About this episode

The episode features a discussion with Shawn McClondon on building sustainable community power through equity and partnerships.

In this special live bonus episode of RISE Urban Nation, host Taryell Simmons and co-host Zeke Corley sit down at the Encanto Experience with activist, author, and equity leader Shawn McClondon, founder of the Sister Cities Project. Recorded inside Marathon Barbershop on Imperial Avenue, this conversation explores how Shawn is building formal partnerships between affluent and underserved communities to drive workforce development, business growth, and sustainable economic empowerment. Through the Sister Cities Project ecosystem—including (Eco)Hub, (Eco)Exchange, and (Eco)Agency—Shawn shares how strategic partnerships, racial equity dialogue, and community-rooted innovation are reshaping opportunity for communities of color. This powerful discussion highlights what it means to move beyond conversation into action and build systems that create lasting impact.

People in this episode

Host: Taryell Simmons

Guest: Shawn McClondon

Topics covered

• equity
• community empowerment
• sustainable development
• workforce development
• business growth

Keywords

• equity
• community power
• Sister Cities Project
• workforce development
• economic empowerment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sister Cities Project

Places: Encanto, Marathon Barbershop, Imperial Avenue

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• (Bonus Episode) Live from Encanto: Rebuilding Workplace Confidence with Idara Ogunsaju · February 16, 2026 · 10 min

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