Mining for Gems - Speech Dissection
Discussion Question: Why do you think I led them through this breathing practice at the start of this clip? 💎There’s a lot I could unpack in this clip — but one thing I rarely leave out of any keynote is this quote from Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, former president of Morehouse College and mentor to Dr. King: 🔑“Every man and woman is born into the world to do something unique and distinctive — and if he or she does not do it, it will never be done.” That quote moves me every time. Because creativity and entrepreneurship aren’t optional — we all have something we’re meant to create, build, or contribute. When I share that, I use my Nigerian accent. Not just for laughs or engagement — but to share my culture. 🔑That’s intrapersonal intelligence: knowing who you are and bringing your full self into the room. To other speakers, educators, and leaders: lean into your accent. Whether you’re from the South, London, Mexico, New York, or Canada — your accent is a door into your culture. And when you have people repeat after you in it? That’s an invitation into community. Don’t be afraid to let folks know if their attempt at the accent is trash — with love, of course. Laugh together. But never let it become a joke at the culture’s expense. Accents carry history. Power. Presence. Use them with respect and with purpose. And to keep the whole room locked in? That’s 🔑kinesthetic/🔑musical intelligence — clapping sequences that bring the group back together, center the energy, and refocus the moment.