Meet Rolondo Talbott | DEIB Practitioner and Creator of the DEI Pizza

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rolondo Talbott and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rolondo, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
The mantra “Do Good, Seek Justice, and Correct Oppression” is the principle that matters most to me. It’s like a roadmap for how I want to live and engage with the world.

First off, “Do Good” is all about leaving this world a better place than how I found it. It’s about those little acts of kindness and empathy that might seem small but can make someone’s day or even change their life. It’s like holding the door for someone, helping a neighbor in need, or just being a good listener when a friend is going through a tough time. These actions create a chain reaction of positive vibes that can really transform how we all connect.

Then there’s “Seek Justice.” This one’s all about recognizing that we live in an unjust society and that it is up to all of us to actively work towards addressing those injustices. It’s about using whatever privileges I may have to effect change – being a voice for the voiceless, providing power and agency to the powerless, and amplifying the lived experiences of the invisible.

And let’s not forget “Correct Oppression.” This part is like a call to action for me. It’s about recognizing and challenging those systems that have historically excluded and actively marginalized certain groups. Correcting oppression means being aware of the inequities that exist and actively working to dismantle them. It’s not just about talking the talk, but walking the walk to create a world where everyone has the chance to thrive.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention that I also live by the quote, “Service is the rent we pay to live on God’s earth”. It’s recognition that we’re not just passive occupants of this world, but active participants with a duty to contribute. Think about it this way: when you live in a place, you pay rent to help maintain it, keep it running, and ensure it’s a good place for everyone. Similarly, in life, we owe it to ourselves and each other to give back, to make the world a better place in return for the privilege of being here.

Imagine if everyone embraced this idea. We’d all be driven to help out, to support each other, and to make positive changes. It’s about understanding that our actions, big or small, have an impact. When you do something good for someone, you’re essentially paying your share of the rent for the space you occupy on this planet.

It’s about being conscious of the footprint I leave. It’s a reminder that life isn’t just about taking—it’s about contributing, making a positive mark, and leaving things better than we found them.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a senior DEI Leader with over twenty years of innovative leadership experience, combined with the ability to implement transformative and substantive change within organizations by implementing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging strategies.

During the course of my life as a community volunteer, mentoring students graduating from college, or providing professional and personal counsel to active duty military personnel entering the civilian workforce, I have been often quoted as saying, “life is not linear and neither is our careers,” and I am no exception. Starting my professional career as a young Air Force Officer, I had ambitions to travel the world while serving my country, but what I found instead, was a career that experienced success in many industries which ultimately led to becoming a recognized and award-winning leader.

My professional career spans the defense, retail, entertainment, for-profit education, higher education and technology industries, and in every role I’ve had, I was privileged to have opportunities to develop my leadership and DEI knowledge and skills which propelled me into new and challenging spaces where I could put everything I have learned, to the test, in order to succeed.

I believe what sets me apart is my ability to bring diverse perspectives coupled with innovative and empathetic approaches, to areas or industries that were lacking, which has been referred to by many as, “game-changing”.

Furthermore, in my current role as a DEI practitioner, I’ve established a long track record of success in strategic, transformative, and innovative initiatives, that has solidified my leadership in these spaces. I am curious and passionate about DEI challenges—the rhythms and dynamics that make it work, across a wide range of operations. I bring a fusion of systems, thinking and creativity, and data, in my ability to generate original ideas, solve complex problems, and understand all the forces required to effect change. I love collaborating in teams of diverse talents and skills—and I help each person show up as the best versions of themselves. Ultimately, I strive to embody an empathetic approach to everything I do.

In my “free” time I also have a passion for DEI at the community level by serving as chair of the Claremont Unified School District Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, vice-chair of the City of Claremont Police Commission on policing equity, State of California Superintendent of Public Instruction Parents Advisory Committee, and an advisory board member of the African-American Family Wellness Council, of Tri-City Mental Health.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to Shoutout the ancestors who’ve created the blueprint to continue the fight for social justice – and black women have led that charge.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rolondotalbott/