Meet Dr. Carlian W. Dawson — a respected leader in diversity education, organizational development, and trauma-informed practices. With nearly 30 years of experience in education and management consulting, Dr. Dawson has worked with corporate executives, government leaders, school districts, universities, and faith-based organizations to build stronger teams, foster equitable systems, and cultivate environments where people feel valued, empowered, and goal-focused.
Dr. Dawson is the co-author of a powerful and necessary book examining the complexities of Black trauma — a trauma shaped by centuries of systemic oppression, institutional racism, unequal access to resources, and ongoing discrimination within the United States. Their book offers an important lens into the historical and contemporary social determinants of health that impact Black/African American communities, emphasizing the need for equitable solutions and trauma-informed healing.
While her co-author, Dr. DaMond Holt — a nationally recognized trauma expert and brain health trainer — is unable to attend the festival, his research contributes significantly to the book’s asset-based approach to healing. His work highlights how individuals can move beyond survival and toward thriving through resilience, neuroscience, and functional wellness.
Together, their work provides both education and hope, shedding light on trauma while offering pathways toward strength, understanding, and collective healing.
✨ Meet Dr. Carlian Dawson at the Scottsdale Book Festival and engage with an author whose mission is rooted in equity, resilience, and transformational leadership.