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Referred to as the “Margaret Cho of Diversity Trainers,” Jessica Pettitt blends politics, humor, identity, and local flair with big city passion and energy. Her programs are direct, customized, and interactive. From the moment you meet her, you know you’re in for something that will challenge your mind, inspire your conscience, and invigorate you to pursue change. Jessica has traveled and lived in diverse communities around the world. This – plus her experiences as a student, teacher, college administrator, and active community member – have given her a special ability to take audiences through a safe, yet confrontational process of examination, reflection, and open dialog that is unique among the many diversity speakers available in the college market. She made intense situations hilarious and easy to handle. Katie McKie Often, student groups ask a speaker to come in and make the group feel good, laugh, and learn something. Using an interactive and conversational style, Jessica encourages students to play with their cell phones, raise their hands, and laugh out loud. Mixed in with the humor is a slow developing feeling of discomfort as students come to understand how their lack of consciousness guides their actions and assumptions. In this realization, change can begin! Collectively, the group begins to break down behaviors, actions, assumptions, and stereotypes that limit their organizations, friends, and most importantly themselves. Before you know, the participants are creating tangible goals and realistic action steps to create change in their community. Thought-provoking. Life-changing. Inspiring. Amazing. These are just a few of the words our conference attendees used to describe Jessica's keynote, "Be the Change You Wish to Be". She pushed buttons, opened eyes and challenged our students to look beyond where they are now in order to make an even greater impact in the world. Lisa Currie It's every administrator's nightmare — your campus on the nightly news for a racist party, hazing report, or other shocking incident. Suddenly, you're in crisis mode, searching for a sense of perspective. Whether you're in such a mode or trying to prevent an episode, there are things you can do to examine the gap between social responsibility and your campus code of conduct. There is a way to make these life changing moments positive and educational. In the wake of disaster, rise from the ashes motivated, energized, informed, and unified. It was great to have Jessica Pettitt on our campus. She is full of wonderful information, but the best part is her no-nonsense personality, intertwined with side-bar humor. She does not lecture "at" you, but talks with you about her experiences and stories. She has the quality that all professional speakers need; the diversity to deal with unresponsive students, but still make a connection to everyone else in the room. It was wonderful to see a room full of students, faculty, and staff engrossed into her speech, 5 minutes in. Kim Prosak Facing Trans: As we become comfortable with the Lesbian and Gay plight on our college campuses and in the workplace, we continue to overlook Bisexuals and silence Transgender populations. Trans students (perspective and current), faculty, and staff, as well as alumni, community members, parents, and partners are courageously coming forward and identifying as trans. This workshop is designed to help college administrators and human resources personnel strategically plan to provide a safe and supportive campus climate for all. Be a leader in benchmarking how your department and campus can identify needs, include invisible populations, advocate effectively for trans people, and empower campus community members to take action. Also, ask about Jessica's other workshops on social justice and gender/sexual identity. Full program descriptions available at www.jessicapettitt.com. Comments from Attendees: “I’m leaving here with so much. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my spirit. I am not gay – and I think all identities would benefit from this. It was an amazing talk.” "The keynote was wonderful. The part that was most useful was 'The only thing you can do to make change is to change your own world.'" "Jessica uses humor and her real life examples to engage us and to relate to us." "I learned to evaluate myself so I am better equipped to use my influence to help bring about change within my sphere."
"I am surprised my school had the guts to bring her. Thank you for finally treating us like adults." UNC-Wilmington |
