Simon Tam 
Author | Musician | Activist | The Slants Foundation
Cincinnati, OH, UNITED STATES
13-time TEDx speaker & performer, and storyteller who focuses on anti-Asian racism. Founder/bassist of The Slants and The Slants Foundation.
Biography
Simon Tam believes that apathy is not compatible with love. His passion for the intersection of arts and activism is evident in all of his work, from his music to his writing. He believes in changing the culture by transforming systems and fighting for equity.
Simon may best be known for winning a landmark case in 2017 that helped expand civil liberties for minorities, unanimously, at the Supreme Court of the United States (Matal v. Tam). He is the founder and bassist of The Slants, one of the first all-Asian American dance rock bands in the world, and also leads The Slants Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and mentorship for artists that incorporate activism into their work.
As a speaker, Tam has appeared at thousands of events across four continents, and is a regular at key industry events such as TEDx, SXSW, and INTA. Each year he speaks to Fortune 500 companies, universities, and many of the world's top leaders in law, entertainment, and education. He has consulted world leaders and major organizations on policies related to equity, diversity, and inclusion. In 2016, Simon joined President Barack Obama, George Takei, Jeremy Lin, and other celebrities in the #ActToChange campaign to fight bullying.
Simon's work has been highlighted in media features around the world, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Rolling Stone, and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. He has earned many accolades for his work, including: The Mark T. Banner award from the American Bar Association, the Hugh M Hefner First Amendment Award, Milestone Case of the Year from Managing IP Magazine, the Ovation Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Distinguished Alum Award from Marylhurst University.
In 2019, he published his memoir, "Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court." It was named One of the Best Books on the Constitution of All Time by BookAuthority and won an award for Best Autobiography/Memoir from the Independent Publisher Book Awards.
Simon Tam continues to fight for justice by serving on multiple nonprofit boards, developing innovative solutions to social problems, and sharing a message of radical optimism.
Industry Expertise (5)
Non-Profit/Charitable
Legal Services
Political Organization
Entertainment
Philanthropy
Areas of Expertise (34)
Racism in American Music
Anti-Asian Racism
Marketing Strategy
Transparency
Civil Rights
Activism
Social Change
Music
Geek Lifestyle
Comic Conventions
Anime Conventions
Human Rights
Communications
Trademarks
Intellectual Property
Crowdsourcing
Social Media
Social Justice
Racism
Language
Equity
Activism
Asian American Issues
Racial Justice
Inspiration
Productivity
Higher Education
Diversity & Inclusion
Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace
Equity and Cultural Safety
Public speaking & training
Leadership Entreprenership Startups
Asian American
Racism in America
Accomplishments (5)
Album of the Year (professional)
2007-01-01
Won multiple "Album of the Year" music awards from organizations such as the Willamette Week, Portland Music Awards, RockWired Magazine, AsiaXpress, and many more
Bestselling Non-Profit Books on Amazon.com (professional)
2012-01-01
Simon’s book, “How to Get sponsorships and Endorsements” reached #15 on Amazon.com’s bestselling books for non-profits and charities within 48 hours of its release.
Featured on NPR's "All Things Considered" (professional)
2008-06-11
Featured on nationally syndicated program "All Things Considered" for work in social justice, music, and niche marketing. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90278746
Interview with TIME Magazine (professional)
2013-10-23
Feature/interview with TIME Magazine: http://entertainment.time.com/2013/10/23/the-slants-suit-asian-american-band-goes-to-court-over-name/
Portland Rising Star (professional)
2014-10-21
Received a "Portland Rising Star" award from Knowledge Universe/Ignite a Fire Awards
Education (3)
Marylhurst University: Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Marketing
Received Distinguished Alumni Award (2013) Dual concentration: marketing and non-profit management.
University of Phoenix: Bachelor of Science, Business Management 2008
University of California, Riverside: Bachelor of Arts, Religious Studies & Philosophy 2003
Affiliations (16)
- American Cancer Society
- American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
- Music Think Tank
- American Mensa
- Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon
- Asian Professionals Exchange
- Independent Recording Artists Community
- Asian American Arts Alliance
- National Council for Marketing and Public Relations
- National Association for Campus Activities
- The Slants
- Oregon Environmental Council
- Marylhurst University
- American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers
- Portland Center for Human Rights
- marylhurst university
Links (5)
Languages (3)
- English
- Spanish
- Mandarin
Testimonials (7)
Dewey Weddington, Vice President of Marketing | SakéOne
I have immense respect for the passion and drive that Simon has isn bringing his vision to life and to defend it at every turn. As a marketer he is insightful, inventive and ever in pursuit of viable channels to connect with his audience and retain that connection for the life of his brand. His leadership steers a team of creative individuals who not only share his vision but rally behind it to ensure its success. I have had many opportunities to work with Simon and have appreciated his partnership in events both here in Oregon as well as in NY, Austin and Nashville. I look forward to every opportunity to work with Simon and the ingenuity he brings to the big picture of marketing.
