conversations, Eric Ellis welcomes author, speaker, advocate, and epilepsy awareness champion Charles McClinon for an honest conversation about living with epilepsy, recognizing the signs, navigating daily life, and choosing resilience in the face of uncertainty.

Charles shares his personal journey from childhood through diagnosis, discusses common misconceptions about epilepsy, explains why early recognition matters, and offers practical insights for individuals, families, caregivers, and communities seeking greater understanding.

Together, they also...

In this inspiring episode, Eric Ellis and Dr. Tommie Lewis welcome executive coach, speaker, and business leader Alberto Ortiz, PhD, for a conversation about leadership, purpose, education, organizational culture, and creating a meaningful legacy. 

Drawing from his personal journey, Alberto shares how discipline, passion, and lifelong learning shaped his leadership philosophy after taking on adult responsibilities at a young age. Together, the conversation explores what it truly means to lead through service, develop resilient organizations, inspire the next generation, and build cultures where people can thrive. 

Topics include: 

• Leadership through service
 ...

 In this solo episode of Diversity Conversations, Eric Ellis explores the powerful connection between character, trust, leadership, and personal growth. 

From lessons learned in sports, health, and professional leadership development, Eric shares why true leadership begins with self-awareness, accountability, and the willingness to continuously grow. He discusses the importance of psychological safety, empathic listening, belonging, inclusion, and creating workplaces where people can thrive. 

Eric also reflects on friendship, faith, discipline, emotional resilience, and the role of grace in becoming the kind of leader others trust and respect. 

Whether you're leading an organization, a team...

In this episode of Diversity Conversations, Eric Ellis and Tommie Lewis sit down with Gary Prater, Director of Business Development at Ingage Partners, for an insightful discussion about leadership, trust, relationships, workplace culture, and the power of human connection.

Gary shares the lessons that shaped him growing up in Forest Park, the influence of his mother, the importance of character, and how those experiences continue to guide his leadership philosophy today.

Together, they explore:

• Why trust is the foundation of lasting business relationships
• The difference between authentic business development and sales
• How gr...

In this episode of Diversity Conversations, Eric Ellis and Tommie Lewis welcome Amma Gatty, Founder and Executive Director of Culture Encounters, for an inspiring conversation about culture, belonging, immigration, community building, and the power of human connection.

Originally from Ghana and now based in Richmond, Virginia, Amma shares her personal journey as a newcomer to the United States and how that experience inspired her mission to build bridges across cultures through food, conversation, the arts, and community engagement.

Together, they explore:

• Why "newcomer" may be a more helpful and humanizing term than "immigrant"

 This week on Diversity Conversations, communication strategist, CEO, and author Lee Caraher joins Eric Ellis and Tommie Lewis for a powerful conversation on leadership, workplace culture, communication, trust, personal branding, and the hidden cost of toxic leadership.

Lee Caraher is the CEO of Double Forte, a national strategic communications and PR agency, and the author of:
• Millennials & Management
• The Boomerang Principle

Known as a “professional straight talker” and “the team whisperer,” Lee shares practical wisdom and deeply personal stories about building strong teams, leading with integrity, receiving difficult feedback, and creating cultures where people can th...

In this powerful episode of Diversity Conversations, Eric Ellis and Tommie Lewis sit down with Pamela Bevins-Pippin, M.A., Director of STEM Education and Soft Skills for STEM at Hampton University, for a deeply human conversation about cultural intelligence, empathy, leadership, family, and connection.

Pamela shares how caring for her older brother with cerebral palsy shaped her understanding of dignity, communication, and humanity, while also exploring why cultural intelligence goes beyond “competency” and requires humility, awareness, listening, and emotional connection.

This episode explores:
• Cultural intelligence vs. cultural competency
• Leadership through empathy and human connecti...

In this powerful episode of Diversity Conversations, Eric Ellis and Tommie Lewis sit down with Lisette Martinez Peacock, Chief EDIB Officer at the National Audubon Society, to explore leadership, belonging, cultural awareness, and the future of inclusion work in today’s rapidly changing world.

Lisette shares her personal journey growing up Puerto Rican in Detroit, the childhood experience that shaped her passion for inclusion, and the lessons she learned evolving from early DEI work into a more strategic, human-centered approach to leadership.

Together, they discuss:
• Why inclusion is about helping people feel they belong
...

In this powerful episode of Diversity Conversations, we explore why most leaders fail — and what it actually takes to fix it.

We sit down with leadership consultant and talent expert Dr. Melanie Buford to unpack one of the most misunderstood challenges in organizations today:

👉 Leadership problems are rarely technical… they’re human.

 ✨ “You can’t solve people problems with technical solutions.” — Dr. Melanie Buford 

From adaptive vs. technical challenges to the hidden cost of poor leadership, this conversation dives deep into what truly drives performance, culture, and sustainable success.

Dr. Buford share...

What if storytelling wasn’t just entertainment… but a bridge to identity, culture, and leadership? 

In this powerful episode of Diversity Conversations, we are joined by the extraordinary storyteller, oral historian, and author Wendy Shearer, who takes us on a deeply moving journey through cultural memory, resilience, and the transformative power of story. 

From her Guyanese heritage to her work preserving African and Caribbean folktales, Wendy shares how storytelling connects generations, strengthens identity, and creates spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. 

✨ In this conversation, we explore: 

What do great leaders actually do when nothing goes as planned? 

In this powerful episode of Diversity Conversations, hosts Tommie Lewis and Eric Ellis dive into the real, unfiltered side of leadership—where plans fall apart, expectations shift, and growth becomes unavoidable. 

Through honest stories and real-life moments, they explore how leaders can navigate uncertainty with clarity, resilience, and presence—without losing themselves or their teams in the process. 

💡 In this episode, you’ll learn: