1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,240 Speaker 1: But my absolutely favorite part, and this says a lot 2 00:00:04,280 --> 00:00:08,600 Speaker 1: about me, is when you're sitting at that light and 3 00:00:08,760 --> 00:00:13,560 Speaker 1: you push that pedal like turns green. It is gone, 4 00:00:14,200 --> 00:00:20,279 Speaker 1: like it is absolutely fair fanastic, and it's like that 5 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:23,920 Speaker 1: feeling is great. And then you get that like not 6 00:00:23,960 --> 00:00:26,720 Speaker 1: only the vehicle's just gone, you're not waiting to accelerate, 7 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 1: you don't have to worry about it. But it's silent. 8 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:35,360 Speaker 1: It's quiet. Now why do I love that? Because I 9 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:39,080 Speaker 1: love music right, Like I don't want it to turn 10 00:00:39,159 --> 00:00:41,160 Speaker 1: up my music just because I'm on the highway. 11 00:00:41,479 --> 00:00:43,960 Speaker 2: I'm Will Lucas and this is black tach, green money. 12 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:47,960 Speaker 2: Telvia Magrude is a Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer 13 00:00:48,040 --> 00:00:50,400 Speaker 2: at General Motors and to spent more than twenty eight 14 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 2: years at the company, having started as an engineer. Today, 15 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 2: she's focused on weaving DEI into the very fabric of 16 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 2: the company, working in partnership with internal and external leaders 17 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:05,319 Speaker 2: to champion the broad and diverse warforce they have. On 18 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:09,959 Speaker 2: this episode, recorded at twenty twenty two's Afrotech conference in Austin, Texas, 19 00:01:10,319 --> 00:01:14,080 Speaker 2: Telvi speaks with Blavity's co founder and COO, Jeff Nelson 20 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 2: about corporate commitments to DEI electric vehicles and why black 21 00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:19,679 Speaker 2: people should care about the future. 22 00:01:19,760 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 3: Ev I'm really excited about this. 23 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 4: We are talking about electric cars and why black people 24 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:27,119 Speaker 4: should care. 25 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:30,960 Speaker 3: That's right, right, And Telba, it's a pleasure to have 26 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:32,920 Speaker 3: you here. How are you? 27 00:01:33,240 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 1: I'm great? 28 00:01:33,920 --> 00:01:34,280 Speaker 3: I am. 29 00:01:34,520 --> 00:01:36,280 Speaker 1: I can't even say how happy I am to be 30 00:01:36,319 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 1: here with all of you in Austin, but more specifically 31 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 1: here at Aprotech. 32 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 4: That's wonderful and so I want to dive right into it. 33 00:01:45,000 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 4: So you are the Chieese Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer 34 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:52,320 Speaker 4: at General Motors. 35 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:55,680 Speaker 3: Okay, now that's my day Ja, that's your day job. 36 00:01:55,760 --> 00:01:55,960 Speaker 1: Right. 37 00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 3: GM is a car company, So I'm curious. 38 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 4: We're going to talk about why black people we should 39 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 4: care about electric vehicles, But first let's talk about why 40 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 4: GM cares about diversity, right? 41 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 3: Why is that importance to a car company like GM. 42 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's critically important to GM for a whole lot 43 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:18,200 Speaker 1: of reasons, but I'll say, you know, most fundamentally, because 44 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:21,880 Speaker 1: we care about the future. We care about the future, 45 00:02:21,919 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 1: and there is no real substantial future that engages the 46 00:02:28,919 --> 00:02:35,040 Speaker 1: public if it doesn't include diverse groups. And we recognize 47 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:37,760 Speaker 1: that not just because we're trying to sell to customers, 48 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 1: but we're working to create a future that's more sustainable, 49 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 1: a future where people have more access to the things 50 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,920 Speaker 1: that they need. And in order for us to do 51 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 1: that well, we need to have diverse team members that 52 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 1: can help us think about it. We need to be 53 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 1: engaged in communities that are extremely diverse so they can 54 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 1: help us think about how to do this well. You know, 55 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:02,120 Speaker 1: how do we create a more stable future where people 56 00:03:02,160 --> 00:03:05,240 Speaker 1: matter and we're helping them have better outcomes. And so 57 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:06,320 Speaker 1: that's that's what we care about. 58 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:08,320 Speaker 4: That's so important, and I think we should just give 59 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 4: GM around of applause for taking that stance, because not 60 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:15,520 Speaker 4: enough companies may talk about it, but they don't necessarily 61 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:17,799 Speaker 4: put the action into it. And GM has shown their 62 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:21,919 Speaker 4: commitment by hiring you bringing you here to afro Tech, 63 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 4: So we're excited about that. And you know, what you've 64 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:28,760 Speaker 4: touched on is something that is important to why we 65 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 4: do afro tech. What we find is that often black 66 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:35,440 Speaker 4: people are creators but not owners, right, and so as 67 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 4: we think about these new industries that are being created, 68 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:41,320 Speaker 4: these new verticals that are emerging, it's important for black 69 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 4: people to be there at the forefront so that we 70 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:47,839 Speaker 4: can be creators and owners going forward. So you talked 71 00:03:47,880 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 4: about why this is important to GM. How does your 72 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 4: work on a day to day basis contribute to that 73 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 4: vision of why GM wants to have diverse people and 74 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:00,080 Speaker 4: inclusive workforce. What are you doing on a day to 75 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 4: day basis to contribute to that? 76 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:06,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, so my days are busy. I bet there's a 77 00:04:06,360 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 1: lot going on. You know. We aspire to be what 78 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:10,840 Speaker 1: we say, the most inclusive company in the world. Now, 79 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 1: we don't want to be alone. We want other companies 80 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: to truly be on this mission as well. But what 81 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 1: we're really doing first and