sW4H 41 | D. Michelle Thompson You Belong
Guests: D. Michelle Thompson
Ministry/Business: You Belong Podcast; Courageous Love at Work
How do you create a workplace culture that is truly diverse, inclusive, and equitable? Business leaders wrestle with this question every day. Today’s guest, D. Michelle Thompson, has worked for top advertising agencies and consumer packaged goods companies, negotiating budgets of hundreds of millions and even billions of dollars. Her work facilitating sales and marketing training for Middle Eastern Executives in Dubai made her realize everyone has their own “belong” story. This led to the launch of the You Belong Podcast and Courageous Love at Work, a place where conversations on racial equity in the work world can happen.
This journey started when D. Michelle realized she was often the only woman or person of color (or both) in a meeting. The You Belong Podcast came from hearing the constant whisper from the Lord saying, “You belong.” On that podcast, D. Michelle interviews people who share their stories of shifting from thinking they belong to their company and the world to realizing they belong to God and His Kingdom. Courageous Love at Work got its start by pairing a white man and an African American man together for eight weeks, during which the white man focused on listening. It has evolved into monthly conversations where people can be challenged to go deeper in their empathy for others. Participants explore what it looks like to truly walk in each other’s shoes and share power equitably. The goal is the unity Jesus talked about in John 17:21, that we may all be one, just as Jesus and the Father are one. D. Michelle sees her position as divinely orchestrated, allowing her to create safe places to have conversations around racial reconciliation and identity.
Resources from today’s show:
Be sure to tune in to the You Belong Podcast to hear more incredible wisdom from D. Michelle! Then, we encourage you to check out Courageous Love at Work. Watching today’s show on YouTube? Pop over to D. Michelle’s YouTube Channel! Finally, D. Michelle is one of the speakers for this year’s Boldly Conference, a faith + work conference by women for women happening on Friday, October 21st, 2022, live in Dallas or by live stream anywhere! Get your tickets today!
We also invite you to explore more great workplace resources: At Work On Purpose and the Nehemiah Project.
Encouraged or motivated by today’s show? Connect with us more at sheWorks4Him.com or tag @sheWorks4Him on Facebook or Instagram with your story! You can also leave a comment or submit a question to 866-713-9675 that’s 866-713-WORK. Quarterly we will answer questions from YOU, so fill up the listener line with your thoughts and questions!