Leader Jeffries; Work to Own; St. Mary's | 60 Minutes Full Episodes

Challenges Facing the 118th United States Congress

• The 118th United States Congress is facing significant challenges and is likely to be the least productive since the Civil War due to dysfunction within the Republican majority.
• Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic minority leader, has emerged as a key figure in the House, effectively governing as if the Democrats were in the majority by providing crucial votes for necessary actions.

Hakeem Jeffries' Approach to Leadership

• Jeffries emphasizes the importance of finding common ground and working with the other side of the aisle, even as chaos spreads across college campuses nationwide over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
• Jeffries addresses the divisive issue of Israel's military actions in Gaza, expressing support for Israel's defense while also criticizing certain aspects of their approach and calling for surgical precision in future conflicts.

Challenges Facing the Democratic Party

• Jeffries discusses the challenges facing the Democratic Party, including declining support among black voters, the influx of migrants into the US, and the upcoming election, where control of the White House and Congress is uncertain.
• Democrats are concerned about the erosion of reproductive freedom and the potential fall of Roe v. Wade, which could lead to the loss of other rights such as Social Security, Medicare, voting rights, and even democracy itself.
• Despite legislative wins and economic improvements under President Biden, Democrats are struggling to communicate their successes to voters, who largely believe the economy was better under President Trump.

Employee Ownership as a Solution to Social Issues

• Pete Stavos, a heavyweight in the world of private equity, is an unlikely champion for empowering and enriching rank-and-file workers through employee ownership.
• Stavos believes that giving workers a stake in their company through ownership and a voice in decision-making leads to increased motivation, productivity, and job satisfaction.
• Stavos argues that the current social contract in America is broken, with many workers feeling hopeless and without a path to get ahead, which is bad for both society and businesses.
• Stavos's obsession with employee ownership stems from his working-class upbringing and the lessons he learned from his father about the importance of steady work and fair compensation.
• KKR, under Stavos's leadership, has implemented employee ownership at 47 companies globally, benefiting over 100,000 employees.
• Employees at KKR-acquired companies express positive reactions to the employee ownership model, feeling a sense of ownership and motivation to perform better.
• Stavos offers workers free financial literacy training to help them understand the economics of employee ownership, but emphasizes that payouts depend on company performance and KKR's ability to sell at a significant profit.

Criticisms of Employee Ownership Models

• Peach Ro, a private equity firm, has been criticized for its aggressive business practices, including greenwashing, whitewashing, and watering down real employee ownership.
• Despite these criticisms, Peach Ro argues that its employee ownership model provides substantial benefits to workers and is not just a public relations stunt.
• However, the firm acknowledges that there is a significant wealth gap in the United States and that private equity may contribute to this issue.
• Pete Stavros, the founder of Peach Ro, is a leading advocate for employee ownership and believes it can help address wealth inequality.
• Stavros has established a nonprofit organization to teach executives how to implement employee ownership models and is working to update the tax code to incentivize employee ownership.

Success Stories of Employee Ownership

• The success of employee ownership at companies like CHI in Arthur, Illinois, demonstrates the potential benefits of this model, including increased wealth and improved quality of life for employees.

Mathematical Achievement by High School Students

• Two high school seniors from St. Mary's Academy in New Orleans, Nikaya Jackson and Kelsey Johnson, proved a mathematical puzzle that had been thought to be impossible for 2,000 years.
• Their groundbreaking work, titled the "waffle cone proof," was the second documented proof of the Pythagorean theorem using trigonometry.
• Jackson and Johnson's achievement highlights the potential for innovation and problem-solving among young students when given the opportunity and encouragement.

Recognition and Impact of their Achievement

• Kelsey Johnson and Nikia Jackson, two African-American high school students from St. Mary's Academy in New Orleans, proved two new theorems related to the Pythagorean theorem.
• Their achievement gained international recognition and was celebrated by many, including former First Lady Michelle Obama and the governor of Louisiana.
• Some people expressed skepticism and disbelief due to their race and gender, but the students and their school community remained unfazed.

St. Mary's Academy's Supportive Environment

• St. Mary's Academy has a long history of empowering young women, particularly African-American students, and providing them with a supportive environment to excel academically.
• The school's high expectations, strict rules, and emphasis on sisterhood contribute to its success in fostering a culture of excellence and achievement.

Political Situation in Georgia

• The story also briefly touches on the political situation in Georgia, where a proposed law threatens to undermine the country's democratic values and its bid for membership in the European Union.