S2 E43: How Women Can Become Leaders in Tech ft. Arlando Monk

Can women truly thrive in the tech industry and corporate America despite systemic challenges? Join us as we explore this critical question while shedding light on the hurdles women face, including workplace discrimination, limited advancement opportunities, and the pressures of balancing work and personal life. We delve into the importance of therapy and self-care to navigate these spaces effectively. Our episode also celebrates Milwaukee's growth and community spirit over the past two decades, showcasing the city's remarkable transformation and collaborative energy.

We are honored to host Arlando Monk, the visionary behind the Visionary League, who is pioneering efforts in tech and e-sports, especially for minorities and youth. Arlando shares his inspiring journey, from helping individuals land their dream jobs to engaging with colleges and promoting gaming careers for the underrepresented. Despite personal and professional challenges brought on by COVID-19, including the loss of loved ones, Arlando's unwavering determination to foster opportunities within the tech space shines through in his discussion, particularly his ongoing work with Marquette students.

We also share tips for visitors to Milwaukee, highlighting the city's vibrant summer and fall events, bustling neighborhoods, and hidden gems. Don't miss out on this enriching conversation that not only celebrates our inspiring guest but also the dynamic and supportive Milwaukee community.

This Episode is Sponsored by Visit Milwaukee - https://www.visitmilwaukee.org/

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

women go through a lot in general in tech and at whether they're, you know, in corporate america. You know, or they, you know, or they're entrepreneur or whatever. You know they go through a lot. And so, you know, working those nine to fives, you know, dealing with the internal issues that they deal with, whether you know it's derogatory stuff that's going on internally or not being heard or um, or you know, just or not moving up the ladder, all kind of different things on top of their work-life balance. You know we're dealing with family and um, you know, and other stuff you know, uh, that they deal with. You know, dealing with kids or pregnancies and all that. You know it.

Speaker 1: 0:42

You know it gets stressful, you know, and um and I've heard this multiple times with women, you know that they said they um, a lot of women need therapists, you know, at times, and self-care at times, you know. And so what we did was we said we want to focus on women, um, in this industry, that's, in corporate america, um, talk to women that's going through those type of issues and can relate to the audience. Favorite part about Milwaukee is the growth that we all have seen happen here in Milwaukee the last 15, 20 years, definitely after Pfizer was built, is the growth not only in just the city but in the people Cause we keep striving, we keep pushing, no matter what race we are. We all striving for the same thing. We keep pushing, no matter what race we are. We are striving for the same thing to be successful and be impactful to each other.

Speaker 2: 1:45

What's up everybody, welcome to another episode of the Forever Podcast. It's your boy, it's your host, once again Jamar Jones, and I'm here with a special episode coming to you fast, you know, with my guy that is from Milwaukee and he's doing amazing, amazing things, with a lot of the events, the activities, helping people with landing jobs, getting their dream job. He's working with colleges, he's working within the e-sports sector, he's doing a lot of stuff, tech, I mean. It goes on and on what this guy is accomplishing.

Speaker 2: 2:24

Right now my man, orlando Monk, is in the building. He's the chief visionary officer of the Visionary League and we're super excited to have you here on this podcast, because I love sharing what people are doing in various different cities, but Milwaukee is something that definitely holds near and dear to my heart, with people that are doing these incredible activities, these activations, just within our own city, and so I want more people to really recognize what you have going on, and I know also you have an event happening. But first, what we're going to cover is what do you got going on in your life right now?

Speaker 1: 3:05

what we're going to cover is what do you got going on?

Speaker 1: 3:07

in your life right now, man, a lot, everything, pretty much pretty much everything. You just listed dude times 10, so it's like I don't even know when I even sleep at times. I don't even remember sleeping at times. You know it's so hard, but but you know, just um, you just running the league right now and doing that. You know, we've been doing that for seven years running and come eight, come November, like you said, we're tapping into e-sports and get into gaming and one of the goals is definitely get more minorities into gaming and starting with the youth, you know, and so, yeah, yeah, something different, something challenging and something to do. You know, saying, instead of out here doing other stuff, they can do that and learn to grow into that as a career instead of just gaming yeah yeah, career right.

