Anthropologists Audrey and Brian Smedley wrote “Race in the American mind was and is a statement about profound and unbridgeable differences...It conveys the meaning of social distance that cannot be transcended.” Ellen Lupton wrote that “Designers use stories to stir emotions and quell uncertainty, to illustrate facts and sway opinions.” Racism is built on a narrative that is destructive and divisive. Designing for inclusivity opens up our products and services to more people. Diverse perspectives are the key to true insight. We will look at ways to re-design the perception of “others” in our organizations, products, and services.

1. DESIGNING A NEW NARRATIVE
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

2. DESIGNING A NEW NARRATIVE
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
I’m grateful to Paul Brown and the
entire UX STRAT team for including a
section that talks about something so
sensitive and yet very relevant to our
present day.

3. RACISM
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

4. RACISM
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
Discrimination based on inherent
physical features and traits. Such as
skin color, eyes, and voice.

5. BLACK LIVES MATTER
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

6. BLACK LIVES MATTER
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
Diversity doesn’t only apply to black
people. It considers the full spectrum of
individuals which includes appearances,
thoughts, culture, and gender.

7. HAVE YOU EVER?
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

8. HAVE YOU EVER?
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
“You are really articulate.”
“You’re not like the others.”
“You don’t talk black.”
“How did they get here?”
“I don’t feel very safe."

9. 3% BLACK AMERICANS
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

10. 3% BLACK AMERICANS
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
There isn’t a pipeline issue with regards
to black design talent. In fact there are
a number of resources where
thousands of black design talent are
available.

11. MINSTREL SHOWS
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

12. MINSTREL SHOWS
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
These performances characterized
blacks as lazy, ignorant, superstitious,
hypersexual, and prone to thievery and
cowardice. The goal was to convince an
all white audience, that black people
were inferior and dangerous.

13. HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

14. HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
Companies are more than twice as
likely to call minority applicants for
interviews if they submit whitened
resumes than candidates who reveal
their race.

15. OUR ROLE
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

16. OUR ROLE
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
“Designers use stories to stir emotions
and quell uncertainty, to illustrate facts
and sway opinions.” -Ellen Lupton

17. STORYBOARDS
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

18. USER STORIES
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

19. USER PERSONAS
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

20. USER/CUSTOMER JOURNEYS
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

21. NARRATIVE
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

22. NARRATIVE
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
Writers = Design Leaders
Actors = Design Teams
Readers = Customer/End Users

23. WRITERS
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

24. ACTORS
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

25. READERS
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

26. RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

27. RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
“Few problems have ever been solved
by ignoring them.” -Isabel Wilkerson

28. ESTABLISH EMPATHY
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

29. ESTABLISH EMPATHY
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
It allows you to understand how
isolating it may feel to use a product
that doesn’t work because of your skin
complexion.

30. CREATE SAFE SPACE
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

31. CREATE SAFE SPACE
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
Share the information that prompted
this action.
Define the rules when operating in the
space created.
Set clear goals to be accomplished.

32. TIME
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

33. DILIGENCE
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

34. DESIRE
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

35. YOU STORY
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

36. WE CARE
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

37. ALL HUMANS
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

38. NEW NARRATIVE
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

39. THANK YOU
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020

40. THANK YOU
Vincent Brathwaite | Design Leader | Speaker | Educator #uxstrat 2020
LinkedIn: /in/vincentjbrathwaite
Email: vincentjbrathwaite@gmail.com
Instagram: @vjbrathwaite