It's time for formidable voices to be considered first, not as an afterthought or checkbox strategy to tokenistic inclusion and diversity.
Vision
This world needs more activated leaders and it is the mission of Formidable Voices events to support those willing to bring forth all their gifts, to express their message and be forces of good in the world.
Formidable Voices events deliver, highlight, enhance, increase and uplift incredible, underrepresented voices and leaders of colour across coaching, creative, tech and online business, activism and social justice including speakers, writers, coaches, podcasters, published authors, artists, innovative entrepreneurs, healing modality practitioners and pioneers.
Formidable Voices is for all gender expressions. Formidable Voices welcomes accomplices, that is, non-BIPOC to be a part of our movement to centre BIPOC at the forefront. Accomplices are people who are dismantling white supremacy and doing the transformative inner work to be forces of good in the world.
Why
Women of Colour have powerful stories and immense presence but you wouldn’t know it from looking at who is featured in speaker lineups and summit events, in media, in leadership positions and on the screen.
Formidable Voices events seeks to bridge the gap and bring front and centre Women of Colour visionaries, entrepreneurs, small business owners, storytellers and magic makers.
How
Formidable Voices creates powerful events, experiences, speaking and teaching opportunities, coaching, courses, programs for Women and People of Colour and non-BIWOC accomplices.
Learn from our expert speakers and teachers at the forthcoming in-person event in Melbourne, Australia. This event showcases women of colour speaker talks, panel discussion and networking for all participants to engage in sisterhood and community.
The Beam Your Brilliance virtual conference 2020 tickets are available now! This global event is on 16-25 November 2020.
Follow Formidable Voices on Instagram for updates.
Inclusion IS a verb
I've written wake-up calls on inclusion and diversity many times across social media, Patreon and on Medium.com. Read the medium.com articles here.
Thank you to our Melbourne event sponsors
Gifts and Lucky Door Prizes
Each event attendee will receive a gift bag valued at over $100 with goodies provided by a few of our generous sponsors.
There's also a few amazing lucky door prizes to be announced!
When
The first Formidable Voices event was be held in Melbourne on Wednesday 13 November 2019.
Formidable Voices events deliver, highlight, enhance, increase and uplift incredible, underrepresented voices and leaders of colour across coaching, creative, tech and online business, activism and social justice including speakers, writers, coaches, podcasters, published authors, artists, innovative entrepreneurs, healing modality practitioners and pioneers.
Formidable Voices is for all gender expressions. Formidable Voices welcomes accomplices, that is, non-BIPOC to be a part of our movement to centre BIPOC at the forefront. Accomplices are people who are dismantling white supremacy and doing the transformative inner work to be forces of good in the world.
Why
Women of Colour have powerful stories and immense presence but you wouldn’t know it from looking at who is featured in speaker lineups and summit events, in media, in leadership positions and on the screen.
- When was the last time you attended a speaking event or conference and the keynote speakers and entire line up were Black, Indigenous and Women of Colour? I'm 42 and I've never had the pleasure in the places I've lived in Australia. I'm creating this platform and space because we are limitless in talent and it's time our inclusive leadership, voices, spirit and stories come forward. The speaker lineups in entrepreneurial spaces lack diversity and inclusion.
- What expertise, experience, nuances and wisdom are you missing out on? There's a WEALTH of incredible humans with amazing work that you just aren't getting exposed to because of the same old, same old ways and leadership.
- How many times have you been to an event and heard the same message delivered slightly differently by the same people who get invited constantly?
Formidable Voices events seeks to bridge the gap and bring front and centre Women of Colour visionaries, entrepreneurs, small business owners, storytellers and magic makers.
How
Formidable Voices creates powerful events, experiences, speaking and teaching opportunities, coaching, courses, programs for Women and People of Colour and non-BIWOC accomplices.
Learn from our expert speakers and teachers at the forthcoming in-person event in Melbourne, Australia. This event showcases women of colour speaker talks, panel discussion and networking for all participants to engage in sisterhood and community.
The Beam Your Brilliance virtual conference 2020 tickets are available now! This global event is on 16-25 November 2020.
Follow Formidable Voices on Instagram for updates.
Inclusion IS a verb
I've written wake-up calls on inclusion and diversity many times across social media, Patreon and on Medium.com. Read the medium.com articles here.
Thank you to our Melbourne event sponsors
- The Institute for Intuitive Intelligence
- Tracey Pattison
- Rare Seed Agency
- Justice Denim
- Zea Relief
- Bopo Women
- Alyssum Alchemy
- Skyhigh and Believe
- Gentle Business Mastermind
- Love Is Your Compass
- Naomi Arnold
- Lilac and the Cat
Gifts and Lucky Door Prizes
Each event attendee will receive a gift bag valued at over $100 with goodies provided by a few of our generous sponsors.
There's also a few amazing lucky door prizes to be announced!
When
The first Formidable Voices event was be held in Melbourne on Wednesday 13 November 2019.
event testimonials
Amanda Freeman: I decided to attend Formidable Voices because I’m tired of WANELS - and that was before I knew what a wanel event was! Plus, I love Sharyn’s work and I knew some of the epic speakers.
