Reducing Prejudice in Hiring: Looking at Race and Disability in the Hiring Process

Presentation Overview

Hiring decisions shape organizational culture, innovation, and long-term success. Yet unconscious bias and systemic inequities continue to influence recruitment, candidate evaluation, interviewing, and promotion decisions, particularly for individuals from historically marginalized communities. Research consistently demonstrates that race and disability significantly impact hiring outcomes, even when candidates possess equivalent qualifications.

In this engaging and evidence-based presentation, Dr. Davi Kallman explores how implicit bias, structural barriers, and intersecting identities influence every stage of the hiring process. Participants will examine current research on race and disability discrimination, identify common barriers embedded within traditional hiring practices, and learn practical strategies for creating equitable, accessible, and inclusive recruitment systems.

Rather than focusing solely on compliance, this presentation emphasizes building hiring processes that attract exceptional talent, reduce bias, and foster workplaces where diverse employees can thrive. Participants will leave with actionable tools they can immediately implement to improve hiring fairness while strengthening organizational excellence.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will:

  • Understand how implicit bias and systemic inequities influence hiring decisions.
  • Examine research on racial and disability disparities throughout the recruitment and hiring process.
  • Recognize how intersecting identities can create additional barriers to employment.
  • Identify common sources of bias in job descriptions, recruitment, resume screening, interviewing, and candidate evaluation.
  • Learn strategies for creating accessible and equitable hiring practices that reduce barriers for qualified candidates.
  • Develop inclusive interviewing and evaluation techniques that promote fairness and consistency.
  • Leave with practical tools for building hiring processes that support diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and organizational success.

Ideal Audience

This presentation is designed for:

  • Human resources professionals
  • Hiring managers
  • Executive leadership teams
  • Recruiters and talent acquisition professionals
  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) professionals
  • Colleges and universities
  • Student affairs professionals
  • Government agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Corporate leadership teams
  • Employee resource groups (ERGs)
  • Small business owners
  • Professional associations
  • Anyone involved in recruitment, interviewing, hiring, or organizational leadership

Length Options

30-Minute Session

A concise keynote introducing research on hiring bias and practical strategies for creating more equitable recruitment practices.

60-Minute Workshop

A comprehensive presentation combining current research, real-world examples, and actionable recommendations for reducing bias throughout the hiring process.

90-Minute Interactive Workshop

An engaging training featuring case studies, hiring scenarios, interactive discussion, and opportunities for participants to evaluate and improve their own hiring practices.

Half-Day Professional Development

A comprehensive organizational training focused on equitable recruitment, accessible hiring practices, structured interviewing, evaluation strategies, and long-term organizational change. Participants will develop practical action plans that can be implemented immediately within their organizations.

Custom keynote, conference, executive leadership, and organizational training sessions are available upon request.

Book This Presentation

Interested in bringing Reducing Prejudice in Hiring: Looking at Race and Disability in the Hiring Process to your organization or event?

Whether you’re planning a conference keynote, HR training, leadership retreat, professional development program, or organizational workshop, this presentation can be customized to address your organization’s hiring goals and challenges.

Book this presentation today by visiting the Contact page. Together, we can create hiring practices that reduce bias, expand opportunity, and build stronger, more inclusive workplaces.