Ordinary Humans

How Detroit Homecoming is Turning the City’s Diaspora into Champions of its Comeback (Ep. 2 with Mary Kramer)

diaspora

Detroit’s resurgence story is impossible to ignore. Following decades of economic decline, the city has seen major revitalization, most recently highlighted when the NFL Draft drew over 700,000 visitors downtown. The stakes are high: Detroit’s growth depends not only on investments from billionaires, but on reconnecting with former residents whose personal and professional contributions…

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Articles Education Technology
Detroit Homecoming: The Event Driving Future Prosperity Through the Power of the Detroit Diaspora (Ep. 1 with Mary Kramer)

Detroit’s renewal is no longer a distant dream—it’s unfolding in real time. From reimagined neighborhoods to booming small businesses, the city’s momentum is visible on every corner. Major events, like recent large-scale sports and cultural gatherings, have showcased its vibrancy to hundreds of thousands of visitors. But the real engine of this revival may…

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DisruptED
From Bitter to Better: How Purpose and Second Chances Can Change Entire Communities (Ep. 2)

In the second installment of this powerful two-part series, DisruptED turns from personal origin stories to the enduring lessons that come from surviving life’s hardest seasons. For host Ron J Stefanski and guest John Valverde, President and CEO of YouthBuild Global, the conversation is rooted in lived experience: moments of deep loss, the resilience…

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DisruptED
From Bitter to Better: The Necessary and Difficult Journey to Second Chances (Ep. 1)

Some moments in life alter the course of who we are. For Ron J Stefanski, that moment came with the heartbreaking loss of his grandmother—a Polish immigrant who had stepped in to raise him after his mother passed, giving his childhood a foundation of love, steadiness, and strength. She was his anchor, his safe…

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DisruptED
Creating a Lifelong Learner’s Pathway with Kermit Cook, CEO at Penn Foster (Episode 2)

Artificial intelligence is no longer a fringe concept; it’s at the center of educational innovation. According to a 2023 Gallup poll, public confidence in higher education has dropped from 57% in 2015 to 36% in 2023, largely due to concerns around cost, value, and workforce preparedness. In a landscape where AI tools are swiftly…

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DisruptED
Creating a Lifelong Learner’s Pathway with Kermit Cook, CEO at Penn Foster (Episode 1)

Education is in a period of rapid reinvention as technology, economic pressures, and workforce needs redefine how people learn. College costs continue to climb, with average tuition at private nonprofit four-year institutions now exceeding $43,000 a year. Even public four-year colleges average over $11,000 annually for in-state students, and public two-year programs cost more…

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DisruptED
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: Disrupting Outdated Education with Employer-Driven, Community-Powered, Practical Skills Training

Workforce training is undergoing a radical transformation as industries face critical talent shortages and rapid technological change. Building a future-ready workforce requires rethinking traditional higher education models. These models emphasize broad academic development over targeted skill-building and struggle to keep pace with employer demands. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report…

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Tokyo World Tour
Tokyo World Tour Highlights Coupa’s Role in the Next Era of Business Transformation
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At a time when organizations face mounting pressure to balance efficiency with sustainability, Coupa’s Tokyo World Tour highlighted how technology is reshaping the very core of corporate strategy. By putting AI and future-ready spending models at the forefront, the event underscored a shift away from traditional cost-cutting toward intelligent, value-driven growth. In bringing together expert…

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Coupa’s Sydney World Tour
Building Community and Showcasing Innovation at Coupa’s Sydney World Tour
September 11, 2025

Coupa’s Sydney World Tour showcased more than just product updates—it revealed the power of community. Attendees from across Australia and New Zealand came together not only to explore Coupa’s latest AI-driven features but also to trade strategies for tackling shared supply chain challenges. Beyond the keynotes and customer spotlights, the event’s heartbeat was in the…

