The college students I teach are (most often) people of color, and most of the videos my studies and networks suggest to me to emphasize effective presentation skills or critical thinking ideas or writing steps do not feature people of color. I think it’s important for my students to see people of color in celebrated, nerdy positions.

Here is one of my sample lists in no particular order; it features people of color in TED Talks:

1 – Clint Smith – The Danger of Silence
http://www.ted.com/talks/clint_smith_the_danger_of_silence

2 – Shaka Senghor – Why Your Worst Deeds Don’t Define You
http://www.ted.com/talks/shaka_senghor_why_your_worst_deeds_don_t_define_you

3 – Jamila Lyiscott – 3 Ways to Speak English
http://www.ted.com/talks/jamila_lyiscott_3_ways_to_speak_english

4 – Wes Moore – How to Talk to Veterans about the War
http://www.ted.com/talks/wes_moore_how_to_talk_to_veterans_about_the_war

5 – George Takei – Why I Love a Country That Once Betrayed Me
http://www.ted.com/talks/george_takei_why_i_love_a_country_that_once_betrayed_me

6 – Sarah Lewis – Embrace the Near Win
http://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_lewis_embrace_the_near_win

7 – Maya Penn – Meet a Young Entrepreneur
http://www.ted.com/talks/maya_penn_meet_a_young_entrepreneur_cartoonist_designer_activist

8 – Toni Griffin – A New Vision for Rebuilding Detroit
http://www.ted.com/talks/toni_griffin_a_new_vision_for_rebuilding_detroit