Value Added HBCUs, Maker Spaces and Regional Manufacturing with Dr. Ronald C. Williams

Dr. Ronald C. Williams, Associate Professor of Management, Coppin State University College of Business and Founding Director of the CSU Center for Strategic Entrepreneurship

35-year higher education career with deep community roots and national influence.

Ronald (Ron) C. Williams has served in higher education for 35 years, spending the past 25 years as a faculty member in the Coppin State University (CSU) College of Business and serving as interim dean from 2013 until 2017.

In 2016, Dr. Williams established a formal relationship between CSU and Open Works Baltimore, a 34K sq. ft makerspace. This groundbreaking relationship is the first of its kind in the nation and led to a role as principal investigator in the 2019 “Turning Makerspaces into Greater Places: An Organizational Assessment and Economic Impact Study of Open Works” (www.GreaterSpacesAndPlaces.com), another significant innovation as the first comprehensive organizational assessment and economic impact study of a makerspace. He further contributed to the understanding of makerspace value in 2020 as principal investigator in the case study of Open Works’ application of Lean Manufacturing principles during the initial months of the Covid-19 global pandemic, producing over 28,000 face shields in 56 days for over 100 clients.

Immediately prior to the 2015 unrest in Baltimore, Dr. Williams coined the phrase “ingepreneurship” (inge… as in ingenuity) in a 2017 Metropolitan Journal article entitled “Creating a University Driven ‘Ingepreneurial’ Ecosystem in West Baltimore: A Strategy for Rust Belt Revitalization.”

Dr. Williams holds a Ph.D. in management and organization from George Washington University with concentrations in organization behavior & development and the management of science, technology, & innovation; a master's degree in human resource development from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland; and a bachelor's degree with majors in psychology, social science, and education from the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. He also serves on the AAAS HBCU Making & Innovation Advisory Board, the Open Works Board of Directors, and as President and Chair of the Urban Manufacturing Alliance.

Volunteer as an organizer for the Wearables Hackathon this July https://forms.gle/zq37WPDyeHKcrEsy8

Donate or work with Wearable Tech Ventures at www.wearabletechventures.org

Work directly with Coach L at www.LaKishagreenwade.com

Transcript

00:16.31
wearabletakeover
I'm pleased to introduce to you Dr. Ron C Williams associate professor of management at the Copens State University College of business and the founding director of the csu center for strategic entrepreneurship I am. So excited to speak with him today about his 35 year career in higher education with deep community roots and national influence where we'll take over community welcome Dr Ronald C Williams

00:58.79
wearabletakeover
I'm edit that out. Okay there. We go all right? Dr Rodin C Williams has has served in higher education for 35 years spending the past twenty five years as a faculty member in the Copins State University College of business and serving as interim dean from 2013 until 2 17 in 2 16 Dr Williams established a formal relationship between Csu and Openwork Baltimore a thirty four Thousand Square Foot maker space. This groundbreaking relationship is the first. This kind in the nation and led to as the role of a principal investigator in the twenty nineteen turning maker spaces into greater places an organizational assessment and economic impact study of Openworks you can find that at http://wwwwwwdot greater spaces and http://places.com we further contributed to the understanding of maker space value in 2020 as principal investigator in the case study of Openworks application of lean manufacturing principles during the initial months of the covid nineteen global pandemic producing over twenty eight thousand face shields in fifty six days for over 100 clients immediately prior to the 2015 unrest in Baltimore Dr. Williams coined the phrase entrepreneurship I hope I got that right? Dr Williams and a twenty seventeen metropolitan journal article entitled creating a university-d driven entrepreneurial ecosystem in West Baltimore a strategy for rust belt revitalization. The concept describes a framework. Improving the socioeconomic wellbeing of underrepresented communities and aligns with his current role as an academic advisor on joint research studies on manufacturing workforce development with the centuryy foundation and the urban manufacturing alliance. He also helped to develop the copens certificate in entrepreneurship and innovation and development of the trust climate assessment instrument and relational innovation framework for collaborative economic development across cultural and geographic divides. He is also the faculty advisor of award-winning student teamens in local and national innovation competitions and the founding director of the copham state university center for strategic ah entrepreneurship Dr. Williams holds a ph d in management and organization.

