Episode 42

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Published on:

19th Mar 2024

Owning Your Narrative With Dr. Aerial M. Ellis

In this episode of Communicate Like You Give A Damn with Kim Clark, Dr. Aerial M. Ellis,  a highly respected speaker, consultant, and coach, delves into the pivotal role of communicators in navigating the complexities of today's world, particularly 2024. Amidst the chaos and misinformation, together they explore the importance of storytellers owning their narratives, especially those from vulnerable populations. From addressing denial and systematic biases to fostering inclusive decision-making and embracing differences, communicators are urged to become true leaders in driving positive change. Dr. Aerial and Kim further discuss the necessity for open and honest dialogues, courageous conversations, and meaningful actions to bridge gaps and build psychological safety. Lastly, they emphasize the ongoing journey of discovery, acknowledging that meaningful progress requires dedication, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. Join us as we uncover how communicators can rise above mediocrity to shape a more inclusive and equitable future.

About The Guest:

Dr. Aerial Ellis is a highly respected speaker, consultant, and coach renowned for her expertise in transforming culture, improving diversity, enhancing communication, and driving innovation. With a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), she has led initiatives for prestigious clients including Microsoft, AIG, and the University of Alabama, among others. Dr. Ellis is also recognized for her leadership development work with organizations such as the Society for Human Resource Management and the US Army Corps of Engineers. As a communications leader and two-time PR agency owner, she brings extensive experience in change management, cultural competency, and brand development. Dr. Ellis holds a Global Executive Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern California and certifications in workforce diversity and inclusion from UCLA and the National Organization for Workforce Diversity. A native of Memphis, she earned her bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University and a master's degree from Middle Tennessee State University in communication and journalism.

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About Kim:

Kim Clark (she/her) focuses her work on the communicator and content creator's role in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She is the co-author of The Conscious Communicator: The fine art of not saying stupid sh*t, an Amazon #1 bestseller and the leading voice for DEI communications and social justice messaging for brands.

She speaks at conferences, writes custom workshops, writes inclusive communications guides, and consults with companies on all things related to diversity, equity, and inclusion communications. Kim is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a cisgender woman, Native American (Muscogee Nation) and a mom of two kids with disabilities. These marginalized identities and the privileges that come with society seeing her as White motivate her daily for social change.

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About the Podcast

Communicate Like You Give A Damn
Welcome to Communicate Like You Give A Damn, where we dive deep into the world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and explore how communicators can effectively incorporate these principles into their strategies. We firmly believe that by positioning our companies well on social justice topics and adopting a DEI lens, we play a crucial role in the success of DEI initiatives within our organizations.

Your host, Kim Clark is not only a dynamic speaker and consultant but also a co-author of the Amazon number one bestseller, "The Conscious Communicator: The Fine Art of Not Saying Stupid Shit." While the title may make you think there will be plenty of swearing, it actually reflects our passion for helping communicators understand and apply diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles in their daily work.

Language, communication, engagement, and a compelling vision are the foundation of DEI, and that's what we'll be focusing on. It's time to move beyond performative communication and level up our approach to truly make a difference. Each episode, we bring you incredible guests who will share their personal stories and professional approaches, offering valuable insights and strategies to help us all become conscious communicators. Get ready to take notes because every episode contains a powerful message that will create a shift in your perspective.

Language leads to behavior so it's time to step up, communicate like You Give a Damn, and build a vibrant community of conscious communicators.

About your host

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Kim Clark

Kim Clark (she/her) works with leaders and communicators who are serious about learning and applying Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to build strong teams and organizations.

She is the co-author of The Conscious Communicator: The fine art of not saying stupid sh*t, an Amazon #1 bestseller that features The DEPTH Model (TM). DEPTH is a strategic and proactive positional framework to guide organizations on DEI and social topics and messaging.

Her career spans documentary filmmaking, agency partnerships with the Discovery Channel, teaching at San Jose State University, and leading global internal communication teams at KLA, PayPal, GoDaddy, and GitHub. She is known for her ability to facilitate sensitive yet urgent conversations to make meaningful progress in creating inclusive workplaces.

She speaks at conferences, designs custom workshops, writes inclusive communications guides, and consults with leaders and companies on all things related to diversity, equity, and inclusion communications.