A salesperson loved one
was attending a conference
with his clients.
He had enough clients
to warrant special workshops.
He was given a list of speakers
to choose from.
He was surprised
to get all his top picks,
the best,
he believes,
people in each topic
he wanted covered.
All his top picks
were women and/or
people of color.
The white male speakers
with less experience
and less skill
had ‘sold out.’
The other speakers,
although they were better qualified,
still had openings
in their schedule.
When organizing an event,
ask for the best speakers
on the topics you want covered.
Those best speakers
are likely not white or male.
And they are, unfortunately,
likely to be available.
Oh, and this shouldn’t have to be said,
but compensate your speakers
according to their skill
and knowledge,
not their skin color
or genitals.