Join us in-person or virtually for a special Black History Month event featuring Daryl Davis.

"We spend too much time talking about the other person, talking at the other person, and talking past the other person. Amazing things can happen when we spend some time talking with the other person.” So says Daryl Davis, whose jaw-dropping experiences engaging KKK and White supremacist leaders hold lessons that inspire audiences to think differently about how they engage others who don’t share their views, backgrounds, religion, etc. The more we talk, the more we understand each other and discover what we have in common. That’s when the possibilities open up and the importance of our differences diminishes.

The presentation is a part of the Tommy G. Thompson Statewide Speaker Series.

Sample Takeaways

Learn to build bridges and ignite positive change in the workplace, community, and at home
Everyone wants the same 5 things – learn what they are and how they drive behavior
Spend 5 minutes together and you will find things in common with even your worst enemy
A missed opportunity for dialogue is a missed opportunity for conflict resolution
The power of empathy – put yourself in the other person’s shoes

Free Registration

The event is free, but pre-registration is required.

Meet and Greet

Join us for refreshments and a special meet and greet with Daryl Davis in the Laird Room immediately following the keynote presentation.

About Daryl Davis

Daryl Davis is committed to helping people ignite positive change – using conversation to build bridges. His jaw-dropping experiences speak for themselves.

For nearly 40 years, he’s engaged leaders of the KKK and White supremacist groups face to face to find the answer to a question: “How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?” That question stemmed from his first encounter with racism at age ten when he was pelted with rocks, bottles, and soda cans by a handful of White spectators while marching in a parade.

Seeking to understand, not to change minds, Daryl met their hatred with civility, patience, and listening. Those conversations spawned genuine and lasting friendships with many who changed their own minds and disavowed hateful beliefs. Some even gave Daryl their robes and hoods when they did.

As a speaker, Daryl is an extraordinary storyteller who inspires and empowers audiences with tools they can use to make better workplaces, communities, and relations with family and friends. Daryl’s work is chronicled in his book Klan-Destine Relationships and the documentary Accidental Courtesy. Daryl’s TEDx Talk has over 12 million views.

Diversity Lessons from a Black Klan Whisperer