Speaker 1: 3:59

so you know we're doing that and, like I said you, like you said, uh, you know, working on the invention, uh, with some marquette students and stuff, so that's pretty been going pretty well, and so you know that. And then expanding the V League.

Speaker 2: 4:14

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 4:15

The nonprofit sector and just yeah. And then you know I still got Blacks in Tech, so I've still been. You know, you know, you know kind of you know doing things in the background with tweaking that and what we're going to present for the city for that, yeah, I'm going to work with a group for that. So, uh, man, the list go on and on, like man, it just can't stop.

Speaker 2: 4:37

So yeah, and so so for everybody listening and watching, what does the visionary league actually do? So like? What do you? What do you represent? What is the league?

Speaker 1: 4:47

the league has it started?

Speaker 1: 4:49

It's always been a diversity inclusion organization.

Speaker 1: 4:51

Well, of course, you know, everybody say dei, but it's always been a uh dei organization, um, to mainly focus definitely getting more minorities into tech and creative industry jobs right, but we are all about diversity in general.

Speaker 1: 5:11

We will help, you know, no matter who it is you know, but we want to definitely help get more minorities into those spaces, those industries, those jobs and that and those industries. I should say, um, so we've been doing that for x amount of time, um, and so one of the key things definitely has been the events and focused on, you know, giving people as many resources in front of them, as much as possible, as you're seeing the multiple women wanting to text, every woman wanting to text at job opportunities in front of them, or resources or a mix of both, right, and so we're gonna continue that path, even though we kind of we kind of somewhat doing that this year, but we we're gonna do it even more next year. We're kind of tweaking some things, but when we want to attack, but we wanted this one to be more focused on the mental health um aspect, um, self-care aspect, right, um, so yeah, so yeah, that's, you know, our thing is is helping people opportunity.

Speaker 2: 6:06

Yeah, that's amazing man and the work you're doing has been incredible. Um, if everybody you know, if you're listening right now, you have any interest, go to their website. Um, they have some awesome, even recap, videos of the past. Uh, women, wine and tech events that you guys have done. Um just awesome, bringing to uh organizations, people, um, amazing women I know you're working on other versions also of the events um, like you guys are just bringing them all together and helping with really good dialogue and conversation, but also action. You know who knows kind of what the ripple effect of of those events are. Um you to help people actually get those job placements, understand and learn a little more about tech and how they can get into the space. So, when you're doing all these different DEI initiatives within the league, what has been one of the hardest challenges that you've uh faced and and something that you've overcome?

Speaker 1: 7:08

the hardest challenge was covid, um, yeah, yeah, I mean the worst. Lord covid did so much to me not only myself, but everybody in general yourself and everybody where everybody had to kind of maneuver and figure out a new way of how to structure their business and come up with this whole new business model, with virtual and not being able to engage with people, because that's one of the thing key things that we do, you know, is the events, right and um, with having people being around people, you know, having people gather and networking and stuff, and you take that away. It's like wow, like that's like almost like 70 to 80% of your business, right, but we learned how to pivot. So what we did was we went virtual, you know, and we still was in. We did it in no studios and they had a virtual aspect to their platform, to their platform. So, uh, we was able to still run.

Speaker 1: 8:09

Women wanted to check for the two years of covet. I would just do it virtually and people still showed up, you know, even virtually, which was shocking. So, um, so you know it, we overcame that. But then covet still um was really, uh, it really impacted me hard because it took away my mom and my mom ended up getting coven pneumonia, and so I lost my mom in the midst of you know um the journey, while, you know, trying to work on winning one attack and continue keeping the league going, staying afloat over, you know, with kobe going on, me catching kobe twice and then having her and lose her, um, you know, I felt like a depression, you know, and uh had a lot of anxiety and depression going on and uh lost her october 20, 2021, and then we ended up doing the following women wanted to take um that following april, um, and we dedicated the whole you know uh win-win attack to her and uh, yeah, and so it.

Speaker 1: 9:10

It was a matter of just getting getting back up to you know, getting the gears going and getting get things rolling and get mentally stable to push that out. And that's what really helped me get past. That was knowing that I was dedicating this to my mom because she didn't want me to continue to make her proud, because that's what she would tell people all the time before she passed that she was proud of her son and she was at our first women wanted tech event and some of the virtual events. So, um, so to lose, that was to. You know I lost a lot, um, and with her being on the journey of what I've been doing, um, it, it hurt a lot and it still hurts, you know. And so, but, uh, but like I say, uh, time don't heal, god heals. And I'm going to keep saying that, you know, keep moving that you know, keep that in my spirit, you know, that you know God heals as much as possible, you know.

