Simon Tam | SpeakerHub

Personal Details

Bio

Simon Tam is an author, musician, activist, and troublemaker.

Tam is best known as the founder and bassist of The Slants, the world’s first and only all-Asian American dance rock band. He helped expand civil liberties for minorities by winning a unanimous victory at the Supreme Court of the United States for a landmark case, Matal v. Tam, in 2017. He also leads The Slants Foundation, a nonprofit that supports arts and activism projects for underrepresented communities.

Tam has been a keynote speaker, performer, and presenter at TEDx, SXSW, Comic-Con, The Department of Defense, Stanford University, and over 1,300 events across four continents. He has set a world record by appearing on the TEDx stage 13 times.

As a communications expert, Tam designed one of the first college-accredited social media and digital marketing certificates in the United States. His approach to cultural competency in marketing has been taught to hundreds of Fortune 500 companies and public service organizations.

In 2016, Simon joined President Barack Obama, George Takei, Jeremy Lin, and other celebrities in the #ActToChange campaign to fight bullying.

Simon Tam continues to fight for justice by serving on multiple nonprofit boards, developing innovative solutions to social problems, and sharing a message of radical optimism.

Current position (3)

Founder

The Slants Foundation

Director of Marketing

StriveTogether

Author

Simon Tam

Achievements (6)

Won Supreme Court case (2017)

Won a landmark trademark case at the Supreme Court, unanimously

Mark T. Banner Award (2017)

This award, established in honor of the late Mark T. Banner, is presented to an individual or individuals who have made an impact on IP law and/or practice. Winners of this award have expressed a clear passion and enthusiasm for, and advanced the practice, profession and/or substance of IP law.

Citizen of the Year (2017)

From Chinese American Citizens Alliance Portland Lodge

Portland Rising Star (2016)

from Light a Fire Awards

Distinguished Alum Award

from Marylhurst University (2014)

Freedom Fighter Award (2017)

From Roosevelt Rough Writers

Degrees (1)

Master of Business Administration

Marylhurst University

2010 to 2012

Presentations

Presentations (2)

Don't Tokenize Me: Marketing for Diverse Audiences

In the face of #BlackLivesMatter, a divided election cycle, and a more diverse audience of constituents than ever before, how do public
employees engage with citizens in a manner that is just, equitable, and inclusive?

Diversity and inclusion is often an afterthought, not on ongoing process in developing equity within organizations - especially in the
world of marketing and communications. When “diversity” is seen as a separate area or something to be included into imagery rather
than something that is embedded into all areas of the organization, the effort will never be successful. This workshop will examine
successful – as well as unsuccessful attempts at creating a truly inclusive marketing practices that doesn’t isolate or tokenize diverse
audiences. Case studies, personal stories, and examples of what to do/what not to do will be provided.

A Name Worth FIghting For

A powerful, inspirational story of how naming my band The Slants got me to the Supreme Court and the many lessons learned along the way.