2021 GlobalMindED
The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable
GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
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Dr. Robert Joseph, President and Co-Founder of Team MindShift is a successful data scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur. In this dynamic role, Robert is a world-class leader whose experiences as the first Black student attending an Episcopal K-8 school set an example for his entire life success, including an undergrad and master’s degree from MIT and a PhD from Carnegie Mellon. Going above and beyond his whole life, Robert has led many organizations, including his founding Team MindShift. Read his full story below as we start the month of April, celebrating STEM Stars and TECH talent- Robert is both and so much more!
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Robert, you are a successful data scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur. What is your personal story and what led you on this path?
As with most stories, it seems to start with the influencers in my life. Both my parents foster being open to new experiences, do different things, and have fun. When I was a young kid I started selling decorated matchboxes, playing basketball, and learning piano. I also had a curiosity for science so I would read different articles in the encyclopedia. This foundation gave me a wide exposure to many different ideas, perspectives, and knowledge. As I continue to grow, knowledge and exposure to new experiences helped to guide my path. So by the time I was in high school I did many activities boy scouts to junior achievement, track and field to basketball, and debate club to the yearbook committee. These diverse experiences help to give me perspective on how others thought about the world and shape my thinking.
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You are a graduate of MIT and you got your Ph.D. at Carnegie Mellon. How did you fare as a black man pioneering at the PWI- Predominately White Colleges? What can others learn from your pathbreaking experiences?
That was a fun experience for me. As the first black person to go to an Episcopal school K - 8, I was familiar with the settings of PWI and learned very early on that relationships are key to many situations.
So when I was at MIT I fostered relationships with the people in my classes that understood the material and formed study groups with them. I helped them and they helped me. My mantra was life is a team sport. I knew school was more than just studying so I was also on the basketball team. Yes, I can say I played college basketball :)
So when at CMU my relationship-building developed more. While other students were focused on following the rules and getting their work done. I was focused on finding a good advisor and making sure he was happy with my work. He was my spokesperson when I was not in the room (faculty meetings, etc.). I got my work done but also had a very good time there. With a strong relationship with my advisor, every semester I would tell him my plans and make sure he was in agreement, during meetings I would offer to help on projects that he needed help with, and made sure to continue to work in groups with people in which we could support one another. Although I worked hard I also had time to play basketball during lunch (another opportunity to build relationships), do some traveling, buy a house, get my pilot’s license, and do research in other areas that were of interest to me.
The biggest takeaway from this is that again relationships are very important.
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Why did you start TeamMindShift and what are the organization’s goals?
Team MindShift is an innovative training and technology solutions company started with an undergraduate classmate and friend. Again relationships are important. We both have a passion for education and because of our experience we understand how a shift in the way people think about learning can make a profound difference in their lives. The shift is to first deal with the Emotions and self-talk that can support or hamper you during learning, then Learning conceptually, filling in the skills later which allows you a deeper understanding of the subject area, and finally Generalize these concepts to apply to many knowledge areas. This gives you a wide range of abilities. We call this methodology EL3G™ and have literally changed people’s lives overnight. This is very rewarding for us both.
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In addition to your corporate work, your inventions, and your data science breakthroughs, you also are passionate about helping young people through your volunteer work at PrepKC in Kansas City. Tell us about this and why it means so much to you.
My overall goal in life is to leave people that I meet better than before I met them. I want to make a difference in the world and was approached by PrepKC to virtual talk with elementary and high school students about technology. I jumped at the opportunity and find that I have learned a lot from that experience.
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Dr. Robert Joseph's Bio
Robert Joseph, Ph.D. is currently the President and Co-Founder of Team MindShift, an innovative training and technology solutions company, helping up-skill people in data analytics and other technology fields. Dr. Joseph is also a university professor for over 15 years teaching over 4,000 students globally. He is the former Director and Senior Data Scientist at Stanley Black & Decker where he worked on Industry 4.0 and other supply chain initiatives. He has also leveraged his deep technical roots at a recruitment firm, a healthcare analytics company, and has developed applications for mobile phones, web services, and desktops in previous roles. Dr. Joseph earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from MIT and a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University. He holds a U.S. patent for an internet DJ system, but his biggest accomplishment is being the father of 2 awesome teenage boys.
