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Welcome to Inclusion Bites, your sanctuary for bold conversations that spark change. I'm Joanne Lockwood, your guide on this journey of exploration into the heart of inclusion, belonging and societal transformation. Ever wondered what it truly takes to create a world? Remember, everyone not only belongs, but thrives. You're not alone. Join me as we uncover the unseen, challenge the status quo and share storeys that resonate deep within. Ready to dive in? Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or winding down after a long day, let's connect, reflect and inspire action together. Don't forget, you can be part of the conversation too. Reach out to jo.lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk to share your insights or to join me on the show.

So adjust your earbuds and settle in. It's time to ignite the spark of inclusion with Inclusion Bites.

And today is episode 190 with the title Leadership, Learning and Belonging. And I have the absolute honour and Privilege to welcome Dr. Cedric Howard. Cedric is a higher educational thought leader and financial empowerment advocate who is dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty through inclusive leadership and real world impact. And when I asked Cedric to describe his superpower, he said that it is translating complex policy into everyday storeys that inspire actionable change. Hello, Cedric. Welcome to the show.

Thank you. I'm honoured to be here. Looking forward to the conversation.

Absolute pleasure. So we were chatting in the green room just before we went live and I think you said you were in North America at some place.

Yes, you talk about sleepless in Seattle. I'm in the wonderful city of Seattle.

Seattle. And I guessed this correctly, so this is not cheating. I guessed it was in Washington state and I just.

Yes, we're nested between California, Oregon and British Columbia, Canada.

So I get. I've been to New York a few times, I've been to Miami a few times, I've been to San Diego, San Francisco and L.A. What's the Seattle culture like as a state? Or do you have an identity?

Yes, we have what is called Seattle. Nice. It is the place everyone likes to come to when they enjoy moderate weather because it's pretty much between 40 and 70 year round. A hot day for us is like 72. Not a lot of snow, especially on the i5 corridor door. But it's the place you come when you want to just relax, chill, get you a cup of. Of coffee. Of course, you know we're known for being the home for a famous coffee place that shall remain nameless.

Yes, of course, but. Of course, but no, it is a place that I have Grown to love, in part because it is a place where your identity and who you are as a person is accepted. And our neighbourhood. I grew up in the southern part of the United States where race was an issue, either things were black or white, and where you went, you knew based upon your ethnic makeup here, whether. Whether you are straight, gay, black, white, however you decide to identify is well embraced and welcome, in part because the Pacific Northwest community is one that looks at inclusion as an asset and we embrace it. If you were to go into my neighbourhood, or you were to go into my place of business, where my office is located, I mean, sometimes people refer to it as United nations because you may hear two or three different languages just as you're entering the door or you're playing outside with the kids.

Pacific Northwest, I've heard that term. I never really associated that with a geographical language location. But, yeah, obvious, isn't it? You're on the Pacific and you're in the Northwest. So, yeah, you mentioned the i5. I didn't realise it went all that way up. It goes all the way from basically Mexico all the way through, up to Washington State then, does it?

That is certainly the case. Certainly the case. Unfortunately. You know, one of the, I would say the liabilities of being in the Pacific Northwest is because it's so green, we have a lot of allergies that are blooming during this time of season. So we have to adjust and adapt from that perspective. Other than that, that's the worst we have to deal with here.