Looking for a speaker who inspires innovative solutions to global and business challenges? Adah Parris is an artist, activist, and expert keynote speaker who can transform how you approach change, leadership, and culture. With unique expertise in various fields, Adah helps individuals and organisations create positive impact and leave a lasting legacy. Contact Adah or your favourite speaking bureau today to learn more.

Here are a few examples of the topics Adah covers during her speaking engagements

Nature's Web3: A World-Building Journey of Regeneration

Join Adah on a visionary journey as she explores how Web3 holds immense potential for transforming not just our businesses, but also our planet, governance systems, cultures, and power dynamics. Drawing insights from her philosophy of Cyborg Shamanism™, Adah unveils the symbiotic dance between human wisdom and digital innovation, revealing the choices needed to ensure Web3 fosters a regenerative and harmonious future for all, by all. This transformative talk delves into the pivotal role of Web3 in reshaping businesses and society for the better, empowering business leaders to navigate the ever-changing digital landscape with a focus on sustainability and collective responsibility.

What will the audience learn:

1. Understanding the Transformative Potential of Web3: Discover how Web3, the decentralised and interconnected web, can revolutionise not just businesses but also various aspects of our world, including governance systems, cultures, and power dynamics.

2. The Symbiotic Dance between Human Wisdom and Digital Innovation: Gain insights into how the principles of Cyborg Shamanism™ bridge the gap between human intelligence and digital technologies, opening up new possibilities for collaboration and innovation.

3. Choices for a Regenerative and Harmonious Future: Explore the crucial decisions needed to ensure Web3 fosters a future that is regenerative and harmonious for all, embracing principles of sustainability and collective responsibility.

4. Empowering Business Leaders in the Digital Landscape: Learn how Web3 can reshape the business landscape, empowering leaders to navigate the ever-changing digital world with a focus on ethical and sustainable practices.

5. Creating Shared Values and Measures of Success: Discover how Web3's decentralised nature allows for the co-creation of shared values and measures of success, promoting inclusivity and diversity in decision-making processes.

6. Building a Sustainable and Equitable Society: Gain insights into how Web3 can be a catalyst for positive change, contributing to the creation of a more equitable and just society that nurtures the well-being of all its members.

7. Embracing Nature's Regenerative Principles: Understand how Web3's alignment with nature's regenerative qualities can inspire us to approach innovation and development in ways that mimic the harmonious systems found in the natural world.

8. Engaging in a World-Building Journey: Embark on a visionary journey that envisions a transformed world powered by Web3, where collaborative efforts lead to positive outcomes for humanity and the environment.

9. Empathy and Collective Wisdom: Explore the importance of empathy and collective wisdom in the digital era, as Web3 encourages more inclusive and compassionate approaches to decision-making and problem-solving.

10. The Role of Business Leaders in Shaping the Future: Recognise the pivotal role business leaders play in driving positive change through Web3, and how they can be agents of transformation in creating a more sustainable and regenerative world.

Cultivating Sustainable Futures: Harnessing the Transformative Power of Cultural Intelligence

In this talk Adah delves into the essence of technology, challenging our approach to innovation and uncovering its core meanings. By embracing inclusivity and prioritising human and planetary needs and values, she redefines success beyond short-term gains, placing the well-being of individuals, communities, and the planet at the forefront. Adah also explores how deconstructing technology disrupts traditional notions of innovation, fostering decentralisation and embracing diverse cultural narratives. This inclusive approach cultivates a vibrant and collaborative innovation ecosystem, harnessing the collective wisdom of diverse communities.

What will the audience learn:

1. Understanding the essence of technology: Delve deep into the core meanings and principles underlying technology, providing a fresh perspective on its purpose and impact.

2. Challenging the traditional approach to innovation: Question conventional notions of innovation and encourage a mindset that goes beyond short-term gains and profit.

3. Embracing inclusivity and prioritising human and planetary well-being: Learn the significance of embracing inclusivity, valuing diverse perspectives, and placing the well-being of individuals, communities, and the planet at the forefront of technological advancements.

4. Exploring the transformative power of deconstructing technology: Understand how deconstructing technology can disrupt existing paradigms, fostering decentralisation, and unlocking the potential of diverse cultural narratives.

5. Cultivating a vibrant and collaborative innovation ecosystem: Discover the benefits of an inclusive approach to innovation, enabling the harnessing of collective wisdom from diverse communities and fostering collaboration for impactful change.

6. Reshaping the definition of success: Redefine success beyond traditional metrics, emphasising the importance of prioritising human needs, community well-being, and the long-term sustainability of actions.

7. Insights into creating an interconnected and ethical future: Gain inspiration to embrace the richness of diverse knowledge systems, shift power dynamics, and foster inclusive innovation to shape a future that is interconnected, ethical, and transformative.

The Power of Being a Good Ancestor: How Embracing Long-Term Thinking Can Drive Innovation and Creativity in Business

Overview

This talk explores how the concept of being a good ancestor can have a transformative impact on businesses, inspiring leaders to think beyond short-term profits and embrace a culture of long-term thinking. By considering the impact of our actions on future generations, we can create a sense of purpose and drive innovation and creativity in pursuit of sustainable practices. The talk also delves into how fostering a culture of inclusivity and belonging can lead to diverse perspectives and innovative solutions. By adopting the mindset of being a good ancestor, we can create a better future for ourselves, our businesses, and future generations.