foremost is where is We're 82 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:22,720 Speaker 1: focusing on us, who we are, what our intent is, 83 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:26,599 Speaker 1: how we're living every single day. And so I help 84 00:04:26,839 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 1: our team at GM literally practice inclusion, and we coach 85 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:35,240 Speaker 1: our team members on inclusion, and I support my team 86 00:04:35,279 --> 00:04:37,760 Speaker 1: as they're doing that, and I build partnerships with leaders 87 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 1: across the company so that we can have really coaching 88 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 1: conversations about you know, are we including the ideas of 89 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 1: our diverse team members and how are we doing it 90 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: and how can we get better at it? Because it's 91 00:04:52,440 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 1: not good enough for me and my role to just 92 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 1: have people there. Representation is price of entry, it's baseline, 93 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:03,279 Speaker 1: but that's not what it's about. Really, what it's about 94 00:05:03,520 --> 00:05:07,480 Speaker 1: is having those ideas heard, you know, allowing our diverse 95 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:11,159 Speaker 1: community to innovate together and not only that, expecting it. 96 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:14,719 Speaker 1: So I spent a lot of time on you know, hey, 97 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:17,480 Speaker 1: you as leaders. You know, on my role, I'm focused 98 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 1: on the leadership team and how do you create environments 99 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:23,400 Speaker 1: where we're expecting people to innovate together and we're expecting 100 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:27,480 Speaker 1: people to collaborate together, and where we realize when we 101 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:29,840 Speaker 1: may have great ideas being left on the table because 102 00:05:29,880 --> 00:05:32,479 Speaker 1: we're not being as inclusive as it could be, you know, 103 00:05:32,800 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 1: that's really it. And then helping them understand, you know, 104 00:05:35,279 --> 00:05:38,719 Speaker 1: we are a business and so and I believe in 105 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:43,080 Speaker 1: this business that we're in and we need to kill it, right, 106 00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:46,160 Speaker 1: we need to kill it. And so what does that mean. 107 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 1: That means that we have to rise to the occasion 108 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 1: of hearing things that maybe we haven't heard before and 109 00:05:53,480 --> 00:05:56,359 Speaker 1: we have to let those voices come through. 110 00:05:56,400 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 3: Absolutely right. 111 00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 1: So I spent a lot of time with helping leaders 112 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:04,719 Speaker 1: stand how to connect diversity, equity and inclusion work that 113 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:07,720 Speaker 1: we're doing to great business outcomes. 114 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 4: I love that, and it is so important that you 115 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:15,679 Speaker 4: say that, and I hope all companies and not even companies, 116 00:06:15,760 --> 00:06:18,880 Speaker 4: but those that work at companies, even if you're not 117 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:21,600 Speaker 4: an official at the company, if you're an employee, that's 118 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:25,680 Speaker 4: so important. Diversity, equity and inclusion isn't charity, no, right, 119 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 4: it's not. It's not just that, it's not corporate philanthropy. Now, 120 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,560 Speaker 4: it is essential to being a successful business. 121 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:35,599 Speaker 1: Yes, if you're not doing it, you're not going to 122 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:38,719 Speaker 1: be successful as successful as you could be, you know. 123 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 1: And a lot of times I remember, you know, when 124 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 1: you know, May of twenty twenty hit and I actually 125 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:46,160 Speaker 1: came to my role soon after that. But I've been 126 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: working on diversity inclusion for years from where I was 127 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:53,240 Speaker 1: in the business. And when we started, you know, having 128 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:56,080 Speaker 1: a different kind of conversation, people said, well, what's wrong 129 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:58,720 Speaker 1: with us? What's wrong with us? What do we do 130 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:03,120 Speaker 1: I'm wrong? Well I could entertain that question and talk 131 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 1: about that, but it's really about what opportunity are we missing? Yes, 132 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:10,200 Speaker 1: that's really what it's about. And people don't realize it's 133 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 1: hard to see what's not there right right now, and 134 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 1: so as we work on diversity, equit inclusion. What we're 135 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:18,920 Speaker 1: doing is we're creating a future that is, you know, 136 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 1: more substantial for the people in the company and for 137 00:07:22,120 --> 00:07:24,600 Speaker 1: the communities outside of the company than it otherwise would 138 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:24,840 Speaker 1: have been. 139 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 4: Absolutely, And and so when we think about what GM 140 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 4: is trying to do with electric vehicles, there are many 141 00:07:33,160 --> 00:07:37,520 Speaker 4: reasons for consumers to think about electric cars, but one. 142 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:39,080 Speaker 3: Of the top of the list is the environment. 143 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:39,680 Speaker 1: Right. 144 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 4: The environment is in dire straits, and it's a precious 145 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 4: resource and it's limited. But as we think about black people, right, 146 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 4: and I say this as we have just had an election, 147 00:07:50,680 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 4: that we're still you know, waiting to figure out exactly 148 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 4: what the meaning of it is. But throughout history, and 149 00:07:56,600 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 4: unfortunately throughout the last few years it seems like it's 150 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:06,080 Speaker 4: been more pronounced than ever. But black people are sort 151 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 4: of always wondering what is the future hold for us? 152 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 3: Right? 153 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 4: Yeah, And there are a lot of issues voting rights, 154 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:20,360 Speaker 4: economic equality, social justice that are probably at the top 155 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:23,920 Speaker 4: of black people's minds when they think about, well, the future, 156 00:08:23,960 --> 00:08:26,360 Speaker 4: what we're worried about, what the government should be doing, 157 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 4: what companies should be focused on. So can you talk 158 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:31,400 Speaker 4: about why Black people should care about the environment. Why 159 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:34,120 Speaker 4: is that an important issue for black people to take 160 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:37,679 Speaker 4: seriously and to really think about how they can contribute 161 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 4: and make positive change. 