03:46.90
wearabletakeover
From George Washington University with concentrations in organization behavior and the management of science technology and innovation a master's degree in human resource development from john hopkins university in Baltimore Maryland and. A bachelor's degree with majors in psychology social science and education from the University Of Tampa in Tampa Florida. He also serves on the Aaas Hbcu making an innovation advisory board. The opal works board of directors and as president and chair of the. Urban manufacturing alliance who I definitely have an expert here today and Dr Williams when you and I first met it was in Washington right before the pandemic and I was serving as a speaker for a triple ashbcu making an innovation conference. And later I joined the board with you and I'm so honored to be with you. Why don't you tell our listeners about Aaas the hbcu making an innovation conference and the efforts there for the from the advisory board.

04:55.89
Ron Williams
Okay, thank you and and first of all luishia I did not know you're going to read all of that but know, but ah yeah, the experience with the AaaHPC you maker.

05:01.20
wearabletakeover
Um, I had to let him know I had to let him know.

05:13.80
Ron Williams
Showcase has been awesome. It was an opportunity for us at 1 point to take ah a team of of students there to participate in the event but it's it's a prime opportunity for hbcu students to showcase their projects and um. There their innovative efforts in a conference setting which is which is great. Professional development experience and a way to let the world see just how innovative and creative. Our students are.

05:46.40
wearabletakeover
I Love it I Absolutely love it and your students were quite impressive and many of them go on to graduate school to pursue research careers is that correct.

05:56.44
Ron Williams
Yes, many of them go on to graduate school and I'll say one of the benefits or one of the pleasures of having been at copin for 25 years if I've been able to see the trajectory of some of their careers over time. So it makes me feel like very much an elder but students that I had maybe 2 decades ago are just doing phenomenal things in the marketplace they are entrepreneurs. They are academics. They are corporate leaders. They are ceos. Um, so yes, they they go on to do great things and they come right from the the platform or the foundation of hbcu and experiences like the um aaas hbcu maker showcase.

06:47.69
wearabletakeover
Of it and and now that we're talking about hbcu use. It was important that I read your entire bio because I need everyone to understand not only the depth but the breadth of your impact and influence in Baltimore and even around the world. I know when you and I first met you were explaining how you had presented some work or a paper to be approved at an international conference and you were determining if you were going to go and speak or whatnot and so with that being said, you are known as a thought leader. And so when we consider Hbc use and for those of you that are listening that do not know what I'm talking about I'm talking about historically black colleges and universities. There is a lot of shrine. There's a lot of attention that when hbc use right now and considering you are one of the world's. Thought leaders and you also happen to be a black meeting so black but leader what does ideal black thought leadership look like compared to what we see today and then if you can kind of help us understand how are hbc use serving as the epicenter. For the discovery of innovative ideas that's going to transform the world I know that was a lot there and we could break it down so you can start wherever you want to.

08:06.93
Ron Williams
Okay, well thank you for that and I have to put it in context. Um, first. My academic experience prior to coping um was all traditionally private white institutions. University of Tampa Johns hopkins George Washington University that was my higher ed experience not only as a student but also as a faculty person at Copin. Um I mean I'm sorry at at at hopkins back when they were the school of continuing studies I taught there for like 6 or seven years prior

08:36.74
wearabletakeover
Okay.

08:44.97
Ron Williams
To going to cop and copin was a choice. Both of my parents are are alums of hcbcu use. Um Copin and and in particular being an urban hbcu being in the heart of the city. A smaller hbc public hbcu aligned very closely with my desire to be active in the community and not being driven by the by a tier one research institution experience and where I could really be community centric but also. Student focused and focused on teaching and connecting with people. So historically historically black colleges and universities have been that um epicenter that the place that was the genesis for black thought leadership coming. Particularly out of segregation out of the slavery experience and really putting african americans on a trajectory into what became the black middle class. It would not have happened without historically black colleges and universities and whether they be and they're not all the same. You have public you have private you have landrant non-landrant you have urban you have rural. They not all the same. Don't always serve the same purpose but what they do have in common is that um we do and and I don't so I say this by way of research but also by way of experience. No one can um, surpass us in terms of value added education and the reason I yes.

