#49 Breaking Barriers: Language, Leadership & Inclusion in Construction with Monique Lewis

In this powerful episode of Brand Disruptors, I sat down with Monique Lewis — Founder and CEO of Next 2 Native Language Learning — to talk about what’s really happening in the construction industry when language is treated as an afterthought.

Monique is a bilingual corporate language trainer who didn’t set out to become a business owner. But when a sudden pay gap lit a fire under her, she created a solution that’s now transforming workplaces — especially for Hispanic-owned and immigrant-led construction teams.

This episode goes deep into:

• The hidden dangers of language barriers in construction
• Why companies can't afford to ignore multilingual communication
• How Monique’s lived experience as a bilingual Black woman and mother fuels her mission
• The responsibility leaders have to ensure every team member feels safe, seen, and supported

This isn’t just about language. It’s about leadership. Equity. And building safer, smarter job sites where everyone thrives.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• How language training impacts safety, retention, and productivity
• Why “you’re in America, speak English” is outdated and dangerous
• What it takes to create inclusive, high-performing crews — even in traditionally resistant industries
• Monique’s story of going from part-time ESL instructor to full-time founder in under a year