In recent years, we’ve all felt the seemingly sudden rise of cancel culture—a chilling trend in society that everyone’s afraid of. Except cancel culture hasn’t been sudden, and it’s certainly not new. If the definition of being "canceled" is being silenced, excluded, disempowered and disinvited from the larger conversation, then, for many, cancel culture has defined their lives for much of history. As a Black woman from a multicultural background, Sarah Jones knows what it’s like to be... "pre-canceled," you might say. Just like other people of color, LGBTQ+, communities, women and other long-underserved individuals, she has already had this experience of exclusion for years.

In this talk that touches on a personal experience with cancel culture, Sarah slips in and out of various characters to help audiences to stop living in fear in order to get at what’s actually underneath these conversations. This reframe of cancel culture becomes a way to have meaningful discussions about social justice, and how it benefits us ALL, regardless of background. It's a powerful call to action—and an invitation—to begin the real work toward solutions that dismantle systemic injustice. Whether your organization is falling short on your DEIB initiatives or in an industry that has been seen as problematic or “canceled” for past or present situations, this talk will provide a roadmap to share differences rather than be driven apart by fueling a continuous loop of fear. When we do the hard work of bettering ourselves, we begin to make space for collective healing, affirmation and understanding (not just empathy) that will ultimately lead to justice for those waiting far too long. So sit down and get ready for an honest conversation with Sarah. It won’t go on your permanent record, but it just might bring about permanent change for the better!

Bring a little Broadway (and lots of laughs) to your next event with this one woman show. An elevated comedy experience that makes people laugh and think, Tony Award-winning playwright Sarah Jones creates a one-of-a-kind performance with a unique cast of characters adapted to your specific event. From a range of ethnicities, ages, and genders, she gives voice to your members, customers, or stakeholders. With the right framework in mind (voices, demographics, issues to highlight, and/or organizational goals), Sarah tailors her performance to the audience, themes, and goals. From hot button topics to celebrating your biggest wins, Sarah offers a unique way to have a good time while talking about and celebrating the issues important to your audience.

Let’s face it: DEI has become a buzzword that, in spite of our best intentions, can elicit an internal eye roll, with people of all backgrounds either feeling afraid they’re getting it wrong themselves, or that companies and brands are only paying them lip-service, but not really doing the work. What if we could reimagine “DEI” to include a frank, fresh conversation about where we are individually and how to move forward collectively? What if “DEI” could mean Developing more empathy, Expressing more honestly, and Innovating more effectively? In this poignant and necessary talk, Sarah Jones, known for giving voice (and voices) to many diverse characters both onstage and in film, uses these spirited personalities and their unique differences to help audiences acknowledge where people feel vulnerable about these sensitive topics and focus on the more impactful goals of being our best selves, both as individuals and as companies. Audiences will walk away feeling empowered to talk more candidly about the “new” DEI beyond the optics and lip service, and develop basic core ideals to hold themselves and others accountable in a way that helps everyone grow.

As a child of two physicians, Sarah Jones has had a longstanding passion for raising awareness around the issues of medical care and public health for communities of all backgrounds. With the goal of addressing issues of ethnic, racial, and economic disparities in healthcare, Sarah performs an informative show which highlights the multicultural and class dimensions of our national healthcare crisis. A performance both for the industry at large and the communities it serves, she approaches the issues from the standpoint that healthcare and public health are not only matters of equal access to high quality services for all, but of broader racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic inequities. Sarah explores the need to get rid of the us versus them framework in healthcare, imagining a system tackling issues such as preventative health and elevated patient care. Whether looking to address cultural competency for medical staff or tackling burnout for healthcare workers, Sarah’s tailored performance will provide both an informative look at the systems that exist through the eyes of her characters as well as a vision forward for a framework that provides equal care for all.

In spite of the powerful gains women and non-binary people have made at every level of society, we also know we’re at a moment in history when many freedoms, from Roe v. Wade to safety from gender-based and sexual orientation violence, are under threat like never before in our modern era. We also know that women, girls and gender-expansive people are experiencing higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression, with increasing pressure to project the perfect image at work, on social media and in our communities. How can we, as women and non-binary people who want a fair and equitable culture that respects and empowers all genders, be a part of the solution rather than the problem? Whether that problem is infighting among women with different cultural backgrounds and/or political views or the culture of perfectionism and shaming that fuels low self-worth and drives so many women to burnout, it’s time to fight the system, not your sisters. Infused with the characters and concepts of her one-woman show “Women Can’t Wait,” playwright and actor Sarah Jones tackles how women (and gender expansive people) can find common ground during these challenging times. Using comedy and bringing to life a number of different characters, including women of different ages and cultures, she presents these urgent issues in a refreshing and powerful way that will have audiences walking away feeling more connected and empowered to create positive change for all.