We’re asking you to not go to the International Coaching Federation (ICF) conference in Florida. Don’t attend a conference where everyone is not safe and welcome. Sign this petition to say that you stand with Black, people of color, trans, queer, and disabled coaches. Don’t spend your money in a state that doesn’t respect human rights. 

There are three major travel advisories for Florida:

1. On April 11th Equality Florida issued a travel advisory
2. On May 17th the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued a travel warning
3. On May 20th, NAACP stated that “Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.” in their travel advisory

By hosting this conference in Florida it steps on the values of humanity and inclusion that the ICF strives to uphold. An in person conference isn’t safe for immunocompromised people and many people with disabilities. We all lose out when the diversity of our global coaching community is not safe to participate.

We also understand that not going might not be an option for you and that these conversations need to happen at the conference too. What actions will you commit to taking to foster inclusion at the conference? 

In addition to signing this petition, here’s some actions you can take:

1. If you’ve already registered (as a participant, speaker or vendor) cancel your registration.
   Bonus action: request that your refunded fees be put into the ICF’s scholarship program for underrepresented populations. 
2. Encourage the ICF to livestream the whole conference so that people can safely participate virtually. 
3. Encourage the ICF to develop clear criteria for selecting future conferences locations and venues that are safe and inclusive. Also encourage the ICF to include language in conference contracts around values alignment. 
4. Sign up to participate in a global coaching unconference on August 25th where we can learn and connect with each other.
5. What else is possible? Share your ideas and actions in this document for inspiration and accountability. 

Who are we?

• Tara Robertson, ACC, CPCC
• Reem Labib Tyson,  M.Ed., PCC, Founder/President BIPOC Coach Collective
• Jeff Jacobson, PCC, CPCC
• Molly Gordon, MCC
• Neil Edwards, PCC, CPCC

*Image by Micah Bazant, words by Mariame Kaba