The Essential Power of Belonging | Caroline Clarke | TEDxBeaconStreetSalon

Author and journalist Caroline Clarke explores our fundamental need for belonging and how critical it is not only to every individual's fulfillment and success but to our collective wellbeing and future.
Drawing from her work as Women of Power Chief Brand Officer and her own family's journey with multi-racial adoption, genetic testing, and reunion, she illuminates the barriers to belonging and what it takes to overcome them.
It's not enough to value diversity and inclusion, Clarke insists. Companies, communities, even families must cultivate a culture of genuine belonging in order to reach their fullest potential and truly thrive. Caroline Clarke is an award-winning journalist who has spent most of her career at the family-owned media company Black Enterprise where she is currently Chief Brand Officer, Women of Power. The brainchild of Clarke and a small team of her female colleagues, Women of Power has consistently been the company’s growth leader since its launch in 2005.
Comprised of the nation’s largest annual conference for women of color executives - the Women of Power Summit - as well as a wealth of original multi-platform content, the brand exists to give women of color business leaders the heightened validation, visibility and access to information and individuals they need to endure and advance, leading by design, not default.
A sought after speaker, moderator and host, Clarke is also an acclaimed author. Her first book, Take a Lesson: Today’s Black Achievers on How They Made It & What They Learned Along the Way,” was broadly used in business course syllabi, particularly in HBCU’s. Her most recent book, Postcards from Cookie, was voted Best Memoir of the Year by Essence (2014).
A native New Yorker with degrees from Smith College and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Clarke is a passionate advocate for adoption and high quality public education. A mother of two, she serves on a number of non-profit boards, and currently lives in New York and the San Francisco Bay area. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@NotsoEthos]

I rarely ever cry, I tend to keep it all inside. But, while listening, tears started falling down my face. Then I was laughing and crying uncontrollably. This message is so simple and yet, just to hear a message of belonging, deeply affected me. Thank you for this beautiful message

[@koketsomokone2975]

She said it all to be honest! Im South African, and the way we traditionally relate to one another is steeped in the simple concept of recognition of each other's humanity: the term 'Ubuntu' as relatively widely known around the world. In my tribe, the baTswana of Southern Africa, Ubuntu = Botho. Biblically, this concept is akin to the second, and only other, commandment on which all of the law hangs: "Love your neighbour as yourself". If there was anything that I point to as having made me proud to be African, it is our recognition of the humanity of others. Her story has inspired deep reflection on one of my most burning passions, the struggle to restore the humanity of a numb world. Beautiful story

[@charlesvivian3101]

What a POWERFUL message from a very competent and confident speaker!

[@federicagarciacarrero6513]

This talk should have over 30 million views! Amazing, incredible, loved it!

[@cartergomez5390]

I'm here because my university's human service club posted a social justice initiative and I'm learing so much about what makes a community and how to feel a sense of belonging through the environmebnt, interatction and sense of safety and so much more. We need to connect in other ways other than virtual.

[@mhhaygood]

Caroline, I see you. This is such a much needed topic of conversation. Thank you for the reminder. You shared it so eloquently.

[@rochard1]

Wow. Just wow. Thank you, Queen for your gift.

[@terrypocock2474]

Beautifully said.

[@KJ99otis]

Love this talk - thank you! 💜I see you. I am here to be seen.💜

[@dawnbodger5979]

I haven't stopped crying since I watched this ❤

[@rufflesthefrog]

What a phenomenal story. Thank you deeply for sharing 🙏🏾

[@denislikwelile1421]

enlightened

[@donnadornbusch6738]

Beautiful

[@beautyroses8771]

4:53 8:25

[@aroundtheworld827]

first view, first like and comment ; )