Taking a 360-approach to personal and professional wellness centering underrepresented voices
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Professional and personal wellness calls for a well-rounded, inclusive approach every month of the year.
February is here, and of course, that means we're thinking about Black leaders' crucial impact on every aspect of society. Whether we talk about access to food, environmental sustainability, financial health, or mind-and-body wellness, Black communities face injustice and inequality in every area—all while often serving as the voices who lead us through essential innovations that leave lasting change in communities big and small. Here at Outspoken, we are passionate about centering underrepresented voices and celebrating the power of diversity. Check out some of our speakers below who are experts in critical topics that matter and are leading discussions that examine our history, impact our present, and will lead us into the future. As we celebrate Black History, let's prioritize the issues that matter for people of color not only this month, but every month, week, and day of the year.
UNDERSTAND SYSTEMS OF RACIAL INEQUALITY
African American studies scholar Ruha Benjamin has studied the social dimensions of science, technology, and medicine for over fifteen years and speaks widely on issues of innovation, equity, health, and justice in the U.S. and globally. Her writing and talks unpack how technology has the potential to hide, speed up, and even deepen discrimination, all while appearing neutral (and even benevolent) when compared to racist practices of a previous era. Ruha's talks leave audiences reconsidering the impact of these systems and how we might move toward meaningful change.
Watch: “Why technology made racial injustice worse,” CNET Highlights
Read: “We Definitely Can’t Wait for Silicon Valley to Become More Diverse,” The Guardian
UNCOVER THE IMPACTS OF RACISM ON PUBLIC HEALTH
Racism haunts nearly every aspect of our society—so much so that it has become a public health crisis. For over a decade, Terence Keel has been an outspoken critic of how racism pervades public policy, art, and even medical science. In his talks, Terence explains why our ability to live with dignity and health is not a matter of chance or fate, but is in fact a result of planning and design. Reflecting on rising health disparities in the U.S. and cutting-edge research within the field of public health, Terence offers tools to understand how humans embody the society we inherit and how we can literally create health through more equitable designs.
Read: “Racism has devastating impacts on public health,” Street Roots
Listen: Terence Keel on “Tavis Smiley” Podcast
UNPACK THE POSSIBILITIES OF REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
Spending her entrepreneurial career working at the intersection of food and tech, Julia Collins quickly became passionate about climate change. In her talks, Julia explains the relationship between food systems and climate change, which is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity. The intersection of social justice, racial justice, and economic justice demand that we take action on climate change—and Julia shows audiences what regenerative agriculture offers, why it matters, and how it creates sustainable solutions, from the kinds of farming practices we can use and our ability to de-carbonize agricultural processes.
Listen: “Catalyzing Climate Action Though FoodTech with Julia Collins of Planet FWD,” The Two Percent
Interview: “This snack brand aims to combat climate change,” Yahoo! News
DISCOVER THE CONNECTIONS OF MINDFULNESS, MEDITATION, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
What can mindfulness bring to social justice movements? And how can knowledge about inequality and power deepen our spiritual practice? Anti-racism activist Crystal Fleming is an award-winning author, public intellectual, and expert on global racism and white supremacy. Essential to her work is mindful activism—a practice that shows how mindfulness, meditation, and conscious awareness of the present moment can help us see our ego, collective identities, and social conditioning more clearly. Crystal shares how this wellness practice is essential to unpacking our biases, stereotypes, and emotions. She also discusses how concepts like transcendence, interconnectedness, and compassion can be powerful tools for linking personal healing to social activism. Be sure to check out the upcoming book Beyond White Mindfulness, co-edited by Crystal, including her contributing chapter, “Practicing Mindfulness at the Intersections of Oppressions,” out Feb. 18.
Watch: “Diversity Dialogues with Crystal Fleming: From Moment to Movement,” FAS Human Resources
Listen: Dr. Crystal Fleming on Toure Show Podcast
TAP INTO THE POWER OF FINANCIAL WELLNESS
Financial literacy and health are critical when it comes to building more equitable communities. Yet, the reality exists that financial disparity still exists between men and women—and even more specifically between white and Black communities. With Black consumers being regularly overlooked by companies that don’t see them as a priority, it's undeniable that working toward more financial equity benefits all, with black buying power presenting an untapped opportunity for growth. In her talks, financial empowerment expert Rachel Rodgers not only unpacks the realities of financial disparity among African Americans but also offers solutions for lifting up—and how to stop underestimating—underrepresented communities.
Read: “No Loans, No Credit, No Funding: Why More Women Aren’t Millionaires,” The New York Times
Read: “Self-Made Millionaire Rachel Rodgers Opens Up About What It Really Takes To Hit Seven Figures,” Women’s Health
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Outspoken Agency is a women-owned speaking agency representing leaders, founders, public intellectuals, authors and entertainers for paid keynotes, workshops and panels at in-person and virtual events. Learn more about our female founders here.