The power and presence of the room was awesome – even now I can remember moments of each of the speakers. It re-enforced how many times I have heard the same narrative at events, and so often through a white lens. I enjoyed hearing the differences in experiences to what I have experienced in my life as a white woman, but also the similarities in the wider human experiences too.. As a white woman who works with and teaches Reiki, it gave me the opportunity to make sure I am honouring the work and not culturally appropriating.
I would absolutely recommend this event — it’s powerful and inspirational. But also because we need to see more events LIKE this where it is the norm for diversity, and not tokenistic. It’s time for white women to put our money where our mouth is and not only learn about anti-racism but support BIPOC speakers and events. Attending this event demonstrates that change IS happening and collectively we (led by BIPOC) ARE participating in changing the world by completely changing the narratives.
Naomi Arnold: I left the event feeling a sense of renewed hope in the possibility of a future that is equitable, just, transformational and brilliant. I left feeling a bolstered sense of personal responsibility in taking the imperfect ongoing action required to co-conspire in creating this future with those who spoke, attended and wished it to be.
Having a background in industries that often 'whitewash' events and panels, Formidable Voices was the first event I’d seen promoting a full schedule of Black, Indigenous, First Nations and people of colour speakers. I’d also completed classes of Sharyn's previously, and knew that what she was creating here would be transformational for all involved. As soon as the event was advertised, I knew I had to find a way to get myself a seat in that room!
Formidable Voices was THE BEST event I have ever attended. My wish is that all my friends, family, clients, community members and every single person who reads this will get tickets and attend. I know it will be epic.
Emma Shields: I decided to attend Formidable Voices because I was curious, I had never attended an event with a complete lineup of Black, Indigenous and Women of colour. I wanted to show my support and solidarity.
I felt each speakers’ presence really deeply. There was a lot of groundedness and power, and I was so moved by the courage and wisdom shared. I asked myself/reflected on why these speakers weren't all being invited to speak at other events.
Formidable Voices feels like the start of something new, a new paradigm. I left motivated to continue my education and committed to continue my support of BIPOC.
I would totally recommend attending Formidable Voices, it was an evening filled with powerful stories that need to be heard. There is so much wisdom and love in this community and it has to be experienced to be understood.
Miish Grixti: This event was transformative. The power, brilliance and calibre of each speaker truly was formidable. The diversity in speakers meant there was a richness in topics and discussions that I’d never been exposed to before. A year on, the speakers and their stories, ideas and insights still impact me. I can’t recommend Formidable Voices highly enough.
The power and presence of the room was awesome – even now I can remember moments of each of the speakers. It re-enforced how many times I have heard the same narrative at events, and so often through a white lens. I enjoyed hearing the differences in experiences to what I have experienced in my life as a white woman, but also the similarities in the wider human experiences too.. As a white woman who works with and teaches Reiki, it gave me the opportunity to make sure I am honouring the work and not culturally appropriating.
I would absolutely recommend this event — it’s powerful and inspirational. But also because we need to see more events LIKE this where it is the norm for diversity, and not tokenistic. It’s time for white women to put our money where our mouth is and not only learn about anti-racism but support BIPOC speakers and events. Attending this event demonstrates that change IS happening and collectively we (led by BIPOC) ARE participating in changing the world by completely changing the narratives.
Naomi Arnold: I left the event feeling a sense of renewed hope in the possibility of a future that is equitable, just, transformational and brilliant. I left feeling a bolstered sense of personal responsibility in taking the imperfect ongoing action required to co-conspire in creating this future with those who spoke, attended and wished it to be.
Having a background in industries that often 'whitewash' events and panels, Formidable Voices was the first event I’d seen promoting a full schedule of Black, Indigenous, First Nations and people of colour speakers. I’d also completed classes of Sharyn's previously, and knew that what she was creating here would be transformational for all involved. As soon as the event was advertised, I knew I had to find a way to get myself a seat in that room!
Formidable Voices was THE BEST event I have ever attended. My wish is that all my friends, family, clients, community members and every single person who reads this will get tickets and attend. I know it will be epic.
Emma Shields: I decided to attend Formidable Voices because I was curious, I had never attended an event with a complete lineup of Black, Indigenous and Women of colour. I wanted to show my support and solidarity.
I felt each speakers’ presence really deeply. There was a lot of groundedness and power, and I was so moved by the courage and wisdom shared. I asked myself/reflected on why these speakers weren't all being invited to speak at other events.
Formidable Voices feels like the start of something new, a new paradigm. I left motivated to continue my education and committed to continue my support of BIPOC.
I would totally recommend attending Formidable Voices, it was an evening filled with powerful stories that need to be heard. There is so much wisdom and love in this community and it has to be experienced to be understood.
Miish Grixti: This event was transformative. The power, brilliance and calibre of each speaker truly was formidable. The diversity in speakers meant there was a richness in topics and discussions that I’d never been exposed to before. A year on, the speakers and their stories, ideas and insights still impact me. I can’t recommend Formidable Voices highly enough.
Learn more about our Melbourne 2019 Event Speakers and Panelists
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Event Sponsors
GOLD SPONSORS
The Institute for Intuitive Intelligence
Tracey Pattison
Rare Seed Agency
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GIFT BAG and LUCKY DOOR PRIZE SPONSORS
Justice Denim |
Zea Relief |
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Skyhigh and Believe
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Gentle Business Mastermind
Love Is Your Compass
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Naomi Arnold
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Lilac and the Cat
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