For unity Pres. Biden must continue to ‘live the values he articulates’: MLB Chief People & Culture Officer

Michele C. Meyer-Shipp, MLB Chief People & Culture Officer, joined Yahoo Finance to discuss the historic importance of both President Biden and VP Kamala Harris.

Video Transcript

SEANA SMITH: It's a historic moment for the United States, Kamala Harris getting sworn in as vice president of the United States, the first woman and first person of color to hold that position. We want to bring in Michele Meyer-Shipp, Major League Baseball's Chief People and Culture Officer. Michele, great to see you back on the program. Vice President Kamala Harris breaking barriers once again today. Just give us your thoughts on this historic day and your reaction to seeing Vice President Harris getting sworn in earlier.

MICHELLE C. MEYER-SHIPP: Yeah, you know, I'll tell you, I've been sitting here all day just thinking of one word, and that's, this is epic. This is big, you know, for all the reasons you guys just stated. She's our first woman. She's the first woman of color, the highest ranking female elected official in US history. You know, I think about her as a role model today for all women, for people of color, for young girls to aspire to. So I'm really excited about her appointment, and I think she's going to do great things.

ZACK GUZMAN: I think epic's a proper, a word to use here, and we think about not just her, but also the cabinet as a whole, an extreme push here from the Biden administration to really feature, you know, communities of color, as well as voices that may not historically be in cabinet level positions. When you look at that, and kind of broaden out to what this nation's going through right now, how important is that push to really, you know, progress the conversations being held in C suites, as well as just hiring offices across the country?

MICHELLE C. MEYER-SHIPP: That's a great question. I mean, I think it's critical. You know, it's funny, I was, I was thinking about the words that President Biden spoke today about diversity, about unity. It was his theme resounding throughout his entire inaugural speech, and he showed that in his actions, not just his words. And I think it's very symbolic to make it clear that it's not just about your words and your commitments, but your actions.

He showed us that today in his very inaugural ceremonies with the diversity of his speakers from the clergy to the musicians, everything. I mean, it was a very diverse group of folks, and he also has already begun to demonstrate that in some of his appointments. So I think it is really important, because you know, the bottom line is the diversity of perspectives will get us the right outcomes to have voices who have different views, different lenses.

It may be harder. It may take us longer to come to a decision, but ultimately, we get to a great state. So that's what matters, and that's why diversity is so important and so incredibly powerful, and he called it out multiple times, so I'm really excited to see what's to come with his administration.

SEANA SMITH: Well, Michelle, talking about what is to come, I guess, how would you-- or how do you think Biden and his administration can continue to build on this message? We talk about the message of unity. He's mentioned that in his campaign. He mentioned it right after he was elected. It was mentioned multiple times today, so what's the next steps from here?

MICHELLE C. MEYER-SHIPP: I think he has to live the values that he has articulated. I mean, I think he's done a couple of really key things here, and he's done it many times over the last couple of months. He's put and made it really clear the tone he wants to carry through in this administration, and that tone is exactly what we need to get where we need to get to have these hard conversations across party lines, to have hard conversations about race and equity.

You know, he, to me, has come across very authentic, very transparent, and he's made it clear that dignity, respect, and unity are going to be critical for us to engage. I also noted that he repeatedly made reference to hearing the voices of everyone, hearing all points of views, dismantling, kind of, the barriers across party lines. That's going to be incredible, so as long as he sticks to that, that core foundational value around, you know, authenticity, being transparent, and having those conversations, I think we're in a really good stead. He set a great tone to kick off the administration.

ZACK GUZMAN: And we've talked so much about what his moves might do to really, you know, advance some of these discussions, but we can't overlook what's been going on in the world of sports as well. Two of the names here are going to be included in tonight's inauguration ceremonies, including Sarah Fuller, the Vanderbilt University senior that had made history here as the first woman to play and score in a power five game. We've also got Kim Ang, who I know you know well, the first GM in the MLB. And Sarah Thomas, going to be the first woman to referee a Super Bowl here, so it seems like a big moment in sports, but how big of a role does sports play in pushing that conversation forward, along with what we're seeing pan out in the Biden administration?

MICHELLE C. MEYER-SHIPP: Hey, you know, sports plays a huge role. I mean, we have our audience, our fans. Our audience is America, and so, same with us. You know, the same tone that we just talked about with the administration is the same tone we have to set across the sports industry, and you know, you've seen time and time again, that every time there's a key appointment, like Kim Ang, you know, it really is, again, epic for our industry, and it shows that we're moving in the right direction, that we're being thoughtful about diversity. We're being thoughtful about having different voices at the table, and again, I think at the end, it makes us together for better. So I'm really excited to see how this all unfolds as we move forward.

SEANA SMITH: All right, Michele Meyer-Shipp, MLB's chief people and culture officer. Great to have you on the program. We hope to talk to you again soon. Thanks for taking the time to join us.