162 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: There are a lot of reasons, but I'll start with 163 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 1: one of the things you didn't mention in your list, 164 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:53,239 Speaker 1: which is health. Yes, okay, health, our health, our longevity, 165 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:58,119 Speaker 1: our ability to raise children that are in an environment 166 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:01,360 Speaker 1: that is more positive for them than the ones we 167 00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:07,000 Speaker 1: were raised in, particularly where we tend to live. Right, 168 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:11,920 Speaker 1: we know that our communities and other social economically disadvantaged 169 00:09:11,920 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 1: communities are the ones that are most disadvantage when it 170 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 1: comes to the state of climate. In the state of 171 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 1: the environment, like, there's no way that we can deny that. 172 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:27,280 Speaker 1: And at GM, we're working toward this vision of zero crashes, 173 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:31,840 Speaker 1: zero missions, and zero congestion, and that center one zero 174 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:37,480 Speaker 1: emissions is one that is tied to the health of people. 175 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:40,600 Speaker 1: And so when you look at the Black community, you 176 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 1: know we have a long way to go. We know 177 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:46,959 Speaker 1: that our social determinants are not leading us towards having 178 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 1: healthier lives. And so when you focus on the environment, 179 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:54,040 Speaker 1: when you focus on climate, it takes one of those 180 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:57,640 Speaker 1: social determinants of health and it moves us, moves it 181 00:09:57,720 --> 00:10:03,920 Speaker 1: into our favor. Okay, so it's it's it's really critically 182 00:10:03,960 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 1: important for our community for that reason. Yes, absolutely, I 183 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:08,840 Speaker 1: could listen anymore. 184 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 4: But one well, I think what you're saying is resume. 185 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:14,160 Speaker 4: I mean I heard people you know, we're going to church. 186 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 4: Now people you know, you're you're, you're, you're really ministering 187 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:20,320 Speaker 4: to I think what we need to hear write the 188 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 4: environment and thinking about electric vehicles in many ways, Yes, 189 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:27,319 Speaker 4: it's an economic issue, but it's also a health issue. 190 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:28,560 Speaker 3: Is it's about our lives. 191 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:30,440 Speaker 1: It is right, and it's about our lives. 192 00:10:30,559 --> 00:10:33,199 Speaker 4: And you know, as we said earlier, as the world 193 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:36,319 Speaker 4: is changing, as the world is shifting, for too long, 194 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 4: black people, women, other marginalized groups have been after thoughts, 195 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:43,120 Speaker 4: and so it's important. And again I applaud GM, and 196 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 4: I applaud you for the work that you do for 197 00:10:44,920 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 4: making sure that we're in the conversation early that that's 198 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,720 Speaker 4: that that is important. And and so GM is clearly 199 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 4: up to the task of doing the work that's necessary 200 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 4: to produce products and vehicles that are going to move 201 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 4: us to the kind of future that's going to prolong 202 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:06,200 Speaker 4: the environment that is going to allow black people to 203 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:11,160 Speaker 4: live healthier lives. And just looking at some of the numbers, right, 204 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:15,760 Speaker 4: the Biden administration has pledged to reduce US greenhouse gas 205 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:19,719 Speaker 4: emissions by at least fifty by twenty thirty. Now, I 206 00:11:19,760 --> 00:11:21,360 Speaker 4: don't know if you all liked me, but sometimes you 207 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:23,120 Speaker 4: hear twenty thirty and you think, oh, that is a 208 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:24,280 Speaker 4: long way away, but you're like, oh. 209 00:11:24,160 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 3: It's twenty twenty two. That's like next week, right, let's tomorrow. 210 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 4: And then the go further is to get to net 211 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:34,520 Speaker 4: zero emissions by twenty fifty, which you've already spoken about 212 00:11:34,559 --> 00:11:37,080 Speaker 4: how GM is focused on that. So GM is clearly 213 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:40,680 Speaker 4: up to the task. But you can make the vehicles, 214 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:43,600 Speaker 4: and I think you know your previous answer sort of 215 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:45,719 Speaker 4: made this case, but would love for you to to 216 00:11:46,360 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 4: underscore it a bit more. How do you get people 217 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 4: to buy them? Especially when electric vehicles are on average 218 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:56,079 Speaker 4: more expensive. So if we've got black people in particular 219 00:11:56,400 --> 00:12:01,160 Speaker 4: who are already economically disadvantaged, we've got a recession either 220 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:03,360 Speaker 4: in it or it's on the horizon. How do you 221 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:05,240 Speaker 4: get people to say, Okay, I get what you're saying 222 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:07,840 Speaker 4: about health outcomes, Like, get what you're saying about the environment, 223 00:12:08,000 --> 00:12:09,880 Speaker 4: but I can't afford it. Yeah, how do we think 224 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:11,760 Speaker 4: about that? And how is GM thinking about that? 225 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 1: Yeah? Absolutely, And there's a lot of things. It's like, 226 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:15,560 Speaker 1: even if I can't afford it, why should I spend 227 00:12:15,559 --> 00:12:17,840 Speaker 1: my money on that? Yes, if we're keeping it real, 228 00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:19,440 Speaker 1: you know, there are a lot of things we can 229 00:12:19,480 --> 00:12:24,240 Speaker 1: choose to spend our money on. So it's a pretty 230 00:12:24,280 --> 00:12:28,559 Speaker 1: complex puzzle. But when you think about our community, one 231 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:30,719 Speaker 1: of the things that we're absolutely focused on for all 232 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:35,200 Speaker 1: communities that once again positively impacts the black community is 233 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:38,680 Speaker 1: creating products that are available at all different price points. Okay, 234 