Energetic Keynotes

Be The Change You Want To Be

Often, student groups ask a speaker to come in and make the group feel good, laugh, and learn something. This keynote does two of the three, at least at first. Using an interactive and conversational style, this keynote encourages participants to play with their cell phones, raise their hands, and laugh out loud. The laughter comes from well orchestrated humor as well as a slow developing feeling of discomfort. In order to really make change, a person must realize what they are oblivious to and come to understand how this lack of consciousness guides his or her actions and assumptions. Collectively, the group begins to break down behaviors, actions, assumptions, and stereotypes that limit their organizations, friends, and most importantly themselves. Before you know, the participants are creating tangible goals and realistic action steps to do as soon as I get off the stage.

View a clip from a keynote address.

Learning Outcomes:

• To understand the difference between Diversity and Social Justice
• To remove excuses that stand in one's way from doing social justice work
• To utilize three basic tools of self reflection: tracking, triggers, and listening
• To motivate and inspire audiences to become participants in their own change

Comments from attendees:
“I’m leaving here with so much. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my spirit. I am not gay – and I think all identities would benefit from this. It was an amazing talk.”

"The keynote was wonderful. The part that was most useful was 'The only thing you can do to make change is to change your own world.'"

"Jessica uses humor and her real life examples to engage us and to relate to us."

"I learned to evaluate myself so I am better equipped to use my influence to help bring about change within my sphere."