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Verna Myers Quotes

United States

Verna Myers is an American diversity consultant, Harvard-trained Lawyer, Activist, Author, Cultural Innovator, Founder and President of The Verna Myers Company and corporate executive in her role as the Vice President of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix. Myers gave a TED talk in 2014 called "How to Overcome Our Biases?

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Random Verna Myers quote

18 quotes

I will be returning to my consulting company working across global organizations and industries, while continuing to advise Netflix.

It would be nice to be [treated by the majority group like] an individual, and not the spokesperson or cultural resource for your people.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

To move ahead, you have to go looking for your biases and stay on top of them.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

Embracing inclusion requires "the institution's ability to fully integrate its understanding of and appreciation for the diverse cultures and backgrounds of its employees.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

After musicians started auditioning for orchestras from behind curtains, "the number of women in top U.S. orchestras increased five-fold.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

Go somewhere where you're the minority. Go to the 'black gay women with disabilities film festival, because this is where you can confront your biases.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

I think you've already said the wrong thing by not saying anything.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

When you look at another person [of the same race or ethnic group], you see your future success in them, but you don't see the same possibilities in those who are different.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

We want the straightest gay people, and the whitest black people. We want that first-generation immigrant to act like they've been chilling in this place forever.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

Biases are the stories we make up about people before we learn who they are. They are especially apparent when things are high-risk, or you have to make quick decisions.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

We were all the same, and then you had the nerve to be different.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

Don't allow colleagues to say offensive things without interrupting them. Intervene and be an ally. Don't laugh at offensive jokes. Be responsible for the success of at least one or maybe two people.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

It’s hard to step away from the company and this role because of how much I love Netflix and the people here. I’m so excited for the talented Wade Davis who will be taking the lead of the I&D work along with our incredible Inclusion Strategy team and I can’t wait to see the continued progress we all will make together.

Privilege: Once you see it, you can use it to help other people. Interrupt bias on behalf of someone else.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

We have so many ways to favor those in the "in group" while excluding those who aren't, including keeping them in their place with subtle but often intentional "micro inequities." Regardless of the intention, the pain and the impact is the same.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

This is quite frankly about people being in denial. The biggest barrier is that we're in denial about our unconscious bias,"This investment in our self-image as good people is preventing us from moving forward. We don't need any more good people; we need real, authentic people.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

Look at your Facebook feed, look at your Twitter feeds, and consider how diverse they are. Build relationships across differences. Get closer. Get uncomfortable.

Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance," Verna Myers tells Cleveland Bar (2016)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Verna Myers (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.