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In this compelling and candid episode of Conversations With Carole, host Carole Copeland Thomas sits down with longtime colleague and diversity champion Robert Principe, author of "Excuse Me While I Skip a Beat: Working to Reinvent My Life and Leadership as a White Guy". With over three decades in the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) space, Robert pulls no punches as he explores what it means to be a straight white man doing the work of equity in a divided and resistant America.
From his Italian-American roots in segregated Queens, New York, to his transformational journey as an educator, court administrator, and DEI advocate, Robert opens up about personal blind spots, cultural reckoning, and the systemic challenges that white men often ignore—or reinforce—unknowingly. His voice is not one of paternalism but of partnership, rooted in humility and a fierce commitment to truth-telling and systemic change.
The episode unpacks:
- Why Robert wrote his book for “We the People”
- The lifelong impact of privilege and unearned access
- Honest conversations about race, gender, and history
- How his work with Black women like the late Mabel Milner shaped his lens
- Why DEI efforts need glue—not just performative urgency
Carole and Robert reflect on history, health disparities, Covid, George Floyd, and even corporate responsibility—from Target’s backtracking to Costco’s unwavering stance on DEI. The episode is both sobering and galvanizing, reminding us that this moment demands bold, sustained commitment—not polite conversations.
Whether you're a CEO, DEI professional, educator, or someone just beginning to examine your own place in this movement, this episode offers deep insight, practical wisdom, and the kind of straight talk that’s rare—and necessary.
Excuse Me While I Skip a Beat: Working to Reinvent My Life and Leadership as a White Guy
An expansive, evidence-based guide on confronting personal and societal biases, Robert's book is part memoir, part DEI manual, and part call to arms. It is especially resonant for white men seeking to do better—but not limited to them. The book explores themes like historical erasure, gender inequality, economic injustice, and the transformative power of truth-telling and systems thinking.
Purchase the book on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
