Broken Office Chair

Broken Office Chair host, Bessie Alcantara is joined by Adela Carlin, Senior Director of Advocacy at Illinois Partners for Human Service and Sarah Daniels, Chief Of Staff at ICOY for a special live recording of Cocktails & Complicity. This event was recorded on March 12th, 2026, This is Part 1 of a series related to Community of Care. Speakers touched on how true community is defined by mutual accountability and restorative connection, standing in direct opposition to the modern shift toward transactional, isolationist, and work-centric lifestyles. As rising costs, diminishing social spaces, and digital distractions erode our collective "free time," the nonprofit sector, and society at large, risks prioritizing capitalistic productivity over the essential human need to care for one another. To reclaim our well-being, we must dismantle the systems that frame social obligations as "unprofessional" and instead prioritize the relational ties that allow diverse communities to truly thrive.Adela Carlin is a Latina community lawyer with more than 20 years of experience advancing equity and justice alongside individuals, families, and community groups. She serves as Senior Director of Advocacy, co-leading the Living Wages, Thriving Communities Campaign to advance sustainable, equitable investments in the human services workforce. In her senior advocacy role, she mobilizes and supports partners to engage in strategic, values-driven advocacy that centers community voice and lived experience.Adela develops equity-focused training for coalition partners and is a Racial Justice Institute Fellow, national facilitator with Reframing Aging, and member of the National Health Equity Collective. She serves on the boards of Solutions for Care, Forefront, and AMPT Chicago.Adela grew up in Little Village, is bilingual in English and Spanish, and earned her law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law at Urbana-Champaign.Sarah Daniels received her BA in Communication/Public Relations from Millikin University. While debating on whether grad school would be the next best thing, she decided to stay at Millikin as an AmeriCorps*VISTA, where she focused on economic development and education for one school year. Many of her duties entailed creating service-learning opportunities, grant management for voter engagement, solidifying and maintaining partnerships with community organizations. She then went on to complete her Master of Public Administration degree at the University of Illinois- Springfield.At the start of a global pandemic, she joined ICOY as a Policy Analyst. A year into her role, she was promoted to Assistant Executive Director. She represents ICOY and its members on policy commissions, committees, and various workgroups. As a public servant, Sarah is someone who wishes to always teach and give back to those in the community, especially as it relates to regaining power in underserved areas by extending resources and opportunities for growth. When she is not “working”, she can be found selling real estate in the Chicagoland area, traveling with friends and family, binge-watching the latest TV shows, or enjoying brunch and creating content for her socials.

In part 2 of their conversation, Broken Office Chair host, Bessie Alcantara is joined by Sufyan Sohel, Chair of Cook County Commission on Human Rights - Consultant Social Impact, board member of ACLU, whose career centers on combating hate and advancing justice for marginalized communities, and he is the Founder of Globalize Good, where he advises leaders and supports nonprofits, foundations, and social enterprises in navigating internal conflict, building strategic capacity, and scaling equity-centered solutions. He also leads CAIR-Chicago’s Travelers Assistance Project, providing critical guidance and support to individuals and families facing challenges at airports and borders. In part 1 of this conversation, Bessie and Sufyan talk about privilege, values, politics and cancel culture.Sufyan currently chairs the Cook County Commission on Human Rights, serves as Equity Officer for the ACLU of Illinois, co-chairs the DePaul Law Diversity Council, is Board Chair of the South Asian American Coalition to Renew Democracy (SACRED), and facilitates anti-hate and bystander intervention trainings with Right To Be. A trained facilitator, storyteller, and poet, he uses public narrative, media, and movement-building to uplift impacted communities and inspire collective action rooted in justice, dignity, and belonging.You can follow Sufyan here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sufyansohelhttps://www.instagram.com/sufyansohel/https://www.threads.com/@sufyansohel----------------------------------------------------------CAIR-Chicago provides information and legal services free of charge.For EMERGENCIES AT THE AIRPORT ONLY, please text (630) 930-2987 with the traveler’s full name, passport number, nationality, flight departure/arrival/airline details, visa details, and emergency contact person’s details.

