“I try to role model what a person of privilege can actually do to advocate and to use their voice so that it’s actually a super power.” –Jennifer Brown
Diversity and inclusion expert Jennifer Brown talks about the importance of sharing your diversity story, using privilege as a superpower, being an inclusive leader, and restoring your energy when the going gets tough.
More About Jennifer Brown:
Jennifer Brown is an award-winning entrepreneur, dynamic speaker and diversity and inclusion expert. She is the founder, president and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting (JBC), a strategic leadership and diversity consulting firm that coaches business leaders worldwide on critical issues of talent and workplace strategy. Brown is a passionate advocate for social equality who delves into the “business case for diversity” as she helps businesses foster healthier, more productive workplace cultures.
Highlights
- Jennifer’s unusual career path – from opera singer to diversity and inclusion expert – and how she knew it was right
- How Jennifer discovered that she was better suited to being an outside “instigator” versus a corporate VP
- How Jennifer’s experience coming out as a member of the LGBTQ community influenced her evolving career path
- Why being a third party allows Jennifer to create change inside organizations in a way that an “insider” might not be able to
- How Jennifer is shifting the script around coming from privilege – from one of shame to one of power to make things better for marginalized communities
- The importance of intersectionality and inclusive leadership in creating opportunity for all
- How to “open up the aperture” so that everyone can share their own diversity story
- How Jennifer defines self-care – and the question she poses that may help you define it for yourself
- Jennifer’s advice for how to “carry the baton” of the fight for diversity and inclusion – so that you can be a better ally to marginalized communities
- How to know if a company’s diversity and inclusion team is “the real deal” – driving real internal change versus just checking a box
- The skills that make you an effective diversity and inclusion professional
- What it means to “bring your whole self to work” – and if it’s possible
- What Jennifer thinks about the Millennial and Gen Z desire to “bring your whole self to work” – and the importance of being mindful of the different journeys of different generations
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Jennifer’s books (Amazon affiliate links)
- Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace & The Will To Change
- How to Be an Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive
Text “INCLUSIVELEADER” to 33777 to receive the first chapter of “How to Be an Inclusive Leader” for FREE.
Jennifer’s podcast, The Will to Change
Connect with Jennifer: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Thank You for Listening!
Have something to say? Leave your thoughts about this episode in the comments below.
And please consider sharing this episode with a friend or subscribing and/or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spotify – it’s the very best way to support the podcast!
xo,
