The Uncomfortable Truth: The Speaking Industry’s Failure To Embrace Diversity & Inclusion

The speaking industry is growing rapidly and offers a multitude of opportunities for individuals to showcase their talents and expertise. However, for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) speakers, trainers, experts, and leaders, finding a platform or room to share their skills and experiences can be challenging.?

In this two-part newsletter series, we will discuss the current state of rooms for BIPOC speakers, trainers, experts, and leaders and what can be done to increase representation and diversity in this field.

Limited Representation

Despite the growing demand for speaking & training services, BIPOC speakers, trainers, experts, and leaders are still underrepresented in the industry. This lack of representation has resulted in fewer opportunities for BIPOC speakers to share their experiences and perspectives with a wider audience. This can create a lack of diversity and limit the growth and progress of the speaking industry as a whole.

For years, I struggled to claim my identity as a speaker coach & consultant. Despite my expertise and experience, I felt that I wouldn't be taken seriously due to my race and gender. I also endured similar challenges as a speaker in the healthcare industry.

My non-BIPOC colleagues frequently questioned my pricing, showed their distrust in my abilities and paid non-BIPOC speakers or coaches significantly more (at least 4-5x my fee) than they were willing to pay me. This left me feeling discouraged and uncertain about my future in the speaking industry.?

However, after seeing a growing demand for my services and receiving support from other BIPOC women and non-BIPOC allies, I took the plunge and fully embraced my role as a speaker and speaker consultant. My business flourished as people began to recognize the value of my work and the unique perspectives I brought to the table. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way and I hope to continue making a positive impact in the speaking industry but our work isn’t done.

Need for Inclusive Platforms

To address the limited representation of BIPOC speakers, trainers, experts, and leaders in the speaking industry, there is a need for more inclusive platforms that can showcase their work and give them the recognition they deserve. This can be in the form of speaking & training events, workshops, or webinars specifically designed for BIPOC speakers, trainers, experts, and leaders to showcase their expertise and connect with potential clients.

Unfortunately, there has been a trend of companies in the speaking industry that claim to support 50% or more BIPOC speakers, yet they have an entirely non-BIPOC team and do not take any real action to disrupt the industry and increase diversity.?

These companies prey on vulnerable BIPOC speakers who are eager to share their message and take advantage of their talent. Instead of providing a supportive and inclusive environment, they simply collect money from BIPOC speakers and do nothing to address the systemic barriers that exist in the speaking industry.?

It is important to be cautious and carefully evaluate the practices and policies of these companies to ensure that they truly support BIPOC speakers and are not just using them for financial gain.

Support from the Industry

The speaking industry can play a crucial role in increasing the representation of BIPOC speakers. This can be done by creating more opportunities for BIPOC speakers, trainers, experts, and leaders, working with organizations that support diversity and inclusion, and actively promoting and supporting BIPOC speakers in their work.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with speakers from a variety of industries, and the disparities I have seen are disheartening. Despite the recent push for DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) work, BIPOC speakers continue to face challenges in securing stages, being paid fairly, and being considered for high-profile speaking opportunities.?

These barriers are often rooted in unconscious biases related to age, race, gender, etc. I have seen too many talented and brilliant speakers and trainers give up on sharing their message simply because they are exhausted by the ongoing struggle.?

The speaking industry, like many others, is often dominated by a select few individuals, and it can feel as though there is an invisible checklist that determines who is worthy and unworthy. This can make it difficult for unique perspectives and outlooks on life to be recognized and valued.

As someone with over two decades of experience in public health and education, as well as nearly a decade working in the speaking industry, I feel compelled to share my personal views on what can be done to address the disparities and barriers that BIPOC speakers face.?

In my next article, I will share my insights and experiences, offering suggestions for what can be done to create a more inclusive and equitable speaking industry. Through open dialogue, collaboration, and a commitment to DEI, I believe that we can create a space where BIPOC speakers have equal opportunities to share their message, be fairly compensated, and make a positive impact on the world.

While there are certainly still challenges in the speaking industry for BIPOC speakers, trainers, experts, and leaders, there are also opportunities to create change and increase representation. By building inclusive platforms, creating a community, and receiving support from the speaking industry, BIPOC speakers can find the rooms they need to showcase their skills and share their experiences with a wider audience.

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Legacy Scaler? Consulting Firm specializes in refining the presentation and communication skills of leaders, professionals, and executives. We offer speaker services and consulting services that are tailored specifically to each client’s needs - whether they want to polish a presentation for an upcoming meeting or overhaul their entire communication strategy. We help business owners and professionals grow sustainable speaking & training businesses that produce massive profits. Whatever your goals may be, we can help you get there with ease and confidence. Contact us today to learn about our speaking & training services.