In this episode, my host Diane Little and I, have a discussion about running for school board as service to every single child, with Anita Galiano. Anita shares with her how her parents' unique sense of family and community--three generations of educators--along with being raised on a reservation in Nebraska and South Dakota informs her sense of family, community, work, and everything she does. She uses this sense of community to face the DEI attacks on the school board in her predominantly white community--standing for every single child, "ruthlessly and relentlessly."

This week, our guest is Anita Williams Galiano who is a seasoned professional in executive operations and strategic development, with a specialty in healthcare technology and international supply chain management at Johnson & Johnson. An alumna of the University of Iowa, her BA in Communication, focusing on Organizational Design, underpins her success in strategic facilitation, fundraising, and project management. Anita's deep-rooted commitment to community building is inspired by her family's legacy in education and conservation, including her mother Harriette, a fourth-generation educator, and her father Rufus, a dedicated soil conservationist. Spending more time in the public and non-profit sectors in recent years, Anita was recently named the Interim Executive Director of the Stoutsburg Sourland African America Museum as well as serving a second term on her local school board.

Resources:
Anita Galiano's email: awilliamsgaliano@ssamu.org
Stoutsbug Sourland African American Museum website

Originally recorded on July 3, 2024

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In this episode, Diane Little and Dr. Rita interview a pioneer of public service in North Carolina Surluta Anthony was the first Black woman elected to Monroe City Council—despite Monroe has a majority Black population. Now elected for the third turn, Ms. Anthony provides valuable insights and advice on what it means to be in public service and how to do it well. Miss Anthony shares how she ran for office to “be at the table” of decision-making and how she stayed through her principles of “Service before self’ along with a great dose of courage and political savviness. She was influenced by Robert F. Williams’ activism, also a local to Monroe. She speaks about how she thrived in public service, how it’s her purpose, how she found that out and how she brought DEI work to Monroe.

A personal favorite: she shared what is missing from our current discourse on public service: feeling valued and capable of making a difference.

Surluta Belton Anthony was born October 4, 1947 at home on Winchester Ave to educators Dr. Edward and Mrs. Christine Belton. She had a happy nurturing childhood in a Christian, socially and civic aware household. She talked early and read well at four. She had an early love of community fostered by her parents. She attended the segregated Winchester Ave School from first to twelfth grades , serving as class President in the sixth, eighth, tenth and twelfth grades. Her leadership skills extended to North Carolina Central University where she was president of the Annie Day Shepherd Freshman Women’s Dorm and representative to student government. Surluta is a graduate of Anson Community College, Pfeiffer University and the Sure Theological Institute.

Taking office in 2013, Surluta was the first Black woman elected to Monroe City Council; she is currently serving her third term.

Resources:
Surluta Anthony's email: sulutaanthony@gmail.com

Originally recorded on June 25, 2024.

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My co-host Diane Little and I interview our guest who speaks about how his large-scale activism started from small acts of kindness: first as a seed investor for a expungement firm and then as a resident of a changing neighborhood in North Carolina. As a white resident of a predominantly Black neighborhood he used his professional and investment skills to counter the gentrification process across two communities.

Jason Groenewold joined the Board of Directors of ARISE (All Redeeming Incarcerated Souls of Esteem) because he is committed to a world that is harmonious and just, where all delight in the wonder and miracle of life.

For returning citizens, the transition home is often filled with challenges and adversity. Jason was inspired by the mission of ARISE to support men in successfully reintegrating to society and restoring relationships with their family and community.

Jason currently lives in Charlotte, NC and is a commercial real estate developer and entrepreneur. He previously led solar development for one of the largest Investor Owned Utilities in the United States. During his time in renewable energy development, he was directly responsible for over $1B of capital being invested in wind and solar projects.

Earlier in his career, Jason co-founded the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah and served as its Executive Director for eight years. Among other accomplishments, HEAL Utah prevented the nation's nuclear waste from being disposed of on a small, impoverished Native American reservation outside of Salt Lake City. Afterward, Jason enrolled at the University of Utah where he obtained his law degree and M.B.A.

Resources:

Jason's Email: jason.groenewold@gmail.com
Countries who remove right to vote list.

States who remove right to vote list.

Article about nuclear testing:

Rasa's website

ARISE All Redeeming Incarcerated Souls of Esteem website

Originally recorded on May 20, 2024.

Support the Show.

To recomend a guest contact us at: media@FierroConsultingllc.com
To support Collective Power join our Patreon