In this talk, Nicole Brewer invites you into an honest and necessary conversation about how we create—and who gets harmed in the process. This talk is for anyone who knows change is needed but isn’t sure where to begin—for those who feel overwhelmed by the scale of how to make intentional shifts in their creative practice. Blending story, inquiry, and embodied reflection, it offers space to reckon with what we've inherited, what we’ve normalized, and what we’re willing to shift. It’s not about quick fixes—it’s about making room for something more aligned, more human, and more free. Nicole Brewer is a renowned educator, facilitator, and stage director. As faculty at Yale’s David Geffen School of Drama, she shares her expertise while championing Anti-Racist Theatre (ART)—an approach she has developed and refined over the years. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with awards from the Kennedy Center, and she has played a vital role in shaping resources for artists through her work on the Freelance Artist Resource. Nicole is also a writer, with published articles on anti-racism, equity, and theatre in platforms such as American Theatre Magazine and HowlRound. A sought-after speaker and workshop facilitator, her work spans the U.S., Canada, and the UK. Nicole resides in the nation’s capital with her two kids and her puppy, Luna. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx