Watch these videos to learn how to be inclusive, understand equality, equity, biases, stereotypes, terminology, discrimination and other aspects of exclusionary experiences and behaviours better.
The subject of race can be very touchy. As finance executive Mellody Hobson says, it’s a “conversational third rail.” But, she says, that’s exactly why we need to start talking about it. In this engaging, persuasive talk, Hobson makes the case that speaking openly about race — and particularly about diversity in hiring — makes for better businesses and a better society.
Mellody Hobson is president of Ariel Investments, a value-driven money management firm — and an advocate for financial literacy and investor education.
This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by our editors on the home page.
How to Overcome Biases? Walk Bold;y Towards Them
Our biases can be dangerous, even deadly — as we’ve seen in the cases of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, in Staten Island, New York. Diversity advocate Vernā Myers looks closely at some of the subconscious attitudes we hold toward out-groups. She makes a plea to all people: Acknowledge your biases. Then move toward, not away from, the groups that make you uncomfortable. In a funny, impassioned, important talk, she shows us how.
Vernā Myers is dedicated to promoting meaningful, lasting diversity in the workplace.
This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxBeaconStreet, an independent event. TED’s editors chose to feature it for you.
How to get serious about diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Imagine a workplace where people of all colors and races are able to climb every rung of the corporate ladder — and where the lessons we learn about diversity at work actually transform the things we do, think and say outside the office. How do we get there? In this candid talk, inclusion advocate Janet Stovall shares a three-part action plan for creating workplaces where people feel safe and expected to be their unassimilated, authentic selves.
UPS’s Janet Stovall has developed a business approach that addresses corporate racism head-on — and has created methods to help dismantle it.
This talk was presented at a TED Institute event given in partnership with UPS. TED editors featured it among our selections on the home page. Read more about the TED Institute.
Brené Brown studies human connection — our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share.
Dr. Brené Brown studies courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy.
This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxHouston, an independent event. TED’s editors chose to feature it for you.
The Urgency of Intersectionality
Now more than ever, it’s important to look boldly at the reality of race and gender bias — and understand how the two can combine to create even more harm. Kimberlé Crenshaw uses the term “intersectionality” to describe this phenomenon; as she says, if you’re standing in the path of multiple forms of exclusion, you’re likely to get hit by both. In this moving talk, she calls on us to bear witness to this reality and speak up for victims of prejudice.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
As a pioneer in critical race theory, Kimberlé Crenshaw helped open the discussion of the double bind faced by victims of simultaneous racial and gender prejudice.
Passionate about using music as a tool for empathy cultivation, Abby Dobson creates music to inspire audiences to reflect on the world we live in and engage in action to promote transformative social change.
This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by our editors on the home page.
Three Ways to be a better ally in the workplace
We’re taught to believe that hard work and dedication will lead to success, but that’s not always the case. Gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation are among the many factors that affect our chances, says writer and advocate Melinda Epler, and it’s up to each of us to be allies for those who face discrimination. In this actionable talk, Epler shares three ways to support people who are underrepresented in the workplace. “There’s no magic wand for correcting diversity and inclusion,” she says. “Change happens one person at a time, one act at a time, one word at a time.”
Melinda Epler works with the tech industry to solve diversity and inclusion together.
This talk was presented at a TED Salon event given in partnership with Brightline Initiative. TED editors featured it among our selections on the home page. Read more about TED Salons.
Ruby Sales: How we can start to heal the pain of racial division
“Where does it hurt?” It’s a question that activist and educator Ruby Sales has traveled the US asking, looking deeply at the country’s legacy of racism and searching for sources of healing. In this moving talk, she shares what she’s learned, reflecting on her time as a freedom fighter in the civil rights movement and offering new thinking on pathways to racial justice.
Ruby Sales has preached around the country on race, class, gender and reconciliation.
This talk was presented at a TED Salon event given in partnership with Verizon. TED editors featured it among our selections on the home page. Read more about TED Salons.
Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice — and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.
Inspired by Nigerian history and tragedies all but forgotten by recent generations of westerners, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novels and stories are jewels in the crown of diasporan literature.
This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by our editors on the home page.
How great leaders inspire action
Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership — starting with a golden circle and the question: “Why?” His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King Jr. and the Wright brothers …
Simon Sinek explores how leaders can inspire cooperation, trust and change. He’s the author of the classic “Start With Why.”
This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxPuget Sound, an independent event. TED’s editors chose to feature it for you.
Employee diversity and inclusive leadership are goals for most organizations today, but how do we get there? Try a “reverse mentorship” program, which sets up junior team members to guide senior staff. Here are 6 tips to make reverse mentorship work, from executive coach and personal development advocate Patrice Gordon.
