Was I wrong?
A company with $30 billion in annual revenue asked me to be the only keynote speaker at a special event for their black employees (who number in the thousands).
I was offered $1,500.
I responded that my speaker’s fee is considerably higher, however, I would accept the fee offered if they could confirm it was commensurate with what speakers are typically paid to speak at the company.
One day later I received a message stating: “Unfortunately, the budget for our minority program is limited and so $1,500 is the most we can offer.”
My response: “Thank you but my original question was not answered. Can you confirm the fee you’re offering me is commensurate with what speakers are being paid for general company programs?”
That afternoon, the company representative responded: “We would love to proceed but we’re limited in budget, we’re sorry.”
My response: “I’ll pass and I strongly encourage you to pay speakers for your black employee initiatives at commensurate levels to your general company programs. Without a strong financial commitment to equity, your effort to support your ‘minority programs’ is placating and insulting.”
Paul Carrick Brunson
