In this episode of Women in Retail Talks, guest host Jasmine Bellamy, Women in Retail Leadership Circle’s director of diversity and inclusion, as well as head of merchandising, planning and allocation at Reebok, interviews Leslie Short, owner, president and CEO of The Cavu Group, a corporate diversity, equity and inclusion consulting firm. Short discusses why she wrote her new book, “Expand Beyond Your Current Culture” (1:23), why diversity and inclusion goes beyond corporate culture to every employee (2:50), and her call to action challenging all of us to expand our cultural intelligence and humility (3:37).

In addition, Short shares the importance of including diverse voices in decisions that affect diverse communities (5:03), her message to “look at what’s in your bag” to more deeply understand your actions and thoughts (7:16), and how leaders’ privilege and power can empower others (8:57). She shares her advice to those who want to make a difference in diversity, equity and inclusion at their company (11:48), and how to meet people where they are and build on their strengths while addressing and shifting their weaknesses (15:10).

Leslie Short brings four decades of experience to The Cavu Group, where she advises organizations on how to expand beyond their current culture through the diversity and inclusion lens. Leslie began her career as a classical ballet dancer and expanded her career in Europe for more than 10 years and Asia for three. She was creator and CEO of the first-of-its-kind entertainment business in Japan before spending the next stage in her career leading production of TV, media, entertainment and fashion. She became the COO and corporate operations strategist for celebrities and companies, including Daymond John and his companies FUBU the Collection, FB Entertainment, The Shark Group, and blueprint + co. As CEO, she launched K.I.M. Media (Keep it Moving) and founded Ascend Bereavement Management. Over the span of her career, Leslie has developed multicultural business innovation models and ecosystems. In addition to being an active leader in New York’s business community, she’s also a chaplain, activist, certified mental health aide, certified mediator, conflict coach and a dignitary and keynote speaker at the United Nations and European Union events around the world. Reach Leslie at leslie@thecavugroup.com, thecavugroup.com or leslieshort.com.

Jasmine Bellamy has driven the merchandising strategies of numerous well known retailers including Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdale’s, LOFT, Kmart and Gap and is an expert in celebrity brands, having directed the collections of Sarah Jessica Parker, Venus Williams, Adam Levine and Nicki Minaj. She currently leads the US Direct to Consumer Business for Reebok. Jasmine is also the brand’s Head of Change Management for United Against Racism, where she is the creator and co-facilitator of Courageous Conversations. In 2021, she earned the distinction of being named one of Sports Illustrated’s 100 Influential Black Women in Sports. Additionally, Jasmine serves on the Board of Women in Retail Leadership Circle as its first Director of Diversity and Inclusion and co-leads an action-reflection and learning community for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion practitioners across multiple sectors. Jasmine is also the founder of Love 101 Ministries, dedicated to the theology and practice of love, which shapes how she leads and transforms business, teams, and culture. Jasmine earned her BS in Marketing Management from Syracuse University and MBA from Fordham University. In June 2022, she will receive a Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Seminary where she is an Emerging Black Scholar of the William E. Pannell Center for Black Church Studies.

Date: December 7, 2021

Credits: Jasmine Bellamy, Leslie Short

Duration: 18:09