New Books Network Annahid Dashtgard, "Fire and Silence: A Roadmap for BIPOC Leaders" (Dundurn Press, 2026)
Apr 11, 2026
Annahid Dashtgard, CEO of Anima Leadership and racial justice consultant, combines activism and executive coaching. She discusses the book’s origins, blending memoir with practical leadership tools. Conversations cover compassion over blame, balancing rage with strategy, using power well as leaders of color, and building inclusive, nonpunitive learning spaces.
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Book Born From Lived Racial Leadership Work
- Annahid Dashtgard rooted the book in decades of personal racialized experience and a BIPOC leader lab she ran for four to five years.
- The immediate catalyst was Trump's re-election and the gap she saw in leadership resources tailored to racialized leaders.
Expertise Requires Walking Your Talk
- Dashtgard argues credibility comes from lived practice, not just intellectual knowledge, so she blends memoir with practical tools.
- She intentionally writes from personal pain to let readers feel seen and know the strategies emerged from tears and hard work.
Hold People Accountable Without Dehumanizing
- Separate your own historical wounding from present interactions so you hold systems accountable without dehumanizing individuals.
- Use influence to change rules rather than replicate oppression by reversing power hierarchies.
