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Today's episode is a special "Black History Month" Simply Tech LIVE interview, produced this time, by my co-host, Ali Mazaheri, and featuring our guests, Sonya Weaver-Johnson: Director of Sales for Healthcare and Life Sciences at Microsoft, and Celeste Alleyne, Director of Executive Engagements for Content Operations & Corporate Events.

We visit topics across the episode ranging from the very idea of Technology for Good and what that means, to the power of community and culture transformation in large organizations, to how to build communities - however that may need to come about, whether in organization or in your local community. Both Sonya and Celeste really bring an incredible energy that you'll feel in the discussion, I'm proud to be connected to these two women, and so happy that we can share some of their perspective with you today.  

***Navigate the episode***

[06:19] Sonya & Celeste describe their current roles at Microsoft, and their journey into big-tech 

[10:12] A description of what “Technology for Good” actually means, as a focus area for business 

[12:40] The Global Skills Initiative, and the impact that skilling can have on the digital divide as exacerbated by the global pandemic 

[14:48] Sonya’s opportunity to be part of Nasdaq’s closing bell ceremony, to kick off Black History Month 

[15:23] The Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) employee resource group, and the foundations of its mission oriented pillars 

[17:50] National Ambassador Councils, and how assembling people within distinct communities can generate lasting change and impact at scale 

[20:18] The new Empathy in Action initiative at Microsoft in response to needed culture change, and Celeste’s visit with Brian Stevenson from the Equal Justice Initiative 

[22:14] The most critical components in building successful communities 

[25:10] What both Celeste and Sonya both wish they knew Ten years ago coming into their career 

[28:06] Guidance on how organizations can approach using technology or business for good 

[29:49] Q&A: The difference between a mentor and a sponsor 

***Resources and Links***

Sonia Weaver-Johnson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonyaweaverjohnson/ 

Celeste Alleyne on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/celeste-alleyne-9b9bab2/ 

Global Skills Initiative - https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2020/06/30/microsoft-launches-initiative-to-help-25-million-people-worldwide-acquire-the-digital-skills-needed-in-a-covid-19-economy/  

The Microsoft Accelerate Program - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/us-partner-blog/2020/12/08/a-new-program-to-level-the-playing-field-microsoft-accelerate/  

Equal Justice Initiative - https://eji.org/