Picture the roster of speakers at any conference you’ve been to. Chances are, they are mostly white men, right? The lack of diversity reflects society’s structural inequalities, and every instance represents a missed opportunity for improvement. In this talk, Vanessa Valenti speaks out about public speaking, and what it will take to make the field more inclusive. Vanessa Valenti is a co-founder of FRESH, a next-generation speakers bureau focused on diversifying the speaking field and redesigning thought leadership. She’s conducting research and creating solutions that will reboot who gets on the world’s most influential stages, and what happens once they get there. The TED Residency program is an incubator for breakthrough ideas. It is free and open to all via a semi-annual competitive application. Those chosen as TED Residents spend four months at TED headquarters in New York City, working on their idea. Selection criteria include the strength of their idea, their character, and their ability to bring a fresh perspective and positive contribution to the diverse TED community.