practice areas

SCHOOLS

Our work in racial equity started with schools and it remains a pillar of our work. This is because we view schools as one of the most critical institutions of American life. In his powerful dissent in a landmark school desegregation case, Milliken v. Bradley, 418 U.S. 717 (1974), Justice Thurgood Marshall wrote, “We deal here with the right of all of our children, whatever their race, to an equal start in life and to an equal opportunity to reach their full potential as citizens.” That belief was true then and remains so today. Schools are where we typically learn community values and where we provide children an opportunity to reach their full potential. At the K-12 level, our work includes helping educators create more inclusive classrooms, and students developing conflict resolution skills.

Colleges and universities often request our services to provide a keynote speaker and/or guest lecturer. In this role, we bring a fresh perspective to young adults who are eager to learn more about a world they are trying to find their place in.

CORPORATIONS

Harriet Speaks provides support to a wide-range of corporations from national brands to tech start-ups. This includes consultations on diversity and inclusion related to HR, Marketing & Communications, and Crisis Communications. Additionally, we have the flexibility to work with clients who have existing DEI teams and those who do not.

NON-PROFITS

Non-profit organizations can face challenges in the race, diversity & inclusion arena that are often less visible than those that confront their corporate counterparts. A common misperception is that nonprofits are immunized from tensions caused by unconscious bias. The reality is that mismanagement of issues related to racism and sexism can stifle a charitable organization's efforts to provide services to the most vulnerable of our society.

GOVERNMENT

Our politicians work for us. All of us. This is true whether you voted for them or not or even whether you like them or not. It is also true regardless of party. When our politicians better understand race, diversity & inclusion, they can better advocate, legislate, and advance policies that reduce systemic inequities. A good way to squander an opportunity to effect change, however, is to assume that all elected officeholders have a basic understanding of our cultural divide. In many cases, politicians must first be educated on the issues to better serve their constituents, especially in a crisis.