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:44,440 Speaker 1: so we've had some electric vehicles out for years, most 235 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:46,120 Speaker 1: you know, most recently. You might think about the Chevy 236 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:48,320 Speaker 1: Bolt and things like that, and they're smaller vehicles and 237 00:12:48,360 --> 00:12:50,680 Speaker 1: you look at that size versus that price and you say, no, 238 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:53,920 Speaker 1: I'm not really interested in that, right, I'm just you know, 239 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 1: keeping it real, we have to increase those product offerings, 240 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:02,040 Speaker 1: and so we're doing that. So we started on a 241 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 1: more expensive front because we had to allow the technology 242 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 1: to improve. And this is afro tech. We understand that 243 00:13:08,520 --> 00:13:11,120 Speaker 1: over time, as you develop and innovate on technology, the 244 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:13,920 Speaker 1: cost of that technology comes down, and so that's what 245 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 1: we've been doing. So we started with, you know, some 246 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:19,520 Speaker 1: more expensive vehicle sets. But we just announced a couple 247 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:21,840 Speaker 1: months ago that we're gonna have a Chevy Blazer coming out. 248 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:25,120 Speaker 1: It's going to be at a price point electric Blazer. 249 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:29,240 Speaker 1: Because the Blazer's already out there. They're fantastic, But that's 250 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 1: gonna be a thirty thousand I'm sorry, Chevy Equinots is 251 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 1: going to be a thirty thousand dollars price point, right, 252 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 1: Chevy Blazer is going to be slightly more around thirty six. 253 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:38,960 Speaker 1: But now you have a vehicle that's going to be 254 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:42,080 Speaker 1: sized for a family, that that's going to allow you 255 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:43,920 Speaker 1: to get around, that's going to be at a price 256 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:47,840 Speaker 1: point that's very reasonable. And so that's one thing we do. 257 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:49,959 Speaker 1: But then there are other things we have to consider. 258 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:52,360 Speaker 1: You know, you have the vehicle, how are you going 259 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:57,360 Speaker 1: to charge it? And for our community, you know who 260 00:13:57,360 --> 00:14:01,319 Speaker 1: often lives in urban centers, right, not often in suburbs. 261 00:14:01,559 --> 00:14:03,760 Speaker 1: You got things to think about, right, Okay, we got 262 00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:05,800 Speaker 1: how many people in this apartment building and how many 263 00:14:05,880 --> 00:14:09,600 Speaker 1: charging stations? You know, this is this is a big deal. 264 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:12,800 Speaker 1: And and so we're we're innovating in that area in 265 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 1: a lot of different ways, and we're partnering with several 266 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:21,479 Speaker 1: different organizations, both for profit and nonprofit, and particularly nonprofits 267 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 1: that are focused on the black community and for other 268 00:14:25,640 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 1: underrepresented communities. We actually created, we actually have an equitable 269 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 1: Climate Action framework that we put together that's underpinned by 270 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:39,400 Speaker 1: a fifty million dollar fifty million dollar fund, equitable Climate Fund, 271 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 1: where we're partnering with organizations in the Black community that 272 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:49,000 Speaker 1: can help us think through how do you do this? Well? Right? 273 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:52,359 Speaker 1: You know, we understand, we know a lot like technically, 274 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:54,200 Speaker 1: like you said, we are up to the task getting 275 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:56,800 Speaker 1: these vehicles out. We're up to the task to creating 276 00:14:56,880 --> 00:14:59,600 Speaker 1: charging infrastructure that makes sense with different levels of charging 277 00:14:59,640 --> 00:15:03,080 Speaker 1: and all of that. But the real question is what 278 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 1: do people really need that are in the city that 279 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:08,680 Speaker 1: want to own an electric vehicle and how do we 280 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:11,560 Speaker 1: deliver it in a way that they'll understand what we're 281 00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 1: doing and why we're doing it and it's going to 282 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:16,080 Speaker 1: work for them. And we can't get all those answers 283 00:15:16,080 --> 00:15:16,760 Speaker 1: by ourselves. 284 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 4: That's that is a gym, that is truly a gem 285 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 4: that you just dropp ye please please, please, please pad 286 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 4: for that, because what you're talking about is the total 287 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 4: experience of ownership. 288 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 1: That's exactly right, right, And you. 289 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 4: Know, if companies just look at it as well, let's 290 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:37,000 Speaker 4: make them affordable, well, you're you know, the MSRP. The 291 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:40,080 Speaker 4: price point can be affordable, but if people can't live 292 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:41,880 Speaker 4: with it, if they can't charge it, if they can't 293 00:15:42,040 --> 00:15:44,880 Speaker 4: sustain the ownership of the vehicle. And that only comes 294 00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:47,520 Speaker 4: when you've got diverse voices in the room, when we've 295 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 4: got to tell us at the table to sort of 296 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:52,560 Speaker 4: think about that and make sure that all the leadership 297 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 4: is aligned to building that stuff into the product experience upfront. 298 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 1: Yeah. Absolutely, And you know, part of what we have 299 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:01,520 Speaker 1: to do with that, and some of the partnerships were forming, 300 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:06,280 Speaker 1: is we have to educate our community to really understand 301 00:16:06,360 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 1: what's going on around them, right, because there's only so 302 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 1: much you can get off of Twitter and different you 303 00:16:12,360 --> 00:16:15,760 Speaker 1: know platforms, you only get so much. But to truly 304 00:16:15,840 --> 00:16:17,840 Speaker 1: understand what's going on and what are the things we 305 00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:19,840 Speaker 1: need to think about so we know what to raise 306 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:23,880 Speaker 1: our voice in is really important. So educating the black 307 00:16:23,920 --> 00:16:27,360 Speaker 1: community is critically important. And the other thing that we're 308 00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:30,480 Speaker 1: committed to is getting more people educated in the environment 309 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:35,840 Speaker 1: and climate in this