Celebrate the legacy, courage and vision of Black leaders during February and all year long with these inspiring Black History Month speakers.
Host one of these renowned thought leaders, Civil Rights activists, influencers and C-Suite changemakers to amplify Black voices that empower organizations to engage in meaningful conversations and create a more inclusive and understanding community.
Daryl Davis
<p>Daryl Davis is committed to helping people ignite positive change—using conversation to build bridges.</p><p>His jaw-dropping experiences speak for themselves. For nearly 40 years, he’s engaged leaders of the KKK and White supremacist groups face to face to find the answer to a question: “How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?” </p><p>That question stemmed from his first encounter with racism at age ten when he was pelted with rocks, bottles, and soda cans by a handful of White spectators while marching in a parade.
Lee Jourdan
<p>Inclusive leadership expert Lee Jourdan explains why workplace diversity gives organizations a competitive advantage, and offers concrete solutions for leveraging it amid the changing landscape.</p><p>Though data shows more diverse companies outperform their less diverse competitors, DEI efforts face growing challenges—from rulings against affirmative action to the current administration’s rollback of DEI initiatives. So what does this mean for the future of DEI?
Ryan Leak
<p>What has fear ultimately cost you, your team, your organization?
Cassandra Worthy
<p>Cassandra Worthy gives business leaders and teams a framework of behavior and tools necessary to grow through change.</p><p>Cassandra Worthy is lighting the world on fire with her refreshingly unique take on not just <i>managing</i> but <i>growing </i>through change.
Tim Salau
<p>The former Chief Evangelist at WeWork and the founder and CEO of Guide, Tim Salau’s nickname is “Mr. Future of Work.”</p><p>Tim has forged a dynamic career as an innovator, global tech leader and humanitarian. As Chairman, co-founder and CEO of the global lifestyle brand Guide, his mission is to equip every creator with the skills, mindset and opportunities for a fulfilling career.
Dr. Bernice A. King
<p>Dr. Bernice Albertine King is the youngest daughter to the late civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. She was five years old when her father was assassinated in 1968. </p><p>King answered the call to ministry at the age of seventeen when she gave an address advocating against the South African apartheid to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In 1985 and again in 1986, she was arrested with her siblings while protesting against apartheid.
Anton Gunn
<p>Anton Gunn is a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama and the world's leading authority on Socially Conscious Leadership. </p><p>He has a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina and was a Resident Fellow at Harvard University. He is the author of <em>The Presidential Principles</em> and <em>The Audacity of Leadership</em>. Gunn has been featured in <em>TIME Magazine, Inc.
Orlando Bowen
<p>Orlando Bowen was a linebacker in the CFL from 2000-04. He began his career with the Toronto Argonauts and ended it while playing for the Hamilton Tigercats. His career was sadly cut short after a severe concussion suffered at the hands of two corrupt police officers. </p><p>In 2004, while waiting to meet friends while in a parking lot, Orlando was approached by two undercover officers who accused him of dealing drugs. The officers then physically beat Bowen who suffered significant injuries to the head.
Risha Grant
<p>Motivated by her passion to correct societal “isms” such as racism, sexism, classism and plain old stupidism, it is Risha's personal mission to expose the value of Diversity and Inclusion while shining a light on the economic impact it creates. From her race, gender and lifestyle choices, to growing a small business and tackling economic issues, every area of her life intersects diversity.</p><p>Risha Grant is an internationally renowned diversity, inclusion and bias expert.
Maurice Ashley
<p>Through his love for chess, Maurice Ashley not only made history as the first African-American Chess Grandmaster in the annals of the game, but he has managed to translate this passion to others as a three-time national championship coach, author, ESPN commentator, iPhone app designer, puzzle inventor and inspirational speaker. </p><p>Maurice Ashley is one of a kind. A native of Jamaica who moved to New York at the age of twelve, he learn his craft in a secluded sanctuary of privilege.