Color blind or color brave? | Mellody Hobson

Summary

In this compelling speech, Mellody Hobson shares her personal experiences with racial discrimination and the importance of addressing race in America. She emphasizes the need to be 'color brave' rather than 'color blind,' advocating for proactive conversations about race to foster diversity and inclusion. Hobson, a successful black woman and chair of a Fortune 500 company, highlights the significant disparities in wealth, income, and opportunities faced by minorities. She encourages individuals and businesses to embrace diversity, citing research that shows diverse groups are better at solving complex problems and the example of ESPN's CEO, who champions diversity to build a more valuable company.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker, Mellody Hobson, shares a personal anecdote about being mistaken for kitchen help at a media company, highlighting the subtle and overt racism she has faced.
• 👶 Mellody's mother taught her about racial realities from a young age, instilling a sense of resilience and awareness about how she might be treated differently because of her race.
• 🔢 Despite societal progress, racial disparities persist in areas such as household wealth, income, job opportunities, and healthcare, indicating that racial discrimination is not a thing of the past.
• 🏢 The business world reflects these disparities, with white men holding a disproportionate number of corporate board seats and leadership positions in comparison to their population size.
• 🤔 Mellody challenges the notion of 'color blindness' as a solution to racial discrimination, arguing that it ignores the problem rather than addressing it.
• 💡 She advocates for 'color bravery', encouraging proactive and honest conversations about race to foster understanding and equality.
• 🏊 Mellody uses a swimming analogy to illustrate the importance of becoming comfortable with discomfort, relating it to the need to engage in difficult conversations about race.
• 👥 The benefits of diversity extend to problem-solving and innovation, with diverse groups being more effective at tackling complex challenges.
• 🏆 John Skipper, the head of ESPN, is highlighted as an example of a leader who actively promotes diversity and sees it as a key to success.
• 🌟 Mellody's own company, Ariel Investments, views diversity as a competitive advantage, reflecting a broader understanding that different perspectives enhance business outcomes.
• 👶👧 Mellody emphasizes the importance of role modeling for the next generation, encouraging them to dream big and believe in their potential to achieve success regardless of their background.

Q & A

What was the embarrassing situation Mellody Hobson and Harold Ford faced during their visit to a New York media company?

Mellody Hobson and Harold Ford were mistakenly directed to a kitchen instead of an editorial board lunch because they were assumed to be catering staff due to their race.

What did Mellody Hobson's mother teach her about race at a young age?

Mellody Hobson's mother taught her to be aware of racial discrimination and that she might not always be treated well because of her race.

Why did Mellody Hobson decide to talk about race despite the risks?

Mellody Hobson decided to talk about race because she believes that acknowledging the problem is the first step to solving it and that awareness is the first step to any form of action.

What is Mellody Hobson's profession and what is her view on racial disparities in the corporate world?

Mellody Hobson is the chairwoman of Ariel Investments and she believes that there are significant, quantifiable racial disparities in corporate America that cannot be ignored.

What is the term used to describe the behavior of pretending not to notice race?

The term used to describe this behavior is 'color blindness'.

How does Mellody Hobson define 'color blindness' and why does she find it dangerous?

Mellody Hobson defines 'color blindness' as ignoring the problem of racial discrimination and finds it dangerous because it does not ensure fairness and leads to the perpetuation of existing racial disparities.

What is Mellody Hobson's stance on the importance of diversity in corporate America?

Mellody Hobson believes that diversity is a competitive advantage and that embracing it can lead to better businesses, products, and research.

How does Mellody Hobson suggest we approach conversations about race?

Mellody Hobson suggests that we should be 'color brave', meaning we should have proactive conversations about race with honesty, understanding, and courage.

What example does Mellody Hobson give of a company that has embraced diversity?

Mellody Hobson cites ESPN and its president John Skipper as an example of a company that has embraced diversity by demanding a diverse slate of candidates for every open position.

What is the concept of 'color bravery' and why is it important according to Mellody Hobson?

'Color bravery' is the idea of being willing to have proactive conversations about race. It is important because it fosters diversity which leads to better outcomes in various fields such as business, science, and research.

What is Mellody Hobson's advice for individuals who want to contribute to diversity and inclusion?

Mellody Hobson advises individuals to observe their environment and invite people into their lives who are different from them, as this can lead to personal growth and new insights.

What was Mellody Hobson's mother's profession and how did it influence her life lessons?

Mellody Hobson's mother was in the real estate business and was a single mom with six kids. Her mother's hard work and resilience despite hardships taught Mellody the importance of never giving up hope.

What message does Mellody Hobson want to convey to the next generation?

Mellody Hobson wants the next generation to know that they can achieve the highest level they ever imagined and that they should be brave and believe in their dreams.