Bill McNally, Owner | Burnside Distribution Corporation
I enjoy working with Simon very much. He has unique and interesting ideas in cross marketing his band on multiple levels that are very effective. He secures endorsements that work well to promote his band. Simon is a very motivated marketing and promotion oriented professional.
Spencer Trowbridge, General Counsel | Rumblefish
Simon is a tremendously talented individual, and, given his strong leadership skills and deep knowledge base in the areas of marketing, promotion, and business development, it is not surprising that he has such a well-established track record of success.
Cole Stant, Senior Director of Marketing | Middle Tennessee Anime Convention
Simon is dedicated to his endeavors, and brings a natural sense of marketing and promotions to his activities. A self-starter and a creative thinker, Simon has a strong talent for problem solving.
Aaron Thompson, President/Owner | Let it Ride
Simon is just a rare gem of a human being, plain and simple. I have had the pleasure of knowing him for over 15 years and have worked with him in a variety of creative projects, from music to design and everything in between. A creative guy, intelligent scholar, and a man of integrity and honesty all around. I would recommend him in any situation for anything.
Jose Luis, President | Seattle Fashion Week
I enjoyed connecting with Simon and his group, The Slants, very motivating group of guys... all about pleasing the fans and making them want more. They have a creative value to them as an indie group and more so as a soon to be major group. Simon was always communicating with me and had reliable feedback. I would love to work with him and his group again and anytime. I wish them the best in their journey to success and if my help is ever needed I will be there for them.
Dr. Pamela Cox-Otto, CEO | Interact Communications
"Seriously loved the presentation! Simon answered the questions before I could ask. Very funny, clear, & practical. "
Media Appearances (10)
‘The Slants’ music group battles the US for its name
AlJazeera America tv
2015-10-26
Feature on AlJazeera America, broadcasted in over 60 million homes
Is calling your Asian-American band The Slants racist?
CBC Radio Q radio
2015-08-26
Extended interview with Shad on "q" radio
An Asian-American Musician's Five-Year Battle to Get His 'Offensive' Band Name Trademarked
VICE online
2015-08-19
Exclusive feature with VICE Magazine
Activist Simon Tam and a discussion about racism
North Texas Daily print
2015-10-27
Extended article about Simon Tam keynote at University of Texas' Fall Forum
“The Slants” Suit: Asian-American Band Goes to Court Over Name
TIME print
2013-10-23
Interview/feature with TIME Magazine
Discussing Offensive Halloween Costumes
Think Out Loud on OPB radio
2015-10-30
Interview on OPB's Think Out Loud over cultural appropriation and Halloween
The Slants Frontman Fights Government To Register His Band's Name
NPR/All Things Considered radio
2015-05-08
Interview and feature on NPR's All Things Considered
Rocker Simon Tam's Toy Car
Sierra Club print
2014-08-01
Simon Tam is the founder and bassist of the Slants, which he calls "the world's first and only all-Asian dance rock band." His group has gotten international media attention for its hard-charging music and activism. Tam is also the marketing director for the Oregon Environmental Council. Sierra spoke to him about his work, and about the toy car that reminds him of a friend.
The Case for Allowing Offensive Trademarks
NPR/On the Media radio
2015-05-22
Extended interview about race, identity, and free speech with NPR's "On the Media"
'The Slants' Back in Court Over Band Name Trademark Battle
NBC News tv
2015-01-09
Feature on NBC News
Event Appearances (2)
How to Get a TED Talk
TEDxColorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO
2015-10-17
The Innovation of Immigrants
TEDxFront Range Front Range, CO
2015-06-13
Sample Talks (1)
Give Racism a Chance
Trayvon Martin. Ferguson. Asians in the Library. Today, it’s common for people to sweep racism under the rug, as if it were an issue of the past rather than a reality faced by people of color on a daily basis. In the United States, we preach about equality, opportunity, diversity, and fighting for the underdog. Yet, we live in a society that perpetuates systemic racism and oppression in nearly all areas of our life: government policies, education, our communities, and even in our entertainment. For people of color, we’re often subject to microaggressions – everyday indignities or slights, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicates hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults. Most of the time, those who inflict microaggressions are unaware that they’ve done anything wrong or insensitive at all. When those of us who are targets of these practices explain why something is offensive, we’re told to “lighten up,” to stop being so sensitive, etc., as if we had done something wrong. The conversation is shut down before it even begins because people feel uncomfortable having candid discussions of race and identity. We’re allowing subversive racism to harm the lives of millions of Americans because of this discomfort. But it is time to step up and bring these conversations forward, to give racism a chance to exist so that we can spend more time talking about how to fix it rather than debating its existence. In this workshop, you'll learn how to use data and storytelling to overcome the challenges - whether it is stereotypes about APA's, talking about controversial topics in the news, or handling crude comments from friends, it's important to be empowered and to fight the true evil: racism.
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Workshop Leader
- Author Appearance
- Corporate Training
Social