Affirmations

Kori Carew is a strategic thinker who understands the nuances surrounding the work of advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in organizations. As a Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer for a large law firm, I have found Kori’s advice and insights to be spot on. Kori is my Go To expert on all things DEIB. Her approach is thoughtful and meaningful. But beware – if you are looking to check a box or have a generic cookie cutter approach to this work, don’t waste Kori’s talent. She is the right expert for those who want to create true change.
— ANN JENRETTE-THOMAS, STINSON LLP
How is it that someone can be both so provocative and connecting? Kori Carew is a force— of insight, experience, skill, and love. She is a riveting communicator— in the way that makes you want to duck and cover, then hug it up. Kori’s ultimate passion, however, is change— a change of perspective, a change of direction, a boots-on-the-ground kind of change…a change of grace.
— DAN DEEBLE, OWNER & IMPACT COMMUNICATOR, LOST BALL CONSULTING
Kori’s knowledge and experience in the realm of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are extensive and mature. She combines the knowledge of a subject matter expert, the practical insight of a coach, and the skills of a great communicator. Her ability to navigate the complicated waters of race begins with her excellent skills as a listener. Her insightful questions gracefully challenge and expose opportunities for growth. Her capacity for facilitating constructive dialogue brings together people from different backgrounds and creates a safe context for exploring biases and discovering new ways of doing things. As the Executive Director of a non-profit, Kori has helped me process and make decisions that have created a stronger and more diverse team and have made a permanent impact on our organization. I strongly recommend Kori to any leader or organization that is serious about improving the diversity and competency of their board of directors, Executive Leadership team or staff.
— JARRETT MEEK, FOUNDER/PASTOR/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MISSION ADELANTE
There are few people in life who radiate such joy and passion from simply connecting people with new ideas-ideas that change their perspectives and ultimately cause them to want to do and be better. Kori is one such person.

In the 15 years that I have known and experienced Kori, I have found her to be an outspoken advocate for justice and equity, a masterful storyteller, and a compelling expert in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Kori intricately understands how systems have operated to oppress marginalized communities. She uses her legal skills and her substantive expertise, honed after 20+ years of experience, to craft solutions that are forward thinking and designed to break down the walls of inequity one speaking engagement and training at a time.

Kori genuinely believes that every person is worthy of human dignity, connection, love, belonging and justice. She has a deep knowledge of the fundamental role culture plays in cultivating environments of inclusion. She leverages her knowledge to equip leaders and organizations with the tools needed to build cultures of belonging and inclusion.
— Michelle P. Wimes, JD, Senior Vice-President and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri
 

MY PROMISE

Anything we do together will be tailored to your needs, challenges, goals and experience level.

One of my core guiding philosophies is to meet people and organizations where they are. No shame, no blame, no attacks, no judgment, just honest reflection followed by actionable, tangible, transformative solutions.

The focus of any training or programs we develop together will be on efficacy, impact and progress.

If I am not the right fit for your project, I will do my best to connect you with colleagues of mine who are experienced and excellent at what they do.

 

RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

“The Power of Allyship: Choosing Courage to Interrupt -Isms,” Schulte Roth Zabel LLP (February 7, 2023).

“Equitable Compensation: Understanding & Interrupting Implicit Bias,” Thompson Hine LLP Executive Committee (January 13, 2023).

“Creating a More Diverse Barosphere,” National Association of Bar Executives (August 3, 2022).

“Full stop on Microaggressions: A Live Demonstration on How to Understand and Minimize the Role You Play in Furthering Microaggressions,” International Association of Defense Counsel (July 10, 2022).

“I am the Only One or One of a Few: Elevating Your Voice as an Attorney of Color During This Important Time of Change,” Corporate Counsel Women of Color Virtual Associate Summit (June 16, 2022).

“How to Tap the Insight and Influence of Mentors and Sponsors to Advance Your Career,” California Minority Counsel Program Women of Color Conference (May 26, 2022).

“Ridiculously in Charge: Interrupting Unconscious Bias,” DRI Leadership Institute (May 10, 2022).

"Emerging Through Bias: Race and the Legal Profession," 2022 Washington Leadership Institute Session III (March 25, 2022).

"Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Professional Development Processes: What Works, What Hurts and What We Can Do About It," 2021 Professional Development Institute (December 2, 2021).

"Here to Stay: Five Strategies to Remaining in This Game," 17th Annual National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair (November 19, 2021).

"Playing Nice in the Sandbox: DEIB Professionals and General/Employment Counsel working together," ALFDP Conference & Annual Meeting (November 18, 2021).

“Career Resilience: Successful In-House Strategies for a Changed Narrative,” Association of Corporate Counsel (October 16, 2021).

Keynote Luncheon Speaker, DRI Annual Meeting State Legal Defense Organizations lunch (October 14, 2021).

“Belonging: A Critical Component of Employee Engagement in the Legal Profession,” KCMBA Well-Being Summit (October 7, 2021).

“The Role of Anti-Racism in DEI Strategies to Drive Outcomes in Your Organization,” Corporate Counsel Women of Color (September 22, 2021).

“Being Ridiculously in Charge: Interrupting Unconscious Bias,” DRI The Voice of the Defense Bar (August 27, 2021).

“Making Partner with An Afro,” Diversity & Flexibility Alliance Leadership Symposium (July 15, 2021).

“Getting into Good Trouble,” DRI Voice of the Defense Bar Young Lawyers Section Seminar (June 25, 2021).

“Reflections on the State of the Legal Profession,” Legal Council on Legal Diversity Alumni Symposium (June 17, 2021).

“After a Year of Racial Reckoning, - Where are Women if Color?” California Minority Counsel Program Women of Color Conference (May 26, 2021).

“Coming Through Crisis Braver and Stronger,” DRI Women in the Law Seminar (April 29, 2021).

“Going Beyond Talk: Doing Anti-Racism Work on Campus,” National Association of Legal Practitioners Annual Education Conference (April 29, 2021).

“Disrupting (Implicit?) Bias on the Go,” National Association of Legal Practitioners Annual Education Conference (April 28, 2021).

 “Emerging Through Bias: Race,” Washington Leadership Institute (February 26, 2021).

“Race, Redemption and the Rule of Law: What is the Role of the Black Lawyer?,” National Bar Association Corporate Law Section Corporate Counsel Conference (February 26, 2021).

“Beyond Diversity: Cultivating Belonging in Our Institutions and Our Lives,” Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (January 29, 2021).

“DE&I in the Workplace,” Loyola Marymount University Law School (January 27, 2021).

"Session 2: Empowered Resilience: Tools for Thriving in 2021," The Belonging Project Webinar Series (January 14, 2021).

“Cultural Explorations,” Federal Home Bank (November 4, 2020).

 “Becoming an Active Ally to Black Women: How to Get Involved, Increase Your Diverse Attorneys, and Educate Others about Racial and Social Injustice,” International Association of Defense Counsel Allyship Series (October 8, 2020).

"Managing Your Workforce Through the Current Social and Political Climate," Webinar (October 8, 2020).

"A Father-Son Generational Look at Their Experiences as Hispanics in the Law Profession," Webinar presented by The Belonging Project (October 2, 2020).

“Allyship is a Necessity, But It’s Not Easy,” California Minority Counsel Program Annual Business Meeting (September 23, 2020).