News and Happenings
Learn more about how R2P engages with the world around us.
Partner Spotlight: Ayana King
September 5, 2024
Founder and CEO of Maximum Communications, Ayana King is a devoted advocate for diversity and inclusion. King works to “help end racism, ageism, and other threats to humankind through engaging workshops and collaborative partnerships.” Through facilitation, hosting webinars, and consulting with executive teams, King works to create diverse and inclusive professional environments.
King’s career in the DEI world began in 2014 when she left her job to finish her degree. While balancing a personal life and school, King also began working part-time in the senior living industry, “I loved it. It's an industry that I still do a lot of work in today, but it was so apparent to me, the lack of diversity and inclusion in so many ways, and at that time I didn't even have language for what I was seeing,” King said.
“I was an hourly employee… hourly employees are treated differently sometimes, and I was in a place that was not very racially and ethnically diverse, and we were serving an older white population.”
After being promoted to a corporate position, King experienced the lack of diversity and inclusion in new ways, but joining the Public Relations Society of America and their Diversity and Inclusion committee kickstarted King’s passion, “I started doing a lot of work on my own, started going to webinars, and started reading about it… as my experience grew in this corporate setting, the more I learned about diversity and inclusion, truthfully, the more frustrated I got.” As King continued to build up her experiences and expertise in social media, public relations, and communications, she decided to start her own company.
King recounted the early days of her company, while talking to clients she would ask them questions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, but did not yet have the words to explicitly say that her programming was based on DEI.
In 2018, King hosted her first workshop, “I got my first client out of that workshop, just truly talking about what diversity, equity, and inclusion is and why we should advocate for it more strongly in the workplace.” King’s company continued to grow and she soon began focusing all of her energy on finding people in organizations, specifically the C-suite, who really wanted to advocate for DEI, but did not know how.
“In those early days I was doing a lot of learning myself… I started the work, not just knowing the words, but the work of really understanding and learning how to communicate it myself.” Through the work King has accomplished, she is able to create environments where people can feel accepted and where respect and trust is cultivated.
However, King said that inclusivity in the workplace cannot truly be cultivated until bias is discussed, specifically negative unconscious bias. “To continue to talk about inclusion, but refusing to talk about all the ways in which we can’t get there, is irresponsible. It’s important for us to have communicators who can help people navigate those kinds of conversations because we have to have them,” King said.
King described the most important way to confront bias is coming together and learning from one another, “As time goes on, our workplaces are becoming more diverse… it's going to become more important for people to work together to understand their differences.”
Ayana King's journey from recognizing the gaps in diversity and inclusion to founding Maximum Communications illustrates her dedication to creating inclusive workplaces, “It's been a real joy for me to be able to express myself in this way, and maybe even show up as the advocate I would have needed as an employee,” King said.
Through her advocacy and strategic initiatives, King has fostered dialogue, challenged biases, and empowered organizations to embrace diversity fully. King's vision for a more equitable future continues to shape corporate cultures where respect and inclusion are essential.
Summertime in Michigan
August 1, 2024
It's been a busy summer! In between project work, Zoom calls, and conference exhibiting, the R2P team has been trying to squeeze in some rest and relaxation. Spending time with our pets, gardening, finally reading the books on our TBR list, celebrating Pride Month, and enjoying the beauty of Northern Michigan—we've all been making the most of the last few months. Check out some pictures from our team below!
R2P at the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (MiAEYC) Annual Conference
April 19, 2024
This week, the R2P team had the privilege of attending the MiAEYC annual conference, held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This year's theme was Purposeful Play. Our team was pleased to represent the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) and the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA).
After a busy few days, Emily H, Emily L, and Ella (affectionately known to the team as E3) managed to snap a quick picture before packing up. We look forward to seeing everyone at the conference next year!
City Clubs Team Up for Third Annual Chili Cookoff Competition in Wyandotte
February 16, 2024
Team Member Spotlight: Kelly Stec, Project Manager
While Kelly is transitioning from state government to consulting work, she continues to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore for her hometown of Wyandotte. Using her community organizing skills, Kelly founded and chairs the City Club Chili Cookoff. Now in its third year, the event brings together the city's nonprofits to raise funds for student clubs, holiday assistance for families, and other programs designed to support Wyandotte residents.
Read the full article here.
Research to Practice Consulting Announces Strategic Partnership with Public Policy Associates
February 13, 2024
Research to Practice Consulting, LLC (R2P) and Public Policy Associates (PPA), two prominent Lansing-area firms, today announced a Strategic Partnership Agreement combining the expertise and experience of both firms on select proposals and projects.
“Working alongside PPA has already produced great results for our clients, and formalizing our collaboration will help advance our shared goal of quality outcomes for the people we serve,” said Emily Houk, President of R2P. “I am confident this will be a great fit for R2P as we continue turning research into action.” R2P and PPA have partnered to provide strategic consultation on several projects supporting the new Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). Both R2P and PPA look forward to future collaboration.
“We are extremely excited to partner with Emily Houk and her team at R2P,” said Rob Fowler, PPA’s CEO. “This partnership will allow us to meet the needs of our clients better, help more people, and improve the reach of our research. PPA remains committed to creating better public policy for a better world.” Under the terms of the agreement, the two firms will collaborate on targeted public policy projects by leveraging their respective strengths.
About R2P
R2P is a women-owned business specializing in project design and implementation. As experienced facilitators, problem solvers, and big thinkers, R2P fosters creativity, helps clients explore difficult problems, and works with teams to identify and implement actionable solutions. R2Ps areas of expertise include maternal and infant health, early childhood education, workforce development and population health.
About PPA
PPA provides high-caliber, high-value independent evaluation, research, and consulting services that helps clients to make smart public policy decisions that improve lives, enrich communities, and strengthen institutions. The organization specializes in education and child care, healthy communities, justice, talent and economic development policy. PPA’s staff and consultants combine extensive education, policy knowledge, research skills, and real-world expertise to design and implement studies and strategic planning.