Say My Name, See My Worth

This spring, Bindu’s son walked across the stage to receive his high school diploma. Like any proud parent, she beamed. But this wasn’t just a milestone for him; it was a moment of belonging for their entire family. For once, when his name was spoken aloud to a packed arena of graduates, it was pronounced the way they have always said it, with love, with intention and with meaning. 

This might sound like a small detail. After all, what’s in a name? But for those whose names are often mispronounced, dismissed or treated as “too hard,” this simple act carries immense weight. It is the difference between being seen and being sidelined, between dignity and dismissal. 

As Bindu reflected on this moment, as both a parent and someone who works in the inclusion space, we agreed that the lessons extend far beyond one ceremony. Her own name is often stumbled over or shrugged off, with comments like “that’s a strange name” or “I’ll never get it right.” These experiences communicate, intentionally or not, that who she is can be treated as inconvenient. That identity is something to gloss over. 

Which is why what happened at her son’s graduation mattered so deeply. The school took intentional steps to ensure every graduate’s name was pronounced as they, and their families, say it. Students were asked to speak their names aloud to the announcers, who then carefully wrote them down as they heard them. Rather than relying on phonetic guesswork, the school created a process rooted in respect. 

When her son heard his name spoken clearly and confidently, he didn’t brace for the usual pause, stumble or fumble. He didn’t wince at the sound of his name reshaped into something unrecognizable. He felt seen. Bindu saw the same relief and pride on the faces of other families when their children’s names rang out properly across the arena. That moment of recognition belonged to them, too. 

The contrast could not have been sharper. As a hockey player, her son has heard his name mispronounced in that same arena countless times. Shoulders dropping as announcers mangled his name, reducing his moment of recognition to an awkward misstep. That pain is real. It chips away at confidence. It signals that he doesn’t fully belong. 

But at graduation, the story was different. The effort to pronounce names correctly took planning, coordination and care. And it made all the difference. 

This practice has powerful applications far beyond commencement ceremonies. In classrooms, a student’s sense of belonging can hinge on something as simple as a teacher asking a student how to say their name and saying it properly. Stumbles will happen, and that’s human and normal. But the intention to the message is unmistakable: You are seen. You are heard. You are valued. And when students feel seen, heard and valued, they are more likely to be engaged in their learning. Respecting a name can spark a cycle of belonging and motivation that helps keep students connected to school and invested in their futures. 

The same principle holds true in the workplace. Catalyst Canada’s research demonstrates that employees who feel recognized and respected are more engaged, more innovative, and more committed to their organizations. Truly inclusive workplaces are not built solely through bold strategies or formal policies, but through everyday interactions, simple yet meaningful actions such as taking the time to pronounce a colleague’s name correctly. 

In Catalyst’s research on inclusive workplaces, positive experiences of inclusion were shown to explain 49% of team problem-solving, 35% of work engagement, 20% of intent to stay and 18% of employee innovation. 

Inclusion is not abstract. It lives in the way we greet one another, acknowledge contributions and honour identities. A name is not just a label; it is a story, a heritage and a reflection of worth. When we say it properly, we affirm that worth. 

To the school administrators, teachers, and staff who organized the graduation ceremony: thank you. You reminded us that inclusion doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes it’s as simple and as profound as getting a name right. 

As Canada becomes increasingly diverse, these everyday choices matter more than ever. We cannot build inclusive schools or workplaces if people feel invisible at the most basic level of identity. It begins with listening, learning and respecting something every person carries with them: their name. 

Say my name. Say it right. And in doing so, say: I see you. You matter. You belong. 

Meet the Expert(s)

Ms. Bindu Cudjoe

Strategic Advisor, Bindustries Consulting Inc.

Bindu Cudjoe has served as Chief Legal Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary at leading Canadian banks and has led strategy for legal, regulatory, ethics, privacy, and inclusion functions. Currently, Bindu is the Principal & Strategic Advisor of Bindustries Consulting.

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Dr. Julie Cafley

Executive Director, Catalyst Canada

Dr. Julie Cafley is the Executive Director of Catalyst Canada, an organization dedicated to building inclusive workplaces. A creative and strategic leader, she brings deep expertise in equity and inclusion, public policy and higher-education leadership.

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