The Inclusivity Speaker Initiative
The Inclusivity Speaker Initiative aims to increase the number of underrepresented speakers speaking at conferences and companies, as well as ensure that speakers of all backgrounds are paid competitively as compared to their colleagues.
About the Initiative
In my seven years as a professional public speaker, I have experienced two consistent trends that I’m trying to change: 1. There are still way more white men speaking at conferences and companies as keynotes and panelists than women and people of color, and 2. Many women and POC speakers are paid far less than their white male counterparts with similar experience.
The Inclusivity Speaker Initiative aims to increase the number of underrepresented speakers speaking at conferences and companies, and ensure that speakers of all backgrounds are paid competitively as compared to their colleagues.
The Inclusivity Speaker Initiative achieves this by connecting professional or aspiring speakers with other speakers, so that they can share resources and guidance with each other about: how to book more gigs and gain more speaking experience, how to negotiate higher speaking fees, and how to price your talks competitively in an industry where women are consistently underpaid.
Interested in participating in this initiative? Please join our Facebook group of 4500+ speakers. It is free to participate. Anyone (anyone) who is dedicated to supporting underrepresented voices in the speaking industry is welcome.
The Inclusivity Speaker Initiative was founded by Smiley Poswolsky in 2017. In June 2023, leadership of the Initiative was handed over to Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Opportunity Fund. Felecia has been a top professional speaker for over 15 years in the areas of D&I, innovation, peak performance, and startup ecosystem building. If you are interested in getting involved in the Initiative, please contact Felecia directly or visit the Facebook Group page.
Find a Speaker
Looking to increase the diversity of your speaker line up at a conference or event? Use this tool to search our community of talented speakers. Search by expertise or location, and click on a speaker for their contact info.
Resources for Speakers
Lists of Women and POC Speakers
LIST OF BLACK OWNED DEI COMPANIES - CURATED BY MICHELLE KIM + AWAKEN
A list of Black Owned DEI companies and consultants accepting new clients, curated by Michelle Kim and Awaken.
LIST OF WOMEN & POC SPEAKERS - CURATED BY THE WOMEN SPEAKER INITIATIVE
A list of speakers from The Women Speaker Initiative. Please add your information!
LIST OF WOMEN SPEAKERS - CURATED BY AUGUST
A list of women speakers curated by the team at August. Please add your information!
LIST OF 1000 TECH AND SCIENCE SPEAKERS WHO AREN'T CIS MEN - CURATED BY MIC
A list of 1000 women speakers from Mic reporter Melanie Ehrenkranz. Please email melanie at mic.com to add your information!
LIST OF 200 WOMEN INFLUENCERS IN CRYPTO & BLOCKCHAIN - CURATED BY MICHELLE TSNG
Need an awesome speaker for your next event/panel on blockchain or crypto? This list will help.
To Help Bridge the Divide for Creatives with Disabilities. The initiative started in alliance with the disabled community, who are tired of being underrepresented and under-appreciated.
A resource not only for Black speakers but for organizations who are looking to amplify and diversify their panels, conferences and company talks.
A database of diverse databases that makes it easier to connect with and hire diverse talent.
MORE WOMEN'S VOICES - CURATED BY SARAH PECK
A list of women entrepreneurs, business owners, authors, podcast hosts, and speakers. It is not an exhaustive list, but it is a start. If you want women to feature in your panel, this website should make it even easier to find them.
Find women and people of color speakers to speak at tech-related events.
A list of women speakers in tech.
Elevates women and gender non-binary speakers, empowers event organizers with resources to engage more diverse speakers, and offers training and support for new speakers.
Networks, Trainings and Speaker Diversity
The ImpactEleven mission is simple: to put talented people with a powerful message in position to make an impact on the world. A speaker training, development and accelerator community led by expert professional speakers.
A community of people with disabilities (and the allies who support us), on a mission to amplify disabled voices.
A professional speaking academy for women who want to level up their communication and become respected speakers in their industries.
A speaking agency representing a diverse range of new voices.
STILOBOX
A resource for women aspiring to lead. Every week, Stilobox shares speaking opportunities, stories of inspirational female leaders, & events focused on empowering women.
Badassery gives multicultural professionals a chance to share their story on stage, and connects them with their own crew of badasses along the way.
Works to showcase an equal share of men's and women's voices at the top technology industry conferences. Join their private directory of professional women in tech!
Making stages around the world more diverse and accessible, by inviting audience members to share the stage during a keynote.
A high-impact membership community of trailblazing, entrepreneurial women.
A public speaking coaching agency that empowers leaders and changemakers.
Women's professional development organization working to close the gender wage and leadership gap, with 20k members and 18 chapters across the country. Provides education, resources and community for women to advance at work.
A community and monthly Ruby meetup for women and non-binary folks.
WOMEN CATALYSTS
Events and membership organization that hosts talks and workshops where you can connect with other women on a mission.
Membership group that hosts women-led events across the Southeast.
Exploring innovative solutions to tech diversity and inclusion.
A community of queer women in and around tech.
A job board and community for women in tech.
Pledge to not be a part of all-male panels.
Pledge to not be a part of all-male panels.
Facebook Groups and Videos
FACEBOOK GROUP - WOMEN SPEAKER INITIATIVE
Private Facebook group for speakers and mentors in The Women Speaker Initiative. Please join.
VIDEO: How to Build Your Speaking Business - DREAMERS/DOERS
Video interview about the basics of building a paid speaking business. Learn more about the Dreamers/Doers community.
VIDEO: TED Speaker Application Tips - DAWN J. FRASER
Webinar about TED speaker application tips hosted by Story to Speech's Dawn J. Fraser.
VIDEO: How to Be a Breakthrough Virtual Speaker - KANIKA TOLVER & SMILEY
Video interview on Entrepreneur.com about building your virtual speaking business.
VIDEOS, LINKS, ARTICLES - WOMEN SPEAKER INITIATIVE
Links to videos, articles, and other helpful resources about building your speaking business, shared by members of The Women Speaker Initiative.