There are a few topics of conversation that reliably make people uncomfortable. There’s religion of course, politics is a big one… and then there’s race. How can we talk about things like prejudice, power, and systemic oppression in a way that’s informed, persuasive, and respectful?
Talking about race isn’t always easy, and we’ve all done it imperfectly in the past. But as you’ll see in the books below, a handful of experts are showing us the way—and guiding us toward a more enlightened, more equitable future.
How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race: Practical Tools for Necessary Change in the Workplace and Beyond
By Kwame Christian
A negotiation expert equips you with the skills you need to make these crucial conversations both easier and more productive. You’ll not only gain the confidence to talk about race, but also learn how to actually make a difference when you do. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Kwame Christian, in the Next Big Idea App
Speaking of Race: Why Everybody Needs to Talk About Racism―and How to Do It
By Celeste Headlee
An award-winning journalist draws from the latest research on bias, communication, and neuroscience to provide practical advice and insight for talking about race that will facilitate better conversations that can actually bring us closer together. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Celeste Headlee, in the Next Big Idea App
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together
By Heather McGhee
One of today’s most insightful and influential thinkers offers a powerful exploration of inequality and the lesson that generations of Americans have failed to learn: Racism has a cost for everyone—not just for people of color. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Heather McGhee, in the Next Big Idea App
The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth About Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations
By Robert Livingston
From a Harvard social psychologist comes an essential guide for individuals, organizations, and communities of all sizes to jump-start dialogue on racism and bias, and to transform well-intentioned statements on diversity into concrete actions. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Robert Livingston, in the Next Big Idea App
How to Talk to Your Boss About Race: Speaking Up Without Getting Shut Down
By Y-Vonne Hutchinson
A diversity and inclusion strategist equips employees with a framework to think about race at work, prepares them to have frank and effective conversations with more powerful leaders, helps them center marginalized perspectives, and explains how to leverage power dynamics to get results while navigating backlash and gaslighting. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Y-Vonne Hutchinson, in the Next Big Idea App
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