Available to book
Kenji Yoshino
LGBTQ+
Diversity and Inclusion
Develop a deeper understanding of constitutional law and diversity with Kenji Yoshino, speaker, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at NYU School of Law and Director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging.
AAPI Heritage
Author
IDAHOBIT
Kenji Yoshino, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at NYU School of Law and Director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, boasts an impressive educational background with degrees from Harvard, Oxford, and Yale. His expertise spans constitutional law, antidiscrimination law, and law and literature. Yoshino is a prolific author with publications in esteemed academic journals and popular platforms, having written three books. He has held leadership roles and sits on various diversity and inclusion-related boards. Recognized for multiple awards for teaching and scholarship, Yoshino resides in Manhattan with his husband, children, and Great Dane.
Topics, sessions and talks
One of the major obstacles to effective allyship is the fear of saying the wrong thing. Join Professor Kenji Yoshino, faculty director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at NYU School of Law and co-author of his book, Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice, for guidance on how to overcome this obstacle. Professor Yoshino will share a tool known as the “empathy triangle,” which helps allies reflect on their role, support people affected by bias, and respond to those who engage in non-inclusive behavior. This conversation will offer a highly practical, shame-free, and nuanced approach to issues that we all increasingly confront in our day-to-day lives.
This talk is based on Kenji’s first book COVERING as well as a collaboration he did with the consultancy Deloitte. It looks at the phenomenon of “covering” — the strategy through which individuals downplay a stigmatized identity to blend in at work. Kenji shows through both quantitative data and qualitative data that such covering occurs across all groups (with even 45% of straight white men reporting that they cover), and that it is harmful to both individuals and organizations. Kenji then explores solutions about how individuals can bring more of their authentic selves to the workplace.
Kenji brings a wealth of knowledge from his distinguished career in constitutional and antidiscrimination law, combined with his leadership in diversity and inclusion. His unique blend of academic excellence and real-world application provides invaluable insights for teams and businesses looking to navigate the complexities of today's legal and social landscapes. Booking Kenji as a speaker will not only inspire but also equip your organization with the strategies needed for fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email kenji.yoshino@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Kenji's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Kenji Yoshino presents frameworks drawn from both academic research and practical application. In his session on covering, he combines quantitative survey data with qualitative findings — including data from a collaboration with Deloitte — to demonstrate how identity-masking behaviours occur across demographic groups. In his allyship session, he introduces a structured tool called the empathy triangle to guide participants through responding to bias in workplace settings.
Kenji Yoshino's sessions address allyship and inclusive communication, the psychology of "covering" stigmatised identities at work, and practical approaches to diversity and belonging. He holds the Chief Justice Earl Warren Professorship in Constitutional Law at NYU School of Law and directs the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, with degrees from Harvard, Oxford, and Yale.
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