We’ve reached the end of an incredible first season of ReImagining Community! In this special finale, Garland Fuller and Marissa Garza look back on the moments that shaped the season, the conversations that challenged and inspired us, and the powerful ways our community is growing.

More than just a recap, this episode is about honoring the stories, connections, and impact that have come from building this space together.

🔥 Kicking Things Off (00:01:07)
Garland and Marissa reflect on what it took to launch this podcast, the energy behind each episode, and the deep sense of purpose fueling this work.

🌟 Season Highlights
A look back at the moments that sparked big ideas, new perspectives, and real action—from leadership lessons to the power of storytelling in community building.

💡 Lessons from Our Guests
We revisit key takeaways on cultural intelligence, navigating change, and balancing personal and professional growth.

💭 Personal Growth & Big Reflections
Garland and Marissa open up about how this season has shaped their own understanding of leadership, creativity, and the evolving nature of community work.

🚀 Looking Ahead to Season 2
What’s next? We’re building on this momentum with fresh conversations, deeper engagement, and even more ways for you to be part of the journey.

🎶 Season Playlist Drop
Here's a playlist of all of the songs that moved and inspired our guests this season: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/74GIZUo0A7R0atmcPmvEz7?si=R6XQu5hqTZ-jN_WuH5uv1g

📩 Join the Movement

• Be part of the Community Impact Collective—a space for changemakers building lasting impact. https://communityimpactcollective.mn.co/
• Subscribe to Garland's newsletter for insights on leadership, strategy, and community-driven action. https://prodigious-designer-8603.kit.com/2998145cf6

💬 Your Turn: What Stuck With You?
What moments from Season 1 resonated most with you? Let us know—we’d love to hear your takeaways!

To every listener, guest, and supporter—thank you. This podcast is about reimagining what’s possible when we come together with intention, and we’re just getting started. See you in Season 2!

In this episode of ReImagining Community, host Garland Fuller sits down with diversity, equity, and inclusion expert Farzana Nayani for a conversation that’s equal parts insightful and action-driven. Farzana shares her journey into human-centered consulting, breaking down how personal growth fuels impactful leadership. They explore the Know-Heal-Lead model, the power of empathetic leadership, and why psychological safety is non-negotiable in today’s workplaces. From self-awareness to building trust, this episode is packed with real talk on what it takes to create meaningful change. Farzana also dives into her books and the transformative work she’s leading—don’t miss this one!

Connect with Garland: https://prodigious-designer-8603.kit.com/2998145cf6

Follow Farzana’s work at FarzanaNayani.com

00:00 "Empathetic DEI Consulting Practice"

03:46 Reimagining Community and Personal Growth

07:51 "Understanding Yourself Model Unveiled"

09:31 "Self-Heal to Lead Others"

14:23 "Authentic, Empathetic Leadership Needed"

16:36 "Advocating for Compassionate Workplaces"

20:49 "Rebuilding Relationships Through Empathy"

25:31 "Values and Corporate Responsibility"

27:18 Mindful Leadership and Active Listening

31:31 Instinctual Leadership and Intuition

33:09 Embrace Failure, Trust Decisions

37:17 Prioritizing Trust and Safety

39:31 "Empowering Networks & Multicultural Insights"

Welcome back to ReImagining Community, the podcast where we highlight the Black and Brown changemakers shaping our communities through bold ideas, collaboration, and intentional action. Your host, Garland Fuller, is here to bring you powerful conversations that inspire action and impact.

This week, we’re sitting down with Ronda Jackson—a powerhouse entrepreneur, community builder, and advocate for personal and professional transformation. From her roots in Chicago to the creation of Paint On Purpose and her impactful third Saturday events, Ronda shares the lessons and insights that fuel her journey. She unpacks the realities of entrepreneurship, diving into her book Stay the Course: Surviving the Nine Hellish Holes of Entrepreneurship, and offers actionable wisdom on mindfulness, resilience, and building community.

In this episode, we explore:

00:00 Welcome to ReImagining Community

01:03 Meet Ronda: The Journey Behind the Name

03:55 The Birth of Paint On Purpose

07:40 Supporting Entrepreneurs & Business Owners

10:50 Why Community & Collaboration Matter

14:52 Personal Growth and Ronda’s ‘No H’ Mantra

16:35 Writing Stay the Course & Entrepreneurial Survival

20:08 Balancing Motherhood and Leadership

24:50 Reimagining Community and Philanthropy

27:53 Closing Thoughts & Next Steps

Ronda’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, purpose, and people. If you’ve ever questioned your ability to stay the course, this episode will give you the encouragement and tools to move forward with confidence.

📌 Stay Connected:

🎙️ Subscribe to ReImagining Community for more transformative conversations

📩 Connect with your host, Garland Fuller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garlandfuller/

🙌 Get to know Ronda and her work: http://linktr.ee/inthemixinc.org

🔥 Ready to build something bigger than yourself? Let’s reimagine community, together.