• About
  • Services
  • Contact

In the Area Productions

In the Area Productions
  • About
  • Services
  • Contact

Services

In the Area Productions offers speaking and processing sessions (for individuals and groups). Reach out to start a conversation and learn more.

Speaking — Testimonial-giving and Q & A

I believe that antiracism work needs to start internally and be grounded in our humanness. Earlier in my career, as a cis white male leader, I had good values and intentions — yet I wasn’t enacting the change needed at the organizations I was a part of. What I learned is that we can’t talk about organizations evolving without talking about individuals evolving.

That’s why my speaking orients around testimonial-giving. In talking about my journey and giving concrete examples of steps individuals and organizations can take to advance their antiracism values, I hope to offer a real-life case study that progress is not only achievable — but will also strengthen your company in every facet. As white people, we can be guilty of over-intellectualizing, so I attempt to make things less abstract when I speak.

Each engagement rounds out with community-building — in the form of a conversational Q & A. Speaking engagements are perfect for public, private, and nonprofit sector groups wanting to make progress on antiracism and looking for support to gain momentum.

What my speaking covers:

  • My own antiracism progression, covering the kind of struggles so many other white leaders also grapple with
  • Why a journey of self-love and healing is necessary, in order to better advance racial equity
  • The importance of allocating time and money to this work
  • How to embed this work into the DNA of organizations
  • How to support a culture of inclusion and distributed leadership
Let’s get started

Processing Sessions

I offer customized processing sessions for individual white leaders — as well as small groups — who are feeling stuck in making meaningful change rooted in antiracism and who are wanting to do better. I hold space for people to process and gain insight in a safe, confidential way — one that doesn’t cause further harm in multi-racial spaces.

Each session is customizable. General themes are:

  • Moving through discomfort and a fear of conflict
  • Shedding perfectionism and embracing possibility instead of probability
  • Ways to actually distribute power and use our privilege for good
Interested? Let’s connect

Ijeoma Oluo

"In the years I have known Ben, I have been able to witness the compassion, consistency, curiosity and humility that imbue his dedicated and knowledgeable equity work. Ben is truly committed to creating change and supporting those who would also become changemakers."

— Ijeoma Oluo, #1 New York Times bestseller So You Want to Talk about Race.

Ruchika Tulshyan

“One of the few cis, straight, white men who I've seen stand up and SHOW UP for me and other women of colour tirelessly is Ben Reuler. In The Area Productions helps white people understand and process what it means to be antiracist and cultivate inclusive leadership as a white leader. This labour, which too often falls on people of color, should not be ours to bear.”

— Ruchika Tulshyan, Author of Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work

Kristy Fercho

“There is no one better to do this work than Ben Reuler! Everything he does is rooted in love! Ben is a captivating speaker, a brave and bold leader, and has the ability to see things from everyone's unique point of view. He is a gem, and I cannot recommend him enough.”

— Kristy Fercho, Head of Home Lending at Wells Fargo, Chairman of Mortgage Bankers Association

Jeff Hanavan

“When it comes to core issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Ben has made an enormous difference for me personally and for the entire team at Aspen Leadership Group. My one-on-one processing conversations with Ben have been incredibly helpful, as his skillful ability to listen, relate, coach, and counsel has empowered me to engage in DEI in a more authentic and effective way. This engagement has led to a stronger, more supportive, and more inclusive approach to our work with all of our constituents. While we still have an immense amount of important work to do, partnering with Ben has without a doubt made us better.”

– Jeff Hanavan, Founding Partner, Aspen Leadership Group

Jordan Goldwarg

“Ben has so many gifts to offer the world when it comes to undoing the harmful effects of racism and white supremacy. In our work together, he has brought so much empathy and compassion, helping me to feel seen and heard as I struggle with these difficult topics in my personal and professional lives. He is a wonderful listener, which in turn allows him to ask deep, insightful questions that push me to consider issues from a new perspective.”

— Jordan Goldwarg, Executive Director, OneWorld Now!

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    © 2023 In The Area Productions LLC, Ben Reuler | Design: Stacy Nguyen Creative