Ben leads conversations rooted in love and antiracism. He draws on his decades of experience as a nonprofit executive director, licensed social worker, facilitator, and public speaker to support primarily white stakeholders in taking antiracist action. Ben loves supporting leaders and teams on this journey. He focuses on the social-emotional aspect of leadership and pulls from his cognitive-behavioral training to help leaders reach the consciousness needed to drive transformational change. During his time leading a nonprofit in Seattle, Washington, Ben and his colleagues evolved a white-founded, white-led organization into one where power was shifted to a BIPOC-led staff and board. Structures, policy, and culture changed. Morale improved. Retention improved. Representation improved. And business, as well as community impact, improved big time. Ben references this case study and leverages his lessons learned to help others meet the moment. Ben’s work has been endorsed by national leaders including Ijeoma Oluo, author of the New York Times Bestseller So You Want Talk About Race, and Ruchika Tulshyan, author of Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work.

Speaking Topics

Acting with Courage to Dismantle Racism: Moving Away from History & Habit, Embracing Possibility

Real change often requires courage. Courage means doing hard things, which doesn't always feel good, especially for those of us who are conflict averse and prefer harmony at all times. In this, his signature keynote, Ben will share his own testimony about his leadership journey with antiracism, conflict, and self-love. In talking about his own journey, he will share concrete examples of steps individuals and organizations can take to advance their equity values, offering a real-life case study that progress is absolutely achievable when we embrace the hard stuff.