Meet Kevin Henry

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kevin Henry. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kevin, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

I have worked as a consultant and trainer specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion for over 30 years. Often, I have been the only African American man addressing a totally white audience, whom I must engage and convince that embracing and promoting diversity is beneficial to them for professional and personal reasons. The key to engaging and keeping them engaged is finding common ground and finding a topic or experience that resonates with them on a visceral level. I frequently share personal experiences I have had with racism and then place the audience in my shoes, looking through my lens. Usually, they feel empathy and are willing to move further into the journey to see the world through the eyes of another and, in the process, reevaluate their own perspectives and biases.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I began my career as a journalist while still in college in Los Angeles in the 1980s and interviewed many entertainers for several publications. I still write for magazines and other publications today. I have also been a DEI consultant and trainer who has trained several thousand people over a 30-year span. I host a podcast called All The Way Authentic and produce another called Limitless Journeys – The African Immigrant Podcast. I also squeeze in commercial voiceover work and am active in educating the community about trafficking and sexual exploitation as a board member of the Organization of Prostitution Survivors. I run my own consulting company called KPHMediaLLC.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

My journalism career helped hone my writing skills and instilled confidence in talking to anyone under many different and sometimes tense circumstances, which helped refine my communication skills. My acting background prepared me to adjust to various professional situations, be spontaneous, and improvise. Also, my career has taught me to educate myself and always be curious. There is always something to learn.

My advice is to surround yourself with supportive but honest people. Always be open to learning something and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. Always strive to be better and be your authentic self. Life is too short to play a character in someone else’s script. Write your own script.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

My parents were my heroes. They were wonderful role models. They demonstrated to me what a respectful and loving marriage was. They taught me how to respect and treat others. My mom was a great mother but also had her own career. My father supported that. They worked as a team and always were there when I needed them!

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