Books and Blogs Written by Fellows
Are you a Fellow who has published a book or blog? We would like to add your publication to our virtual bookshelves. Please email us at info@lgcchicago.org.
The 5 Disciplines of Inclusive Organizations: How Diverse and Equitable Enterprises Will Transform the World
by Andrés Tapia (LGC Fellow since 2008; Daniel Burnham Fellow)
Andrés Tapia's newest book showcases a comprehensive model for creating inclusive organizations, illuminating the vital role that inclusion plays in developing solutions to the critical social, environmental and leadership challenges we face. Andrés and his co-authoer Fayruz Kirtzman have found that five disciplines encompass the structures, mindsets, behaviors and accountabilities required for creating inclusive organizations that will have transformational impact not only on their culture and people but also on society and the planet. Read more here.
We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy
by Eboo Patel (LGC Fellow since 2015)
From the former faith adviser to President Obama comes an inspirational guide for those who seek to promote positive social change and build a more diverse and just democracy. Named “one of America’s best leaders” by U.S. News and World Report, Eboo is founder and president of Interfaith America, the leading interfaith organization in the United States. Under his leadership, Interfaith America has worked with governments, universities, private companies and civic organizations to make faith a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division. Read more here.
In Charge: The Energy Management Guide for Badass Women Who Are Tired of Being Tired
by Dr. Arin Reeves (LGC Fellow since 2003)
In her new book, In Charge, Dr. Arin N. Reeves offers women a path to a successful and meaningful life, by helping women eliminate energy drains, manage what needs to be done, and bring more of what makes them happy into their lives. Through dozens of stories from real, badass women who have taken steps to be “in charge” of their lives despite circumstances that left them stretched too thin, stressed out, and just plain pissed off, Reeves demonstrates tools and techniques you can use to better manage your energy all day, every day, to accomplish all you need to do and regain a sense of control. Read more here.
The Five Disciplines of Inclusive Leaders: Unleashing the Power of All of Us
by Andrés Tapia (LGC Fellow since 2008)
Authors Andrés Tapia and Alina Polonskaia, senior leaders at Korn Ferry, argue that to build sustainable diversity and inclusion, organizations need to have inclusive leaders at all levels. They draw on Korn Ferry's massive database of 3 million leadership assessments to reveal the essential qualities of inclusive leaders. They discuss the personality traits these leaders share and detail how to develop the five disciplines of inclusive leadership: building interpersonal trust, integrating diverse perspectives, optimizing talent, applying an adaptive mindset, and achieving transformation. This book will help leaders foster the skills to deal with today's complex challenges and create a more inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous future for all of us. Read more here.
Auténtico: The Definitive Guide to Latino Career Success
by Andrés Tapia (LGC Fellow since 2008)
Latinos are on the way to being one-third of the U.S. population by 2050. They're changing the country's talent, marketplace, and political landscapes in unprecedented ways. So why is it there are so few Latino executives and senior leaders? Authors Andrés Tapia and Dr. Robert Rodriguez call it the "4% Shame"—the low percentage of Latino corporate executives today. This book digs deep to understand the external forces of conscious and unconscious biases, and the internal forces that create tensions for many Latinos about whether to assimilate, opt out, or double down on their cultural identities in their quest to get ahead. Insights have been gleaned from interviews with 20 successful Latinx Boomer executives and focus groups with dozens of GenX and Millennial Latinx leaders, and interpreted through the lenses of the authors' two very different personal experiences as Latino leaders in corporate America. Read more here.
In Living Color: An Anthology of Contemporary Student Writings on Race
by Dr. Karen Reardon (LGC Fellow since 1998)
This is a newly published book that compiles the contemporary essays of La Salle University students on race relations in the U.S. What began as a classroom exercise graduated to a book project. Karen Reardon, Ph.D., J.D., challenges La Salle University students in her business law courses with a written assignment asking students to connect their study of law and ethics to current events and their lived experience. When given the opportunity, the students, she found, routinely gravitated toward issues related to discrimination and race relations. Read more here.
Karma Kollection™ Blog
by Roopa Weber (LGC Fellow since 2012)
Roopa created the Karma Kollection™ blog to inspire better lives through kindness and gratitude. Karma Kollection was designed to reinforce the concept that good actions create good karma—in essence it’s a cause and effect. It is rooted in parenting, but can extend to all facets of life and learning. Karma Kollection was formed to honor Roopa's mother and teach her daughter about the power of positive thinking, good intentions, and making a big difference in little ways. We are all created with special gifts—some more obvious than others. It’s extracting these gifts in ourselves and others that is the purpose. And so, this blog is an avenue for discovery. Read more here.
