Cover of The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman

The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman

The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman

By: IBJ Media
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Indianapolis attorney Angela B. Freeman talks with guests about how the business community is tackling issues related to race, equity, gender and inclusion—in the workplace, the C-suite and in decisions about funding.All Rights Reserved Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Deb Whitfield, Mayor of Lawrence

    Deb Whitfield, Mayor of Lawrence
    28 Oct 2026
    Lawrence Mayor Deborah Whitfield is tackling an eight-year life expectancy gap within her city while making history as Marion County's first Black female mayor. The former health care executive explains how four decades in the medical field shaped her approach to public service, economic opportunity and community leadership. Whitfield traces her path from Waterbury, Connecticut, to Hampton Institute, Mattatuck Community College and the Bridgeport Hospital School of Respiratory Therapy. She discusses the confidence she gained at a historically Black college, the value of community college education and her transition from respiratory therapist to director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Community Health Network. She also addresses Indiana's rollback of diversity initiatives and her concerns about opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned and other small businesses. In a deeply personal conversation, Whitfield shares her experience surviving domestic violence, the role of family and faith in her recovery, and how those experiences influenced her leadership. Whitfield explains why she initially declined requests to run for mayor, what she learned knocking on 19,000 doors and how her Live Longer in Lawrence initiative is addressing health disparities across eight neighborhoods. She outlines her priorities for another term, including housing, infrastructure, public safety, parks and economic development.
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    44 min
  • Pamela Anderson, Commercial Relationship Manager at PNC

    Pamela Anderson, Commercial Relationship Manager at PNC
    30 Sep 2026
    Banking leadership was never Pamela Anderson's plan. She started college studying piano and took 11 years to finish her bachelor's degree.Now a commercial relationship manager at PNC Bank, Anderson traces her path from working through school to leading a business banking team across central and southern Indiana. She explains how Anderson University shaped her approach to servant leadership, why she writes down her values and goals each year, and what she learned from mentors who encouraged her to speak up and celebrate her accomplishments.Anderson also shares how her husband's death in 2021 changed her family and career. She recalls receiving the news on her first day at a new financial firm and the colleagues and friends who helped with everything from business meetings to laundry. She describes learning to ask for help and letting go of the fear of other people's opinions.The conversation covers working motherhood, the guilt of missing games and school assignments, and the daily 30 minutes she sets aside with her son. Anderson discusses building trust with employees, acknowledging leadership mistakes and keeping expectations consistent during difficult conversations. She also explains why mentees need to drive their relationships with mentors, how women can sponsor one another without an executive title, and what Indianapolis employers can do to invest in young professionals.
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    1 hr and 26 min
  • A Five Year Anniversary Retrospective of Real Talk About Diversity and Leadership with Angela B. Freeman

    A Five Year Anniversary Retrospective of Real Talk About Diversity and Leadership with Angela B. Freeman
    28 Aug 2026
    Five years of real conversations. One recurring question: Who gets the opportunity, and what do inclusive leaders do once they have the power to create opportunities for others? The latest episode of IBJ’s The Freedom Forum with Angela B. Freeman looks back at five years of candid conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, mentorship, representation and leadership in Indiana. Hosted by Chris Spangle, this retrospective episode was curated to highlight and celebrate the 5th anniversary of this groundbreaking and award-winning podcast. It features insights and stories from the monthly podcast's regular host, Angela B. Freeman, and some of her standout guests, including Jimmie McMillian, Pete Yonkman, Juan Gonzalez, Kristin Weeden, Kaye Vitug and Mario Rodriguez. Their collective experiences show what inclusive leadership should look like in practice: seeing potential beyond a resume, creating space for people to succeed and fail, making representation meaningful, investing intentionally in individuals and communities, and building teams where different perspectives are genuinely valued. Thank you to every guest who has trusted The Freedom Forum with their story, and to Angela for five years of authentic conversations designed to move Indiana’s business community forward. Listen to this fifth anniversary retrospective and explore the full Freedom Forum podcast archive at IBJ.com. This episode is brought to you by Equity 1821. Learn more at www.equity1821.org.
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    1 hr and 6 min
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