future of electric vehicles, so that 310 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: they can be participating in policy tables right in local 311 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 1: government forums and things like that with the knowledge and 312 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: the expertise, so that that diverse voice at the table 313 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:51,240 Speaker 1: is actually affecting change. It's going to be to benefit 314 00:16:51,800 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 1: of diverse communities and particularly the black community. You know, 315 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:59,400 Speaker 1: I was pretty shocked. I started working in sustainability space 316 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 1: several years to go before I moved into my current role. 317 00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:05,479 Speaker 1: And you know, I spent you know, several years at 318 00:17:05,480 --> 00:17:09,200 Speaker 1: GM as an engineer, very few women. So I moved 319 00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:11,520 Speaker 1: into sustainability here there are a lot more women, but 320 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:15,720 Speaker 1: there were no Black people. Okay, I surprised you, right, right, 321 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:18,800 Speaker 1: And so you think about that, and you think about 322 00:17:18,840 --> 00:17:21,159 Speaker 1: the change that's going on in the world and how 323 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:23,800 Speaker 1: the world is more focused on sustainability. You think about 324 00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:28,800 Speaker 1: Paris Accord two percent one percent now, and we need 325 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:31,040 Speaker 1: to have enough people in the room that are looking 326 00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:35,159 Speaker 1: at environmental justice and how do we create equitable futures 327 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:37,520 Speaker 1: for the community. And so we're also committed to that. 328 00:17:38,160 --> 00:17:40,639 Speaker 4: So by show off hands, how many people in the 329 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:43,880 Speaker 4: audience use an electric vehic will raise your hand. I'm 330 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:46,760 Speaker 4: just curious. So we got a few hands up. But 331 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:50,040 Speaker 4: as you can see, there's a huge opportunity to get 332 00:17:50,119 --> 00:17:53,720 Speaker 4: more people. Oh yeah, to get to get on the bandwagon, 333 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:57,000 Speaker 4: so to speak about where the future is headed. I 334 00:17:57,040 --> 00:18:00,600 Speaker 4: want you to put on your marketing sales hat real quick, right, 335 00:18:00,640 --> 00:18:03,159 Speaker 4: So we talked about how the environment is important in 336 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:08,080 Speaker 4: how electric vehicles contribute to, you know, reducing the. 337 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:09,280 Speaker 3: Effects of climate change. 338 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:11,120 Speaker 4: But what are some other reasons that you would tell 339 00:18:11,119 --> 00:18:14,239 Speaker 4: people to think about as they are considering purchasing an 340 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:16,959 Speaker 4: electric vehicle? What are some of your favorite features an 341 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,800 Speaker 4: electric because I love them. I switched over and you know, 342 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:23,159 Speaker 4: I'm a convert and I will evangelize it, but I 343 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:25,040 Speaker 4: am curious. What are your thoughts, like, what are some 344 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:28,040 Speaker 4: of your favorite features and your experience with evs. 345 00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:31,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, they are fantastic. So if you first just think 346 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:33,360 Speaker 1: about you know, I don't know how many of you 347 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 1: have bought a car recently or have family members by 348 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:41,120 Speaker 1: a car recently. But the technology inside the vehicle from 349 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:45,600 Speaker 1: a software perspective, from an integration perspectives is grown by 350 00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:47,639 Speaker 1: leaps and bound all the time. And that is on 351 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 1: steroids and an electric vehicle. It's just fantastic. You know, 352 00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:55,280 Speaker 1: you know what you want is at your fingertips. It's 353 00:18:55,359 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 1: much more user friendly, user intuitive. It needs to be, 354 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: but it makes the experience really special. So you get 355 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: in your car and it feels different. But my absolutely 356 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 1: favorite part, and this says a lot about me, is 357 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:15,760 Speaker 1: when you're sitting at that light and you. 358 00:19:15,640 --> 00:19:21,879 Speaker 5: Push that pedal turns green, it is gone, Like it 359 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:27,240 Speaker 5: is absolutely fantastic, and it's like that. 360 00:19:27,160 --> 00:19:30,399 Speaker 1: Feeling is great. And then and then you get that like, 361 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:33,440 Speaker 1: not only the vehicle's just gone, you're not waiting to accelerate, 362 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 1: you don't have to worry about it, but it's silent. 363 00:19:38,320 --> 00:19:42,040 Speaker 1: It's quiet. Now why do I love that? Because I 364 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:45,959 Speaker 1: love music? Right, Like, I don't want to turn up 365 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:48,600 Speaker 1: my music just because I'm on the highway, you know, 366 00:19:48,960 --> 00:19:52,879 Speaker 1: I don't. I And so like that experience, the sound 367 00:19:52,920 --> 00:19:59,360 Speaker 1: system experience, along with just the pure dependability of that 368 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:02,560 Speaker 1: of that drive, that of that electric vehicle. It's just 369 00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:03,840 Speaker 1: it's fun. 370 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:05,080 Speaker 3: I agree. 371 00:20:05,119 --> 00:20:08,239 Speaker 4: I'm someone that typically doesn't like driving, but in an 372 00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:11,240 Speaker 4: in an electric vehicle, I'm like, let me just take 373 00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:13,240 Speaker 4: a random road just for the experience. 374 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:16,480 Speaker 3: I get what you're saying that's real. That's real. So 375 00:20:17,160 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 3: if you all. 376 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:20,360 Speaker 4: Aren't convinced by by what it does for the environment, 377 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:23,440 Speaker 4: if you like cars, if you like driving, I guarantee 378 00:20:23,480 --> 00:20:26,320 Speaker 4: you an electric vehicle will be a much better experience and. 379 00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:29,000 Speaker 1: You get to enjoy that drive more. You know how 380 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:36,639 Speaker 1: you lean back and I'm fating Ohio, okay, and and 381 00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:38,920 Speaker 1: but you can just enjoy it more. 382 00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:41,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's fantastic. 