<p>Called “the de facto poet laureate of corporate America” by Forbes, Sekou Andrews helps the world’s largest organizations deliver relevant information with riveting inspiration through an innovative, unconventional category of speaking called “Poetic Voice.”</p><p>Imagine harnessing the power of an engaging opening video, an electric closing performance, and an insightful main stage keynote all in one dynamic presentation. For over 20 years, Grammy-nominated artist Sekou Andrews has been helping business audiences become stronger leaders, creative innovators, and improved communicators through spoken word. </p><p>Sekou Andrews’ “wow-factor” is in high demand with the world’s most successful organizations, including Google, Toyota, Nike, Linkedin, General Mills, TEDx, and the NBA to name but a few. Sekou has also emerged as an inspiring voice for health and wellness, routinely evoking tears, cheers, and standing ovations at events for clients such as Johnson & Johnson, Mayo Clinic, Blue Shield, and the American Nurses Association.</p><p>Many of Sekou’s clients share a similar journey with his work. It begins with the words <em>“Why would we want poetry at our leadership meeting?”</em> and ends with the words “<em>highest rating opening of our event, ever” and “only speaker invited back.” </em>Sekou’s talks on disruption are in such demand because they literally embody disruption on stage, charging audiences to disrupt themselves to access their individual innovation. His keynotes on dynamic communication and storytelling show leaders how to deliver dense data through beautifully human presentations. From bold thinking and success, to healthcare and tech, Sekou’s speeches are rich with actionable insight that help attendees connect more deeply with their communities, become more influential leaders, and unlock greater possibilities.</p><p>A schoolteacher turned actor, recording artist, two-time national poetry slam champion, entrepreneur, and award-winning poetic voice, Sekou is a multi-talented entertainer. His work has been featured on ABC World News, MSNBC, Good Morning America, MTV and BET. He has given private performances for such prominent individuals as Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Quincy Jones, Hillary Clinton, Coretta Scott King and President Obama. He has also shared the stage with such heavyweights as Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and the Pasadena Pops Orchestra. As a recording artist, his last album, “Poetic License,” made him the most awarded artist in the nation’s largest independent music organization.</p><p>Sekou has now returned to the classroom, teaching his rockstar secrets to public speakers through his highly effective Stage Might™ speaker training system, that helps executives, influencers and leaders become more dynamic communicators by applying the techniques of master performers to business stages.</p><p><br></p>
Grammy-nominated artist, award-winning innovation and inspiration expert, “<i>Hamilton</i>Meets TED” speaker
<ul><li><strong>D.I.Y. Innovation</strong></li><li>“Innovation is the difference between ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ and ‘Why didn’t I think LIKE that?’” As businesses scurry in pursuit of “big I” Innovation – A.I., robotics, and other exponential technologies - Sekou focuses on empowering your leadership with “little i’” innovation, helping you to innovate from within. Offering incredibly fresh perspectives on embracing failure, bold thinking and the innovator’s mindset, Sekou teaches how to harness the power of collaboration, purpose, storytelling, community, and inspirational leadership to create a culture of innovation. This insightful and inspiring talk promises to surprise you with its ability to delight, discomfort, and disrupt you on a business and personal level.</li><li><strong>The NEXT, Next Level</strong></li><li>“The next level is not about reaching new heights, but reaching new depths.” Ever since we were little, we’ve been obsessed with growth. But in order for the transformational leader to keep reaching the proverbial “next level,” you must first transform your concept of the word “growth” in a sustainable way. This unique keynote experience will help you unlock your ability to adapt and innovate, fortify your well-being, connect more deeply with your community and purpose, and lead with inspiration. You will learn how to win by losing, how to go higher by going deeper, and how to remind yourself, and your team, that you already have everything you need to perpetually reach your next level. Prepare to supercharge your resiliency through an energetic and inspiring keynote like no other.</li><li><strong>The Audacity of "What If?”</strong></li><li>“What if there is a better way?” As the innovator of an audacious new category of public speaking that brought poetry to industry in unprecedented ways, Sekou has mastered the art of audacity. His 20-year career helping global brands humanize messaging, began with two words: “What If?” “What if we could define business our own way?” “What if our way could set the standard for our industry?” This inspiring and interactive speech will help you ignite that same audacity needed for you to defy convention, deny limitations, and define yourselves for yourselves. It focuses on re-defining the word “touch” as a metaphor for how leaders and brands can impact communities in increasingly purposeful ways. Prepare to engage your imagination and learn new strategies to help your business get in TOUCH with its humanity.</li><li><strong>Love Affair with Healthcare</strong></li><li>“When is the last time you wrote a love poem at work... ABOUT work?” What if you could remind your audience of the moment they fell in love with healthcare? What if you could reignite the passion in providers – caregivers, executives and housekeeping alike - to connect with patients on a human, heartfelt level? What if you could take your entire healthcare community on a laughter and tear-filled journey that renews their vows to provide the best quality care. If you could do that - write a love poem to healthcare that makes your audience fall back in love with it - this keynote is how it would sound.</li><li><strong>Disruption Mindset Shift</strong></li><li>“Disruption is not just a concept, it’s a feeling ... it’s a mindset.” This roller coaster-of- a-speechis the embodiment of that idea. It begins with a deliberate cacophony that consistently turns on a dime while offering valuable insights from the “voices” of consumers, technology, millennials and more. Soon the experience evolves from cacophony to symphony as Sekou brings it all together, teaching you how to disrupt yourself through mindset shifts that deliver powerful business results. As an entrepreneur who is disrupting the traditional speaking model, Sekou shares inspiring stories and empowering strategies on how he helps global organizations shift their relationship to change and ready themselves for the unknown.” Prepare for an entertaining and unconventional keynote experience that will help you catch disruption’s rhythm and leave you wanting more.</li></ul><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>