Five must-read banned books by Black authors

If you’ve been following the news lately, you might have noticed ongoing pressure to ban books in schools around the U.S. According to a recent American Library Association report, there were 330 “book challenges” in the fall of 2021, which is an increase from previous years. According to The Office for Intellectual Freedom of the American Library Association, many of these recent challenges include academic freedom, removal of LGBTQ authors, and censorship of Black authors.

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Taking a 360-approach to personal and professional wellness centering underrepresented voices

Taking a 360-approach to personal and professional wellness centering underrepresented voices

February is here, and of course, that means we're thinking about Black leaders' crucial impact on every aspect of society. Whether we talk about access to food, environmental sustainability, financial health, or mind-and-body wellness, Black communities face injustice and inequality in every area—all while often serving as the voices who lead us through essential innovations that leave lasting change in communities big and small. Here at Outspoken, we are passionate about centering underrepresented voices and celebrating the power of diversity. Check out some of our speakers below who are experts in critical topics that matter and are leading discussions that examine our history, impact our present, and will lead us into the future. As we celebrate Black History, let's prioritize the issues that matter for people of color not only this month, but every month, week, and day of the year.

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Live event cancellation? Don't panic—we can help you pivot.

Live event cancellation? Don't panic—we can help you pivot.

Almost two years later, none of us wanted to still have to worry about last-minute cancellations or changes to live events. The bad news? We still must expect the unexpected. The GREAT news? Outspoken can help. Need an exciting emcee? Looking for a host experienced in the online events space? We'll connect you with Wendee Lee Curtis! Or maybe you’re looking for someone to moderate a panel? Or need a great leader to help your online meeting run smoothly? Let us connect you with Mary Abbajay. Read more below about two of our Outspoken speakers who can help you create the same excitement and maintain the same momentum virtually if you must move your event online.

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Want to get ahead of 2022's trending topics?

Want to get ahead of 2022's trending topics?

A recent Forbes article predicted 2022 as a year of change. “Across all sectors, organizations are grappling with rapid transformation. On top of that, there are enormous global shifts and challenges to contend with, such as climate change, and shifting political and economic power. To put it bluntly, our world is changing fast. And organizations must learn to adapt accordingly.” But don’t worry; here at Outspoken, we’ve got you covered! From stages to screens, discover the trending topics expected to drive change and inspire audiences this year with our featured speakers.

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Need a last-minute gift? We've got ideas for your nice list!

Need a last-minute gift? We've got ideas for your nice list!

Whether you’re trying to close out your holiday shopping list or looking to add some new reads to your 2022 plans, why not consider this selection of titles by some of our Outspoken authors? Whether your loved one (or you!) reaches for memoir, history, science, religion, self-help, activism, or anything in-between—we've got it all!

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