Keynotes

Being Real in a Fake World: How to Lead Authentically

Shermain spent 24 years hiding his identity, exhausting himself managing multiple versions of who he was—until he walked into a pastor's office, owned his truth about being gay while wanting to serve in high-level leadership, and was turned down. That rejection became his breakthrough: authentic leadership requires courage, and it's the foundation for sustainable influence, unshakeable confidence, and lasting impact.

In a world of generic leadership and social media personas, real influence, confidence, and freedom come from stepping fully into who you are—without apology.

What Leaders Will Discover

Stop the Energy Drain: End the exhausting work of managing multiple personas and reclaim the energy wasted on performance.

Lead from Your Core: Leverage your authentic self as your primary leadership tool and turn your natural strengths into competitive advantage.

Operate with Unshakeable Foundation: Know exactly who you are and what you stand for, regardless of external circumstances or criticism.

Leading While Black: How to Carry the Weight Without Losing Your Identity

From his first day on a college campus, Shermain felt eyes tracking his movement into every classroom—sometimes people would literally stop what they were doing and watch him enter. That hypervisibility followed him through careers at Walmart, Cox Communications, American Express, and now as an Executive Coach, where he continues to be one of the few who look like him. He learned that leading while Black means constantly balancing excellence with authenticity in environments not originally built for you to belong—a unique burden that drains energy and can quietly erode your sense of self.

But he also discovered that it's possible to navigate these spaces without losing yourself, to lead with both power and authenticity, and to create the belonging you deserve. For Black leaders, this isn't just about survival—it's about thriving without sacrificing who you are.

What Leaders Will Discover

Lead Beyond the Representation Tax: Show up as an individual leader without the burden of perfect representation or abandoning your cultural identity.

Leverage Your Unique Perspective as Power: Transform your lived experience from perceived barrier to competitive advantage that brings invaluable insight to every table.

Build Sustainable Leadership Presence: Lead with authenticity and authority without performing someone else's version of professionalism.

Be More You: The Courage to Lead Authentically

Shermain invested over 2 decades perfecting the art of performance—one version for work, another for family, another for church—until he walked into a pastor's office, owned his truth about being gay while wanting to serve in leadership, and was turned down. That moment taught him that authenticity isn't the soft, risky option most people think it is—it's the foundation for magnetic influence, deeper trust, and the kind of leadership that creates lasting legacy.

In a world obsessed with personal branding and carefully curated personas, true influence doesn't come from perfection—it comes from showing up as your complete, unfiltered self. Leaders who dare to be real don't just feel more free; they create deeper connection, inspire greater loyalty, and build movements that last.

What Leaders Will Discover

End the Performance Exhaustion: Stop code-switching and persona management to reclaim the energy wasted trying to be who others want you to be.

Create Magnetic Leadership Presence: Show up as yourself and naturally attract the right people, opportunities, and outcomes without forcing it.

Lead Without Approval Addiction: Anchor your confidence in self-knowledge rather than external validation for unshakeable presence.

How to Optimize for Impact Instead of Safety

In a one-on-one with his boss at American Express, Shermain sat down to discuss his future—but his boss was distracted, typing on his laptop, half-listening. Shermain stopped mid-sentence and said, "This is my one-on-one time." His boss looked up. That small moment crystallized something bigger: he was tired of fighting for space in rooms that didn't value his presence. Shortly after, during a pandemic when every logical voice said to wait, Shermain walked away from a six-figure salary to launch his executive coaching practice and discovered that playing small doesn't protect you—it just guarantees you'll never know what you're truly capable of creating.

Most leaders are unknowingly optimizing for safety: staying in roles that feel secure but drain them, making decisions that minimize criticism instead of maximize impact, holding back their boldest ideas to avoid risk. But the leaders who create lasting change understand something different: impact requires putting something on the line.

What Leaders Will Discover

Recognize the Hidden Cost of Safety: Understand how playing it safe keeps you small, limits your influence, and makes you more vulnerable.

Break the Hesitation Cycle: Move past analysis paralysis by anchoring decisions in mission and values rather than fear of failure.

Create Legacy-Level Impact: Learn why lasting impact requires stepping beyond what feels safe into transformational change.