AWESOMELY
AUTHENTIC

Are you looking for a space that allows you to share your interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion? Do you want to learn from diverse voices and practitioners through their stories, countdowns, interviews, research, and more?! Awesomely Authentic is the place and space!

Our community has something to say. We are not afraid to call out what needs to be called out. We have researchers who go by truth and details. Cite their sources and push the status quo. We are empathetic and solution focused.

Dive in below to start engaging in our most recent insights.

Check out the DEI Speakers Bureau for a wide variety of DEI Practitioners across industries! They are ready to help you in your DEI efforts. Please note Awesomely Authentic does not take any royalties or "cuts" of the DEI Speaker's Bureau or if you hire folx for your next project! We're here to help build community and lift people up, for FREE!

Check out our offerings for corporate and higher education workshops.

Visit our Blog to see all content.

Want to hire one of the writers, website creators, or artists for your next project or DEI event? See everyone in the Awesomely Authentic Family here and hire them for your next gig!

Enjoy the Journey

Matthew French

Matthew French (He/They) is the Founder and ‘90s-nostalgic brain behind Awesomely Authentic.

With ten years of experience working with the LGBTQ+ community, eight years of professional career

coaching, and a love of the ‘90s, he has blended all of these aspects together to create an authentically high-energy tailored experience to each presentation and training in order to help organizations, companies and employee resource groups reach their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.

Why the ‘90s, you ask? This was an era of aberrance, vibrant colors, and animated cartoons that have influenced the way Awesomely Authentic operates. The search for a college, internship, job, or even tackling your D&I initiatives can be daunting, but we believe that ‘90s-era fun can be achieved along the way!

Matthew currently works and resides in Charlotte, North Carolina where he works remotely as a Facilitator in the tech industry. His past roles have included being an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Specialist at a tech start up and Assistant Director for Employer Relations at UNC Charlotte to connect Employers with UNCC students and alumni. Prior to UNCC, he was a Career Counselor and Employer Liaison at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. He also served as a graduate assistant at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia all while he was the Internship Coordinator and Liaison for OUT for Work. Matthew has a Master of Arts degree in Lifespan and Digital Communication, and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Old Dominion University.

During his spare time, Matthew enjoys spending time with his fiancé, Austin, their four dogs, two cats, and an aquarium of tropical fish! You can find him outside, at the movies, or in the local comic book shop geeking out over superheroes—his favorite is Storm from Marvel Comics. His work has been highlighted in national career development associations, CNN Business, LGBTQ+ non-profits, and more! Matthew's heart and love of authenticity are infectious and a much-needed ingredient for your next adventure.