This book offers a blend of accessible theory and tools for practical application to benefit any reader willing to learn about diversity. It thoughtfully explores ideas that are often left unspoken regarding underlying challenges to successful diversity and inclusion efforts.
Verna Myers is an internationally recognized expert on diversity, equity, and inclusion. With nearly three decades of experience, she is regarded as a DEI pioneer. She is a highly sought-after DEI Keynote Speaker and DEI Consultant. She’s well-known for captivating audiences with her high-energy keynotes, profound insights, and ability to foster authentic connections and meaningful dialogue. Her work as an inclusion strategist, cultural innovator, thought leader, and social commentator has guided myriad organizations worldwide in dismantling barriers to inclusion and equity across race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, religion, and other differences. Her expertise and experience - personal and professional - have been instrumental in guiding workplaces toward embracing and integrating diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging in all facets of workplace operations.
Verna’s trademarked quote, “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance,” ® encapsulates her enduring commitment to fostering inclusive environments. The statement has been quoted countless times by professionals and everyday individuals from various industries worldwide.
Hailing from Baltimore’s working class, Verna’s journey saw her rise to prominence as a distinguished alumna of Barnard College, Columbia University, and Harvard Law School, Founder & CEO of The Verna Myers Company (TVMC), and the inaugural head of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix, where she led a global team in curating and implementing strategies to integrate cultural diversity, inclusion, and equity into all aspects of the company’s operations.
An accomplished author, Verna’s two best-selling books, “Moving Diversity Forward: Going from Well-Meaning to Well-Doing” and “What If I Say The Wrong Thing? 25 Habits for Culturally Effective People” have garnered widespread acclaim. Her inspiring TED talk, “How to Overcome Our Biases? Walk Boldly Towards Them,” has amassed over 5 million views and has been translated into 27 languages. Collaborating with Ariana Huffington and Thrive Global, Verna’s micro-course, “Confronting Biases,” has been taken by nearly a million learners worldwide and is consistently recognized as one of the top ten LinkedIn Learning courses. Verna is also the host and producer of the podcast Sundays with Verna, which is available on Apple iTunes and Spotify.
Her company, The Verna Myers Company (TVMC), has advised and collaborated with hundreds of legal, corporate, and academic organizations by providing cultural assessments, comprehensive strategic diversity action plans, interactive workshops, and leadership consulting. TVMC also provides its own brand of DEI online training courses on www.tvmcu.com. The courses featuring Verna herself showcase her energy and her no-shame, blame, or attack approach. For eleven years, Verna and TVMC sponsored their highly successful annual invitation-only OPUS Conference, which gathered C-Suite and other executives to discuss DEI-related matters. The conference will soon be relaunched as an international gathering of leaders, bridge-builders, and advocates.
Before establishing TVMC, Verna was the first Executive Director of The Boston Law Firm Group. She also served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Attorney General of Massachusetts (1997-1999). She practiced corporate and real estate law in Boston for six years.
Among her many accolades, Verna’s impact has been recognized by numerous institutions, including the California Association of Black Lawyers, the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation, CODE Crew recognized her DEI Person of the Year (2021), and Diversity Woman named her one of the Top 100 Black Women Executives. Verna received an honorary Juris degree from Santa Clara University School of Law (2024), was elected as a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management, serves as a Board Member of UC Hastings College of Law’s Work Life Law program, received the Diversity Champion award from Pepper Hamilton LLP, and was awarded the 2024 Trailblazer in Gender Equity & Diversity Award by Women Business Collaborative (WBC). She has been honored as one of the “25 Influential Black Women in Business” by The Network Journal and celebrated as a “Diversity Hero” by The Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly.