383 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:43,520 Speaker 4: So I want to go back to what you were 384 00:20:43,560 --> 00:20:45,640 Speaker 4: talking about earlier, which is, you know, what we talked 385 00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:49,119 Speaker 4: about the total experience of ownership and how you know, 386 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:53,320 Speaker 4: GM is working with public and private entities to think 387 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:56,119 Speaker 4: about how we can do you know, do more to 388 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:59,480 Speaker 4: building more charging stations and urban epicenters and among other things, 389 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:02,240 Speaker 4: to talk about the role of the government, right the 390 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:04,719 Speaker 4: federal government in addition to state and local government. 391 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:07,600 Speaker 3: So in this past. 392 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:11,200 Speaker 4: Congress or this current Congress, the Infrastructure Investment in Jobs 393 00:21:11,280 --> 00:21:16,439 Speaker 4: Acts JOBS Act was passed, which allocates a lot of 394 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:20,520 Speaker 4: federal dollars to do a lot of needed infrastructure improvements. 395 00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 4: And some of those are specifically allocated for the environment. 396 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 4: From your perspective, in the perspective of GM, is that 397 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:31,840 Speaker 4: enough or does more need to be done at the 398 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:34,320 Speaker 4: level of the federal government, but also state local governments. 399 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:36,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, I'm glad you. I'm really glad you asked 400 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:39,600 Speaker 1: that question, particularly about the state and local governments. In 401 00:21:39,840 --> 00:21:42,720 Speaker 1: order for this to work well, right, And I'm not 402 00:21:42,760 --> 00:21:45,560 Speaker 1: going to pretend GM is the only company on this journey, right, 403 00:21:45,640 --> 00:21:50,360 Speaker 1: The whole industry is on this journey, and therefore communities 404 00:21:50,520 --> 00:21:53,680 Speaker 1: are on this journey. In order for this to work well, 405 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:57,919 Speaker 1: we need really strong intent from a local level, from 406 00:21:57,960 --> 00:22:02,360 Speaker 1: a state level, and from a federal level. So current administration, 407 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:07,880 Speaker 1: current Congress has given a great kickstart to the work 408 00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:09,639 Speaker 1: that needs to be done. Seven and a half billion 409 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:13,280 Speaker 1: dollars on charging infrastructure. That is more than a little bit, okay, 410 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:17,240 Speaker 1: but it's going to take more than that, and so 411 00:22:17,720 --> 00:22:22,600 Speaker 1: we need Congress to continue to look at how are 412 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:25,639 Speaker 1: we growing in this transition to electric vehicles and what 413 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:28,320 Speaker 1: more can they do? And not only that, you know, 414 00:22:28,359 --> 00:22:32,199 Speaker 1: and we work very well at the federal level with 415 00:22:32,280 --> 00:22:36,040 Speaker 1: many different agencies, with with the with the EPA, with 416 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:40,199 Speaker 1: the DOE, et cetera, et cetera. Who are who are supporting? 417 00:22:40,800 --> 00:22:44,399 Speaker 1: Who can give more support now through acts like the 418 00:22:44,440 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 1: Infrastructure Act, as well as the tax credits that we 419 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:50,640 Speaker 1: have recently. But but we need those organizations to work 420 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:55,560 Speaker 1: well together, you know. So just like at companies, companies 421 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:57,240 Speaker 1: deal with silos, you have a little bit of that 422 00:22:57,280 --> 00:22:58,960 Speaker 1: at the government level, and so we need them to 423 00:22:59,000 --> 00:23:03,160 Speaker 1: work well together as they you know, work on you know, 424 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:07,280 Speaker 1: their ideation of what the future looks like. Okay, So 425 00:23:07,359 --> 00:23:10,879 Speaker 1: that's important at the federal level as well as you know, 426 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:14,960 Speaker 1: looking at it potentially more legislation in the future. But 427 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:17,199 Speaker 1: then when you look at it from a local and 428 00:23:17,320 --> 00:23:23,320 Speaker 1: state level, states particularly can be extremely influential in this direction. 429 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: And states have to decide, you know, what kind of 430 00:23:26,600 --> 00:23:30,480 Speaker 1: state do they want to be, okay, and what kind 431 00:23:30,520 --> 00:23:35,359 Speaker 1: of environment do they want to create for the citizens 432 00:23:35,359 --> 00:23:39,679 Speaker 1: of that state. And so you know, states that you know, 433 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:41,560 Speaker 1: really think hard about this. You know, we know the 434 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:46,760 Speaker 1: state of California is weigh in and you know, typically 435 00:23:46,840 --> 00:23:49,679 Speaker 1: what goes on in California will tend to spread to 436 00:23:49,760 --> 00:23:53,280 Speaker 1: other states in the nation. In California has put a 437 00:23:53,320 --> 00:23:54,960 Speaker 1: lot of deep thought in this for a long time, 438 00:23:55,000 --> 00:23:57,920 Speaker 1: and so we need other states to continue to grow 439 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:00,520 Speaker 1: their skill and their awareness and their ability, and so 440 00:24:00,560 --> 00:24:03,680 Speaker 1: we work with them at the state level to understand 441 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:07,159 Speaker 1: what their priorities are. How does that merge with what 442 00:24:07,200 --> 00:24:09,359 Speaker 1: we need to have happen to take care of people 443 00:24:09,359 --> 00:24:12,919 Speaker 1: in the community. As we deploy electric vehicles, you know, 444 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:16,200 Speaker 1: how do we take state priorities and stack them so 445 00:24:16,240 --> 00:24:19,080 Speaker 1: that you know, they're going to be aligned with a 446 00:24:19,119 --> 00:24:22,159 Speaker 1: more sustainable future. But still states need to manage their 447 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:25,800 Speaker 1: budgets and things like that. But states need to you know, 448 00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:29,240 Speaker 1: really jump in and figure out, Okay, how do we 449 00:24:29,280 --> 00:24:32,240 Speaker 1: want to form our mark on the future of the 450 00:24:32,760 --> 00:24:35,479 Speaker 1: of electric vehicles and therefore in the future with people. 451 00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:37,879 Speaker 1: And then from a local perspective, the role that a 452 00:24:37,920 --> 00:24:43,560 Speaker 1: local government can play is really helping states understand what's 453 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:46,920 Speaker 1: most important for those constituents, like they have to help 454 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:52,600 Speaker 1: states think And that's why we partner many times with 455 00:24:52,720 --> 00:24:56,679 Speaker 1: local organizations because those local organizations are tied into the 456 00:24:56,720 --> 00:25:00,720 Speaker 1: local government. And as we educate people and as we 457 00:25:00,880 --> 00:25:06,399 Speaker 1: create technical solutions with smaller for profit and nonprofit you know, 458 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:10,679 Speaker 1: local organizations, states get informed and can make better decisions 459 00:25:11,160 --> 00:25:15,440 Speaker 1: about the community. So it's multi tiered, but everyone has 460 00:25:15,480 --> 00:25:18,760 Speaker 1: more work to do here, right. That includes companies, and 461 00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:21,920 Speaker 1: it includes governments, and it includes community organizations. 