[dabraham1248]

It might be that people from disadvantaged communities _need_ to have more talent & insight to become experts than people like me (straight, white, male, speaks English, went to college, ...) and (I assume) you. And even more so to become _recognized_ experts. Also, they might feel more of a need to demonstrate that they should be allowed in the "club".

Put another way and exaggerated wildly for hopeful clarity, if person A became an expert despite being shoved away, and person B was wooed into the group, had tutors, friends,... I'd be more interested in A's talk than B's.

[lillecarl]

Good insight, it seems like the reply below said the talks were submitted blindly though, so that's even better. They're just accepted and doing really well!