Breaking Down Doors and Holding Them Open: An Inside Look at Finding and Placing Talent During the Great ReShuffle

Candid conversations about the DE&I movement happening in the US job market. Driving Change From the Inside — pilot cycle, is a multi-media series produced in partnership with Digital Content Next, featuring senior leaders from NASA, NPR, Robin Hood Foundation, and Havas Group.

Curiosity Lab created this series to elevate the voices of the leaders fighting for underrepresented talent, and to give a window into what’s possible for the diverse talent of our future. Scroll to the end of this transcript to watch highlights from our conversation.

Interview by Michael A. Tennant — Creative Direction by Caroline Bel-Kher
Illustrations by Rebecca Ustrell — Video Direction by Jace

Julianna: My name is Julianna Akuamoah.

Michael: Julianna, let’s start with a few warm-up questions. When do you feel most secure?

Julianna: I feel most secure when I can be vulnerable. When I can be my complete self. Where I don’t have to explain myself. Where there are people who get me. Having people around or being surrounded by people who know me, where I’m coming from, know my tone of voice, and just kind of get those shorthand signals. I feel very comfortable in those environments.

Michael: What cultural or moral values do you hold in high regard, and why?

Julianna: If I can just find one word, it would be “honesty.” Being able to be true to what you feel in a moment. As we’re talking to people, can we have honest conversations with real candor? With real truth about what’s in your heart. What might be bothering you. What the issue is at hand. And how do you really feel about it, rather than trying to make nice about it. I think there’s a lot of value in…