We’re back, legends! Workplace Worldwide is our refreshed format of Workplace Weekly — bringing you deep dives, news and interviews from workplaces and workers rights efforts, globally. On this episode we bring you Part One of our interview with Wilma De Soto, who discusses her perspectives and experiences on diversity, equity and inclusion as an advocate and activist, and the impacts of systemic failings of DE&I initiatives over decades — particularly on Black people in the United States. The conversation is robust and direct, and something we think any person interested in race, discrimination and our working lives, should hear.

Learn More About Wilma:

Wilma De Soto is a retired ESL teacher from the School District of Philadelphia. Wilma has been on the Board of Directors of The Badass Teachers Association (BATs) since 2017 and a member of BATs Quality of Work Life Team - read more about BATs and their mission. Wilma holds degrees from Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music and La Salle University. She co-authored two national research surveys in conjunction with BATs and the AFT on Workplace Conditions for Teachers and Teacher Job Stress. In 2015, she presented survey data to the Secretary of the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. and has presented at several conferences on Quality of Work Life for Teachers. Wilma also currently serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) on the board for the National Workplace Bullying Coalition (NWBC), an organisation dedicated to eliminating bullying from the American workplace through education, conversation, and legislation. Read more about NWBC, and be sure to follow them on Instagram and Twitter, to support their important work.

Production Credits

Workplace Worldwide is produced by Kate Bailey and the team Hand & Heart Media. For any enquiries related to this broadcast, please email: hq@handandheart.eu and don’t forget to follow us on the ‘gram @handandheart.eu.

Original music is composed and performed by AMUNDA, and produced by AMUNDA with Kyle Startup (Instagram). You can follow AMUNDA and Kyle Start on Instagram or listen to their music on Spotify, Apple or Soundcloud. If you love AMUNDA’s music, please consider buying it directly from BandCamp. Support indie, always.

Our artwork was created by Nix Renton, a fantastic photographer and graphic designer, and you can find them online if you’re in need of either service.

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