PSB: Jodi-Ann Burey, author of Authentic

Event Description

PSB: Boston Edition is excited to welcome Jodi-Ann Burey for the release of her book Authentic.

ABOUT AUTHENTIC

A bold call to rethink authenticity at work

Workplace dynamics in recent years have been a dizzying storm of broken promises. Companies that once encouraged employees to “come as you are” and bring your full, authentic self to work are now shutting down initiatives, part of an ongoing cycle of trading on our identities when it’s convenient and profitable.

Jodi-Ann Burey, writer and critic known for her TED talk “The Myth of Bringing Your Full, Authentic Self to Work,” delves into the dangers of disclosure in environments that aren’t built for our well-being. With insights from pop culture, academic research, and interviews with other professionals of color, Burey argues that we deserve better than shallow ploys for representation.

Our physical and emotional health are at risk, and too much is sacrificed—for ourselves and for collective progress—when our full potential is blocked by racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism. Authentic is a powerful reckoning—and now is the time to reclaim our agency. Even at work.

PRAISE FOR AUTHENTIC

“In both poetic and straightforward prose, bolstered by years of experience and research, Jodi-Ann bares her mind, heart, and body to us in Authentic, vulnerably and fearlessly. This book gathers some of those stories I have long been hearing about—from my own life, from my family and friends, from my peers and readers—about how much we struggle and sever our real selves to fit into institutions that are not built for us. It flooded me with memories of what many of us have survived and had me shaking my head at what we’ve forgotten . . . all while healing and arming me with even more audacity and purpose.”
—Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming and Anita de Monte Laughs Last

“Jodi-Ann Burey brings ardent commitment, iconoclastic creativity, irrepressible humor, and a questing, uncompromising intelligence to the conversation about the workplace, racism, and authenticity. She's a voice we'll be turning to again and again to lead us into a deeper understanding of our work and ourselves.”
—Claire Dederer, author of Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma

“While weaving her own autobiography with stories of others who have struggled in organizations, Burey exposes how talk of ‘authenticity’ can hide the workings of oppressive systems and how such systems suppress talent, initiative and creativity and damage the health of individuals, both physically and psychologically. This book helps readers to recognize the problems created by the suppression of difference and what individuals and organizations can do to truly foster authenticity.”
—David Mura, author of The Stories Whiteness Tells Itself: Racial Myths and Our American Narratives


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jodi-Ann Burey is a writer, critic and sought-after speaker on race, culture and health equity. Her essays appear in various arts, business and literary publications. Her writing has been supported by VONA, Hambidge, VCCA and the Vermont Studio Center. Jodi-Ann created the prose and poetry salon, Lit Lounge: The People’s Art and co-founded Black Women Write Seattle. Jodi-Ann was born in Jamaica, lives in Seattle, WA, and will always call Queens, NY home.