My aim was to leverage my experiences as a platform for instigating change: Marvin Ferguson of Marv Leads Consulting LLC

When discussing integrity-based practices, all my workshops are imbued with strong moral and ethical principles.

Marv Leads Consulting LLC offers tailored leadership solutions essential for businesses, non-profit organizations, and various entities. The company’s comprehensive offerings include Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, process optimization strategies, and training programs, all aimed at supporting its commitment to integrity-driven practices. Catering to clients throughout the United States, Marv Leads Consulting LLC is dedicated to empowering organizations with the tools and insights necessary for sustainable growth and success.

Marv Leads Consulting was founded in 2022 and is based in Ohio.

The Silicon Review reached out to Marvin Ferguson, founder of Marv Leads Consulting LLC, and here’s what he had to say.

Interview Highlights

Q. Could you elaborate on how your unique background, being born in Jamaica and raised in Northeast Ohio, influences your perspective on community change-making?

I didn’t acquire citizenship in the United States until I reached my twenties. The disparities I encountered during my upbringing stemmed from a combination of factors including my island heritage, the color of my skin, and the neighborhood I was raised in. These experiences fueled my drive to establish IMONB LLC, dedicated to ensuring fair housing for all residents. Additionally, I founded Let’s Get Healthy Cleveland, which aims to raise awareness, provide education, and offer clinical programs across northeast Ohio. Furthermore, I established Marv Leads Consulting, which specializes in providing leadership tools encompassing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), process improvement, leadership training, and workshops for businesses, nonprofits, and organizations.

Q. As the founder of Marv Leads, could you explain how you integrate integrity-based practices and vulnerability into your leadership workshops? 

Marv Leads was initially established to address the issues and challenges I encountered in my life, ranging from implicit bias in healthcare to the absence of leadership among individuals who shared my background. Therefore, when discussing integrity-based practices, all my workshops are imbued with strong moral and ethical principles.

Q. In your role as a Licensed Clinical Pharmacist specializing in opioid case management, how do you address implicit bias within healthcare?

The stigma surrounding substance use is deeply ingrained, manifesting even in the language commonly used to discuss it, often inaccurately from a medical standpoint, which can exacerbate rather than alleviate the issue. When conducting case management, we remain mindful of this reality. While our primary objective is to prevent opioid misuse, we approach each case with individual attention, ensuring that every patient’s opioid regimen is both safe and clinically appropriate.

Q. What inspired you to debut your signature talk, ‘Prescription Approved for Implicit Bias’, as a TEDx Speaker, and what impact do you hope it has on the healthcare community?

My signature talk on implicit bias prescription was born out of my personal journey, transitioning from a pharmacy student to a pharmacist, and the challenges and implicit biases I encountered along the way. My aim was to leverage my experiences as a platform for instigating change. My call to action included advocating for legislation mandating implicit bias training for healthcare professionals during license renewals and promoting greater participation and engagement among pharmacists in cultural competency training programs.

Q. As the founder of Let’s Get Healthy Cleveland, Inc., could you share more about the clinical programs and community events you provide to address healthcare inequalities?

Let’s Get Healthy Cleveland offers clinical programs across Northeast Ohio, centered on three core pillars: awareness, education, and resources. Our initiative aims to unite communities under the banner of health, facilitating learning about new diagnoses, disseminating information to those with limited access, and fostering dialogue between clinicians and the public on effective health strategies. From addressing the opioid crisis to tackling conditions like multiple sclerosis, we’ve delved into a wide array of topics, bringing together healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds to drive informative discussions. Crucially, we prioritize listening to the concerns of individuals, whether it’s the struggle to afford medication, the search for community resources, or the emotional impact of a difficult diagnosis. Beyond listening, we strive to provide answers and support, often bringing in experts to offer firsthand insights. Let’s Get Healthy Cleveland stands as a transformative nonprofit organization with a clear mission: to raise awareness, impart education, and provide essential resources for healthcare in Northeast Ohio.

Q. In your position as Health Chair of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc., how do you advocate for health equity within the community?

The mission of the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland Inc. is to raise awareness and provide vital information aimed at promoting healthier behaviors and lifestyles within our community. Our organization offers a range of comprehensive programs designed to address both the physical and psychological needs of the African American community. Given the heightened risk of poor health and early onset of health conditions among African American children, our focus is particularly acute.

During my tenure as health chair, I spearheaded initiatives that targeted disparities that may not always be immediately apparent. One such program delved into the long-term effects of COVID-19, specifically examining how it impacts the Black community. Long COVID, characterized by a collection of symptoms persisting after the acute phase of the illness, presents significant challenges, and our efforts were directed towards understanding and addressing its impact within our community.

Q. Could you discuss the mission and goals of IMONB LLC Properties in addressing housing disparities in Northeast Ohio?

In Memory of Norma Bruce, IMONB LLC is dedicated to providing affordable housing solutions to residents across Northeast Ohio. Reflecting on my upbringing, where stable housing in favorable neighborhoods was never an option, I am driven to ensure that everyone, regardless of income level, has access to quality housing. IMONB LLC stands as a beacon of opportunity, striving to create housing options that empower individuals and families throughout our community.

Q. As the founder of Bruce’s Jamaican Fusion Soul food truck, how do you honor your late mother’s legacy through your culinary offerings, and what impact has it had on the local community?

My mother immigrated to the United States with a dream of opening her own Jamaican restaurant and sharing her culinary talents with the world. Tragically, shortly after completing her business studies, she fell seriously ill and passed away before realizing her aspirations. In her memory, Bruce’s Jamaican Fusion Soul was born. This food truck celebrates her legacy by blending the traditional Jamaican dishes I grew up enjoying with some American influences, all prepared with heart and soul.

“Marv Leads was initially established to address the issues and challenges I encountered in my life, ranging from implicit bias in healthcare to the absence of leadership among individuals who shared my background.”