Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins

Writer & Social Justice Educator Focused on Gender, Race & Media

Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins

Writer & Social Justice Educator Focused on Gender, Race & Media

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Biography

Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins (DoctorJonPaul) is an award winning educator, professor, national speaker, freelance journalist, thought leader and media critic who examines the intersections of identity, gender and race in entertainment. Named National Black Justice Coalition’s Inaugural Emerging Leaders to Watch and Business Equality Magazine’s “Top 40 LGBTQ People Under 40”, their work has been featured on sites like Essence, Ebony, Complex, MTV NEWS, Out Magazine, BET & Entertainment Weekly. A Culture Strike 2021 Disruptor, Black Boy/Girl Writes Fellow and Twitter Spaces Spark Creator, DoctorJonPaul is trailblazer who is creating, sharing, and crafting the stories their ancestors didn’t get to tell.

Dr. Higgins is currently the inaugural Director of Strategic Media & Advocacy for Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance and has held positions at both Chernin Entertainment & Edith Productions. They have consulted with multiple brands on inclusion projects including United Artists, Amazon Prime, Fox, the NFL, Apple, Disney, Instagram, Buzzfeed, G.L.A.A.D. and most recently, Ulta Beauty.

They have also been a featured speaker for South by Southwest (SXSW) & TEDx and most recently was the first Black queer person to be a featured speaker at ForbesBLK. You can also see them on hit shows like Netflix’s Nailed It and Fuse’s Like a Girl.

They are the creator, executive producer and host of the “Black Fat Femme Podcast'' which was developed via IHeartMedia’s Next Up Initiative in 2021. The podcast has gone on to be named one of the “top Black podcasts to listen to” by both Ebony and Pride Magazine and being named both a Webby Honoree, along with a Shorty nomination for best talk/interview podcast. Currently, they are working on their first book, Black Fat Femme: How to Love Yourself by Unveiling the Power of Visibly Queer Voices, acquired by Wiley Global and slated for release in April of 2025.

DoctorJonPaul holds a Doctorate of Educational Leadership in Social Justice from University of Redlands, being named as a distinguished recipient of the School of Education Centennial Excellence Award. They continue to write and lecture regularly on what liberation means for Black, fat, queer and non-binary individuals and what folks can do to better show up for those who are often left at the margins in media and education.

Speaker Videos

Day 1: Keynote: Dr. John Paul Higgins

TEDx: From Fear to Freedom

THE POWER OF UNLEARNING: THE SYSTEM IS INVISIBLE ON PURPOSE

Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins Uplifts Queer Youth With The Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance

April 2023 Conversations About Health Equity featuring Dr. Jon Paul Higgins and Grayson Schultz

#2.9 Dr. Jon P Higgins on Joy

Creating Safe and Brave Spaces presented by Dr JonPaul Higgins

Black.

A Lesson In Toxic Masculinity

Embracing Personal Power

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Speech Topics

Belonging: The Key to Unlocking Human Potential

Research has shown that experiencing a sense of belonging can reduce feelings of anxiety and isolation, boost self-worth and promote psychological security. The feeling of belonging is essential for mental and emotional health. It’s also good for business and communities, too. According to a study published in Harvard Business Review, companies that foster a culture of belonging in the workplace have a 56% uptick in job performance, a 50% reduction in turnover risk and a 75% decrease in sick days. For communities, it contributes to social harmony and collective progression. In this talk, Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins shows you how to help others garner a sense of acceptance, inclusion and connection in a way where people feel valued and understood. Cultivating belonging can lead to stronger, more cohesive communities and organizations. Dr. Higgins can show you how to get started.

The Power of Being Authentically You

In a world that often tries to mold us into someone we're not, being authentically yourself is not always easy to achieve. But it is possible. In this transformative talk, Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins shares their personal story of learning to be true to themself. Through his own experiences and insights, Dr. Higgins shows you how being authentic can help you overcome feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome and, instead, find your unique voice and perspective. They’ll share strategies for breaking down barriers and stereotypes and for creating cultures that are inclusive, welcoming and empowering for all.

In this talk, you'll learn how to:

Embrace your true thoughts, feelings and values.
Build meaningful connections with others through authentic storytelling.
Overcome imposter syndrome and find your unique voice.
Create cultures that value diversity, equity and inclusion.
Drive positive change by sharing your authentic story.

