5 Things / Let’s Go
Listen to this episode:
I felt my energy shift this week from stagnation to action. I’m rested, recharged, and ready (and yes, ready to play pickleball outside). How about you?
Something is moving. Conversations are picking up. People are realizing that waiting doesn’t make the work go away—it just makes it harder later.
Momentum is building, and this is the moment to lead. Opportunities come to those who show up, who people know, like, and trust. You can be that trusted person. When it feels like the world is falling apart, the answer isn’t shrinking—it’s shining brighter. Because when we dim our lights, they win.
This Week’s Good Vibes:
Oscar Gold for Emerald City Threads
Paul Tazewell shattered a glass ceiling at the Academy Awards, becoming the first Black man to win Best Costume Design for his work on Wicked. Tazewell’s meticulous approach to Wicked's costumes wove deep storytelling into every stitch—Elphaba’s dark gowns subtly echo nature’s resilience, while Glinda’s sparkling pastels reinforce privilege. Despite Ruth E. Carter’s recent groundbreaking wins in the same category, Tazewell’s victory highlights the persistent underrepresentation of Black creatives in Hollywood’s technical categories. ♐Visibility fuels possibility.
Banking on Women, Leading with Impact
Wendy Cai-Lee’s Piermont Bank defies corporate trends, with women holding 78% of board seats—more than double the U.S. average. While companies roll back diversity efforts, Piermont proves diverse boards drive smarter decisions such as a permanent hybrid schedule and prioritizing employee well-being over rigid office mandates. Piermont’s status as a Minority Depository Institution further highlights the power of leadership that reflects the communities it serves. ♐Boards that reflect real-world demographics build stronger, more adaptable companies.
Peppa Pig Gets Accessibility Right
The new Peppa Pig Theme Park in Dallas-Fort Worth is setting a new standard for accessibility in family entertainment. Designed with children with disabilities in mind, the park features wheelchair-friendly rides, sensory guides, and quiet spaces for those needing a break. As a Certified Autism Center, it ensures all staff receive autism sensitivity training, and visitors can use a HERO Pass for easier ride access. While many parks treat accessibility as an afterthought, this $40 million investment shows what true inclusion looks like. ♐Accessibility isn’t an add-on—it should be built in from the start.
All Paths to Parenthood Deserve Support
Adoption support is slowly gaining ground as an employee benefit. TCW and Bank of America lead the way, offering up to $30,000 for adoption costs alongside paid leave. While 42% of companies offer fertility benefits, only 20% reimburse adoption costs, and just 37% provide paid leave for adoptive parents. With private adoptions costing up to $40,000, these benefits make a real impact. ♐Equitable benefits ensure all employees—whether through birth, adoption, or surrogacy—feel valued, strengthening retention, loyalty, and workplace culture.
Crowning a New Era of Inclusion
Bella Bautista is making history as the first transgender contestant in the Miss Georgia USA pageant, challenging outdated norms in an industry that has long excluded trans women. While the Miss Universe Organization first allowed transgender contestants in 2012, inclusion has been slow—only two trans women competed in Miss Universe in 2024. Bautista, a former collegiate cheerleader and trans rights advocate, has testified against anti-trans legislation in Georgia and founded This Doesn’t Define Me, an initiative empowering trans youth. ♐Beauty pageants should reflect the full spectrum of womanhood and visibility matters.
Call to Action:
This Women’s History Month, a shout out to Karen Catlin who will send you actionable tips to be a better ally at work, straight to your inbox. Subscribe now at BetterAllies.com