As a former NFL player and one of the few openly gay former professional athletes, Wade shares his own coming out process and the work he does as an LGBT consultant for the NFL and as Executive Director of the You Can Play Project, an organization with partnership with including the NHL, MLS, CFL and others.
When working in marginalized communities, the words and the language that we use matters, and how we talk about the young people we are trying to impact can determine how we show up – as social justice advocates or as saviors.
While working with marginalized youth at the Hetrick-Martin Institute, teaching at the Harvey Milk High School, and creating the country’s only inner city LGBT sports camp, Wade explains how to embody this idea of fictive kinship and see the promise in young people.
How do you define masculinity?
Wade defines masculinity as an imaginary friend, and if left unchecked, masculinity can be highly toxic.
Through his teachings and training, he’s learned we must do the work to unlearn the seductive nature of sexism and toxic masculinity, and move to create space for all without stigma and shame being attached.
Wade talks about the work he’s done to undo the constraints of perceived masculinity, and move forward in a positive way.
Have we emptied the true meaning of intersectionality by only changing the optics of organizations, without understanding the structural and institutional challenges that go unnoticed?
Through practical and tangible examples, see how Wade can help your business evolve into a space where diversity and inclusion becomes part of your organizational DNA.
Far too often we imagine that ending sexism impacts only women.
Yet if we re-imagine the gender roles and expand our understanding of masculinity and femininity, men benefit from the expansion: how they can show up in world without the pressures of performing toxic forms of hyper masculinity.
Wade explores his own dialog with feminism, tools to be pro-active about ending the sexist dialog, and leads conversation around the topic.
Former NFL Player Wade Davis is a thought leader, public speaker, and writer on gender, race, and orientation equality. Wade is currently the Vice President of Inclusion Strategy for Product at Netflix and has consulted for companies including Google, Procter & Gamble, Viacom, and others to co-create transformative solutions to build inclusive corporate cultures.
Additionally, Wade coaches senior leaders to adapt and flex their leadership styles to meet the needs and develop their employee population.
Wade is a Global Champion for Innovation for UN Women, and serves on the boards of MeToo International, the Ms. Foundation for Women, the MAD Foundation, Promundo, the Peace Studio, and Sparks + Honey. Wade is also a Global Champion for Girl Up, a program of the United Nations Foundation.
Wade Davis’s work to engage, educate, and help men understand what actions to take toward gender equality has included partnerships with the Ms. Foundation and Ebony Magazine where he launched the #BlackMenAndFeminism campaign and with the Ms. Foundation For Women’s #MyFeminismIs campaign.
Understanding the importance of engaging men around gender equity and equality, Wade built a ‘Men’s Gender Equality Development’ leadership program that launched with the United Nations in 2018.
Wade was the NFL’s first LGBT inclusion consultant and has consulted for numerous professional sports leagues on issues at the intersection of sexism, racism and homophobia. Wade created league-wide inclusive leadership strategies, led inclusion-training sessions for coaches and players, as well as built and launched national engagement initiatives.
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Dr. Lisa D Jenkins is a distinguished cultural strategist renowned for her expertise in cultivating environments of impactful cultural diversity within organizations. With a track record of excellence, she has garnered recognition as an award-winning professional speaker, empowering teams to thrive in multicultural settings. Lisa’s journey is enriched by her diverse background, including pivotal roles […]
Anthony Trucks is not your average motivational speaker. With a remarkable journey that encapsulates resilience, determination, and the power of identity transformation, he has captivated audiences worldwide. From his humble beginnings in the foster care system to the pinnacle of professional football and beyond, Trucks’ story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to […]
New York native, Steve Serio, has been playing wheelchair basketball since high school, where he was quickly named MVP of the National Junior Championship Tournament. From there, he racked up many more championships and MVP titles, including medaling at Worlds (2 silvers, 1 bronze) and competed in three Paralympic Games (1 gold, 1 bronze) with […]
Dr. Rebecca Heiss is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, author, and expert in evolutionary biology who brings a fresh and dynamic perspective to leadership, communication, and workplace culture. With a background in research and a passion for making science accessible and applicable to everyone, Dr. Heiss is on a mission to empower organizations to thrive […]
As the founder and owner of Follow Your Heart, LLC., Stephanie Battaglino is an internationally recognized speaker, workshop presenter, trainer, author, coach, and workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant. A major voice in the LGBTQ+ workplace equality movement with emphasis on transgender and non-binary individuals, Stephanie casts a bright light on all of the pertinent […]
Mimi Brown’s down-to-earth humor compels audiences to laugh while they learn. From the moment she steps in front of a group, she engages them with her infectious energy, leaving them with empowering tools and focused mindsets long after the event has ended. Passionate about people, leadership, and successful businesses, Mimi is dedicated to helping individuals […]
Tammy Bruce, an Independent Conservative, is a radio talk show host, New York Times bestselling author, columnist, and Fox News Political Contributor. After a history in the 1990s of being a leftist community organizer she now works to make sure her that experience is used to expose and help defeat the leftist agenda. Ms. Bruce […]
Noramay Cadena is a Managing Partner at Supply Change Capital, a pioneering venture firm that strategically invests in the convergence of food, culture, and technology. With a distinguished career path deeply rooted in venture capital, Noramay’s expertise spans the realms of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment. Previously, she served as a Managing Partner at MiLA […]
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