The North Star
Welcome to The North Star—a podcast produced by the Oberlin Center for DEI Innovation and Leadership, and a space for candid conversations on leadership, legacy, and navigating complexity.
In each episode, we’ll talk with changemakers, scholars, and disruptors who are asking bold questions and reimagining what leadership looks like—in education, in community, and in the world we’re building next.
Whether you’re leading a team, building a movement, or just trying to make sense of today’s challenges, The North Star is your companion for reflection, insight, and action.
Podcasting since 2025 • 17 episodes
The North Star
Latest Episodes
Rooted in Oberlin: Dr. Johnnetta Cole on Building a Lifelong Legacy
In the season finale of The North Star, JeffriAnne Wilder, Ph.D. sits down with legendary educator, anthropologist, and social justice activist Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D., Oberlin alumna, former president of Spelman and Bennett Colle...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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29:07
Four Pillars and a Future: JeffriAnne Wilder, PhD on Reimagining DEI, Innovation, and Leadership
This special episode of The North Star turns the spotlight on Executive Director JeffriAnne Wilder, Ph.D., in a candid conversation with colleague Letisha Bereola about her journey, her identity, and leading Oberlin’s Center for DEI In...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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41:18
Beyond Beauty: A Conversation on Colorism and Redefining Social Capital with Dr. Margaret Hunter
In this episode, JeffriAnne Wilder, PhD welcomes Margaret Hunter, PhD, professor of sociology and strategic advisor for faculty DEI initiatives at Santa Clara University, for a candid conversation about nearly three decades of research and advo...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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42:24
Rewriting the Narrative: Dr. Aldon Morris on Uncovering Marginalized Voices in Social Science
In this landmark episode, JeffriAnne Wilder, Ph.D. welcomes Dr. Aldon Morris, professor emeritus, influential sociologist, and author of The Origins of the Civil Rights Movement and The Scholar Denied, to discuss how disruption and bottom...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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40:23
Blueprints for Belonging: Liz Gordon-Canlas on Care, Connection, and Leading Zora’s House
In this inspiring episode, Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder welcomes Liz Gordon-Canlas, Managing Director of Zora’s House, a vibrant hub for women and gender-expansive people of color in Columbus, Ohio, to discuss how disruption can mean building radicall...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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34:12