The Road to
WHY    

The Road to Why Podcast

In the unprecedented times of the pandemic of 2020, Ed Christmas was challenged with the question, “What’s Your Why?”.  As the founder and president of Sology Solutions, he questioned the reason for the digital divide and the under-representation of blacks in the field of technology and entrepreneurship.

With that, in his new podcast series, “The Road to Why”, Ed Christmas engages in meaningful conversations with fellow technology industry experts, business leaders, and non-profit organizations about making a difference, not just making a profit. He invites his guests to share their journey of deciding their “why” and where they’re headed to achieve their goals.  He highlights the positive impact that is being made in lives and communities of those who have been forgotten.

It is through these discussions that Ed hopes to bring attention and awareness to the opportunities to build a brighter future of economic and digital equality in underserved communities.

Re-imagining Equity, Equality and Inclusion in the Workplace for Today’s Leaders

“My purpose is to serve.”– Aaliyah Haqq, Chief Operating Officer, of The Academy for Advancing Excellence. Aaliyah shares her journey and vision for cultural transformation in American institutions, in both private and public sectors. She challenges leaders to take a strong stance to acknowledge that inequities exist and create inclusive environments and policies that result in real change.

Transforming Lives of Youth from Underserved Communities in Partnership with Caring Adults

“My why in life is to improve the lives of others.”, shares Antoine Joyce-Roach, Vice President and City Leader, All Stars Project of Dallas. Antoine takes us through his personal journey and how it ties to the history of the All Stars Project from New York to Dallas. His passion to give back is contagious and inspiring. His focus is to build community by bridging racial, economic, and social divisions to develop a caring 21st Century America.

Insights on Small Business Development and Impacting Community as a Black Business Leader

Larry Hall, President & CEO of Qnet Managed Services, shares about the challenges and learnings that come with building a start-up technology business of 24 years.

Larry serves as President of the Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce and is a leader, mentor and role model to other small business owners, as well as young Black students in Dallas ISD. His “why” is to empower minority-owned businesses to be successful, while using his natural gifts and talent for leadership.

Solutions for MBEs Struggling to Access Capital to Grow and Scale their Business

Playbook Investors Network’s Rodney Woods (Founder, CEO & Board Chairman) and Dean Jones (Venture Partner) engage in a candid and lively discussion regarding the challenges black business owners face to take their enterprise to the next level. Through PIN, they provide opportunities for all types of emerging business enterprises to do business with a range of corporations, from the Fortune 500 to smaller organizations and other diverse suppliers looking to broaden their reach.

Increasing the Representation and Participation of Black People in Technology

“I’ve found my why. I have to do this.” — Peter Beasley of Blacks United in Leading Technology International. As Executive Director of BUILT, Peter shares how his organization is building equity for Blacks in the technology industry through community-focused activities, events and programs. BUILT places an emphasis on their efforts being a united movement, and partners with organizations representing all ethnicities who act as investors to support their work.