10:24.52
wearabletakeover
Value added education I had to pause there folks value added education. So explain that for us.

10:32.43
Ron Williams
The Brookings Institute did ah an extensive report in 2015 that identified cop and and it may have been bully as number 1 in the state of Maryland in terms of value added education that means that we take we engage students. That may not have opportunities otherwise and also may come with some deaths deficits because of in inequity in terms of resources not because of their ability but access to resources they may come with certain deficits we. We.

11:00.66
wearabletakeover
Z.

11:09.16
Ron Williams
We Do it better than anyone else in terms of taking those students and and taking them to a place where they can compete and can succeed on a high level in the marketplace we do that I'll put us up against anyone in terms of our ability to do that. So. Hbc Use have always been the the Epicenter of I'll say value added Educat added Education. We've often exceeded others in terms of value added Education. We should own that because even now from a national security Standpoint. We need all hands on Deck We can't stand to leave anybody behind and regardless of what marginalized community you are coming from whether it's inner City or whether it's in rural Appalachia Hbc Use really.

11:47.59
wearabletakeover
Yes.

12:04.20
Ron Williams
Do it better than most in terms of taking those students to a place where they can compete.

12:07.20
wearabletakeover
I love it now. Let me tell you I grew up watching a different world and I just knew I was going to an Hbc u okay ohio state I do love you? Okay, but I had some scholarships to some Hbc use. However I had a full scholarship to Bele House State University Had it not been for that scholarship I would have been at a hbcu and so that's why I'm so honored to be able to pay homage and to assist other students at hbcu through some of your platforms such as the economic inclusion conference and I want you to tell. Our listeners a little bit about what is that platform and why is that so impactful when we talk about where copin state university is located in Baltimore.

12:50.91
Ron Williams
Well copen state university twenty five hundred west north avenue is right in the heart of the city. Um, anybody who if you've ever if you know anything about Baltimore and the entrepreneur ecosystem and how development has happened. Over the course of decades. West Baltimore is is what is known as the donut hole. It means that everything around us has developed but for years there's been underdevelopment in West Baltimore that's exactly where copton state is located. Um, so. The the economic inclusion conference. We had our first conference in 2016 um, not long after the unrest happened in Baltimore and we just thought it was important for coping as an institution.

13:40.89
wearabletakeover
Moving.

13:48.86
Ron Williams
To be that institution in the heart of what is known as area that has been There's been underinvestment made over decades to be that academic innovation center that brought the corporate community. The academic community the community around us the all sectors together. Um to have a conversation about how we make opportunities more broadly available and nothing should happen in terms of development innovation. Making economic opportunities available broadly without coming through copping. We are the academic center in West Baltimore so we should lead that conversation and that's what we seek to do with the conference.

14:35.66
wearabletakeover
Absolutely absolutely and folks if you missed the economic inclusion conference and we're recording this at 2022 it just happened I believe a week or two ago. Everything's happening so quickly. But if you missed it. You definitely want to make sure that you put this on your radar make sure that you're following Dr Williams onlings in so that you can be the first one to attend and I was incredibly honored to be able to share this year and Dr Williams he gave me he gave me a big slack. No. He gave me a slot after the the the ship walter vp walters that timeless right? So I was talking about overcoming barriers intact for women. But I say that dopingly but I really mean it with with emphasis the the. The standard. The quality of speakers and presenters that were there. Everyone from tedco to some of the baltimore tech ecosystem and I don't know if our listeners know or or if you know this's Dr Williams but I actually started the wearable tech journey in Baltimore as someone that Baltimore didn't really even know. Because of the murder of Freddie Gray and at the time I was looking at. Okay there's some significant history here in Baltimore related to fashion at that time tech was not big in Baltimore, it actually just started to grow up with the whole tech ecosystem. Which wearable tech ventures was a part of so for a very long time I was out there as a single person beating a drum talking about um, innovation and tech and people are like what is she talking about and so I'm so excited that you are building this these series of programs and bringing thought leaders all together. And then even making a new path in the in the way of makers. So you're on a board. You're doing some things in Baltimore you were instrumental during the pandemic making sure that people had their ppe would you tell. Um, listeners what exactly is a maker and what are the opportunities there for makers.

