In an era fueled by innovation and global connectivity, the vision of an equitable future has never been more tantalizingly within reach. The journey towards achieving this vision, however, is a complex and multifaceted one, requiring the collective wisdom, concerted efforts, and diverse perspectives of individuals from all walks of life. In our pursuit of a world where opportunities, resources, and rights are accessible to all, expert voices emerge as guiding lights, illuminating the path forward.

As Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Keynote Speakers share their unique insights across many industries, they not only inspire but also offer actionable takeaways that can reshape our understanding of equity and galvanize us to drive meaningful change. Here are some invaluable perspectives shared by visionary keynote speakers. Join us in exploring their thoughts, ideas, and solutions as they lay the foundation for a truly equitable future. From technological advancements to social revolutions, join us as we uncover the transformative power of knowledge and embark on a journey toward a fairer tomorrow.

Dr. Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins: Eradicating Discrimination in Healthcare and the Workplace

Dr. Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins has a passion for healthcare equity and is committed to using his influence to eradicate discrimination and racial discrepancies within healthcare. Dr. Ahmaad Jenkins is an award-winning journalist, Ivy League lecturer, and health disparities activist. He formerly was an on-field announcer for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Durham Bulls, covering sports and entertainment events across North Carolina. Dr. Ahmaad Jenkins has a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University, a master’s degree from Florida A&M University, and a Ph. D in Sociology and Criminology & Law from the University of Florida. He is a leader in the study of the link between racial stress and vascular-based diseases, drawing impactful, industry-disrupting conclusions about how racism affects health.

Dr. Ahmaad Jenkins inspires conversations around equity in corporate culture and shares the integral changes that need to happen for companies to thrive. His extensive and diverse background in education and activism makes him an especially hard-hitting speaker for professional audiences. He understands the importance of empathy and how each of us has our own experiences that we bring to the workplace. He asks leaders, “How will we know our employees’ strengths without having a conversation?” Dr. Ahmaad Jenkins is speaking to the experience of all of us: women, minorities, people of color. He points out that employees who feel excluded in the workplace can be up to 25% less productive, providing statistical evidence on the importance of togetherness. Because we spend a large portion of our time at work and with our coworkers, Dr. Ahmaad Jenkins is determined to forge a path to inclusivity within the workplace, as well as within the healthcare systems.

Risha Grant: A Personal Story of Diversity’s Impact

Risha Grant is a diversity and inclusion expert, author, international speaker, and the CEO of Risha Grant LLC. Her company is a diversity consulting, communications, and speaking firm that allows Grant to exercise her passions around ending racism, sexism, and classism. A truly inspiring speaker, she was even named one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Women Leaders in HR by People Hum in 2021. She believes that diversity is humanity, and she brings this belief into every room she walks into – including the gym where she coaches basketball at a Catholic Middle School.

Grant advocates for making inclusivity simple. She says we have already learned the important tenets of equity when we were about five. Her workshop is engaging and in-your-face, while also being supportive and fun. She explains that equity begins when we confront our own biases and unearth where they came from. As a black, bisexual woman, Grant understands why grace and compassion for others, especially in the workplace, encourage a more productive and inclusive environment. When our own experiences are validated, we are more likely to succeed. She pushes all attendees to seek out their own individual uniqueness and harness the power that comes from within when we love ourselves because how we feel inside affects how we treat each other. Grant provides a life-altering wake-up call that every work environment needs, now more than ever.

Ritu Bhasin: Finding Beauty in Belonging

Ritu Bhasin is an award-winning speaker, the CEO of Bhasin Consulting Inc., and a bestselling author. Bhasin is internationally recognized for her work promoting authenticity, with her first book, The Authenticity Principle, immediately becoming an Amazon bestseller. Her second book, We’ve Got This: Unlocking the Beauty of Belonging was released in June 2023 and is already a bestseller on the lists of USA Today, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. Bhasin’s career began in law before she became a human resources leader and eventually founded her own consulting firm.
As a child, Bhasin was a chronic overachiever and it wasn’t until adulthood that she realized she used this as a tool to mask the pain she felt from being seemingly different and being bullied by her peers. She experienced racism and prejudice growing up in Toronto, Canada, and being raised SIKH by Punjabi immigrant parents.

Even though her own corporate experience as an adult looked perfect from the outside, she felt deeply unhappy. Because of her own experiences, she is determined to help create a different experience for others, where inclusive leadership can promote allyship amongst teams and organizations. Bhasin’s story of self-discovery began after launching her own consulting firm and becoming a yoga and mindfulness teacher. She realized the beauty in belonging and has since dedicated her life’s work to inspiring others to be who they are.

Kim Blue: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Digital Era

Kim Blue is the Chief People Officer and Positive Disruptor at OpenExchange, Inc., and is one of the Top Diverse Leaders by the 2021 Tech Inclusion Conference. Blue is responsible for improving businesses through organizational change as the trusted Positive Disruptor. She joined Zoom in October 2020, amidst the Covid chaos, as the Global Head of People Experience Partners and leads the company’s team of HR business partners.

Blue’s experience working for Zoom during the pandemic helped inform her approach to an inclusive work culture in the new digital era – even for those working from home. In an ever-evolving workplace environment, innovative approaches to maintaining company culture are vitally important for morale. Blue believes that mindful leadership is necessary to create an equitable workspace, and she is passionate about transforming industries to become more employee-friendly. In a world where our work is such a large part of our lives, it is important to feel your values align with your company’s. Blue encourages us to embrace this shift in the culture and create a new future for our workplaces.

These insights from expert keynote speakers serve as beacons of hope in our journey toward an equitable future. As we reflect on the work these visionary minds are dedicated to, it becomes evident that achieving true equity requires a collective commitment to dismantling barriers and embracing diversity. From the vast world of technology to the heart of social change, the knowledge imparted by these experts resonates with a powerful truth – that the path to equity is multifaceted and demands a holistic approach.

To book one of these Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Keynote Speakers for your next event, reach out to Executive Speakers Bureau today.