Patrice Gordon’s passion for people and helping them realize their full potential led her to a career in coaching.
The Difference between being “Not Racist” and “Anti-Racist”
There is no such thing as being “not racist,” says author and historian Ibram X. Kendi. In this vital conversation, he defines the transformative concept of antiracism to help us more clearly recognize, take responsibility for and reject prejudices in our public policies, workplaces and personal beliefs. Learn how you can actively use this awareness to uproot injustice and inequality in the world — and replace it with love. (This virtual interview, hosted by TED’s current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers and speaker development curator Cloe Shasha, was recorded June 9, 2020.)
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi writes about ending racism in all its forms.
Cloe Shasha Brooks curates speakers for TED in a variety of fields, with an international focus on culture, social justice, literature and humor.
Whitney Pennington Rodgers is an award-winning journalist and media professional.
This talk was presented at an official TED conference, and was featured by our editors on the home page.
How to resolve racially stressful situations
If we hope to heal the racial tensions that threaten to tear the fabric of society apart, we’re going to need the skills to openly express ourselves in racially stressful situations. Through racial literacy — the ability to read, recast and resolve these situations — psychologist Howard C. Stevenson helps children and parents reduce and manage stress and trauma. In this inspiring, quietly awesome talk, learn more about how this approach to decoding racial threat can help youth build confidence and stand up for themselves in productive ways.
Dr. Howard C. Stevenson’s work involves developing culturally relevant, in-the-moment, strength-based measures and therapeutic interventions that teach emotional and racial literacy to families and youth.
This video was produced by TEDMED. TED’s editors featured it among our daily selections on the home page.
Visit Imperial College London’s excellent website with Tips on What you should do as a White Ally. This is supported by several resources on how to be a White Ally which give great advice and share insightful videos, articles, book recommendations and more.
- 5 tips for being an ally: In this short video, comedian and activisit Franchesca Ramsey, also known as Chescaleigh, gives her five tips for being a good ally.
-
What is privilege?: This video demonstrates a ‘privilege walk’ – an activity designed to help people better understand the effects of privileges.
-
Talking about race with white people: Author and journalist Renni Eddo-Lodge explains what happens when she tries to talk about race with white people.
-
Deconstructing white privilege: Academic and author Dr Robin DiAngelo deconstructs white privilege and discusses ‘white fragility’.
-
Review The Way We Work Series by TED
The Way We Work is an original video series where leaders and thinkers offer practical wisdom and insight into how we can adapt and thrive amid changing workplace conventions. (Made possible with the support of Dropbox)
EDI Resources by LJMU (Liverpool John Moores University)
LJMU, whom City, University of London partnered with to create and deliver the Challenging Racism Webinar series in 2021, has some brilliant EDI resources that are shared transparently. You are encouraged to review these, especially the articles and videos cited on their website.
- If microaggressions happened to white people | Decoded | MTV News
- Stop Stereotypes and Discrimination – Think For Yourself
- Respect and Inclusion at Deloitte
- Don’t Put People in Boxes
- Trans Youth
- LJMU explains Microaggressions
- LJMU explores unconscious bias
- LJMU on why We are Always Equal but Never the Same
- LJMU on intercultural Competence
Understanding the basics around bias and different multicultural and divisive perspectives when talking about race, racism and its institutionalised nature is critical for anyone wanting to be an inclusive leader. Explore two such projects below – The Seattle Time Under Our Skin project and The New York Times’ Who Me Biased project.
The Seattle Times – Under Our Skin Project
Learning videos exploring different perspectives on What do we mean when we talk about race?:
New York Times (NYT/POV’s) Saleem Reshamwala explores all things bias through these great bite-sized informational learning 2 to 3 minute video series:
Peanut Butter, Jelly and Racism
What is implicit bias? NYT/POV’s Saleem Reshamwala unscrews the lid on the unfair effects of our subconscious.
Signs of implicit bias lurk within our inboxes, social networks and the patterns of our daily lives. Looking at our own data can help us change our ways.
To reduce implicit bias, build friendships that cross the racial divide. Sound too easy to actually work? Researchers beg to differ.
Here’s a paradox: The harder we try to act “super normal” around people of other races, the more likely we’ll be super weird. Is there a way around this? Hint: Yes.
Need justification for taking breaks and naps? Turns out those activities could make us less biased toward people of other races.
Orchestras made clever changes to deal with centuries-old bias. If an orchestra can do it, there’s hope for all of us — but a final word of caution.