Cultural Identity is Key to Unlock Success in STEM | Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya | TEDxDilworthPark

Summary

The speaker shares her experience of feeling pressured to hide her cultural identity in the workplace. Despite being a successful engineer, she faced biases and was urged to conform to Eurocentric standards. After a pivotal conversation with her father, she chose to embrace her Nigerian heritage and founded an organization to support others in embracing their cultural identities. The talk advocates for self-awareness, supportive networks, and advocating for inclusivity to empower individuals to leverage their cultural identities for personal and professional growth.

Takeaways

• 😷 The script highlights the struggle of individuals feeling the need to hide their true selves, including cultural identities, to fit into workplace norms.
• 👩‍💼 It discusses the pressure faced by cultural minorities in the workplace, with 35% of the STEM workforce being a cultural minority and 60% feeling the need to cover their identities.
• 🌟 The speaker shares personal experiences of discrimination and bias based on hair, appearance, and accent, which are common for those with diverse backgrounds.
• 💡 The script emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and embracing one's cultural heritage as a means of personal empowerment and professional growth.
• 🤝 It suggests finding a supportive network of like-minded individuals to help navigate the challenges of cultural identity in the workplace.
• 📢 Advocating for inclusivity through open dialogue and cultural exchange is presented as a way to promote understanding and empathy in the workplace.
• 🏆 The speaker's journey to embracing her cultural identity led to the founding of 'African Women in STEM', demonstrating the power of embracing one's heritage.
• 🌐 The script calls for a revolution of inclusivity where each person's uniqueness is celebrated, and cultural identity is not a liability but an asset.
• 🔑 It concludes that embracing one's cultural identity is key to unlocking one's full potential and making a positive impact in both career and personal life.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the script?

The main issue discussed is the pressure faced by individuals, particularly cultural minorities, to hide or downplay their cultural identity in the workplace to fit in or to advance their careers.

What percentage of the STEM workforce is reported to be a cultural minority?

35% of the STEM workforce is reported to be a cultural minority.

What does the term 'covering' refer to in the context of the script?

In the context of the script, 'covering' refers to the act of hiding or downplaying one's cultural identity to assimilate into mainstream work cultures.

What percentage of respondents in the Deo Dei Institute and the melter Center's study felt they had to cover their identities at work?

60% of the respondents revealed that within the last 12 months they've had to cover their identities at work.

What is an example of bias related to accents or communication styles mentioned in the script?

An example mentioned is a cyber security specialist named Aisha, who was told to turn down her accent after a presentation, as it was deemed difficult to understand.

What is the CROWN Act and why was it mentioned in the script?

The CROWN Act is legislation that protects people from discrimination based on their hair texture or style. It was mentioned in the script as a positive step towards combating biases related to hairstyles that do not conform to Eurocentric standards.

How does the speaker describe her experience of suppressing her true self in the workplace?

The speaker describes her experience as exhausting and involving keeping the same hairstyle, dressing down, and avoiding expressing her opinions to fit in.

What advice does the speaker's father give her regarding her work struggles?

The speaker's father advises her to remember who she is, where she comes from, and that no one can take that away from her.

What is the three-fold solution offered by the speaker to embrace one's cultural identity?

The three-fold solution offered is: 1) Prioritize self-awareness and cultural connection, 2) Find a supportive network, and 3) Advocate for inclusivity.

What is the name of the organization the speaker founded, and what is its focus?

The speaker founded the organization 'African Women in STEM', which focuses on supporting women in STEM fields and embracing their unique cultural identities.

What does the speaker suggest is the key to unlocking one's extraordinary potential?

The speaker suggests that embracing one's cultural identity is the key to unlocking the extraordinary potential that resides within each individual.