Todd B. Waldo travels to Petersburg Virginia for a conversation with Yewande Austin.   They talk about the impact this year has had on their professional and personal lives. And Yewande shares insight from her work across continents to help us understand what is possible for our communities in America.

From MTV to the historic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dr. Yewande Austin’s socially charged music has taken center stage with musical icons from the Black Eyed Peas to Maroon 5, but it is her work as a lecturer, social activist and honorary U. S. Cultural Ambassador that has become her greatest achievement. Recognized as an expert in innovative leadership, diversity and inclusion, social impact and international development, her work has reached over 250,000 people in 30 countries including 23 nations across the continent of Africa. Dr. Austin was recently crowned as a Chief of the Obosi Kingdom in Anambra, Nigeria for her dedication to the African diaspora. Conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism from Stanford University, this award-winning TED speaker has also been recognized as a 2017 President Barack Obama Lifetime Achievement Award and 2018 African Global Chamber of Commerce Award honoree. She has been honored to serve as a 2019 American Heart Association Ambassador and was most recently named a 2020 CNBC “Rising Woman” – one of thirty-five women who are shaping the future of Africa through international development.

The spotlight for this episode is Change International that is leading the fight for gender equality. Equal opportunity. Equal compensation. Equal education, housing and healthcare. These are fundamental human rights that are denied to over 70% of girls and women across the globe. 131 million girls don't have access to education. Women account for over 50% of the global workforce, but earn up to 40% less than men. These disparities leave girls and women 10x more vulnerable to abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking and a lifetime of poverty. Change International’s humanitarian organization has empowered over 250,000 vulnerable women, children and human development professionals in 30 countries across North and South America, Europe including 23 African nations. Their empowerment curriculum teaches participants innovative methods that promote economic and social freedom. Through creative and evidence-based methods, Change International's education, leadership and capacity building programs are restoring the voices that have been silenced by poverty and oppression. When you empower women, you change the world! Learn more at changeinternational.org

40 Lessons is a podcast about the lessons we've learned about family, career, community and the lessons we are still learning.

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