16:46.92
Ron Williams
Well, you know, ah the whole maker movement is something that I stumbled into probably around the same time that we launched a conference around 2016 and someone said to me, you need to connect with this groupry open works and. So we did that but you know just to simplify it and what it what really dawned on me is um, you know it's going to be sound redundant and like a oversimplification but Makers make things. And they are they They are the macgyers of the of the economy and sense that they take things that are nothing and they turn them into something and sometimes it becomes entrepreneurial and entrepreneurial venture but they are just the creators they are the hackers. They are the traditional tradespeople.

17:21.59
wearabletakeover
Yep.

17:40.24
Ron Williams
Who come together in a space and that space becomes a community and they become they become an innovative community ah innovation Centric Community Um, so that's what the maker movement is.

17:40.37
wearabletakeover
Easy.

17:58.37
Ron Williams
You know there have been communities and and and not only the African American communities but other communities that have been the set a makers historically out of necessity. Um, but now.

18:07.84
wearabletakeover
I.

18:12.64
Ron Williams
It has been identified is becoming and has been identified as an economic driver. In fact, in this last session in the Maryland general assembly not only well let me back up. Not only was copin the first hbcu and the country to have a relationship a formal relationship.

18:30.00
wearabletakeover
Nice.

18:32.11
Ron Williams
But a community embedded maker space. Um, but the the the study that we did of that particular maker space which showed that that maker space put eight million over eight million dollars on the bottom line of the city every year

18:46.85
wearabletakeover
What.

18:49.50
Ron Williams
And over nine million dollars on the bottom line of the state every year in Maryland that that report that you referenced now that report was used to help make the case for the legislation that was just passed in Maryland so Maryland is now. First state in the country to identify. Um the maker space. Um maker move the maker movement as a potential economic driver that leads that will lead to economic growth in the in the state.

19:07.87
wearabletakeover
Wow.

19:24.21
Ron Williams
So there's an investment of public dollars that's coming in through tedco um is called the maker pilot initiative project that will expand maker spaces across the state of Maryland not only in Baltimore but also in some of the rural areas as economic drivers. Partially because of what our report showed in terms of economic impact.

19:46.33
wearabletakeover
Okay, so I got to break this down for our listeners. So if someone were to come to you and say what have you done for me lately. You have receipts Dr Williams you said not only are we value added as we are attracting and. Pouring into students and teaching them. But we're allowing them or providing them with tools and resources so that they can add economic value. Not only to the university. Not only to this city but to the state and to the sound of to do the zoo. 8 to 9000000 if that would do said sir.

20:22.95
Ron Williams
Yes, Nine million over Nine million on the bottom line of the state every year and over eight million on the bottom line of the city every year and these were pre pandemic numbers. But that particular space which is a leader in the country and I'm not sure that. That Baltimore and Maryland realized what a gym they have in the open work space. But um, that space is is leading the country in terms of diversity inclusion in terms of economic impact locally but also on the state level. So there are a lot of.

20:42.29
wearabletakeover
Moving.

21:00.58
Ron Williams
Eyes on Maryland and Baltimore in terms of economic impact and they're looking to see how we do it.

21:06.70
wearabletakeover
I love it. Okay, so for those of you that may have been making things at home or perhaps you might have been using some of those websites where you can create your own items and you could place them for sale. This is what we're talking about in these particular spaces they have access to. Nick and they have instructors and so even 3 d printing machines. um' I'm assuming they're right? Dr Williams is in the maker spaces which is a part of wearable technology so makers so weable tech and makers. We love one another right? as Dr Williams already mentioned.