Broken Office Chair host, Bessie Alcantara is joined by Mercedes Brown Racial Equity Assessment Director from the Building Movement Project (BMP) and Frances Kunreuther former Co-Executive Director from BMP. BMP supports and pushes the nonprofit sector to tackle the most significant social issues of our times by developing research, creating tools and training materials, providing guidance, and facilitating networks for social change. In this episode, Bessie, Frances, and Mercedes talk about the Race to Lead surveys, the difference between DEI and Racial Equity, and other surprising (and not so surprising) results from the Race to Lead survey.Frances Kunreuther (she/her)Former Co-Executive DirectorBuilding Movement ProjectFrances Kunreuther is the Former Co-Executive Director of the Building Movement Project, dedicated to strengthening U.S. nonprofits as sites for civic engagement and social change. She co-authored From the Ground Up (Cornell, 2006) and Working Across Generations (Jossey Bass, 2009). Frances was a senior fellow at Harvard’s Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations for five years and previously led the Hetrick-Martin Institute for LGBTQ youth. She has been recognized with an Annie E. Casey Foundation Fellowship for her work with homeless youth and families, undocumented immigrants, and other vulnerable populations. She writes and presents frequently on nonprofits, leadership, and social change issues.Mercedes Brown (she/her)Race Equity Assessment DirectorBuilding Movement ProjectMercedes Brown is the Director of Race Equity Assessment at the Building Movement Project, where she leads the organization’s race equity assessment process, Building Blocks for Change, to strengthen racial equity in the nonprofit sector. With nearly 17 years of experience in public policy and social services, Mercedes has a background in advancing social and racial justice through cross-system transformation. She previously served as Michigan Director at the Corporation for Supportive Housing. Mercedes holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan and a JD from Western Michigan University. She also teaches policy and community organizing as a part-time lecturer.

Broken Office Chair host, Bessie Alcantara is joined by lauren Ornelas as they talk about environmental/climate/food justice, animal rights, community organizing, and more. lauren Ornelas (she, her, hers) is Food Empowerment Project's founder and general programs team member. lauren has been active in the animal rights movement for more than 37 years. She is the former executive director of Viva!USA, a national nonprofit vegan advocacy organization that Viva!UK asked her to start in 1999. While lauren was the director of Viva!USA, she investigated factory farms and ran consumer campaigns. In cooperation with activists across the country, she persuaded Trader Joe’s to stop selling all duck meat and achieved corporate changes within Whole Foods Market, Pier 1 Imports, and others, and she helped halt the construction of an industrial dairy operation in California. lauren was also the spark that got the founder of Whole Foods Market to become a vegan. In addition, she served as campaign director with the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition for six years. Watch lauren’s TEDx talk, The Power of Our Food Choices.

Bessie is joined by Tinisha Dorsey, Senior Principal, Central Zone Leader at Mercer as they talk about professional development, leadership as women of color, and how to show up for your community while in leadership positions. Tinisha Dorsey is a Principal Central Market leader of Mercer’s Life, Absence and Disability (LAD) practice. As a highly valued leader of the LAD consulting team, she manages a team of consultants, provides practice oversight of the client engagement & selling work streams and leads in developing overall client strategy.Tinisha’s career spans more than 20 years of director-level consulting experience in the national and global market, including premier carrier account management, operations & supply chain management and regional leadership within the insurance and consulting industry. Tinisha currently lives in the Chicagoland area with her husband of 25 years and three adult/collegiate children, where she volunteers for a number of organizations, most notably serving on the Board of Directors as the Business Manager for The Spirited Pearls Foundation and as a featured mentor/sponsor for Greenhouse Scholars.

Bessie is joined by Tawa Mitchell, Senior Program Officer of MacArthur Foundation's Chicago Commitment as they talk about growing up in Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, mental health, public health, critical race theory, and philanthropy in Chicago. Please note, this episode was recorded prior to the 2024 Presidential Election, though the issues remain as pressing as always.

Join us for an inspiring episode as Bessie sits down with two powerhouse leaders, Candice Jones and Thena Robinson Mock. Together, they dive into their journeys in advocacy, justice, and community building. Candice, President and CEO of Public Welfare Foundation in DC, shares her insights on philanthropy and Black leadership, while Thena, VP of Programs at Public Welfare Foundation, and a racial justice lawyer with over a decade of experience advancing community-led efforts for education and youth justice, discusses her vision for the future of social justice and equity.In this candid conversation, they explore the challenges they've faced, the successes they've achieved, and their passion for empowering others. Tune in for practical advice, thought-provoking discussions, and a glimpse into how these incredible women are shaping their fields and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

This week, our Host, Bessie Alcantara sits with Restorative Works! Podcast host, Claire de Mézerville López, M.Ed., M.S., to speak about the ways in which restorative practices are making a difference in their communities and places of work. Bessie and Claire explore the complexities of self-regulation, having challenging conversations, and holding space for multiple truths to exist simultaneously. Listen as Claire and Bessie relay stories that reveal the power of using our words in times of deep polarization and violence.Restorative Works! Hosted by Claire de Mézerville López, M.Ed., M.S., is centered around restorative practices – the study of building relationships and community. With guests from across the globe, you can listen and be inspired by transformational stories from passionate restorative practitioners, community leaders, researchers, and more. Learn practical solutions to addressing harm/traumas and proactively increasing a sense of belonging in your community, schools, and at home. Explore methods to facilitating meaningful conversations that create understanding and positively impact the people around you.Tune in to hear more from Claire and Bessie on their perspectives on storytelling for the good of our youth and global community.