Messy Penny
by Roopa Weber (LGC Fellow since 2012)
Roopa is a first time children’s book author who has created the Penny the Peacock series. Her inspiration for Penny came from the values and love provided by her mother. She wanted to find an avenue to instill her mother’s wisdom in her own daughter and carry the message forward generationally. The main character is a lovable peacock who, through her adventures, realizes that the simple things in life are the ones to treasure the most. Messy Penny is the first book of the series and focuses on how true beauty comes from the happiness in one’s heart. The series promotes and fosters self confidence in children of all ages. Read more here.
All That's Holy: A Young Guy, an Old Car, and the Search for God in America
by Tom Levinson (LGC Fellow since 2009)
There's nothing more American than a road trip—and a spiritual road trip at that. From mosque to synagogue to chapel to coffee shop, Tom's entertaining and erudite stories of conversations with the faithful and the seeking get to the heart of religion in America today. All That's Holy is a fascinating conversational collage set against the backdrop of the author's deepening appreciation, both intellectually and spiritually, of his own religious roots. "Tom has written an engaging and lucid personal essay on a timely and timeless subject."—Joyce Carol Oates, author, A Garden of Earthly Delights, Big Mouth & Ugly Girl, and I'll Take You There. "Tom has given us a spiritual Odyssey, an extended adventure in the new meaning of faith and hope. Eloquent, heartfelt, and true, this is a book America needs."—James Carroll, author, Constantine's Sword: The Church and the Jews and American Requiem, National Book Award winner. Read more here.
The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy
by Katherine Gehl (LGC Fellow since 2001)
Business leader and path-breaking political innovator Katherine Gehl and world-renowned business strategist Michael Porter take a radical new approach. They apply the tools of business analysis to show how the political system functions just as every other competitive industry does, and how the duopoly has led to the devastating outcomes we see today. Using this competition lens, they identify the most powerful lever for change—a strategy comprised of a clear set of choices in two key areas: how our elections work and how we make our laws. Their assessment and recommendations cut through the endless debate about various proposed fixes, such as term limits and campaign finance reform. The result: true political innovation. This nonpartisan guide outlines profound challenges of our political system and provides solutions for reshaping the system for the benefit of all. Read more here.
Little Black Pearls for Little Black Girls
by Dominique Jordan Turner (LGC Fellow since 2016) and her daughter, Kennedy Jordan Turner
Dominique Jordan Turner and her daughter, Kennedy Jordan Turner, have published this book to inspire young women and encourage mother-daughter activities. Kennedy has illustrated the book. Dominique, CEO of Chicago Scholars, says, "As moms and caring adults, we must work a bit harder to ensure that our little Black girls grow up to be strong and confident women who understand their true power, beauty, intellect and value to the world. We want to make sure that women and little girls recognize that they have superpowers. The goal is to inspire girls to believe in themselves and believe in the skin that they’re in.” Filled with beautiful pearls of wisdom to inspire pride and confidence, each chapter includes an activity that promotes conversation, confidence, and a deeper connection to one another. Read more here.
Walking My Faith: A Journey of Faith, Leadership and Success
by The Rev Mary E. Tudela (LGC Fellow since 1990)
Rev. Mary challenges the notion that personal values and faith cannot coexist with professional ambition and success in today's societ. An Episcopal priest and former executive at a Fortune 500 company, Mary offers practical examples on how the values of love, forgiveness, grace, and acceptance can help anyone succeed in today's challenging and often stressful business environment. While exploring the ways that "faith-full" leadership can strengthen work teams and organizations, enabling individuals to live holistic and authentic lives, she also shares her personal experiences, the stories of others, and eye-opening insights about what awaits those who want to live and work in accordance with their most cherished faith-based values. Read more here.
Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward
by Valerie Jarrett (LGC Fellow since 1986)
'The ultimate Obama insider' (The New York Times) and longest-serving senior advisor in the Obama White House shares her journey as a daughter, mother, lawyer, business leader, public servant, and leader in government at a historic moment in American history. From her work ensuring equality for women and girls, advancing civil rights, reforming our criminal justice system, and improving the lives of working families, to the real stories behind some of the most stirring moments of the Obama presidency, Valerie shares her forthright, optimistic perspective on the importance of leadership and the responsibilities of citizenship in the twenty-first century, inspiring readers to lift their own voices. Listen here. Read more here.