21:30.94
Ron Williams
Um, yes.

21:44.36
wearabletakeover
We're giving nothing we can make something and so he has receipts. He's talking about how during a pandemic where nobody could find ppe masks or whatnot they were out there producing them and so ty it back to copton state university which is absolutely wonderful. So here's the small plug folks I'm not even going to break this down to even do a commercial because this is what a hacker looks like you could get that t-shirt on our website but then you could also join us and hopefully some of our folks from coppa state university as we engage in the virtual hackathon this July but anyway so what are some. Funding opportunities and then what are some skill sets that 1 must have to consider being a maker.

22:26.41
Ron Williams
Well I think funding opportunities are are beginning to emerge and are picking up momentum as makerspaces are recognized as part of of the economic. Engines that that municipalities need and and that states need money will follow. Um, not only on the local level. It's just like you know the the arpa money that that that the city received ah and.

22:52.11
wearabletakeover
River.

23:05.97
Ron Williams
On the state level and the national level if you look at some of the national legislation that's pending now. 2 things are mentioned manufacturing and hbc use and just about every line. So ah, it there's over the next decade I would say.

23:14.38
wearabletakeover
Movie.

23:24.52
Ron Williams
It's regardless of what administration is in office I think that there will be an avalanche of funding because the innovation is needed. Small scale local manufacturing is needed. The reshoring of manufacturing nationally is a necessity. So with all of that happening. You have the perfect storm so there will be public dollars that will follow over the next decade or 2 and also some private private. Ah. Funding opportunities will be available because when you look at it from every angle. Not only the the products that are being produced but also the workforce issues that we have there will be funding coming from that direction.

24:11.51
wearabletakeover
Who.

24:17.17
Ron Williams
So If you are looking to enter the ah the small scale manufacturing sector or um, if you're looking to hire I think there will be funding support for all of those kinds of activities because there are not enough workers to fill the gaps. In terms of skills and talent that that's needed to reure manufacturing. There's a need What what makerspaces have have demonstrated is the ability to create community a sense So a space where there's a sense of belonging and affiliation and people get together.

24:47.64
wearabletakeover
2

24:55.27
Ron Williams
And when people get together in a community setting. Usually they are more productive and able to be more innovative if the sense of community is built all of that is happening and and investment is starting to follow that.

25:08.77
wearabletakeover
I Love it. So basically what you're saying from this manufacturing perspective. There's a strong possibility that in the future. We do not have to go overseas to get things done is that what you're saying.

25:22.60
Ron Williams
That is exactly what I'm saying and because again it's it. It has become a national security risk if you cannot We see what's happening with the supply chain now as it broke. Um, and and the consequences of the pandemic. And the the the lingering consequences of a broken supply chain and the inflation that is following because you can't ah get items so they you know it's a supply and demand when the supplies is is is low. The the prices go Up. Ah.

25:53.79
wearabletakeover
Yep.

25:57.49
wearabletakeover
Moving.

26:00.90
Ron Williams
We See what's happening so reshoring is an absolute must so for the next couple of decades at least there's going to be a tremendous emphasis on reoring manufacturing and bringing those jobs back to the Us Now they won't look like um. The industrial jobs of the old but advanced manufacturing will be very much in full swing. You're doing wear wearable tech. Um, there'll be other sectors that are ah the rope those that involve robotics those that.

26:29.38
wearabletakeover
Maybe.

26:38.25
Ron Williams
And when I say that I don't say it to to make it sound out of reach for people because all of this activity will have to be pushed down to the community level in order to fill the gaps that are necessary. Positions like Citizen data scientists and people. So What is that you know that's when you may not necessarily go get a 4 your degree but you can get into data science by just virtue of getting certain exposure to certain certifications and the best skill that you can have.

26:59.40
wearabletakeover
2

27:16.75
Ron Williams
The greatest skill is the the the learning competence if you are a skilled Learner. You can be active in the emerging manufacturing space emerging maker space. The invert emerging technology space just be able to learn be good at learning.

