Keynote Speeches
KEYNOTE SPEECHES
All of the themes of my workshops have also been delivered as 30-90 minute talks. My keynote addresses are custom-designed for your group’s specific needs.
Here’s just a sample of some of my key diversity and inclusion speech topics:
For Educators:
How to Create a Welcoming School
We’re often afraid that talking about diversity and other subjects such as stereotyping will cause more division, not less. We’ve seen our students bullying each other but don’t always know what to do create a more positive school environment. Maybe an unwanted, diversity-related incident has already happened and you found out just how ill-prepared your school was to handle the angry parents, a strident community and the curious press. The good news is that there are proven ways to make our schools more inclusive and, as we do, our classrooms become calmer, our teachers feel better about teaching and, quite simply, more learning occurs. Discover what other schools and school districts have done to close the so-called “Achievement Gap.” [and further success stories.] omit
Beyond the Holy Twelve
Rosa Park, Martin Luther King, Jr., Caesar Chavez – all are amazing people and yet, not the only change-makers you want your students to know about and model. But how do we teach about people and circumstances we’ve never learned about? How do we know our assemblies and special events are inclusive? Discover other not-so-famous people, holidays and events that will inspire you and your students. Celebrate more than the exceptional hero so that your students understand that they, too, play an important role in creating a country that lives up to its ideals.
What To Do If You’re Accused of Racism and Other Fun Teaching Moments In Our Multicultural Classrooms
Race is one of our most volatile issues and yet few of us know exactly what it means. Even fewer of us know how the idea of race has changed throughout history or how what happened in the past still affects almost every aspect of our lives today. Everyone wonders from time to time, “What might I be unconsciously doing around race that could paint me as a fool or worse?” Well-intentioned teachers feel badly if they are unjustly accused of racism or other exclusions. They can pull back and all progress on inclusion stops. But there are ways to break free of the legacy of racism that all institutions have inherited. Stop feeling guilty, scared or hopeless and feel confident and empowered instead.
For Businesses and Associations:
The Business Implications of Unintended Exclusion
Many times practices that appear harmless are actually toxic to your employees or the community you serve. Well-intentioned policies can be unintentionally insensitive to some groups. The truth is your employees and clients are often thinking about disparities in your organization long before those disparities are openly discussed. What’s more, your organization could be at risk for a lawsuit if training doesn’t take place. Are there unseen barriers to inclusion in your organization? And if so, what’s the solution? A business has to understand how its diversity efforts will help its people become more effective as leaders, innovators and competitors. Diversity done right becomes an integral part of your business identity and can be the missing ingredient to lasting success. Which companies are getting it right and what can they teach us so we don’t repeat already recognized mistakes?
We’ve Already Done Diversity 101 – What’s Next?
You may have already done diversity training but frustration still exists. People within traditional insider groups can’t imagine working harder yet somehow they’re given the message that they’re not doing enough. People within traditional outsider groups feel tired and angry. They get confused as to when they’re bumping up against real structural inequities or simply the personal biases of a few.
Take your diversity journey to the next level. Many employees have good skills in general, but we all have blind spots. We don’t know what we don’t know and that margin can make the difference between your organization’s success or failure. Learn how all your employees can reach cultural competency and become even more effective in a constantly changing business climate.
What You Don’t Know About Your Customers Can Hurt You
An unfortunate truth is that we rarely have the time or opportunity to get to know our customers as much as we’d like. By becoming students of human behavior and understanding the experiences of diverse cultural groups, we can gain the confidence and skills to work successfully and appreciatively with a wider variety of customers and bring our products and services into new markets.
For Students:
How to Survive Cliques
Why are there cliques at your school? It’s normal to be closer friends and want to spend time with some people more than others but when the halls, cafeteria or after-school activities get divided into turfs or even war zones, going to school becomes treacherous and a whole lot less fun. Explore how to make friends with people who are different from you, how to manage snap judgments, how to not take others’ judgments of you personally, and how to stay true to yourself in the face of peer pressure. Steering clear of bullies – and not acting like one yourself – plus knowing how to handle disagreements positively all are skills that you can learn in order to survive in your school and the wider world.
Being a Leader in a Global, Multicultural World
Leadership is not about telling people what to do but inspiring people to come together to create amazing results! Today’s leaders need to know how to inspire and motivate people from many different cultures as well as how to evoke and nurture people’s unique talents. Learn how the global leaders of tomorrow respect differences, allow creative expression and create teams that work together for common goals.
From Multi-Cultural to Multi-Marvelous
Learn a much larger definition of culture and how everyone is multi-cultural. The groups to which we belong give us pride and identity but we are always more than the groups to which we belong. There are many ways to be a woman or a man, to be a black, brown or white person. There are many ways to be a student, to be a New Yorker or to be a skydiver for that matter. Be ready to be a surprise to yourself and be ready to be surprised by others. We are all multi-cultural and each of us has something to offer.
For Faith-Based Organizations:
Walking the Talk – Being As Inclusive As We Say We Are
The people in your organization might think they know a thing or two about biases in general or theirs in particular, but there are unconscious assumptions and unintentional behaviors all of engage in that create exclusion. Learn to separate our good intentions from the true impact of our behaviors, policies and practices so that we can “be the change” we wish to see in the world.
How to Get Beyond Political Correctness to True Respect
Ever feel as though you don’t know what to say or not say anymore? Do you find yourself wishing that people could just relax around each other no matter how similar or different they are? While every group and individual is unique there are some common sense guidelines for treating each other with respect. Discover common sore spots, words or actions that have the “ouch factor.” Stop walking on eggshells and move from PC – Politically Correct – to PCC –Personally Caring and Committed.
How to Create Genuine Interfaith Dialogue
Discover the universal and unique elements of Abrahamic (Christian, Jewish and Muslim) and other faiths and the confusion and fears that result when cultures mix without understanding. Exploring the misconceptions and common threads of such issues as immigration, assimilation, life passages, and past and present conflicts can engender hope for the future. In a time of religious tension, sincere and skillful dialogue can highlight our distinct histories and our common humanity.
In addition to the speeches listed above, here are some other subjects I have recently delivered:
• Generational Respect
• What If I’m the Only One In My Organization Who Wants Change?
• Taking Care of You While You’re Taking Care of Others
• Thinking Outside the Box: The Principles of Creativity
• The 10 Top Actions of Every Successful Leader
• Giving and Getting Feedback
• Storytelling and Building Effective Teams
• Finding Your Passion and Unique Contribution
• Spiritual Activism and the Shadow Side of Working for Change
You get the idea! Tell me what you want for your club, school, workplace or conference and I’ll deliver with insight, humor and, of course and always, stories.
Say goodbye to dry, boring speeches!
