Impact & Outcomes
The way you communicate shapes how you're perceived, what opportunities you're given, and how far your ideas can go.
The Real Gap
Research consistently shows that communication skills — not just technical expertise — are one of the biggest drivers of career success and leadership advancement. Yet most people are never formally taught how to develop them.
For many students, especially those from under-resourced or overlooked communities, that gap shows up early — and carries into every opportunity that follows.
85%
of career success comes from communication skills
Source: Carnegie Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Stanford Research Center
It's not just what you know — it's how you communicate it. The ability to speak clearly, think on your feet, and engage others is what separates those who move forward from those who get overlooked.
Most people are never trained in these skills. That's where The Presence Project comes in.
Black professionals remain underrepresented in leadership roles. While many factors contribute to this, how individuals are perceived, including how they communicate, present ideas, and show up in high-stakes spaces, plays a role in opportunity and advancement.
Strong communication and presence don't solve everything, but they are critical tools in navigating and leading within those spaces.
3.2%
of executive roles are held by Black professionals in the U.S.
Source: SHRM, 2021 — less than 1% of Fortune 500 CEO positions
70%
of employers say communication skills are the most important workplace skill
Source: NACE Job Outlook Survey
Across industries, communication is consistently ranked as one of the most valuable skills, yet it's one of the least practiced.
Knowing your ideas isn't enough. Being able to express them clearly and confidently is what gets you hired, heard, and remembered.
The data is clear. The need is urgent. The solution is here.
The Presence Project introduces a more effective way to build communication skills — one that's interactive, practical, and rooted in real-world application.
Through improv and performance techniques, participants develop confidence, presence, and the ability to communicate clearly in the moments that matter most.
Why This Work Is Personal
In many Black and Brown communities, formal communication training hasn't always been prioritized or easily accessible. The skills that teach you how to lead a room, present ideas, and speak with confidence are often learned later — if at all.
The result? Talented, capable individuals who hesitate in moments where they should be leading, second-guess themselves in spaces they've earned, or feel unsure how to navigate different environments.
The Presence Project exists to close that gap — not by changing who you are, but by helping you strengthen how you show up, communicate, and use your voice with intention.
Learning how to adapt your language to different environments without losing your message is a form of communication intelligence. We teach how to do it with intention, not pressure.
Your ideas only go as far as you can communicate them. Being knowledgeable isn't enough — how you express your thoughts determines how they're received, remembered, and acted on.
With the right tools and environment, anyone can develop the ability to speak clearly, think on their feet, and show up with presence.
Testimonials
93%
of workshop participants would highly recommend this workshop to peers and others
Based on participant surveys
100%
of workshop participants felt engaged and actively participated in the workshop activities
Based on participant surveys
"Amazing. Impactful. Effective. Inspiring!"
Honors Student
Alabama A&M University Honors Program Workshop
"I had an amazing time. The engagement was excellent, the activities were so fun."
Workshop Participant
Sigma Beta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.