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reviews
The New Freight Standard: Why Verified Trucking Reviews Matter in Modern Supply Chains
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For decades, the freight industry has leaned heavily on compliance data and opaque reputation systems, leaving carriers, brokers, and shippers with little visibility into actual service quality. Reviews often sat behind paywalls, skewed negative, or lacked validation altogether, making it difficult to separate reliable partners from unreliable ones. Today, the vast majority of trucking remains…

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Culture
Culture as a Growth Engine: How People-First Values Create Long-Term Success in a Tech-Driven Age
September 10, 2025

Companies everywhere are racing to integrate AI and automation into their operations—but what happens when technology threatens the very people who power the business? A recent Mercer study found that while executives see AI as a major driver of productivity, many admit their organizations are struggling to keep their workforce prepared for the pace of…

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Other Ordinary Humans
AI, Inclusion and Talent Strategies of the Future
July 16, 2025

As organizations race to integrate AI into every corner of business, an equally urgent conversation is emerging: How do we ensure this adoption doesn’t widen existing equity gaps? AI is both a disruptive force and an opportunity engine, as recent data shows that AI adoption among HR professionals jumped to 72 percent in 2025, up…

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Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 3)
June 16, 2025

As AI, automation, and immersive tech accelerate disruption, the future of work is being reshaped faster than most institutions can adapt. Entry-level roles for recent graduates are shrinking, traditional degrees are being questioned, and lifelong careers are being replaced by continuous reinvention. In this climate, the most valuable assets are no longer technical certifications…

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Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 2)
June 16, 2025

Today’s workforce is facing profound disruption, driven by automation, AI, and shrinking entry-level job opportunities. According to SignalFire’s 2025 State of Talent report, entry-level hiring in tech has dropped by 50% from pre-pandemic levels. In this shifting landscape, younger workers aren’t just seeking jobs—they’re demanding agency, feedback, and purpose. Game-based learning models like the…

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Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 1)
June 16, 2025

As traditional career paths break down, economic mobility is being redefined by adaptability, not academic credentials. Today, 52% of college graduates are underemployed a year after graduation, working in roles that don’t require a four-year degree. Meanwhile, networking strategies like informational interviews yield one job offer per 12 conversations—far more effective than the one-in-200…

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SkillsWave Makes Workforce Upskilling Accessible for Every Business – Episode 2 with Tech Titan John Baker
June 6, 2025

Digital learning is undergoing a major shift. As businesses look to retain talent and equip employees for evolving roles, the demand for workforce upskilling is rising fast. A 2023 McKinsey Global Institute survey found that 87% of companies worldwide are either experiencing skill gaps or expect to within five years, posing risks to productivity…

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D2L Powers the E-Learning Transformation by Delivering Scalable, Human-Centered Education – Episode 1 with Tech Titan John Baker
June 6, 2025

E-learning has evolved from a fringe innovation to a global necessity. As traditional classroom models struggle to keep pace with the demands of modern learners, platforms like D2L are leading the e-learning transformation. According to the World Economic Forum, over 1.5 billion learners were impacted by pandemic-related school closures, accelerating the shift to digital-first…

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EV Battery Safety Can Be Solved Through Smarter Training, Early Collaboration, and Shared Standards
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Electric vehicles (EVs) are reshaping the mobility landscape, but concerns about battery safety continue to cloud consumer confidence. Despite media narratives, data confirms that EVs are less likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered vehicles. A study by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency found that EVs are 20 times less likely to ignite than petrol…

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The New Formula for Workforce and Talent Development: Inclusive Partnerships, Braided Funding, and Career-Aligned Training
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Across the country, workforce development systems are under pressure to deliver better outcomes in an economy that demands speed, flexibility, and equity. Traditional pathways, such as community college without clear career prospects, no longer serve enough people well. A report by the Center for Community College Student Engagement found that 42 percent of community…

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As the demand for diverse, tech-savvy talent accelerates, the way we spark interest in STEM among underrepresented youth is evolving. At a time when fewer than 1% of venture capital dollars go to Black-led startups and authentic representation in tech remains scarce, books, media, and mentorship are becoming unconventional yet powerful tools for change. Increasingly,…

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