Join me and co-host Dr. Carolina Bailey with Dr. Joel Perez, owner of Apoyo Coaching, specializing in coaching professionals of color to navigate predominately white organizations. In this episode, we will discuss to code-switch or not code-code-switch. That is the question for this episode. The Navigational questions include: 1. Hello, my name is Carla. I just moved to a college in Texas. My mentor told that I need to learn how to take into account my audience better to move up; asking me to "code switch better." That is not fair. I feel people of-color and minority populations have to do so disproportionately more than their white counterparts. Do I really need to code-switch?

2. Hello, my name is Professor Regina. Lately, my supervisor has hinted to me that I should change my appearance for people to take me seriously – undo my long braids and dress more formal! I sometimes wonder if this is genuine advice. It only adds to another one of my complexes. #ignorethem.

3. Hello, I am well aware that code switching take place. It seems like we are always switching. What does self-care look like for something like this? I cannot do this forever.The Guest Navigationalist is:Joel Pérez is owner of Apoyo Coaching and a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF). He specializes in career transitions, career coaching, coaching professionals of color navigating predominantly White organizations, and professionals that want to develop their cultural humility. He has a certification in the MBTI and is a certified coach through the Academy of Creative Coaching. He also currently serves as an adjunct instructor for Brandman University in California in the Educational Doctorate in Organization Leadership. He has over 20 years of experience in higher education, having served most recently as vice president and dean of students at Whittier College. He has previously served as the dean of students at Seattle Pacific University, and in a variety of roles that encompassed residence life, student activities, and student leadership at Pomona College and Chapman University. He also served as the chief diversity officer of George Fox University in Oregon.

Joel is the chair of the board for the Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley, which provides low-cost immigration legal services, educational events, and connection to local community resources. He also serves on the board of Degrees of Change, which prepares diverse, homegrown leaders to succeed in college.