Episode 6: Creating Spaces of Belonging with Jessica Oladapo
Host: Dr. Sagashus Levingston
Guest: Jessica Oladapo, Sociologist, Entrepreneur, and Founder of Diversity to Inclusion Inc.
Episode Overview
In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Sagashus sits down with Jessica Oladapo, a professor of sociology and psychology and the founder of Diversity to Inclusion Inc. Jessica shares her unique approach to professional development and coaching, focusing on creating inclusive, equitable spaces in workplaces and communities. Together, they discuss capitalism, collective wealth-building, and the transformative power of treating people with care and dignity.
Key Topics
Jessica’s Mission and Approach:
Jessica’s work centers on creating spaces of belonging by prioritizing employee care and support.
She builds strong, trust-based relationships with clients by offering flat-rate services, valuing connection over profit.
Dr. Sagashus praises Jessica’s focus on dignity, fair pay, and community-building in her collaborations.
Capitalism’s Impact on Marginalized Communities:
Jessica defines capitalism as a system built on profit and exploitation, often harmful to marginalized groups.
While acknowledging her own benefits from capitalism, she avoids exploitative practices and promotes collective wealth-building.
Jessica explains her use of "targeted universalism," an approach that focuses on equitable outcomes rather than starting points, ensuring fairness for her employees.
Addressing Intersecting Oppressions:
Jessica and Dr. Sagashus explore the interconnectedness of capitalism, racism, and sexism, advocating for systemic change.
Jessica recommends books examining these systems and their impact on marginalized communities worldwide.
Personal Insights:
Jessica shares her journey as an atheist and agnostic, reflecting on her upbringing in the church.
She opens up about raising neurodiverse children and the challenges of balancing motherhood with advocacy and business.
Books Jessica mentions:
Here are the books she lists:
Slavery’s Capitalism by Sven Beckert
This book explores the relationship between slavery and the rise of capitalism in the United States.
How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney
An influential book that discusses how colonialism and capitalism underdeveloped the African continent.
The Half Has Never Been Told by Edward Baptist
This book delves into how American slavery contributed to the development and growth of modern capitalism.
Additionally, she references work by Ibram X. Kendi, who writes about the connections between capitalism, racism, and sexism, though she doesn’t name a specific title for his work in this episode.
These books are suggested as foundational readings for understanding the intersection of economic systems and systemic oppression.
Cover of Gather Together in My Name by Maya Angelou. In this autobiography, Angelou reveals a period of her life when she worked as both a prostitute and a madam. By owning her full story without apology, she modeled self-authority and transformation, inspiring reflection on the power of claiming even the stigmatized parts of one’s journey.
Disrespectful Tidbit of the Day
At the end of the episode, Dr. Sagashus shares an intriguing fact about Maya Angelou, revealing that before becoming a celebrated poet and author, Angelou spent a period of her life as both a prostitute and a madam—a part of her story she did not hide or apologize for. She notes that Angelou modeled self-authority by embracing her full life experience and transformation, and she encourages the audience to reflect on their own transformation stories—especially considering which parts they choose to hide or share. The "disrespectful tidbit" challenges listeners to consider the power and impact of claiming one's entire story, even the parts that may be stigmatized or misunderstood.
Sponsor Shout-Outs:
American Families Institute for Corporate and Social Impact
Where to Find Us:
Audio: Available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other podcast platforms.
Visual: Catch the video version on YouTube for a more immersive experience.
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Special Thanks:
A huge thank you to Jessica Oladapo for joining us on this episode of Books, Bullets and Babies. Your candor, wisdom, and the authenticity you bring to conversations about capitalism, belonging, and building ethical businesses truly inspired us.
Want the Books, Bullets and Babies Card Game?
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About Dr. Sagashus Levingston
Dr. Sagashus Levingston is the creator and producer of the Books, Bullets & Babies podcast, as well as the visionary behind Infamous Mothers. She is an author, entrepreneur, and cultural architect whose work spans books, journals, card games, and national tours — all designed to affirm, inspire, and offer tools and community for badass moms who do extraordinary things at home, at work, and beyond.
This podcast is part of the Infamous Mothers lifestyle brand that Dr. Sagashus created so that these moms have not just a place to belong, but the support, resources, and community they need to be infamous—messy, ambitious, broken, sexy, flawed, spiritual, whole—without apology.