Speaker Series:

The Cost of The

Climb
FACILITATION BY: IDEAL FOR: COST:
John Graham Black & Other Marginalized $10,000.00
Professionals and Employee
Resource Groups

Overview
The Cost of The Climb is an insightful and thought-provoking speaker session led by John
Graham, a renowned provocateur in the DEI and Employer Brand spaces. His work centers on
corporate America and the history of the working relationship between Black folks and the
construct of working in the United States. This talk delves into the complex dynamics that
have shaped the Black professional over time, shedding light on aspects that are often
overlooked, obscured, and even willfully hidden.

About John Graham

John Graham

Author, DEI Provocateur, & Global Employer Brand Brand Articulator

John Graham’s professional passion is helping global companies uncover who they are at
their core. Through award-winning employer brand and employee value proposition
development, Graham has discovered innovative ways to bring the humanity of employee
stories to life. As a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practitioner and culture
transformation consultant, his work centers on improving the lived experiences of
marginalized employee populations through bleeding-edge approaches that disrupt the
status quo and create equitable and inclusive environments.

Graham has been featured in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, and the New York
Times for his work to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He is listed in the Canvas 2021
Top 100 DEI Leaders to follow. His best-selling book, Plantation Theory: The Black
Professional’s Struggle Between Freedom & Security, has been featured in fireside chats and
book clubs and made required reading by executives at companies such as Google, LinkedIn,
Panasonic, and more.

Graham earned a bachelor’s degree in African Studies and a master's degree in Education
from Lincoln University. He holds an executive certificate in Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
from the Yale School of Management and a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from
the University of South Florida Muma College of Business.

The Big Picture

MISSION: VISION:
To Develop Culturally Intelligent To Improve The Inclusive
Executive Leaders Leadership Skills of 10,000 C-
Suite Leaders
VALUE PROPOSITION:
A psychologically safe & private
training ground for executives to
develop their cultural intelligence
and inclusive leadership acumen.

What You Can Expect

 Our Session Goals Include:

1. Plantation Theory Explained: Attendees will walk through a brief historical timeline to
establish the contextual relationship between Black folks and working in this country from
1619 - 2020.
2. The Truth About Representation: We'll examine the high-level realities of modern corporate
lived experiences of Black professionals and the impact that representation can have,
especially when it's not present. Additionally, we'll cover what it means when a company's
commitments are not aligned with its actions. We'll discuss the concept of "Safe leaders" and
the cost of being tapped to lead.
3. Coded For Excellence: In this segment, attendees will explore what it means to be "excellent"
and the historical implications this term has on the mental, emotional, and physical well-
being of Black professionals.
4. The Hidden Language of Corporate America: Finally, we will engage in an exercise that helps
attendees understand the multi-layered psychological nature of power-dominant linguistics
and the detrimental costs of not being fluent in the language of power.

Session Formats

Virtual Will require each attendee to have access to MS Teams

In-Person The client covers travel, lodging, and food expenses.

Requires a comfortable space to move around or a stage.
Lavalier Microphone and PowerPoint presentation
capabilities are required.

For More Information

If you'd like to learn more about The Cost of The Climb, please send an email to
info@plantationtheory.com

ADDRESS: WEBSITE: PHONE:


1712 Windmill Circle www.PlantationTheory.com 302-290-5931

DeSoto, TX 75115