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Click below to watch the Inclusive Leader Award Ceremony featuring inspirational messages from the diverse Award Winners
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GlobalMindED and the SDG Impact Fund are delighted to announce GlobalMindED's Donor Advised Fund. 2020 is the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and the 25th Anniversary of the Beijing Women's Declaration and Action Platform. Many from around the world are thinking of 2020 as the gateway to our most vital decade for delivering equity, the Sustainable Development Goals, and a world where all can thrive. Our key time for these outcomes is 2020-2030.
GlobalMindED DAF and the SDG Impact Fund are a powerful combined force for good as the 2019 year comes to a close and we reflect on the gratitude and the commitments we make to the causes we care most about. The DAF offers immense power and flexibility for giving prior to the year's end as you plant seeds of generous intention for 2020 and the decade ahead.
When you contribute to GlobalMindED, you support First Gen students. We have served more than 400 students by connecting them to role models, mentors, internships and jobs. Your generous support will allow us to take our work 10x and reach these talented students at scale who lack the resources and support we provide. Your support also helps teachers who can't afford the conference fees, faculty at colleges which are under resourced and students who persist at those universities despite food insecurity and/or housing insecurity.
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Links to read about Inclusive Leaders, many of whom are African American and people of color:
Curated sessions from GlobalMindED 2020 YouTube channel:
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From the Center for Positive Organizations:
From the Economist:
From Forbes:
From Harvard Business Review:
From the World Academy of Art & Science and UN; Geneva Global Leadership in the 21st Century econference:
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Listen here for an interview with Pam Newkirk, GlobalMindED speaker and author of Diversity Inc.: The Failed Promise of a Billion- Dollar Business.
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Meet GlobalMindED Founder, Carol Carter as interviewed by Tim Moore on his podcast Success Made to Last: From Success to Significance
Listen to Part 1 of Carol's interview
Listen to Part 2 of Carol's interview
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Recent GlobalMindED Newsletter Profiles:
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Since 2006 when the flagship TGR Learning Lab opened its doors in Anaheim, CA, TGR Foundation has had a lot to celebrate, including its most recent milestone of one million students impacted by TGR EDU: Explore, alone.
Developed in partnership with Discovery Education, TGR EDU: Explore is a free digital resource library that offers interactive web experiences, lesson plans, training videos and tools for educators, students and families to explore new disciplines and gain skills for a modern and expanding workforce.
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As you start the New Year, are you looking for ways to re-engineer your classroom culture? Check out Designing the Future: How Engineering Builds Creative Critical Thinking in the Classroom. The associated website has lots of activities, projects, and resources you can implement immediately. Our fall workshops using the book as a roadmap for change have been highly successful. Start designing the future today - try using the customized Study Guide for a book study in your PLC. Or contact ProjectEngin or Solution Tree to learn how you can bring professional development based on Ann's book to your school, district, or conference.
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THE FLYOVER NATION
Energy's Role in a Troubled Heartland
By J.C. Whorton
A unique and timely discussion of the challenging issues facing the country’s troubled Heartland.
Since the beginning of westward expansion into the Heartland’s vast regions, natural resource development has played a historic role in shaping its communities. Today, domestic oil and gas development offers one of the strongest prospects for the Heartland’s present and future prosperity as well as the nation’s re-emergence as a dominant player in the global energy economy.
The U.S. is now the world’s largest producer of crude oil and natural gas, two circumstances that are universally disrupting international geopolitical order. The earth has a finite supply of natural resources and a rapidly growing and over consuming population.
As America positions itself for a very uncertain and constantly evolving global marketplace, will the Heartland become America’s “great connector” or “great divide”?
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J.C. Whorton is a senior level energy and financial professional with over forty years of essential experience. Having a ranching and Native American heritage, Mr. Whorton is a strong advocate for rural education and economic development initiatives.
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