DEI Book Club: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho

Jump into our Zoom room as we dig into this important text about race and how it applies to the work of our organizations.

About the Book

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

An urgent primer on race and racism, from the host of the viral hit video series

"Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man"

"You cannot fix a problem you do not know you have." So begins Emmanuel Acho in his essential guide to the truths Americans need to know to address the systemic racism that has recently electrified protests in all fifty states. "There is a fix," Acho says. "But in order to access it, we're going to have to have some uncomfortable conversations."

In Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, Acho takes on all the questions, large and small, insensitive and taboo, many white Americans are afraid to ask--yet which all Americans need the answers to, now more than ever. With the same open-hearted generosity that has made his video series a phenomenon, Acho explains the vital core of such fraught concepts as white privilege, cultural appropriation, and "reverse racism." In his own words, he provides a space of compassion and understanding in a discussion that can lack both. He asks only for the reader's curiosity--but along the way, he will galvanize all of us to join the antiracist fight.

About the Author

Emmanuel Acho, the son of Nigerian immigrant parents, grew up in Dallas with his three siblings. He is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and the host/producer of the Emmy Award-winning Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man. His groundbreaking online series, intended to drive meaningful dialogue around racial insensitivity and ignorance, launched in June 2020, with more than 90 million views to date.

Emmanuel is a 2021 Sports Emmy winner, Fox Sports Analyst (cohost, FS1 Speak for Yourself) and television personality. He is a former NFL linebacker and has a master's degree in sports psychology from the University of Texas.

Why attend? 

Here are some reasons we believe attending will benefit your organization and/or your career: 

Career Advancement: Being at the forefront of DEI work is critical for current and aspiring leaders of all types of organizations. The intentional networking that happens during a professional Book Club offers opportunities for growth, development, and connection around topic areas that become translatable to resumes and career advancement. 

Camp Advancement: Book Clubs offer organizations an opportunity to develop new skills and understanding of the topic presented, and to consult with other professionals on how they navigate these topics in their own organization. As organizations continue to navigate creating inclusive spaces for their campers and staff, this book club will provide an opportunity to learn how other organizations are adapting their policies and programs to be more anti-racist. Sure, you could read the book by yourself, but reading and discussing with others helps to reinforce the subject matter and create actionable plans, solutions, & policies that will benefit your camp!

Accreditation: The topic of this Book Club directly relates to many camps’ statements or philosophies specific to respecting the rights and dignity of all individuals. (CR-1.)

DFI Title XX: This event will help DFI Title XX camps meet the requirements for funding related to non-discrimination. 

Book Delivery

If your registration comes with a book, your book will be mailed between December 5-15, 2022 to the address provided during registration. Shipping addresses cannot be changed after December 5. Books can only be shipped within the United States. Registered participants will be provided access to the private Book Club Services Portal page after January 1st. Participants will be notified by email when they have been provided access to the page.

Location/Style of Event

This event is a live, virtual event and will utilize the Zoom Meeting platform. ACA Illinois will not record this event.

The Fine Print

You must pay for this event at time of registration. If you would like to pay by invoice/check, please contact registration@acail.org prior to registering.

By registering and attending an ACA Illinois event or meeting, virtually or in-person you are agreeing to all the event policies listed here. These policies include the photo release, refund, link sharing, Code of Conduct, and other relative policies.

This event includes a special price for current ACA Illinois Members and DFI Title XX Partner Agencies. If membership or partnership status changes between time of registration and event, the registrant will be invoiced and responsible for the remaining balance due. If you have questions about if you qualify for these special rates, please reach out to registration@acail.org.

How to Register

You must have a Member Profile to register for this event. If this is your first event with us, please click here to create a profile. It's free!