Speaker 2: 9:58

So yeah, and and for you to push through that and and overcome that is, uh, and honestly, it's going to be, you know, um, a lot of healing. You know, uh, probably timeless healing. You know, yeah, um, you know through that. But for you to continue and to push forward, even you know, dealing with, um, so many internal things even within yourself, um, man, a huge, huge props to to you. To, like, I cause, at that point you could definitely just focus on yourself, but you still continue to say, hey, I still want to make an impact, I still want to help others.

Speaker 2: 10:41

That, um, maybe going through challenges when you're going through your own and there's, that shows a lot of resiliency and strength, what you stand for and what you're doing. So I guess, with that being said, talk to us a little bit about this next Women Wine and Tech event that's coming up on April 25th, because if that wasn't enough motivation for the people watching listening to get you to this event, let's give, let's sprinkle on, like just a little bit of the icing on the cake of what are they going to walk away? Who's all involved? What are the speakers? Yeah, give us a little little snapshot of the event.

Speaker 1: 11:27

Yeah, this is a spoiled fest. We should call a spoiled fest for the women.

Speaker 2: 11:33

Uh, man, we throwing I actually like that name, by the way spoiled.

Speaker 1: 11:37

Spoiled fest for the women. No lie, spoiled fest for real. Uh, we should rename it that too. So, um, but you know, um, women wanting to tech. This one is definitely, uh, super impactful, um, super beneficial for women. Um, you know, women, that's it's. It's focused. The focus is mental health.

Speaker 1: 11:57

Like I stated earlier, this focus on mental health, self-care, um, and this time we said you know what we're gonna, we're gonna focus on those areas because women go through a lot in general in tech and at rather, they're, you know, in corporate America, you know, or they, you know, or they are entrepreneur or whatever. You know they go through a lot. And so, you know, working those nine-to-fives, you know, dealing with the internal issues that they deal with, whether you know it's the rockatory stuff that's going on internally, or not being heard or not moving up the ladder, all kinds of different things on top of their work-life balance, with dealing with family and other stuff that they deal with, dealing with kids or pregnancies and all that. You know it. You know it gets stressful, you know, and and I've heard this multiple times with women you know that they said they, a lot of women, need therapists, you know, at times, and self-care, at times, you know. And so what we did was we said we want to focus on women in this industry, that's, in corporate America, talk to women that's going through those type of issues and can relate to the audience, relate to the attendees, because not to attend the attendees is going through the same things.

Speaker 1: 13:18

Every Women Wanted Tech that we did, every issue that the women would have the attendees was going through the exact same thing, and so it's been a good thing with Women Wanted Tech, and this one is definitely focused on that and also self-care, because it's also about self-care, because you know, if you don't have self-care, you know you don't have nothing right, and so all of us need self-care. The women definitely need self-care because they do. That's one thing. They got a super-duper advantage over us. They can multitask, and we have not perfected that yet and we hats to them. I had to tell them. Uh, my vp, nicole, I told her that they they got their hands down. I know I mean we'd be trying, but they got it down, down the drive.

Speaker 1: 14:03

But yeah, yeah, we try, and so that's all we can continue to do. I might have gotten maybe 40. They got the rest. So, um, but yeah, this is what it's about, you know. And so they're going to have an uh impactful, uh uh panel, you know, with, of course, the host of shonda, and then we're going to have some uh leaders in the game. You know, that's been in tech across the board, whether it's from hr or or bp positions. Um, these ladies are definitely bringing it and they definitely bring in what they've experienced in tech.