Equity Unlocked: Paving the Path to a Fairer Future

Imagine a world where everyone has equal access to opportunities, resources and support. A place where marginalized communities are not held back by systemic barriers and biases. Could it even be possible? Absolutely, says Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins. The answer is equity. It is the key to unlocking this world, but it requires a deep understanding of the complexities involved. In this talk or workshop, Dr. Higgins dives into the principles of equity and explores the critical role that educators, policymakers and community and business leaders play in creating a more just society. They also discusses the importance of differentiated support, recognizing that individuals have varying starting points and barriers, and how to implement targeted programs and policies that address these inequities.

Understanding Intersectionality in Marginalized Communities

Join Dr. Jonathan Paul Higgins as they discuss the tough challenges faced by marginalized individuals who face multiple forms of discrimination and what we can do to help. It's a subject that Dr. Higgins knows all too well. In addition to their research and work on the subject, Dr. Higgins has experienced multiple forms of discrimination as a Black, queer, non-binary and self-proclaimed overweight person. In this talk, Dr. Higgins shares the common misconceptions and simplifications surrounding intersectionality, how they can diminish the authenticity of marginalized individuals and how our backgrounds—including socioeconomic status, geography, race and education—shape our identities and lived experiences.

You will learn:

The ways oppression hinders marginalized people from being their authentic selves.
How to foster empathetic spaces that allow everyone to be their true selves.
How decision-makers in government, business and education can craft policies that truly address the diverse needs of marginalized groups.

Testimonials

"Dr. Jon did an amazing job at clearly and openly communicating their message of cultural humility. They brought just the right energy to our group and engaged with our attendees after the session. One thing that has stuck with me – whether Dr. Jon intended it to stick or if it was a passing comment – was when they stated something along the lines of “I present this way today, but it’s not how I might present tomorrow.” That sent me on some mental exploration of my own, thinking about how people choose to show up, how sometimes that choice may lead to consequences, or how that choice is even taken away. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed that personal takeaway from the session and I’m sure that so many of our attendees have personal takeaways of their own. It has been a true pleasure working with your entire team."

- The Society of Collegiate Travel and Expense Management

“Dr. Higgins was amazing, informative, intuitive and gave a powerful presentation which challenged the audience positively. His information, and presentation was riveting and gave people in the room the opportunity to see and understand new nuisances to the LGBTQIA+ experience that allowed them to break down biases and how to approach their thought patterns especially when it comes to how LGBTQIA+ persons are presented to them in media. In all it was an amazing experience. We are grateful to have him and hope to have him again in the future.”

- Union College

"Dr. Jon Paul was amazing!!! They connected so well with our students! Their presentations were very much directed to the needs our students and campus have expressed. QTPOC students enjoyed dinner with Dr. Jon Paul and felt that many of their experiences were validated. They had a place to really be their true selves and to speak to someone who they could relate to."

- UW LaCrosse

"Jonathan Higgins graciously agreed to speak to my classes at the community college I have taught at for nearly a decade. My students were visibly moved by what he had to say, and many came to me to tell me he had changed how they saw themselves and others and thanked me profusely for inviting him. I would love to have him visit every semester."

- Victor Valley College

"We were fortunate to have Dr. Higgins on campus for Lav Grad as a keynote speaker. What stood out to me in addition to his inspiring and empowering words was the way he worked with our team prior to his visit. When I've worked with some speakers in the past, they tend to treat staff members differently depending on title and position. Not Jonathan. He was responsive in his correspondence with me, our coordinator, and graduate student. It didn't matter who he was speaking with; his communication was consistent. From start to finish, working with Dr. Higgins was a positive experience and our students enjoyed his words and energy. I have since transitioned from my previous university setting, and I still refer colleagues to Jonathan for speaking and training needs."

- California State University, Fullerton

"Dr. Jon Paul provides a uniquely vibrant, intersectional perspective; one rich with resilience and charged with a passionate depth that calls learners to seek what is beyond the surface of the common narratives of our world. Their work seeks to empower the forgotten, inspire the overlooked, and remind us all that the truest beauty of this world is found in the layers of our (often messy) human experience."

- Campus Pride Attendee

"I have attended a lot of events on diversity, community, and identity. Dr. Jon Paul's are one of the only events where I walked away with tangible ways to empower myself and improve my relationship to my communities."

- MBLGTCC Conference Participant