Speaking
At the heart of my work is a deeply personal story—one that reflects the lived reality of millions. As the author of The Black Rose: My Story of Colourism Silently Lived by Millions, I bring raw honesty, lived experience, and transformative insight to every stage I step onto.
My journey began at just six years old, when I first learned that I “did not live in a fair world,” and grew into a lifelong exploration of identity, bias, and healing. Through powerful storytelling, I invite audiences to confront uncomfortable truths and rediscover their own worth.
“Ever wondered what effect persistent bullying has on a six-year-old? Ask a forty-five-year-old. Ask me.”
This work is not just about awareness—it’s about transformation. I create spaces where individuals and organisations can move beyond silence, unpack deeply embedded beliefs, and step into compassion, confidence, and conscious change.
Topics I Speak On
Understanding and unlearning colourism
Facing childhood trauma
Belonging and self-acceptance
Alchemising pain into power
Building resilience and self-confidence
Unlearning sub-conscious and conscious bias
Testimonials
“It was truly an honour and pleasure to host Indian-born author, Shweta Aggarwal, at New York University (NYU) for a reading, conversation, and signing of her powerful memoir, The Black Rose. Students, faculty, and guests were deeply moved by Shweta’s honest discussion on living with, challenging, and dismantling colourism within the Asian community and beyond. Her storytelling was heartfelt, courageous, and thought-provoking. The Black Rose is written with honesty, passion, and grace, making it an essential read for anyone committed to understanding and ending colourism in all its forms.”
“We were delighted to welcome Shweta as keynote speaker for Linklaters’ South Asian Heritage Month celebration. She led an open and insightful conversation about colourism, identity, and empowerment with authenticity and compassion. Shweta struck the perfect balance between delivering a powerful message and maintaining an inspiring, encouraging, and non-judgmental tone. Her tailored presentation and engaging discussion created a safe space for attendees to share their own experiences. The session sparked meaningful conversations across the organisation and highlighted the importance of continuing dialogue around colourism and cultural identity.”
“We invited Shweta to introduce the topic of colourism during our Black History Month event, and the session proved both insightful and impactful. As an organisation working with people from diverse communities, understanding subtle forms of discrimination such as colourism is extremely important. Shweta’s talk encouraged meaningful discussion and increased awareness around issues that often go unnoticed. Her thoughtful and engaging approach created curiosity and a desire within the organisation to learn more. The session served as a timely reminder for everyone to embrace their identity and wear their skin with pride.”
“Shweta presented to Capital Group as part of our International Women’s Day event, helping raise awareness about colourism and its disproportionate impact on women. She was collaborative throughout the planning process, providing a tailored presentation and facilitating an engaging hybrid discussion with both in-person and virtual attendees. Her openness and authenticity encouraged participants to share personal stories in a safe and supportive environment. The event was extremely well received and helped bring attention to an often-overlooked form of discrimination. Shweta’s thoughtful approach made the conversation both educational and deeply meaningful.”
“We were grateful to host Shweta at EY as part of our International Women’s Day programming through our Race & Ethnicity and Women’s Networks. The discussion around colourism was highly anticipated and exceptionally well received by attendees. Shweta spoke with honesty, vulnerability, and confidence, addressing complex and important issues while remaining engaging and approachable throughout. During the preparation process, she was professional, collaborative, and committed to creating the best possible experience for our employees. Her advocacy and ability to inspire meaningful dialogue made a lasting impact on everyone who attended the session.”
“We thoroughly enjoyed welcoming Shweta to our school for her insightful talk on colourism. Her presentation was powerful, educational, and at times shocking, providing students with an important opportunity to reflect on issues surrounding identity and discrimination. Following the assembly, Shweta stayed for a book signing where students could ask questions, engage in conversation, and connect personally with her story. Her experiences and activism offer an invaluable lesson for young people today, while giving a voice to those who silently experience colourism within their communities and around the world.”