462 00:25:22,040 --> 00:25:23,560 Speaker 4: I really just want everybody to give that a round 463 00:25:23,600 --> 00:25:27,600 Speaker 4: for applause, because that was a masterclass. I honestly believe 464 00:25:27,640 --> 00:25:31,280 Speaker 4: that this talk needs to be required viewing for every 465 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:34,399 Speaker 4: elected official at every level of government, because you clearly 466 00:25:34,480 --> 00:25:38,680 Speaker 4: just broke down how we need to be thinking as 467 00:25:38,720 --> 00:25:43,000 Speaker 4: a nation, but also as we go stay local about 468 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:46,439 Speaker 4: this problem. And you bring so much passion and energy 469 00:25:46,480 --> 00:25:49,320 Speaker 4: to this and not only to this issue, but to 470 00:25:49,720 --> 00:25:53,280 Speaker 4: the cause of what GM is committed to and hiring 471 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:56,640 Speaker 4: a diverse workforce and building great cars. 472 00:25:56,920 --> 00:25:57,080 Speaker 3: Right. 473 00:25:57,119 --> 00:25:59,400 Speaker 4: So I want to kind of wrap things up by 474 00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:02,760 Speaker 4: talking about your professional journey. So you've been at GM 475 00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:04,639 Speaker 4: for over twenty eight years. 476 00:26:04,520 --> 00:26:08,800 Speaker 1: A little while, just a little bit, right, yeah, and 477 00:26:09,119 --> 00:26:10,520 Speaker 1: you started out as an engineer. 478 00:26:10,680 --> 00:26:14,280 Speaker 4: So I'm curious, and this is really a personal question 479 00:26:14,280 --> 00:26:17,160 Speaker 4: for me because I started off in engineering and now 480 00:26:17,280 --> 00:26:20,040 Speaker 4: being sea level in the company, I'm curious, do you 481 00:26:20,119 --> 00:26:22,240 Speaker 4: miss the day to day work of being an engineer, 482 00:26:22,320 --> 00:26:24,160 Speaker 4: sort of having your hands in the mix and getting 483 00:26:24,160 --> 00:26:24,680 Speaker 4: your hands. 484 00:26:24,520 --> 00:26:27,600 Speaker 1: Dirty and building, yes, a lot. 485 00:26:28,359 --> 00:26:29,879 Speaker 3: Do you try to meddle a little bit or do it? 486 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:32,399 Speaker 1: Yes? Absolutely? 487 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:34,479 Speaker 3: So okay I do. I don't feel bad then? 488 00:26:34,720 --> 00:26:37,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, it is it's really funny, you know. And 489 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:40,520 Speaker 1: some people know this, but most people don't. So I 490 00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:44,239 Speaker 1: get to visit facilities all over the country and all 491 00:26:44,280 --> 00:26:48,000 Speaker 1: over the world. And I'm an electrical engineer, you know 492 00:26:48,040 --> 00:26:51,560 Speaker 1: a lot of you know, robot programming, coding, you know, machining, 493 00:26:51,640 --> 00:26:57,560 Speaker 1: equipment design, build installation, improvement, you know that kind of stuff. Really, 494 00:26:57,760 --> 00:27:03,880 Speaker 1: you know, fast moving, problem solving constantly, you know, because 495 00:27:03,920 --> 00:27:06,880 Speaker 1: most of my workers are manufacturing and manufacturing engineering. And 496 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:12,159 Speaker 1: I love being dirty, right, But more importantly, I just 497 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:16,720 Speaker 1: love fixing things. And so I just love fixing things 498 00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:18,720 Speaker 1: and solving problems, and like working with a group when 499 00:27:18,720 --> 00:27:21,000 Speaker 1: people are like, ah, here we go again, right, and 500 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:23,439 Speaker 1: then solving that problem that you've been seeing over and 501 00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:25,919 Speaker 1: over again for the last several years, you know, and 502 00:27:25,920 --> 00:27:29,520 Speaker 1: then all of a sudden, you know, nailed that, right. 503 00:27:29,520 --> 00:27:32,560 Speaker 1: It's such a great feeling. And so there will be 504 00:27:32,800 --> 00:27:35,920 Speaker 1: many times, you know, I'll call a plant and I'll 505 00:27:35,960 --> 00:27:37,760 Speaker 1: be like, hey, you know, I'm gonna come, you know, 506 00:27:37,880 --> 00:27:39,639 Speaker 1: visit you all talk a little bit about d and 507 00:27:39,640 --> 00:27:42,280 Speaker 1: I how can I support you? And then I just 508 00:27:42,280 --> 00:27:43,280 Speaker 1: want to go walk the floor. 509 00:27:43,600 --> 00:27:44,040 Speaker 3: I love that. 510 00:27:44,119 --> 00:27:46,000 Speaker 1: And then they'll say, well, tell me we'll do a tour. 511 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:48,280 Speaker 1: I'm I don't want to tour. I want to just 512 00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:51,840 Speaker 1: like y'all, don't have to do any preparation. I just 513 00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:54,360 Speaker 1: want to go walk the floor, talk to people, see 514 00:27:54,359 --> 00:27:58,399 Speaker 1: how it's going. Right. And then on a good day, 515 00:27:59,040 --> 00:28:01,840 Speaker 1: somebody will say, you know, I'll say, how's it going. 516 00:28:01,840 --> 00:28:03,600 Speaker 1: What's the biggest problem you're working with? And I'll say, oh, 517 00:28:03,640 --> 00:28:04,960 Speaker 1: we've been doing this, this and this, And then I 518 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:06,359 Speaker 1: get to just go back and forth with it. 519 00:28:06,640 --> 00:28:07,439 Speaker 5: Did you think about this? 520 00:28:07,480 --> 00:28:10,680 Speaker 1: Did you think about that? You know? And then you man, 521 00:28:11,119 --> 00:28:12,320 Speaker 1: that's the fix I need. 522 00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:14,879 Speaker 4: This sounds like the perfect job. I need to be 523 00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:16,920 Speaker 4: able to work on D and I. But then also, 524 00:28:17,280 --> 00:28:19,760 Speaker 4: you know, go in and get in the weed sometimes yeah. 525 00:28:19,880 --> 00:28:22,359 Speaker 1: Yeah, or when i'm you know, talking to the IT team, 526 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:24,960 Speaker 1: and I love it when they call and they're working 527 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:28,560 Speaker 1: on bias and artificial intelligence, right, and how do we 528 00:28:28,640 --> 00:28:31,600 Speaker 1: make sure that in all the software development we're doing 529 00:28:31,760 --> 00:28:32,920 Speaker 1: we don't have bias in that? 530 00:28:33,280 --> 00:28:33,480 Speaker 3: Yeah? 531 00:28:33,720 --> 00:28:36,800 Speaker 1: Oh, I love that conversation, right, And I particularly love 532 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:39,120 Speaker 1: it when some people on the phone don't know that 533 00:28:39,240 --> 00:28:42,520 Speaker 1: I'm a techie, right and this, and then I start 534 00:28:42,600 --> 00:28:45,080 Speaker 1: diving into the conversation you catch them off guard and. 535 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:47,840 Speaker 3: You're like, oh, okay, you know a little something. 536 00:28:47,680 --> 00:28:50,000 Speaker 1: Right, I thought you were just a d and I person. 537 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:57,360 Speaker 3: Oh okay, that's fantastic, so let's yeah, let's clad for that. 538 00:28:57,440 --> 00:28:59,640 Speaker 3: I love that. So hy GM. 539 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:03,640 Speaker 4: Right, So you've been there now almost thirty years. But 540 00:29:04,120 --> 00:29:05,960 Speaker 4: why did you decide to go there in the first place? 541 00:29:06,520 --> 00:29:10,120 Speaker 1: Oh wow, that's a great question. And the question I 542 00:29:10,160 --> 00:29:14,360 Speaker 1: usually get asked is why am I still there? But 543 00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:17,640 Speaker 1: I went in the first place. I was only planning 544 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:25,400 Speaker 1: on being a GM for three years, right, So I 545 00:29:25,480 --> 00:29:29,160 Speaker 1: was I went there because I had this plan. I 546 00:29:29,200 --> 00:29:33,240 Speaker 1: was going to be designing devices to implant in people 547 00:29:33,280 --> 00:29:38,360 Speaker 1: to help with paralysis right or hearing deficit. And I 548 00:29:38,440 --> 00:29:41,200 Speaker 1: had an undergrad I majored in electrical engineering for my 549 00:29:41,240 --> 00:29:44,200 Speaker 1: bachelor's and my masters, and in both I did. My 550 00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:48,040 Speaker 1: miner was in biomedical engineering, so I had all this research, 551 00:29:48,200 --> 00:29:51,760 Speaker 1: great research based experience. But I was like, well, if 552 00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:54,719 Speaker 1: I'm going to design devices to go in people's bodies, 553 00:29:54,760 --> 00:29:57,640 Speaker 1: I need to know how controls really work in real life, 554 00:29:58,480 --> 00:30:00,880 Speaker 1: you know, because fundamentally, you know, when you deal with 555 00:30:00,880 --> 00:30:02,560 Speaker 1: a tissue, it's not any different than when you're dealing 556 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:06,120 Speaker 1: with a cable other than the levels of energy, right. 