27:33.45
wearabletakeover
I love it and there's going to be many of opportunities that are decentralized if I could use that term for learning and I believe last year I did a talk with the black data scientists organization and maybe we'll have to connect them with you as well. Dr Williams um but they are amazing and they had a hackathon and so it's gonna be wonderful when we all come together. So for folks that are out there listening if you already had a to real path in mind or perhaps you were thinking about transitioning I want you to sternly consider making a visit to a maker space. Um. Reaching out to Dr Williams are just following him to see what he's posting about various events and make sure that you attend those because I think it's important that we have increased representation in the maker space and so from your perspective Dr. Williams what does the demographics look like from makers or do you feel that copin is helping to make sure that there is proper representation in the maker space.

28:34.50
Ron Williams
Yeah, historically maker spaces have not been that diverse and that is a fact and I do believe that we are making a difference but we are barely scratching the surface when you.

28:50.67
wearabletakeover
Who.

28:53.97
Ron Williams
Now I I mentioned the open works as a leader nationally in terms of diversity and inclusion from the staff to the board to the membership is very diverse that did not happen because of where it's located because. There are institutions organizations that are in Baltimore that are not diverse. You have to be intentional about being inclusive. Um, and that's what we're advocating in the makerspace movement is that you be intentional about being inclusive.

29:16.15
wearabletakeover
Z. Yes.

29:29.92
Ron Williams
Um, now if you are in an area where there's There's not much racial diversity in the area. There are other um determinants for being inclusive other than just race. It may be.

29:51.11
Ron Williams
Physically able versus people that are not physically able. It may be not necessarily African American It may be native American It may be but whatever the other is in your community. You have to be intentional about being inclusive.

29:52.30
wearabletakeover
Through who.

30:07.39
Ron Williams
Because it's natural for humans to self- categorigoze and self-segregate. That's not a bad thing but we have to be mindful about being inclusive of what what?? what? that other is um, um, that what did the sociologists call all in group Outgro. We have to be intentional about including the outgroup. Whatever that outgroup is.

30:31.98
wearabletakeover
I love it. So folks make sure you're inviting the outgroup and I think that's important representation representation is incredibly essential and especially when we talk about manufacturing and I got to tell a story here I talk about this in my book rejection to reward. How I actually curated the Maryland's first wearable tech fashion show at light city and a couple years after I curated that and this is after I had launched the whole wearable tech expo with my own money. There was a manufacturing organization in the state of Maryland that was funded by state funds and other things like that they copied my idea and put on a show in Baltimore and said it was the first and Dr Williams I actually went to the organization that funded them and I went to the leadership of that manufacturing organization and said how dare you. Because if you can Google you will find my name and so when we're talking about representation in manufacturing. Um I've already told my story but from your perspective why is that important also from an ip perspective because we know Baltimore is the home. Um, Henrietta Lax and I always tell people we are not trying to repeat that story when it comes to ip tech or makership right? So why? Why is representation important and what can we do to help drive more inclusivity as relates to manufacturing.

31:58.44
Ron Williams
Well I'm so glad you you you brought that up. Um, and I'll get to the Ip the intellectual property question because that's ah, that's on us's an education issue on our side. We need to educate ourselves about that and make sure we are protected properly protected. Um, but. You know, historically while there had african americans in particular as we migrated from the south we found jobs in manufacturing sectors in the industrial areas but it was not equitable and it was not inclusive or certainly as you moved up the.

32:32.16
wearabletakeover
Exactly.

32:37.84
Ron Williams
Up The decision up the chain. Um and and many of us were able to move our families into the middle class and educate our children because of those industrial jobs so we have to acknowledge that but at the same time. We know that? ah that sector is not as inclusive as as it could be especially as you may move into the decision making ranks so at cop and we're very focused on preparing leaders and owners.

33:08.15
wearabletakeover
Yes.

33:16.19
Ron Williams
In that sector. That's that's your trajectory. We want them on but you have to work at both ends we have to work at our community in to expose our community to manufacturing and educate our community about what manufacturing is today.