A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919
by Claire Hartfield (LGC Fellow since 1988)
On a hot day in July 1919, five black youths went swimming in Lake Michigan, unintentionally floating close to the white beach. An angry white man began throwing stones at the boys, striking and killing one. Racial conflict on the beach erupted into days of urban violence that shook the city of Chicago to its foundations. This mesmerizing narrative draws on contemporary accounts as it traces the roots of the explosion that had been building for decades in race relations, politics, business, and clashes of culture. Listen here. Read more here.
Becoming
by Michelle Obama (LGC Fellow since 1993)
In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same. Listen here. Read more here.
American Grown
by Michelle Obama (LGC Fellow since 1993)
In her first-ever book, Michelle invites you inside the White House Kitchen Garden and shares its inspiring story, from the first planting to the latest harvest. Hear about her worries as a novice gardener – would the new plants even grow? Learn about her struggles and her joys as lettuce, corn, tomatoes, collards and kale, sweet potatoes and rhubarb flourished in the freshly tilled soil. Try the unique recipes created by White House chefs and made with ingredients just picked from the White House garden. And learn from the White House Garden team about how you can help plant your own backyard, school, or community garden. Listen here. Read more here.
Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, in the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation
by Dr. Eboo Patel (LGC Fellow since 2004)
Acts of Faith is a remarkable account of growing up Muslim in America and coming to believe in religious pluralism, from one of the most prominent faith leaders in the United States. Eboo’s story is a hopeful and moving testament to the power and passion of young people—and of the world-changing potential of an interfaith youth movement. Listen here. Read more here.
The Inclusion Paradox: The Obama Era and the Transformation of Global Diversity – 3rd Edition
by Andrés Tapia (LGC Fellow since 2008)
This book explores what it takes to move into the next generation of diversity work so organizations can grow business and attract and retain the best talent. The work of diversity and inclusion has never been more urgent, particularly as all aspects of our lives have globalized on a massive scale. The 3rd Edition offers many practical and strategic solutions for how anyone, including business, diversity, and human resources leaders, can make organizations and the people in them stronger, more productive, and more successful. Read more here.
The Savvy Executive: The Handbook Covering Employment Contracts, Compensation, Executive Skills, and More
by G.A. Finch (LGC Fellow since 1987)
You want a practical approach to navigating your executive or professional career. What are the essential elements to successful work outcomes? You are tasked with the hiring or termination of an executive. What should your organization be thinking about? After two decades of immersing himself in the successes and challenges of his clients’ careers and businesses, G. A. has some suggestions. Read more here.
How Schools Work: An Inside Account of Failure and Success from One of the Nation's Longest-Serving Secretaries of Education
by Arne Duncan (LGC Fellow since 1995)
Drawing on nearly three decades in education—from his mother’s after-school program on Chicago’s South Side to his tenure as Secretary of Education in Washington, DC—How Schools Work follows Arne as he takes on challenges at every turn: gangbangers in Chicago housing projects, parents who call him racist, teachers who insist they can’t help poor kids, unions that refuse to modernize, Tea Partiers who call him an autocrat, affluent white progressive moms who hate yearly tests, and even the NRA, which once labeled Arne the “most extreme anti-gun member of President Obama’s Cabinet.” Going to a child’s funeral every couple of weeks, will do that to a person. Listen here. Read more here.
Chicago is Not Broke. Funding the City We Deserve.
Organized and edited by Tom Tresser (LGC Fellow since 1990)
This civic education project refutes the claim that Chicago is broke. It aims to show that - far from being broke, Chicago has ample resources to become the city we all need and deserve. This book includes short articles from a great team of local experts describing how we can save and generate MAJOR revenues for Chicago. The book is divided into three sections: (1) Money That Is Stolen From Us - Money We Should NOT Have Spent, (2) Money That Is Hidden From Us, and (3) Money That We Are NOT Collecting - But Should Be. The goal is to make Chicago taxpayers super smart about how the city really works and influence conversations about future budgets and beyond. Read more here.
The Purpose Path: A Guide to Pursuing Your Authentic Life's Work
by Dr. Nicholas Pearce (LGC Fellow since 2015)
Many of the world's most beloved companies―Apple, Disney, Google―are not simply profit-driven, but purpose-driven. They let the reason for which they were created drive what they do every day. But what about us? How do we define our purpose, the why behind the work we do? How can we find the inspiration to pursue more than just a paycheck and ultimately fulfill our authentic life's work? Nicholas invites readers to courageously embark upon the journey of aligning their daily work with their life's work. This guidebook is for anyone―at any level, age, or professional stage―seeking to have more than just a job or career, but a meaningful calling. Listen here. Read more here.
