Bestselling author, businessman and educator Stedman Graham is to offer Bermuda’s business community, and the public, an insight into his rise to success and how to diversify the workplace.

The chief executive officer of S Graham and Associates is the long-term partner of Oprah Winfrey and has visited Bermuda about ten times over the past 12 years, forming a strong connection with Family Centre.

Mr Graham’s talks in the United States and around the world have a strong focus on identity and how the key to success is leadership capability.

Graham will be the keynote speaker at a lunchtime discussion, sponsored by XL Catlin, titled “Cultivating Diversity and Inclusion through Authentic Leadership” on September 7, before giving a public talk at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute in the evening.

Family Centre has also asked Mr Graham to meet with some of Bermuda’s young men and he will attend the charity’s fundraising Beach Bash at the Fairmont Southampton Ocean Beach Club on September 8.

With few people of colour holding top positions in the reinsurance industry in Bermuda, Mr Graham’s upcoming talk is expected to strike a chord with many.

While Graham said he was not too familiar with the demographics of the industry here, he said: “I’m pretty sure Bermuda is the same as in most places in that there is a lack of diversity and also inclusion in that industry at the higher level.”

But the responsibility is not just on the businesses to diversify, he told The Royal Gazette. He said: “It is about leadership and getting people to focus on diversity and inclusion and empowerment.

“A lot of times, the onus is really on the people who want to move up to the next level and they need to focus on the best in themselves. I think diversity is an issue on both sides — it is just as important for people of colour and women to ensure that they are qualified and focus on investing in themselves, so that they have the opportunity to move up and take the position. Nobody wants to just bring you in if you are not qualified or not competitive enough.

“We need to provide the opportunity because it is good for business, it makes for strong socio-economic structure in Bermuda, it helps more people, it empowers them and enables them to be a part of the fabric of building Bermuda.”

While the talk on diversity is by invitation only, the public will have the opportunity to hear how Mr Graham made his way to the top.

He explained: “I will talk about what I have learnt, how to build a foundation for development and how to define yourself as opposed to having the world define you. I learnt I can help someone who is labelled and put into a box to have the ability to break out of those boxes and learn how to apply education and make those things relevant to who you are every day.”

Mr Graham, who has written eleven books including New York Times bestseller You Can Make It Happen: Nine Steps to Success, emphasised the importance of quality education and the need to gain a solid grasp of emerging technologies.

He said: “Everything is technology today, so if you don’t have a strong background in technology you are pretty much ensuring that you will be replaced. Technology is the foundation for future jobs and future opportunities.

“Basic education is also the foundation for it and having the drive and the willingness to want to be somebody — the motivation to be able to do that. You want to make sure that people are productive in Bermuda. You don’t want to have a problem with crime, dropout rates or drugs because it hurts a small community like Bermuda. Structurally, there needs to be a plan for how to improve that process and ensure quality of life for people at all levels.

“Education is great but you have to have additional information to be competitive in the marketplace otherwise you are not going to qualify. Education is traditional and a lot of times it is not relevant to the 21st century. But the marketplace is moving so quickly. In the States you have people graduating from Harvard and Stanford who can’t find a job. If you have a skill and you are looking to build opportunities around the skill, especially in the technology arena, then you will have a much greater chance of success.”

His love for the island and its people has spurred Mr Graham to return many times over the years and he believes the work of Family Centre is crucial to levelling the playing field and giving young people the best shot at success.

He said: “Family Centre is so important because it is about empowering the family and ensuring the family understands their opportunity.

“It helps them to understand their role and also their ability to be able to keep moving up so that they don’t become a drag on the country but become more productive in terms of building their own lives as well as building communities inside of a beautiful country.

“I was invited by Michael Dunkley, the former premier, to attend the America’s Cup. I didn’t make it but kept hearing about it over and over. I was travelling in Europe and there was even a lot of coverage over there about it, so I was very proud of Bermuda for that.”

Asked whether he hoped to continue visiting in the future, he said he certainly would and hopes to convince his world-famous partner to join him.

“I am always talking about Bermuda and make sure it is on people’s radar. People know of it but they don’t think about going there but it is such a great place.

“Oprah has been twice. She is not coming this time but she loves Bermuda, so hopefully she’ll come back. I’m looking forward to trying to get her back for a holiday. It’s a special place.”

Mr Graham will give his talk to the business community on September 7 by invitation only.

On the same evening he will give his public talk at BUEI at 7.30pm. Tickets are $25 and all funds raised will go to The Family Centre.

Finally, he will attend Family Centre Beach Bash at the Fairmont Southampton Ocean Beach Club on September 8.

E-mail sarah@tfc.prevention.bm or call 232-1116 for tickets.