557 00:30:06,720 --> 00:30:08,880 Speaker 1: So I decided to go to work for that, and 558 00:30:09,320 --> 00:30:13,560 Speaker 1: I came to GM as my second job because I 559 00:30:13,560 --> 00:30:17,360 Speaker 1: could get really really great controls experience, right, you know, 560 00:30:17,440 --> 00:30:21,480 Speaker 1: programmable logic controllers and all different kinds of you know, 561 00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:25,240 Speaker 1: fluid dynamics and things like that like in real life, 562 00:30:25,400 --> 00:30:27,520 Speaker 1: because I didn't have as much maker experience when I 563 00:30:27,520 --> 00:30:30,600 Speaker 1: was in undergrad and masters. So that's why I came. 564 00:30:31,400 --> 00:30:32,720 Speaker 1: I figured I'd be able to get that in a 565 00:30:32,720 --> 00:30:36,920 Speaker 1: few years and i'd move on. But I stayed for 566 00:30:36,960 --> 00:30:39,120 Speaker 1: the reason. Yeah, I mean, you know, I mean it's 567 00:30:39,160 --> 00:30:43,640 Speaker 1: just endless opportunity to do different things. I've never been 568 00:30:43,640 --> 00:30:46,120 Speaker 1: in a role. I mean, I've had very few roles 569 00:30:46,120 --> 00:30:47,920 Speaker 1: that I've been in for more than a few years, 570 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:51,400 Speaker 1: you know, And so you know, solving different kinds of 571 00:30:51,440 --> 00:30:54,400 Speaker 1: problems in different parts of the business has just always 572 00:30:54,480 --> 00:30:57,520 Speaker 1: kind of kept me going, and you know, kept me lit. 573 00:30:58,400 --> 00:30:58,960 Speaker 3: I love it. 574 00:30:59,240 --> 00:31:01,400 Speaker 1: I love it, yea. 575 00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:04,240 Speaker 4: So, and so we're here at AFRO Tech. There are 576 00:31:04,360 --> 00:31:06,680 Speaker 4: so many people here who are looking to connect with 577 00:31:06,720 --> 00:31:09,760 Speaker 4: companies to get a job or to make a career 578 00:31:09,800 --> 00:31:13,080 Speaker 4: pivot into tech. So can you leave us with some 579 00:31:13,160 --> 00:31:17,400 Speaker 4: advice on what can this generation that typically doesn't stay 580 00:31:17,440 --> 00:31:20,280 Speaker 4: at a company for for for you know, twenty eight years, 581 00:31:20,320 --> 00:31:21,800 Speaker 4: that they're really like, I'm going to be there for 582 00:31:21,840 --> 00:31:23,720 Speaker 4: three months in right, right, right, right right? What can 583 00:31:23,760 --> 00:31:27,160 Speaker 4: this generation do to stand out to a company like GM. 584 00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:30,120 Speaker 4: How can you know, we think about this generation think 585 00:31:30,160 --> 00:31:32,720 Speaker 4: about how to position themselves to get these jobs that 586 00:31:32,800 --> 00:31:34,040 Speaker 4: are going to impact the future. 587 00:31:34,760 --> 00:31:37,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think you know, it's interesting, particularly when you 588 00:31:37,480 --> 00:31:41,160 Speaker 1: talk to tech people. You know, it's one thing if 589 00:31:41,160 --> 00:31:44,720 Speaker 1: you talk to a person that considers himself a business person. Okay, 590 00:31:44,760 --> 00:31:47,040 Speaker 1: so a business person is kind of thinking about the 591 00:31:47,040 --> 00:31:50,560 Speaker 1: whole business and all the different levers that you push 592 00:31:50,560 --> 00:31:53,280 Speaker 1: and pull to make a business work, make a business profitable, 593 00:31:53,360 --> 00:31:56,680 Speaker 1: make a business, make people happy, whatever. And then and 594 00:31:56,720 --> 00:31:59,960 Speaker 1: then tech people and business people are on a spectrum too. 595 00:32:00,080 --> 00:32:03,600 Speaker 1: But tech people learn a big spectrum. And many tech 596 00:32:03,640 --> 00:32:06,360 Speaker 1: people are really focused on a particular type of tech 597 00:32:07,160 --> 00:32:09,280 Speaker 1: right and they want to drill into that and they 598 00:32:09,280 --> 00:32:11,720 Speaker 1: want to be amazing at that, which there's nothing wrong 599 00:32:11,760 --> 00:32:15,560 Speaker 1: with that. But what I encourage all tech people to 600 00:32:15,640 --> 00:32:19,240 Speaker 1: do is to lift your head up and get to 601 00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:24,160 Speaker 1: know the business and no matter where you show up, 602 00:32:24,600 --> 00:32:27,400 Speaker 1: you need to bloom where you're planted. You know, you 603 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:30,800 Speaker 1: show up in whatever job and whatever location. Blooming doesn't 604 00:32:30,840 --> 00:32:33,640 Speaker 1: just mean solving that technical problem. You know. The way 605 00:32:33,680 --> 00:32:36,560 Speaker 1: I've been successful is by understanding why is this a 606 00:32:36,560 --> 00:32:38,240 Speaker 1: problem I even need to solve in the first place? 607 00:32:39,600 --> 00:32:42,320 Speaker 1: Why hasn't the problem been solved in the past. Has 608 00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:45,280 Speaker 1: it been lack of investment? Has it been the way 609 00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:48,360 Speaker 1: you know, lack of belief in people? Has it has 610 00:32:48,400 --> 00:32:50,320 Speaker 1: it been you know, we fixed it, but that wasn't 611 00:32:50,360 --> 00:32:53,400 Speaker 1: really to fix you know? Has it been decisions made 612 00:32:53,400 --> 00:32:57,040 Speaker 1: by leadership teams that marginalize your ability to actually solve 613 00:32:57,080 --> 00:33:01,360 Speaker 1: the problem, like like, why are we here in this moment? 614 00:33:01,760 --> 00:33:04,920 Speaker 1: And when you dig into that, you know, even if 615 00:33:04,960 --> 00:33:07,920 Speaker 1: you're in an innovative space, you know, why is it 616 00:33:08,080 --> 00:33:10,240 Speaker 1: that we're not able to have the breakthroughs that we're 617 00:33:10,280 --> 00:33:13,240 Speaker 1: looking for? Often you have to look at the whole context, 618 00:33:13,920 --> 00:33:16,720 Speaker 1: and tech people that look at the whole context and 619 00:33:16,760 --> 00:33:20,320 Speaker 1: build relationships that help them understand the business are the 620 00:33:20,360 --> 00:33:24,280 Speaker 1: most valuable because there's always give and take. You don't 621 00:33:24,320 --> 00:33:27,000 Speaker 1: always get what you want, you know, but you have 622 00:33:27,040 --> 00:33:29,800 Speaker 1: to understand if you're not getting what you think is 623 00:33:29,920 --> 00:33:33,680 Speaker 1: best why is that? And then who do I need 624 00:33:33,680 --> 00:33:36,400 Speaker 1: to partner with to either go in a different direction 625 00:33:37,280 --> 00:33:41,400 Speaker 1: right or yes? And what's going on? You know, I 626 00:33:41,440 --> 00:33:44,240 Speaker 1: think it's so critical that you do that regardless of 627 00:33:44,280 --> 00:33:48,080 Speaker 1: where you are, you know, so don't be completely heads down, 628 00:33:48,960 --> 00:33:54,160 Speaker 1: you know, be aware and make your technical decisions with 629 00:33:54,840 --> 00:33:57,000 Speaker 1: as much of the bigger picture in mind as you can. 630 00:33:57,600 --> 00:34:02,040 Speaker 4: Telby, thank you so much. I yes, I enjoyed this conversation. 631 00:34:02,400 --> 00:34:04,520 Speaker 4: I feel like this entire conversation was just a bunch 632 00:34:04,560 --> 00:34:06,520 Speaker 4: of mic drops. So thank you so much for being 633 00:34:06,560 --> 00:34:09,040 Speaker 4: with us. Thank you all for being here at attendance, 634 00:34:09,080 --> 00:34:11,200 Speaker 4: and I hope you all learned as much as I did. 635 00:34:25,080 --> 00:34:27,560 Speaker 2: Black Tech Green Money is a production of Blavity Afro 636 00:34:27,760 --> 00:34:30,880 Speaker 2: Tech on the Black Effect podcast Networking Night Heart Media 637 00:34:31,160 --> 00:34:34,560 Speaker 2: is produced by Morgan Debond and me Well Lucas, with 638 00:34:34,640 --> 00:34:39,280 Speaker 2: additional production support by Sarah Ergan and rollse McLucas. Specially 639 00:34:39,280 --> 00:34:42,400 Speaker 2: thank you to Michael Davis, A Vanesssa Surrouno learn more 640 00:34:42,400 --> 00:34:44,600 Speaker 2: about my Guess and other tech. This is an innovators 641 00:34:44,600 --> 00:34:48,600 Speaker 2: at afrotech dot com enjoying Black Tech Green Money. Keep 642 00:34:48,680 --> 00:34:52,080 Speaker 2: us a five star rating on iTunes. Get your Money 643 00:34:53,200 --> 00:34:53,799 Speaker 2: Peace of love,