Speaker 1: 14:37

And then, on top of that, the event also incorporates, you know, not only just the mental health awareness, but the self-care side. So we have self-care vendors there that will be there for the women. So they're going to have some jury options, a massage option. Do makeup their resources for them, you know. So we have resources like resources vendors, and we have self-care vendors, so it's gonna be a whole bunch of things. Another set of wines this lady that's doing otherwise, it's focused on that helps with anxiety and depression. Yeah, her wine, it's kind of it's like a calming type of wine, so, which is cool and it fits the event. So that's what this event is about man. You know just the awareness and you know it catered to them on top of all the raffles that we're doing. They're getting so many raffle gifts, yeah, crazy, so many. So, uh, but this is what it is. We want to spoil them. You know they deserve, they deserve it. They definitely deserve it.

Speaker 2: 15:33

That's amazing man. And who exactly is this event for, Like who's who's attending?

Speaker 1: 15:38

Oh, you know people in corporate America, or the nine to fives, or you know the entrepreneurs, the college students, because it's a college student option to. You know, hear these stories and network with other individuals. That's in the game right now in the tech industry right now. So this is a time for everybody to come together, learn and grow together all in one, and even people that's not in tech and just interested in the conversation, just interested in the event, or interested in the event or just interest, or also interested in tech and possibly want to land in that job. And you know and possibly hear the stories and you know and maybe help motivate them and know what, how to deal with certain situations If it were to rise. Maybe some of these situations that the women dealt with, possibly it might. Can you know, help them? You know, kind of learn from that. You know, learn from you know.

Speaker 2: 16:31

Yeah, no, that's a, that's amazing. So if anybody is, you know, interested, if that sounds like somewhere they need to be at, it definitely sounds like you should show up. If there's anything that is captured, you at all, go to this event. Is this um? Is this a free event to go to?

Speaker 1: 16:49

no, no, the tickets right now are 40 for, okay, professional, um, and it's 25 for student, and the ticket covers, um, a wine glass. As usual, we always have a theme that goes with the wine glass, so this year is um, rest, uh, relax, recover on the glass, and so that's for the ladies, and so they get the free wine glass. And then, um, it covers, you know, food, uh, two wine tickets, um, and then also the other wine tasting, uh, wines that's there on on the scene or on at the event, um, and then also on top of like, raffle tickets, you know, to win like multiple prizes and stuff, yeah, and I think Summerfest Summerfest is going to be there. They're going to probably be giving out a bunch of Summerfest tickets and stuff. So they're going to be there in the building. So it's a lot of different things going on in that event.

Speaker 2: 17:41

Yeah, that's it. That's incredible, Not to mention, you know, I know Orlando really mentioned all the physical things that you're getting with that ticket. But let's talk about the priceless things also by the knowledge, the relationships that you're going to get at this event. So, 40 bucks, 20 bucks, doesn't matter what that cost is. If you're listening or watching, I mean it's, it's a no brainer to go because you know, think about how much money have you spent on investing in yourself. You know all the things that you material things, or the activities or entertainment that you've gone to. You've given that money out to other things.

Speaker 2: 18:23

It's time to invest in yourself, and 20 bucks, 40 bucks, doesn't matter what the, even if it's a hundred bucks, I mean, come on, this is investing in yourself. You're going to meet like-minded people all in one space. You're going to hear from incredible speakers and then, who knows where, the connections or relationships, that where that can lead you, where you can get your outcomes of finding that dream job or getting into the tech space or understanding how to navigate your own mental health and your own self-care, because that's that's it's going to be, it's going to help you for the long run. So, when you really think about it 40 bucks ain't nothing.

Speaker 2: 18:58

You probably spent that going out for dinner the other night. So, like I mean, come on, this is to get that investment and oftentimes these events I'm telling everybody a lot of times these events, uh, it's like going to the gym, you know. A lot of times you find every excuse why you can't go, but once you go you never like man, I shouldn't have gone to that. Everybody walks away with saying like I'm glad I invested a little bit into myself today and that's what this is about. So if you're thinking about whatever you got going through your head or why you can't make it, push this side, power through and figure out how to get there, be a problem solver. So yeah, what's the date and time again, just drop it one more time.

Speaker 1: 19:49

April 25th, april 25th, and the time is going to be six to uh, nine, uh, but they're able to also stay to like 9 30, because we kept the venue a little bit longer. Yeah, able to still network for a while, even after the event. Um, you know, half an hour even more. So, yeah, yeah so, and remind you to throw this out there this, this group of ladies or this group for women want to take, is diverse, it's real, it's a real diverse crowd and that's what that's where a lot of people love. You know why they love coming to this event? Because it's so diverse.

