Kudzi Chikumbu to Discuss the Power of Authenticity at SHRM Talent Conference Expo 2023

Live on the Talent 2023 Main Stage on April 18, Chikumbu will discuss the power of authenticity, how diversity leads to creativity and the strength that comes from bringing together different perspectives to achieve success.  

"Kudzi Chikumbu is someone who really understands that driving change in the workplace requires greater diversity, originality and different perspectives among employees,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, SHRM president and chief executive officer. “His work speaks to the notion that when we have empathetic people managers, HR and workplaces who see and recognize that our differences are our strengths, it is an opportunity for that impact to be felt in communities—and around the world.”  

As a Black, gay man working in tech, Chikumbu stands out every single day. Instead of caving to the pressures of a world full of trends that promote replicating and copying others, Chikumbu focuses on authenticity. He makes a point to bring his full self to work and encourages everyone to do the same, whatever their identity is.   

Based on his own experiences in the workplace, Chikumbu shares how diversity leads to creativity and discusses the power that comes from bringing together different perspectives to achieve success. 

When he is not leading TikTok’s creator community, he unboxes, sniffs and reviews scented candles under the alias Sir Candle Man. As 2021 began, Chikumbu helped hatch TikTok for Black Creatives. Developed with media company Macro, this three-month incubator program features forums, town halls and educational events designed to nurture emerging artists and musicians. His many other TikTok efforts include the #MakeBlackHistory Creator Summit, #BlackVoices Live, #BlackTikTok, #MyPride and Amplify Diverse Voices. Chikumbu was honored by ADCOLOR, which advocates for diversity across creative and tech fields, as its top innovator for 2020. 

About Talent 2023 

SHRM Talent will be offered both virtually and in-person. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss various topics related to talent acquisition and retainment, including but not limited to: employee engagement, sourcing and recruiting, HR technology, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and leadership development.   

More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. To learn more, please visit: https://conferences.shrm.org/talent-conference   

To attend the SHRM Talent Conference & Expo 2023, press registration is required. Please request press credentials, contact: press@shrm.org   

About SHRM 

SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today's evolving workplaces. More than 95 percent of Fortune 500 companies rely on SHRM to be their go-to resource for all things work and their business partner in creating next-generation workplaces. With 300,000+ HR and business executive members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 115 million workers and families globally. Learn more at SHRM.org and on Twitter @SHRM.