Join us for a fireside chat exploring how allyship and shared responsibility have shaped cultural progress and continue to influence equity efforts today, moderated by Equity Consultant and Ebell of L.A. Board Member Kathryn Edwards in conversation with Nicole Butts. Rather than presenting allyship as a static identity, this conversation reframes it as a consistent, observable practice rooted in values, strengthened by accountability, and practiced through conscious use of one’s personal privilege and influence.

Drawing from historical movements, contemporary examples, and lived experience, the discussion highlights how cultural transformation accelerates when individuals and institutions act collectively and intentionally. This one-hour fireside chat format is warm, accessible, and deeply human — ideal for The Ebell’s community-oriented gathering style. This event is part of The Ebell's slate of Black History Month programming.

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Dr. Nicole Yeldell Butts is a transformational speaker, executive coach, and organizational culture strategist with over 25 years of experience guiding individuals and organizations through meaningful change. She is the creator of the SHIFT Framework and author of the #1 bestseller SHIFT: A Five-Step Framework for Transforming Organizational Culture. Dr. Butts helps leaders align culture with purpose and performance, and empowers women 40+ to lead boldly and live authentically. With a background in C-suite leadership, deep expertise in people and culture, and a passion for courageous growth, her work is rooted in one mission: to catalyze transformation — personally and collectively.

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Kathryn Edwards, Ph.D. is an equity leader, consultant, and coach with experience spanning education, corporate, and community sectors. As the Founding Director of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Division at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), she developed strategies and initiatives to drive transformative organizational change and to provide culturally responsive leadership for the 80 school districts that LACOE serves. Previously, Dr. Edwards was a district office administrator for the L.A. Unified and Pomona Unified School Districts. In the corporate sector, she held management roles in marketing, business development, and strategic initiatives at Apple Computer, IBM, and Sun Microsystems.

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Dr. Edwards’ public service includes the Advisory Board of the Los Angeles County Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative, the LAUSD Human Relations, Equity, and Diversity Commission, and current service on the Board of Directors of the Ebell of Los Angeles. Featured in the Lean In Foundation’s Women at Work Collection video series, she is recognized for her leadership in advancing women in the workplace. A lifelong advocate for social justice, she is committed to supporting underserved children, families, and communities and continues to champion equitable opportunities for all.