33:23.00
wearabletakeover
Review.

33:31.92
wearabletakeover
Yes.

33:34.17
Ron Williams
It's not the old dirty dusty job that you would envision so that needs to happen. What may be a little bit more tricky or trickier than the than even that is to for to help. The manufacturing sector. The decision makers who exist today in most cases that we can help you we can help you shift the culture that will be more inclusive and help. All of us be more profitable profitable see. Um, we don't though those who I would say dominate in decision making positions today in manufacturing.

34:10.26
wearabletakeover
Yes, Keyword profitable.

34:28.65
Ron Williams
Um, don't necessarily know how to to to navigate those waters. Um, it's bringing people who are may not who may have be underrepresented now in. But bringing them in in a way that you're bringing them into emotionally and psychologically safe Space. You can't bring me into a sector and then emotionally and psychologically beat me up because I don't feel like I Belong I.

34:52.50
wearabletakeover
Wow.

35:01.31
wearabletakeover
Wait a minute wait a minute wait a minute Dr Williams I'm glad you said that I had a recent discussion with some advisors and I told them that it it is so important as we are building these innovation ecosystems that we inform our people. And um, um, what I'm saying our people I'm referring to those that are historically underrepresented and under resourceed you belong here. We are fighting. We are working every day and so we're not wasting our time doing these shows and putting on these programs. You belong here. So even if it's something that you don't even understand and you're listening to these podcast episodes to catch up. Please please hear me you belong here and we are fighting to make sure you have what you need. So that not only you can be pleasant, but so that you can survive continued after leads.

36:01.50
Ron Williams
So so it's important for us to help those who are in decision making positions in manufacturing now understand the value of bringing in others for their economic positive economic mobility. Those we're bringing in but also so that the that the the corporation the entity, the organization can be more profitable and also creating that culture inside that um creates a a community. That can be productive and innovative. um um I grew up in in coal mining territory and 1 thing I knew because there was a large african american population in the county that I grew up in. Um, when those men went underground. Um, different races black white different nationalities and so forth when they went underground it left everything became level because their primary um desire was to come out alive. So a lot of the things that separated them above ground disappeared because they had to work together for a common goal to come out alive so they had to produce they had to work together and it but it created relationships below ground that they couldn't even have often.

37:21.39
wearabletakeover
To the.

37:33.60
wearabletakeover
You see.

37:34.53
Ron Williams
Above ground. Um when you bring people into collaborative relationships into a community where they are being. They have a common goal and they're working side by Side. That's what I call relational innovation some things melt away and once people taste that. And once they know that that exists The only way you can change culture is give people new experiences and once you give them that experience of collaborative productivity and innovation. They you can. You can't erase it.

37:57.86
wearabletakeover
Yes.

38:07.77
wearabletakeover
E.

38:10.69
Ron Williams
Some people get to try to deny it but you cannot erase that experience. We have to move in that Direction. So That's the drum that I'm beating now. Um, let's let's develop some relational competencies and understand what that means in terms of productivity and profitability. And let's begin to shift The culture. Let's create pathways where people who are underrepresented and under resource can come in and um, be safe. Psychologically we we we and what that means? Um, So that's that's.

38:39.91
wearabletakeover
Yes, yes.

38:48.37
Ron Williams
That's the mission that I'm on now.

38:48.74
wearabletakeover
I I Love it. I Love it and so before we get to our last question I got a touch on something else because you were doing something with the center for Strategic relational innovation. Can you tell our listeners. What. That is and what can we expect in the center in the future.

39:06.97
Ron Williams
Okay, the the yeah the center this the center for strategic entrepreneurship and a personal research interest of mine is around what I call relational innovation. And that's what I was just referring to because um learning is the greatest skill that we can have in the twenty first century there's ah there there has been a lot of attention in terms of learning on cognitive.

39:31.86
wearabletakeover
Absolutely.