In this powerful episode of The Broken Chair Podcast, we sit down with Illinois State Senator Robert Peters to discuss the key elements of political change—collaboration, organization, and the importance of open dialogue. Senator Peters shares his insights on how building coalitions and staying flexible in your approach can lead to meaningful change, even in the most challenging political landscapes. We explore how movements are built through collective action, why no one should say "no" to themselves before trying, and how keeping the door open for conversation can break down barriers. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will leave you thinking about the power of teamwork and the critical role of communication in creating a better future.

In this episode, Bessie is joined by Stephanie Skora and Raeghn Draper to talk about the upcoming local elections in Chicago. They cover topics ranging from our right to vote or not vote as we see fit, voting based on personal values, single-issue voting, the importance of local elections, and so much more!Stephanie Skora is a writer, educator, speaker, organizer, and non-profiteer based in Chicago, Illinois. She lives as a Stone Top hard femme trans Lesbian and working-class anti-Zionist Ashkenazi Jew, and mobilizes her identities to work in solidarity with Palestinians, to queer Jewish spaces, and to fight for justice and liberation for all trans people. Stephanie is the Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of Brave Space Alliance, serves as Board Treasurer for the Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, and is the author and editor of the "Girl, I Guess" Progressive Voter Guide. When not working or organizing, Stephanie can be found enjoying the pleasures of life for a Virgo: food, love, and being right.Raeghn Draper is a Chicago storyteller, digital strategist, and organizer. They craft compelling copy that brings brands to life through powerful language. They are passionate about advocating for hospitality workers and challenging toxic cultures in the industry. With 12+ years of experience, they draw inspiration from diverse perspectives and utilize the world around them to bring dreams to life through words.To check out the Girl I Guess voter guide, visit: www.stephanieskora.com/voter-guide**Please Note: As a 501c3 organization, we do not endorse or support any political candidates or parties. The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Alternatives. We aim to provide a platform for diverse perspectives and encourage critical thinking and informed discourse.

In this episode of Broken Office Chair, Bessie sits down with Vu Le, writer of the blog NonprofitAF.com to talk about funding ethics, progressive vs conservative funders, zodic signs in nonprofit leadership, advocacy, and much more.Vu Le (“voo lay”) writes the blog NonprofitAF.com. He is the former executive director of RVC, a nonprofit in Seattle that promotes social justice by supporting leaders of color, strengthening organizations led by communities of color, and fostering collaboration between diverse communities. Vu is a founding board member of Community-Centric Fundraising, a movement that aims to ground fundraising practices in racial equity and social justice. Vu was born in Vietnam. He and his family came to the US when Vu was eight. He spent several years in Seattle, attending elementary and middle school, before moving to Memphis, Tennessee for high school and St. Louis for college and graduate school. He has a BA in Psychology and a Master in Social work. He is a vegan, a father of two kids (ages eight and five), and a staunch defender of the Oxford Comma.Please note guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bessie or Alternatives

Bessie sits down with Dr. Cynthia Treadwell, Executive Director of Social Emotional Learning at Chicago Public Schools to discuss Chicago Public Schools, social and emotional learning, suspension rates, student-centered classrooms, and how to create positive change in CPS.Dr. Cynthia Treadwell, currently serving as the Executive Director for the Office of Social and Emotional Learning, brings 22 years of experience in Chicago Public Schools, including roles as a Principal, Assistant Principal, District Reading Coordinator, classroom teacher, and Adjunct Instructor at Chicago State University and DePaul University. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from National Louis University and is the author of "30 Days of Encouragement for the Educator." Dr. Treadwell is dedicated to promoting education's transformative power and aims to create engaging, socially and emotionally supportive school communities.Please note guest opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bessie or Alternatives

Introducing Broken Office Chair, a new podcast produced by Alternatives, a Chicago-based nonprofit. Broken Office Chair is hosted by Alternatives’ Executive Director, Bessie Alcantara, a Chicago native and a first-generation Salvadoran-Mexican American who’s passionate about dismantling systemic racism.In each episode, Bessie will be joined by friends and colleagues who are ready to talk frankly about the most important issues within the nonprofit sector. Topics range from challenges for women of color in nonprofit leadership to the cost of being poor.To learn more, visit our website: www.alternativesyouth.org/brokenofficechair