Ep 163 – Doug Melville, Author of ‘Invisible Generals’

In episode 163, Erik and Kerel talk with Doug Melville, a DEI executive and author of ‘Invisible Generals,’ a story about America’s first two black generals, a father and a son, who helped integrate the military, create and command the Tuskegee Airmen, and beyond. Doug grew up with a majority mixed race family, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, went to Syracuse University, majored in marketing, worked with public figures such as Britney Spears, Quincy Jones, Charlamagne Tha God to name a few and eventually found himself in DEI.

Doug shares his family story, why it’s so important to own your own family’s story, becoming a powerful networker and communicator, what it was like to grow up mixed race in different communities, committing to helping people be seen, getting his book published by Simon and Schuster, the current state of the DEI space, advice for global DEI officers, where he draws inspiration, and so much more.

“Sometimes the skills that we pick up, negotiation, communication, storytelling, are actually the things that are going to change the way these companies operate, and the outcomes.”

Timestamps

:34: Doug Melville, a DEI executive and author of ‘Invisible Generals,’ shares where he grew up, going to Syracuse University, and his first job riding around in Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobiles and doing PR

2:37: Doug’s perspective on going to and staying in one industry vs. exploring different industries, working with Britney Spears, Quincy Jones, Tommy and Andy Hilfiger, the importance of networking and what defines success or failure

9:15: What it felt like for Doug to grow up mixed race, gaining experience in both rich and primarily black cities, and how that’s helped him in business and his career

11:56: Doug explains his family story, how he got to learn about his family’s history, being pushed to write his book ‘Invisible Generals,’ and making a commitment as chief diversity officer to help ensure companies don’t keep people invisible

16:16: After receiving feedback regarding happy hours at his work, Doug and his CEO at the time, Rob, started a talk show in the lobby bringing celebrities, public figures, and more in order to, rather than serve alcohol, serve education, in addition, having Charlamagne Tha God, who eventually helped Rob get his book published

22:04: Doug’s thoughts on the current state of DEI and executives in the space including how he believes structures have not been set up over the past few years to create the space for diversity programs and initiatives to be effective

28:42: What makes an effective global DEI officer, what they need to know in order to be successful

32:28: What Doug has learned from living in Geneva, Switzerland the past two years as a global DEI officer

35:21: Where Doug draws inspiration from, including many of his mentors, and those who come in pairs, like father and son

37:14: What’s in Doug’s music rotation right now, including a lot of hip hop

38:22: Where to buy Doug’s book ‘Invisible Generals’ and also attend events and booking signings

42:13: Where to connect with Doug on LinkedIn and Instagram

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