Marisa Hamamoto

How do you create a workplace where everyone feels they belong? How can you maximize workplace diversity that leads to more innovation?

In this keynote, I dive into my fight to claim my identity as a dancer: repeated rejection, surviving a stroke, being judged for my color, and not fitting the existing mold. One encounter with a paraplegic athlete changes my life forever. This one new connection leads me to not only discover my purpose as an artist, but it also leads to spark a global movement to use dance to inspire inclusion.

What if we framed inclusion as: Never underestimate the impact of each connection. When we embrace the possibility and potential of each interaction we have each day, we become more willing to connect and collaborate with each other.

All my virtual talks include the following:
1. Motivational dance video presentation (3-5 min). Live virtual dance performances are possible at an extra cost.
2. Inspirational storytelling and creative inclusion thought leadership.
3. Short dance & movement break promoting wellness and fun.

Total time can be customized: 10-60 minutes.

TAKEAWAYS
Discover a fresh approach to thinking about inclusion.
Learn to never underestimate the impact of one new connection.
Get motivated to get out of your comfort zone and take action.

How can you be the change? And how can you lead your team and your company to be the change?

Let’s acknowledge it. There are many systemic injustices and inequalities in this country and in this world. Racism, ableism, discrimination, homophobia, the list goes on. And when this is ignored for years and years, the pressure builds until enough is enough, and it explodes.

I believe we can each be a changemaker and we each have a unique way to be the change. It takes a village to create systemic change, and you got to approach change from multiple lanes, and you got to pick the lane that is right for you. Business can be a powerful driving force for creating change, and banding together for a common purpose can lead to heart-centered team building and a boost in company morale. But, where to start?

In this keynote, I share how I found my voice as a changemaker using dance as a catalyst for creating inclusion, and break down simple actionable steps leaders can take to lead their teams to drive change together.

I also share a real life example of organizing UPLIFT Town Hall: Authentic stories from black creatives with disabilities, which took place June 13, 2020, demonstrating that it’s possible to contribute to change with minimal resources.

All my virtual talks include the following:
1. Motivational dance video presentation (3-5 min). Live virtual dance performances are possible at an extra cost.
2. Inspirational storytelling and creative inclusion thought leadership.
3. Short dance & movement break promoting wellness and fun.

Total time can be customized: 10-60 minutes

TAKEAWAYS
– Understand the difference between systemic change and direct impact.
– Discover you and your team’s unique philanthropic expression.
– Get inspired to drive change together.

HUMANITY is a creative and inspiring supplement to the conversation of Diversity & Inclusion. I created HUMANITY as a framework based on what we’ve experienced and experimented with as a diverse dance company continuously having to define and redefine accessibility and inclusion.

HUMANITY is a start to a conversation on inclusion, not a perfect solution. HUMANITY is presented by myself with 1-3 dancers with disabilities from Infinite Flow – An Inclusive Dance Company.

TAKEAWAYS
– Discover a heart-centered framework for approaching inclusion.
– Learn the difference between translating vs adapting
– Learn how INCLUSION INSPIRES INNOVATION. Discover why the experience of exclusion leads to inclusion.

What makes the difference between an organization that focuses on survival, verses an organization that focuses on thrival? How can you turn a crisis into an opportunity to spark creativity and innovation?

In this keynote, I use a video I created during quarantine, as an example to demonstrate the 6 C’s to turn a crisis and limitations into an opportunity to spark creativity and innovation: Connect, Convene, Challenge, Collaborate, Co-Create, and Celebrate.

Some of the world’s greatest innovations came from overcoming perceived limitations. The typewriter was invented as a result of a blind woman wanting to write a love letter in confidentiality. And texting came from deaf individuals wishing to talk to each other over the phone. Your organization could be next!

All my virtual talks include the following:
1. Motivational dance video presentation (3-5 min). Live virtual dance performances are possible at an extra cost.
2. Inspirational storytelling and creative inclusion thought leadership.
3. Short dance & movement break promoting wellness and fun.

Total time can be customized: 10-60 minutes.

TAKEAWAYS
– Create a mindset to allow for creativity and innovation.
– Learn a new approach to problem solving and collaboration. – Learn to maximize resources.
– Uplift spirits and re-embrace the purpose of your work.