"Exceptionalism: the condition of being different from the norm. We must go beyond a praxis of change centered around creating exceptions to the norm and statistics of marginalized communities. We ignore a large group of people who are both worth and capable of change. We place an unreasonable burden on those we deem as the exceptions to be the measuring stick and leaders of change. This talk will challenge how we think of our communities and the people in them."

Long considers himself a community project. Traditions of storytelling and oral histories from his youth have caused him to take on a larger responsibility to a legacy that connects back to the African diaspora. Long seeks to ignite a long-term commitment to expanding attitudes of inclusion and diversity. Long considers himself a community project. Traditions of storytelling and oral histories from his youth have caused him to take on a larger responsibility to a legacy that connects back to the African diaspora. Long seeks to ignite a long-term commitment to expanding attitudes of inclusion and diversity. 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