Patrice Funderburg is the founder of Educate to Engage, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in leading transformative change through education, exposure and engagement. The firm offers strategic planning, organizational development, training and facilitation around diversity, equity and inclusion. Previously, Patrice had a 20-year career in corporate human resource operations, vendor diversity, corporate philanthropy and corporate recruiting, including for Belk, Inc. and Lowe’s Companies. She is a member of the Leading on Opportunity council addressing economic mobility, the Center for Community Transitions and the Women’s Impact Fund. Patrice attended North Carolina Central University before earning a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and a master’s degree in Organizational Communication and Development from Canisius College in Buffalo.
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in transitioning from corporate work to social activism, race consciousness, and a journey of self-care and liberation.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Patrice describes her transition to social activism.
- She explains why issues of incarceration and social justice are personal to her.
- She shares the moment that catapulted her into social action and the launch of her consultancy.
- She describes a petition and campaign that she is leading against a popular institution.
- Patrice explains what activism means to her.
- She answers how the transition from corporate life into activism has been for her.
- She talks about the importance of race consciousness in the struggle for equity and justice, and the connection between race consciousness and the world she wants.
- She considers her role on the Leading on Opportunity council.
- Patrice reflects on growing up in Buffalo and the conversation she heard around the dinner table.
- She talks about how private school shaped her and what she realizes now about her time then.
- Patrice reacts to the word privilege.
- She shares who she wanted to be when she was young.
- She recalls her days at North Carolina Central University.
- She explains what she enjoyed about diversity and inclusion work in human resources.
- Patrice answers what self care means to her and where she is on her journey.
Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, “I am so moved by Patrice. Moved by the honesty of her feelings, by her strength and vulnerability…”