For many of us, talking about any heavy topic at work—let alone a potentially uncomfortable issue like race—may seem like a faux pas. That’s where “The Elephant in The Room: A business parable about race and equity conversations in the workplace” comes in. The book by local entrepreneur, hip-hop artist, and author (among other things) Philip “Sharp Skills” Jacobs, tells the story of Derek Blain. Blain is a young, up-and-coming Black executive hired to deliver the keynote speech at a corporate summit on equity, where things soon become awry. Derek experiences death threats, engages in revealing conversations, and is the recipient of unexpected microaggressions at the summit. He also discovers a new set of opportunities, hazards, and just plain awkwardness surrounding racial conversations in the workplace. Pegged as “a parable in a power suit,” Jacobs’ book tackles present-day workplace racism and issues its reckoning—offering some guidance for professionals as they navigate the intricacies of racial difference. A livestream of this event will also be available. Sliding scale tickets. More info: 02-21-2023: Philip Jacobs with Jeffrey Lee Cheatham II: Facing the Elephant in the Room — Town Hall Seattle
