Case Study: The Evolution of Dr. Robert Livingston

In 2025 we turn our attention towards “Community Engagement and the Grassroots of Change.” Throughout the year we’ll explore the stories, strategies, and successes of community-driven movements making a difference. The Evolution of Dr. Robert Livigston, Harvard University Professor In this episode we focus our attention on the Evolution of Dr.Robert Livigston, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government & Center for Public Leadership. Dr. Robert Livingston is a social psychologist and leading expert on the science underlying bias and racism in organizations. He is a practitioner who is passionate about the application of social psychological theory and research in solving real-world organizational and societal challenges.
For two decades, he has served as a diversity consultant to Fortune 500 companies, public-sector agencies, and non-profit organizations. We’ll discuss three distinct moments in his evolution.
(1) Harvard Business Review article “How to Promote Racial Equity in the Workplace” (2020)
(2) The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth about Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations (2021), which informs the work of many in the antiracism activation movement.
(3) Play the Game. Change the Game. Leave the Game. Pathways to Black Empowerment, Prosperity, and Joy (September 2025 release) where Dr. Livingston flips the script, declaring it's time to face an inconvenient truth: our current approach to fighting racism is just not working.
"For a brief moment following the murder of George Floyd, it seemed as though the country had finally acknowledged the destructive legacy of slavery and White supremacy and had committed to putting things right. Now, a horde of prominent voices—many of whom professed to be antiracist allies—are pulling back, cutting support, and defunding programs that sought to level the playing field.” —Dr. Robert Livingston