Speaker 2: 20:23

Yeah, and where's? Where's the location? Again, pilot project Okay, beautiful spot, beautiful. Oh yeah, love it, love it. Go on, man, right in Milwaukee, that's a beautiful location.

Speaker 1: 20:37

Yes indeed.

Speaker 2: 20:38

Yeah, man, that's incredible. Grab your tickets, everybody. Go out to the events Network, have a great time and you get to connect with Orlando if you get to go, so you get to meet them in person. Well, cool. Before I get you out of here, man, I want to ask you real quick about Milwaukee. So our next segment is brought to you by Visit Milwaukee.

Speaker 3: 21:03

Immerse yourself in a place where bold ideas are sought after. We're all are encouraged to bring their personal flourish here. Innovation is a way of life In this city. The beat flows Together. We're dancing to the rhythm forward. Now it's your turn to grab hold of that energy. Well, you'll remember not just the meals, the celebrations or the uncommon coasts. What you'll remember is how we made you feel. Come experience Milwaukee, where fresh meets fearless every day.

Speaker 2: 21:34

I want to ask you what's your favorite part about Milwaukee?

Speaker 1: 21:40

My favorite part about Milwaukee. Do we have to be like? Is it like location or like Whatever you?

Speaker 2: 21:49

want it to be. Just what is your favorite part? If it's a person, if it's a place, if it's an activity, if it's a feeling, if it's something that's happened to you in Milwaukee, it don't matter what it is, just what's your favorite part.

Speaker 1: 22:03

The favorite part about Milwaukee is the growth that we all have seen happen here in Milwaukee. It don't matter what it is, just what's your favorite part. The favorite part about Milwaukee is the growth that we all have seen happen here in Milwaukee the last 15, 20 years definitely after Pfizer was built is the growth not only in just the city but in the people, because we keep striving, we keep pushing, no matter what race we are, we all striving for the same thing to be successful, um and you know, and be impactful to each other. Um and everybody's learning to grow together. Um everybody always giving us this um hitting us. You know, with this um sour taste, you know about us being segregated and all that, but they don't realize they have to be in milwaukee to um learn milwaukee and know milwaukee, and we know that the diversity is growing here in milwaukee. Um, there's still some issues, but there's issues everywhere, but we we've learned and seen the growth that we we've um uh have seen in the last five, ten years, you know, and and it's definitely uh getting better for us in general.

Speaker 1: 23:05

Uh, and that's what I love. I love, I love the people. Um, I love all y'all, you know, in general, I love watching y'all grow and watching seeing y'all do your thing outside of ourselves, you know, and it's all about collaborations and networking with each other, and that's exactly what, um, everybody's been doing amongst our communities and networks like you myself, nad Nadia and whoever now and then with Social X, and you know, everybody's doing the thing with collaborating and making things happen. I love seeing the growth in the city and the people that's been doing these things out here, milky Way Tech Hub, like Nadia and I'm in Milwaukee, uh, with Milwaukee uh Tech Hub Coalition and uh, man, all of them, man, you know everybody's doing things and making things happen. Right, and that's what I love.

Speaker 2: 23:52

Arden Stone is doing their thing. Uh yeah, montreal came with um with America cares. I mean everybody's got some amazing things happening.

Speaker 1: 24:04

There's some hidden gems here, man.

Speaker 2: 24:06

Yeah, hidden gems. Yeah, there's some cool stuff, and if somebody was visiting in Milwaukee, what's a couple places they need to hit?

Speaker 1: 24:18

Oh man, you know the Deer District for sure. You know the Deer District for sure. You know we got to rep Summerfest. You know you know the deer district for for sure. You know we gotta rep summerfest, you know, because they, you know they loving us. So, um, summerfest, definitely, because that's, that's a, that's definitely your go-to. Yeah, uh, you know.

Speaker 1: 24:34

And then you know, of course, you know other spots that we know about, as in like the museum and stuff, like that third street market, uh, man, it just the list goes on and on because it's continued to grow in different areas. Right, it's the third ward, which has been growing the last 10 years, which is crazy right now, and now extending from there into the fourth ward you know south of that. So the fourth ward is now growing, so that's definitely now a spot to um visit now. So you know, it's like continuing growth here in the city. Um, and we're seeing that they're talking about the freeway thing which might expand more. I'm not sure if that's gonna be a good decision or not, but we'll find out, we'll find out right. And so you know, losing that home bridge gonna be major because that's like a landmark for us.