39:43.40
Ron Williams
The cognitive domain of learning and the Psycho motor domain of learning. We know a lot. We have a lot of tools but we can't get along so we now must focus on the affective domain of learning.

39:53.35
wearabletakeover
M.

40:03.43
Ron Williams
There's a reason we remember our favorite teacher. It was because of the relationship learning happens when the relationship is intact So follow the follow the breadcrumbs.

40:08.79
wearabletakeover
Yes.

40:21.61
Ron Williams
We improve relationships we learn more effectively and we have the greater the great the skill that is in greatest demand We we almost have a hyper focus on stem and we should focus on stem but we better become.

40:34.17
wearabletakeover
Review.

40:41.23
wearabletakeover
Yes.

40:41.65
Ron Williams
Relationally competent. There are so there are several relational pillars that we have to focus on like trust communication empathy others. But um, trust is the load bearing pillar. So that's the trust framework that we're working on to help um to help organizations and to help develop trust profiles. So we'll have a baseline in regard to trust because once that trust is lost everything else falls apart. So within trust we talk about. Um, two two factors 1 being transparency and the other being cultural competence of composition cultural composition is your is your company or your space or whatever are you heterogeneous or homogeneous in terms of your your makeup. What are the others. And how transparent are you with information because transparency makes you more vulnerable and the willingness to be vulnerable excuse me is the definition of trust. So.

41:51.49
wearabletakeover
I love it. Dr. David You have dropped so many gems in this shorter amount of time and I'm sure people are listening to singing I want to take his class I want to be a part of this center and so before we get into how they can.

42:02.96
Ron Williams
And.

42:10.77
wearabletakeover
Stay engaged with you how they can learn from your feet. What would you like your legacy to be.

42:18.77
Ron Williams
Um, ah a learner and and a teacher and well me put it this way a learner and a facilitator of the learning that would that that would be my my my legacy.

42:29.20
wearabletakeover
US.

42:38.80
Ron Williams
Um, I've always been very active in the faith community. You mentioned Bishop Thomas and um for for me, um, teaching and preaching are the 2 most noble endeavors in the world. So um, that that is it.

42:40.90
wearabletakeover
Yes.

42:48.72
wearabletakeover
Z.

42:55.69
Ron Williams
People say he was a great teacher. A great facilitator of learning and and he was a lifelong learn himself. That's it I mean in addition to of course you know father husband all of that kind of stuff because I'm learning at that too I've been married to the same person for 41 years I'm still learning.

43:14.64
wearabletakeover
I love it all right? So we got a good pi right here folks so you can go to him for a lot of things mentor or whatever I think you you had to start dropping up in his cash yet. You can learn a lot from this man this model the mentor, the muble. In Baltimore City the professor at the copin state university Dr Williams I'm I'm just so honored to have you in my space and honored to work with you. Not only from the city level but from a national level to help launch these initiatives. And folks for those of you that are listening. You might be saying. What's my first step. How do I get into this. Well we're going to ask Dr Williams for some contact information but let me tell you this go online right now go to wearable http://techventures.org and register for the virtual hackathon if you don't know what I'm talking about go back and listen to episode 2 but just follow directions go to the website right now and register. So that way we can involve you in some of this training some of these opportunities right from your home. Okay, so make sure you register for that today. It is free all right? and so Dr Williams what are some ways that people can follow you engage with you or go ahead and share that with our audience.

44:32.63
Ron Williams
Yes, um, feel free to contact me on Linkedin Dr. marvelil see Williams twitter Dr. Ron Williams at Dr Ron Williams Facebook any of those I respond you send me a a Linkedin message I respond. Yeah I love connecting with people and and sharing what I know and learning what they have to share with me so feel free to reach out on me Linkedin Twitter any of those platforms our our copy in my email is R Williams R Williams at hopincoppindotedu send me an email message. Go to the cop and website call coppping and ask for me by name any any of those will work.

45:14.84
wearabletakeover
A living legend folks a living legend. Let's give it up for Dr Williams I need to have like the audience. Ah audio here all right folks. Thank you so much for listening to today's episode and stay tuned for a few announcements.