Product Overview
Organizations have a responsibility to ensure that people who come there to work, worship, or volunteer won’t experience harm.
At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts are being systematically dismantled—stripped from government agencies, corporate initiatives, and institutional policies—the need for genuine, sustainable culture change has never been more urgent. Superficial checklists and one-time training sessions are not enough. True transformation requires a trauma-informed, programmatic approach that prioritizes safety, trust, and deep engagement.
In The Nine Asks, Kimberly Danielle provides a groundbreaking framework for organizations—churches, nonprofits, businesses, and beyond—seeking to foster spaces where people can show up fully as themselves, free from harm. At the heart of this approach are the Nine Asks—invitations that guide individuals and organizations toward authentic, equity-driven engagement. Backed by real-world examples from Danielle’s extensive experience of coaching teams and institutions, The Nine Asks equips readers with the tools to apply these principles, such as being honest and vulnerable, respecting boundaries, listening first, and much more.
This book goes beyond rhetoric, offering practical strategies for building communities that nurture honesty, accountability, and healing. After fully exploring each of the Nine Asks, individual chapters focus on integrating these concepts, as well as tips and tools for practicing them in working spaces; learning spaces; living spaces; faith-based spaces; and even within our own body, mind, and spirit. This is not just a book to read—it’s a guide to live by.
In an era where the fight for inclusion faces growing resistance, The Nine Asks provides a necessary roadmap for those committed to creating communities of safety, trust, and true belonging. Whether you are a board member, part of company leadership, an educator, or involved in your faith community or volunteer organization, this book offers the tools to ensure that inclusion is not just a goal—but a lived reality.
Reviews
"We all want to be truly seen, heard, and loved in all aspects of our lives. The Nine Asks gives us a framework that, if practiced with humility, will build trust and courage in any relationship. This is not just a book that you read, put down, and then you’re done. It’s a manuscript to incorporate into our daily life practices for changing how we show up for others."—Chip Spinning, Executive Director, Franklin County (Ohio) Children Services
"Danielle’s book is a must-read road map to being your authentic self. An inspiring book with lessons for a lifetime."—Stephanie Hightower, President and CEO, Columbus Urban League
"Bold and transformative, The Nine Asks redefines how we grow, connect, and create safer spaces. Danielle offers a clear and practical framework that allows readers to embrace self-discovery, meaningful change, and true humanity. For lovers of wisdom and those devoted to practicing authentic connection, this book serves as a guiding light. When we trust the spaces we inhabit and the people within them as contributors to our journeys toward healing and wholeness, we unlock the power of our stories to effect real change and speak truth to power. Whether you’re taking your first step or continuing a path of growth, this is where the journey deepens—for yourself and the world you impact."—Tanya McClanahan, Senior Administrator for Education and Child Protection, Franklin County (Ohio) Children Services
"An important book that will allow you to discover you. Each agreement invites readers to embrace courage, humility, and accountability while navigating personal, cultural, social, and systemic dynamics. The Nine Asks equips you with actionable steps to be more—more authentic, more purposeful, more true. This book is your compass for transforming obstacles into opportunities and paving the way for a more inclusive and empowered future."—Margaret Mitchell, CEO, YWCA USA
"A reckoning of innate deep dilemmas perpetuated by social stigmas and procedural practice. Danielle highlights the urgency of self-actualization while illuminating the realities of a dehumanizing society. Each chapter will cause you to pause in evaluating the state of our social emotional well-being while encouraging you to galvanize learning communities that protect these human experiences. This book is timely, necessary, and lifesaving!" —Ruchelle L. Pride, Director, Office of Justice Policy and Programs, CASA of Franklin County, Ohio
"Most of us believe that we effectively participate in dialogue with others, and in fact, we usually are trying to do just that. However, there is much more to effective dialogue than we realize. Kimberly Danielle helps us enormously in teaching us the Nine Asks. In uncertain times, the community may be the answer, and effective dialogue is the vehicle to be in the community. The Nine Asks should be read by everyone interested in more sane and life-affirming communities.”—Phil Cass, CEO, Columbus Medical Association
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The Nine Asks clarified for me all that Danielle worked to achieve as she guided our organization to a better cultural state. I believe a higher level of cultural competency can be mastered in any organization if the resources and concepts described and developed in this book are intentionally applied. This is a must-have book for any leader wanting to improve their company’s culture."—Mike Johnson, superintendent, Liberty Union-Thurston Local Schools
"An invitation to a journey of personal and collective healing. I've seen firsthand how these principles can break down barriers and foster genuine connection, creating spaces where vulnerability thrives and understanding blossoms. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to cultivate deeper relationships and build a more compassionate world."—Amanda Golden, cofounder and managing principal, Designing Local