Speaker 3: 25:19

You know yeah trademark for us.

Speaker 1: 25:21

So, uh, you know they've done so much cool work with the home, the home like the own up it's. You know, hopefully not hopefully, they don't take that away, but the home bridge is pretty dope at night and so it's so many hidden things here that makes milwaukee amazing. Yeah, um, and just you know that. You know that's why we love our city. You know, yeah, outside of the city, it's us. Yep, no, that's that's incredible man because we love our city. You know, yeah, outside of the city, it's us yep, no, that's.

Speaker 2: 25:46

That's incredible, man, because we we got a lot of listeners, um, and followers of the podcast that are from all over the place and so, um, you know, oftentimes with the events that we do, we're getting people to fly in, you know, and they're experiencing walking for the first time, um and uh, they think they're like wow, I didn't know you guys got down like this around here. There was the video, I don't know if you saw it. Dame Dash went through Milwaukee. I think this was maybe a year or two ago. He said he looked around, it was buzzing. He's driving in the car. He's like man I didn't know milwaukee was going down like this man. He's like any city that anybody says that is whack. I'm going to it because this is you guys don't see, you know what's really happening right right in the city and, um, it's just, it's just so cool to see these different places. You know, light up, man. So thank you so much for um, for being on the podcast. Man, where, where can people find you? How can they get connected?

Speaker 1: 26:49

Uh, well, they can get connected um with me on LinkedIn. Of course, I'm not sure if you're going to put that on the screen. I know you go there, you go, slide that on screen, there we go. I knew it was coming so, uh, I had to throw that out there. You know LinkedIn, you know, uh, you know, hit me on LinkedIn um the website, um. You know visionary leadorg Um, and then also on Instagram, we on Instagram, we're on meetups, uh, man. We on Facebook, um, man, we we everywhere. So you know, we try to tap in everywhere and and try to get as much, um much resources and and uh stuff out there to people as much as possible, yeah, so yeah, no, that's cool.

Speaker 2: 27:29

Well, thank you so much for uh, for hopping on here. For anybody that's listening or watching, make sure you subscribe to the podcast, drop a comment. Uh, like the content, like the content engaged with it. We want to know, uh, you know, what parts hit you the most. How does this help you? And definitely connect with the people that we have on here. Every single time I do this, I always encourage people to connect with our guests, because I don't know, go ahead.

Speaker 1: 27:58

You gotta let them know that Milwaukee's not just cattle out there eating grass, man, man, they be thinking we're in a farm somewhere, like we're in farmland somewhere, and there's a bunch of cows, people milking cows or something. No, he exists, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2: 28:14

There's a lot going on, man. We're trying to play our part to bring people out to the city and enjoy. My strategy is kind of work outside in, you know I'm I'm kind of hitting, hitting up all these other, all these other cities, you know, really sharing with people about you know where I'm from, what, what I got going on, and then bringing the energy back to the city, man, and letting people know that there's more than um, you know, whatever, what is it National Geographic may say, or you know, like pictures online that you see pop up. It's like, dude, you go to Milwaukee. You know you're going to have a good time, man, especially in the summer, especially in the summer fall, it's perfect weather, it goes down.

Speaker 2: 29:01

So, yeah, we're going to keep promoting that good message. We're going to keep doing it. Um, yeah, so definitely connect with uh, with Orlando and um, and, you know, go to this event. You know, if you're uh, if you're listening to this before um, before the events, uh, definitely go out to the events and uh, yeah, we're gonna, we're gonna wrap it up there, um, like and comments, and, yeah, we're going to, we're going to wrap it up there, like and comment, and we can't wait to see you guys on the next episode. We got we just got bangers every single time. Every time we got amazing guests that we're bringing on here and sharing some amazing insights so to connect with Orlando cause. You never know. You can change your circle to change your life. We're out Peace. Don't forget to like, comment and subscribe and don't forget to hit that notification bell for more amazing content that we're going to be putting out. And don't forget you can change your circle to change your life. You.