What will the audience learn?

1. Embracing the concept of being a good ancestor and considering the impact of our actions on future generations can drive innovation and creativity within our businesses.

2. Fostering a culture of "long-now" thinking can encourage employees to be more creative and take risks in pursuit of innovative solutions.

3. Creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging can attract a diverse range of employees who bring different perspectives and ideas to the table, leading to more innovative solutions and better outcomes for all.

4. Thinking beyond short-term profits and considering the long-term impact of our decisions can inspire us to explore new, innovative solutions that not only benefit our business but also have a positive impact on the world.

5. By prioritising sustainability and responsibility, businesses can create a culture of long-term thinking that encourages innovation and supports a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

Belonging and kinship in the age of 1s and 0s

Overview

This talk explores the concept of belonging in an increasingly digitally connected world and suggests an alternative approach to understanding it through the lens of "relational ecology," which emphasises sustainable relationships with others and the world around us. The talk also raises important questions about the role of artificial intelligence in facilitating these relationships, the need for inclusivity and respect for diversity in fostering kinship, and the importance of a Long-Now mindset in creating cultures and ecosystems that promote growth and transformation. Ultimately, the talk suggests that focusing on connections with others and the world may be the key to creating a sense of belonging and well-being.

What will the audience learn?

1. That belonging is a complex concept that can be approached from various angles, including through the lens of relational ecology.

2. That relationships with others and with the world around us are crucial to our well-being and should be considered in the development of technology and artificial intelligence.

3. The development of the metaverse brings up issues of elitism and democratisation, which should be carefully considered.

4. That exploring new hierarchy of needs highlights the importance of intimacy and belonging in human life, but we should recognise and foster kinship in a way that is inclusive and respectful of diversity.

5. That by taking a living systems approach to life, we can create cultures and ecosystems that are in a state of growth and transformation, and in which individuals feel inspired to contribute to the greater good.

From Chaos to Growth: The Value of Embracing Turbulence in Business and Beyond

Overview

This talk explores the concept of "peace as radical justice" and the importance of considering the perspectives and experiences of marginalised and "othered" groups in defining what peace means. As humans, we are a small part of the interconnected and complex system of life on this planet, and peace must reflect and value the fluid and organic nature of all living things, including nature. Business leaders can learn from this message by taking a holistic approach to innovation that considers the impact on planetary resources and the legacy they will leave behind for future generations. By including the voices and experiences of all those affected, we can hope to achieve true peace and justice.

What will the audience learn?

1. The importance of considering diverse perspectives: It is important to consider the perspectives, knowledge, wisdom, and lived experiences of marginalised and "othered" groups, including nature, in efforts to define and achieve peace. In business, this could mean considering the needs and experiences of diverse groups when developing products, services, and policies.

2. To embrace chaos and disorder: Despite the overwhelming loss and pain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is much to be learned, adapted, and grown from chaos, disorder, and turbulence. In business, this could mean being open to new ideas and innovation, even in times of uncertainty.

3. To consider impact on planetary resources: It is important to take into account the impact on planetary resources, not just those that affect humans directly. In business, this could mean adopting sustainable practices and considering the environmental impact of products and services.

4. About the relationship between legacy and responsibility: As individuals and as business leaders, we have a responsibility to consider the legacy we will leave behind and the impact we will have on future generations. This could mean making decisions that prioritise the long-term well-being of society and the planet, rather than just short-term gains.

Designing Immersive Experiences: The Power and Responsibility of Transformation

Overview

This talk discusses the importance of being aware of the potential positive and negative impact of immersive experiences on participants, particularly in the context of business and entrepreneurship. As immersive experience designers, it is our responsibility to prioritise the well-being of participants and provide support and resources after the experience has ended. By creating transformative immersive experiences that consider the emotional and psychological impact on participants, businesses can foster deeper connections and increase engagement and loyalty. It is also important to use the power dynamics of immersive experiences ethically and responsibly, mitigating any negative effects. By taking a holistic approach to design and prioritising the well-being of participants, businesses can create meaningful connections and positive change.

What will the audience learn?

1. As immersive experience designers, there is a responsibility to consider the potential impact of our designs on participants and provide support and resources for them after the experience has ended.

2. Immersive experiences have the potential to bring about deep, subconscious transformation and connection for participants, but they can also trigger unresolved emotions and traumas.

3. By taking a holistic approach to design and considering the emotional and psychological impact of our designs, we can create immersive experiences that leave a lasting, positive impression on participants.

4. Immersive experiences can be a powerful tool for businesses to foster deeper connections with their customers and employees, leading to increased loyalty and engagement.

5. Businesses should be aware of the power dynamics at play in immersive experiences and use this power ethically and responsibly, by being mindful of the potential impact of their designs and taking steps to mitigate any negative effects.

6. Ultimately, by creating immersive experiences that prioritise the well-being of participants and use our power as designers ethically and responsibly, businesses can create meaningful connections with their audience and foster positive change.