Podcast
The Road to Why with Ed Christmas
Hosted by RNCN · EN
In the unprecedented times of the 2020 pandemic, Ed Christmas was challenged with the question, “What’s Your Why?”. As the founder and president of a technology firm, he questioned the reason for the digital divide and the under-representation of blacks in the field of technology and entrepreneurship.
With that, in his new podcast series, “The Road to Why”, Ed Christmas engages in meaningful conversations with fellow technology industry experts, business leaders, and non-profit organizations about making a difference, not just making a profit. He invites his guests to share their journey of deciding their “why” and where they’re headed to achieve their goals.
He highlights the positive impact that is being made in lives and communities of those who have been forgotten. It is through these discussions that Ed hopes to bring attention and awareness to the opportunities to build a brighter future of economic and digital equality in underserved communities.
The Road to Why podcast is proudly sponsored by Cisco. Sology Solutions is honored to be a member of the African American Cisco Partner Community.
To learn more about Sology and watch episodes of The Road to Why, visit https://sologysolutions.com/the-road-to-why-podcast/.
With that, in his new podcast series, “The Road to Why”, Ed Christmas engages in meaningful conversations with fellow technology industry experts, business leaders, and non-profit organizations about making a difference, not just making a profit. He invites his guests to share their journey of deciding their “why” and where they’re headed to achieve their goals.
He highlights the positive impact that is being made in lives and communities of those who have been forgotten. It is through these discussions that Ed hopes to bring attention and awareness to the opportunities to build a brighter future of economic and digital equality in underserved communities.
The Road to Why podcast is proudly sponsored by Cisco. Sology Solutions is honored to be a member of the African American Cisco Partner Community.
To learn more about Sology and watch episodes of The Road to Why, visit https://sologysolutions.com/the-road-to-why-podcast/.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Developing Platforms, Defining Purpose
Feb 2700:29:40Tap to summarizeOn this episode of The Road Why, Ed Christmas sits down with Dr. Michael Thompson, Chairman and President of Sikhona, Inc., to discuss his path in technology and software development. They talk about his journey from hands-on systems work to telecom leadership, and his experience building a growing suite of digital apps and platforms in a competitive market. Dr. Thompson also shares his perspective on creating social media spaces intended to give African Americans room to “speak truth,” a theme reflected in Sikhona’s “We Are Here” manifesto. A practical conversation about entrepreneurship, scaling software products, and lessons learned along the way.
Transcribe →Building More Than Buildings
Jan 2300:36:04Tap to summarizeMeet Nosa Ehimwenman of BOWA Construction, a Chicago-based construction management and general contracting firm known not just for the buildings they deliver, but for the communities they invest in. In this episode, Nosa shares how the name BOWA is rooted in a phrase passed down from his Nigerian ancestors — meaning to build a future — and why that idea represents something bigger than himself. The conversation explores leadership through the lens of purpose and legacy, reflecting on how family heritage, athletics, and community involvement shape a leader’s values, and why building pathways for others is just as important as professional success.
Transcribe →Public Servants Seek to Improve and Empower Dallas Districts
Apr 23, 202500:30:02Tap to summarizeMeet two outstanding leaders and public servants, Zarin Gracey and Erik Wilson, current and former Dallas City Council members, who have a shared vision to empower the communities they serve while creating equitable opportunities for the residents of Districts 3 and 8. Their personal journeys have inspired them to advocate for these districts in South Dallas to receive quality infrastructure, sustainable housing and development, economic opportunity, and educational resources.
Transcribe →Building Capacity for Black Contractors in the Marketplace
Jan 17, 202500:25:10Tap to summarizeTammy Pierce was deeply moved when she learned that only 1% of the contracts for public/private partnerships in Dallas were awarded to Black contractors, despite the fact that Black residents make up 28% of the city’s tax-paying population. This stark disparity highlighted a significant inequality in opportunities. This gave birth to her “why” and the start of United Black Contractors whose purpose is to empower and advocate for Black contractors to have access to contracts with cities, states, and counties. Her passion is to economically bolster Black males in America, because “when you build up Black men, you’re building up Black families.”
Transcribe →Unlocking Leadership and Jobs in Challenged Communities
Dec 20, 202400:27:19Tap to summarizeWil McCall and Gerald Britt of Dallas Leadership Foundation share how they are bringing people and organizations together to unlock leadership in challenged communities so families, no matter the neighborhood, can flourish. DLF also provides workforce development services including job training of the unemployed, underemployed and hard to employ, as well as training providers and prospective employers.
Transcribe →Empowering and Educating Youth to Open Doors for a Future in Technology
Jan 19, 202400:26:01Tap to summarizeGiving the next generation options, accessibility and confidence” is what drives Courtney Batiste to lead The Batiste Project whose mission is to empower, educate and bridge the tech divide for economically challenged youth in multiple areas of technology. Her journey as a woman of color in the field of technology has led her to do great things that are making a difference in the lives of students today, that will open doors for them tomorrow.
Transcribe →Reaching Out and Reaching Back to Pull Up the Next Generation
Jan 11, 202400:24:24Tap to summarizeMeet Johannes Starks – educator, mentor and leader who is full of wisdom and energy to reach out and reach back to pull up the next generation, by providing opportunities through her work with STEAM-based programs and organizations. She serves in many roles to live out her “why” to connect passion and purpose. She is the Executive Director of BEST of Texas Robotics; she volunteers as a statewide mentor for NASA HUNCH (High schoolers United with NASA to Create Hardware), and she serves as a college and career readiness Leadership Coach for Educate Texas.
Transcribe →Championing Diversity and the Success of WBE/MBEs in the Public Transportation Sector
Jan 3, 202400:28:05Tap to summarizeGabriel Beltran of Dallas Area Rapid Transportation shares his journey of living out his desire to help others by serving in the public sector, supporting women and minority-owned businesses, as an executive in the Diversity & Vendor Management department.
Transcribe →Woman-owned business walks the talk for diversity and bridging the digital gap
Oct 11, 202300:20:26Tap to summarize“We walk the talk.”—Tomeka Herod, President, of The Wilkins Group, a multi-generation, woman-owned telecommunications company committed to closing the digital divide by placing fiber in cities throughout the United States. Tomeka and her team show respect and care by employing the hard-to-employ, providing STEM education to young people in the community and developing minorities in their technology careers.
Transcribe →Increasing the Representation and Participation of Black people in Technology
Sep 11, 202300:27:40Tap to summarize“I’ve found my why. I have to do this.” -- Peter Beasley of Blacks United in Leading Technology International. As Executive Director of BUILT, Peter shares how his organization is building equity for Blacks in the technology industry through community-focused activities, events and programs. BUILT places an emphasis on their efforts being a united movement, and partners with organizations representing all ethnicities who act as investors to support their work.
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