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
Todd Wellman 
Thank you for posting these! I love using TED talks and notice that many are by older white people; every semester I look for videos by people of color from different age groups. Your list is a great resource.
Thanks for the comment. I hope you and your students find these videos inspirational / useful.
Thank you! This is very helpful. Most of my students are people of color in their mid-twenties interested in the trades. It has been difficult to find Ted Talks which represent their interests and communities.
I’m glad you were able to find a helpful resource!