Tony Waller: Learning How to Embrace My Full Story, Trusting the Plan and How Community is Mejor Contigo… Better with You.

Rebirth With J.R. Martinez

Tony Waller is the Vice President of Constituent Relations and Racial Equity at Walmart, the host of Walmart’s Real Talk At The Barber Shop and currently spearheading several campaigns surrounding the company’s commitment to community wellness, health and racial equity. Tony was born in the U.S. but raised in Puerto Rico. His family moved back to the states when he was a teenager where he experienced his first real experiences with race. He shares his struggles to fit in and the importance of taking care of one’s mental health. Tony also shares the great opportunity he received from retail giant Walmart to really make a difference in communities of color. Tony talks about Walmart’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and their program, Mejor Contigo, “Better with you” which highlights Latino success stories inside and outside of the company. Tony is a larger than life personality with such a smart and unique perspective in which he sees the world. I think you will really enjoy this episode and listening to Tony speak as much as I have. This episode is sponsored by Walmart.

Key Takeaways

• “It’s important to be comfortable with who you are.”
• When Tony moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland, he was not prepared for the racial differences and the questions people would ask him.
• People had a hard time figuring out Tony’s background. He didn’t feel like he fit in.
• High School was one of the hardest times of Tony’s life, but he’s grateful for it.
• Therapy is so important for our mental well-being. We go to the dentist and the doctor, why not also go to a therapist to get your head checked too?
• Call out to parents: “Allow your children to grow and make mistakes.”
• What is the Mejor Contigo program about?
• We still have a lot of problems in this world, but the younger generation is going to help us bridge the gap and help us solve some of those problems.
• A lot of the innovative ideas Walmart has, come from Walmart employee associates.
• Why are diversity and inclusion so important to Walmart?
• Tony shares what Walmart is up to and their focus for the years ahead to better the lives of their staff.

Continue On Your Journey

Tony on Twitter

Tony on Instagram

WALMART

WALMART Instagram

JRmartinez.com

J.R. on Instagram

J.R. on Facebook

J.R. on Twitter

J.R. Youtube Channel

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