Misasha Suzuki Graham

How to Have Difficult Conversations

In today’s dynamic and often polarized world, the ability to engage in difficult conversations is more crucial than ever. Misasha Suzuki Graham presents a keynote talk designed to equip you with the tools and strategies needed to handle challenging discussions with confidence and empathy.

• Before the conversation: much like we prep for many things in the world, how do we prep to have difficult conversations? How do we understand the roots of conflict, and how can we identify the underlying causes of difficult conversations?
• During the conversation: what practical tactics can we use, including open ended questions and active listening, to engage in and have the conversation that we’d like too have?
• After the conversation: we can’t skip this step. Learn how to assess how things went and how to learn, grow, and continue to have difficult, challenging conversations with the goal of leaning into shared humanity for change.

Embracing Multiracial Identity in America: Celebrating Diversity and Navigating Challenges

Keynote Points:

The Rich Tapestry of Multiracial Identity in America:

• Understanding Multiraciality: Let’s talk about the historical and social contexts that have shaped multiracial identities, from historical intermarriages (and bans on them!) to contemporary demographic shifts.
• Personal Narratives: Delve into personal stories and experiences of multiracial individuals to illuminate the richness of their identities and the ways in which they navigate their multifaceted heritage. This point underscores the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the diversity within the multiracial community.

What Does This Mean for Multiracial/Multiethnic Individuals:

• Navigating Identity and Belonging: We’ll discuss the common challenges faced by multiracial individuals, such as societal stereotyping, questions of authenticity, and issues of belonging. We’ll also explore how these challenges impact mental health, self-perception, and social interactions for generations.
• Leveraging Multiracial Perspectives: What if we instead highlighted the unique strengths and perspectives that multiracial individuals bring to various domains, including creativity, problem-solving, and cross-cultural understanding?

From Learning to Action:

• Promoting Awareness and Education: Let’s talk about the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives into educational curricula and organizational practices to foster a more inclusive environment.
• Building Supportive Communities: Finally, we’ll offer practical strategies for creating and nurturing supportive communities for multiracial individuals, including fostering open dialogue, challenging biases, and celebrating cultural diversity. All allies are welcome here!

Understanding Intersectionality

Join us for a compelling keynote on intersectionality, a crucial framework for understanding how various social identities—such as race, gender, class, sexuality, and disability—interact and shape individual experiences.

This session will:

• Explore how these overlapping identities create unique systems of privilege and oppression, influencing everything from personal experiences to societal structures;
• Discover how intersectionality can deepen our comprehension of social justice issues and enhance our approaches to equity and inclusion; and
• Gain practical insights into applying this lens to create more inclusive environments and advocate effectively for historically underrepresented communities.