In his apartment, Pleasant Radford Jr. '14 MBA is surrounded by a grid of streets that make Minneapolis full of potential and opportunity, but also remnants of trauma. After George Floyd's murder, Radford will never forget the moment those same streets became the symbol of injustice he inhabits.
As an optimist, Radford hoped that the trauma could birth a movement — sparking the change and progress needed to preserve the just values envisioned in the Minnesota establishment.
“On a personal level, I was trying to find ways to channel my anger into something that was productive for me and by extension for the community,” he said.
“It's a space where we invite openness, honesty and vulnerability,” she said, adding that the podcast seeks to highlight how guests can create change in their communities. “How do you move ahead and beyond challenges to keep your job?”
Radford, who is also a health equity officer at UCare, has hosted several community leaders on the podcast. Minnesota State Representative Cedrick Frazier spoke about his role as a legislator and the path to restoring the voting rights of felons. Olivia Jefferson, vice president of social responsibility and head of UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation, discussed aligning corporate and social interests. Chanda Smith Baker, co-founder of the Black Collective Foundation, provided insight into the challenges and opportunities in philanthropy. All with one common goal: creating fairer health care for Americans.
The mayor of St. Paul Melvin Carter, who spoke with Radford Jr. about the reality for black health professionals in St. Paul, praised the graduate of St. Thomas and the podcast.
“The 'Heart of Equity' podcast tackles long-standing health care disparities through important and sometimes difficult conversations,” Carter said. “By identifying and discussing these issues with experts, Pleasant engages visitors and listeners in the process of deconstructing harmful narratives, working toward a more equitable health care system where every person receives the care they deserve.”
In addition, “Heart of Equity” features a black vendor spotlight as a way to promote local business, promote further prosperity and integrate the mission of equity with the community.
Radford was aware of the disparities facing people of color who need health care when he moved from Chicago to Minneapolis in 2012 to pursue his MBA at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, a choice made easy by the university's strong connection to the healthcare community.
Radford emphasized how the Opus College of Business connects students to the Mayo Clinic as an influential “I had the opportunity to work with other students on a business idea through the innovation arm of the clinic. It was a great opportunity,” he said.
In exploring ways he could create change, Radford encountered many lessons. Governor Tim Walz honored him with a seat on the State Community Council on Inclusion and Equity, where he served 2021-23. At the council, he worked with a range of organizations that contributed in different ways, broadening his view of how to improve and prioritize the work to be done.
“You can't do everything. How does one create the greatest possible impact?” He credits the diversity and variety of board members as enriching in his perspective. The organizations and people in attendance learned from each other how they can create meaningful change for the greater Minnesota community.
Radford does not see community as essential. To him, it is a verb, a continuous action that everyone must practice to maintain.
