Black History Month

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.

Jeff Henderson

<p>Jeff Henderson inspires with his emotional journey of redemption from the streets to the stove, sharing real-life strategies to help you achieve your dreams, no matter your stage of life.</p>

Daymond John

<p>Straight from the set of <em>Shark Tank</em> and the boardroom of FUBU, Daymond John takes audiences through his hard-won, real-world lessons on leadership, innovation, entrepreneurialism, and what it takes to succeed. </p><p><span style="font-size: 13px;">An entrepreneur in every sense of the word, Daymond John has come a long way from taking out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother’s house and moving his business operation into its basement.

Michele Norris

<p>An award-winning journalist and one of the most recognized voices in radio, Michele Norris engages audiences in candid discussion about race, culture and communication in America.</p><p>From the radio airwaves of NPR and primetime television to leading news publications such as T<em>he Washington Post</em>, and author of<em> Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race</em> (January 2024), Norris is one of the most trusted voices in American journalism.

Freeman A. Hrabowski, III

<p>Freeman A. Hrabowski, III -- a charismatic leader who was jailed for almost a week as a 12-year-old in the fight for civil rights in the early-&#39;60s Alabama -- has spent two decades as the president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) striving to channel minorities toward grad school. His research and publications focus on science and math education with special emphasis on minority participation and performance.

Vernice "Fly Girl" Armour

<p>Combat tests you. Being a beat cop tests you. Life tests you. Three brothers and being the only girl...tests you. </p><p>Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour has been tested her whole life. A gutsy trailblazer, her resume is an impressive collection of “firsts” including America’s first Black woman combat pilot. She served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps.

Michael Steele

<p>A skilled communicator and political specialist, Michael Steele surveys the political landscape and provides his unique perspective on the top headlines of the day.</p><p>As a leader in the Republican Party and someone with strong ties to the Washington community, Mr. Steele has proven himself as a speaker who offers valuable insight on the hard-hitting topics of the day and the many benefits of fostering cooperation between government and faith-based organizations to help those in need.</p><p>Sworn in as Lt. Governor of Maryland in 2003, Mr.

Derreck Kayongo

<p>With his trademark panache, Derreck Kayongo tells his courageous story of survival, social entrepreneurship, and humanitarianism, and the life lessons he learned along the way. </p><p>From Ugandan refugee to successful entrepreneur, CEO, and renowned human rights activist, Derreck’s journey inspires audiences to dream big. Through personable and articulate storytelling, he shares his visionary ideas for harnessing the power of observation and creative problem solving, applicable to any organization or community.

Benjamin Jealous

<p><strong>Renowned activist, civil rights leader, community organizer and politician Benjamin Jealous outlines what it will take to secure true equality for all Americans and to empower the next generation to lead toward a better future.</strong></p><p>With a background in social justice advocacy, Ben brings a unique perspective to his role as Executive Director at the Sierra Club, focusing on issues of environmental justice, climate change, and conservation.

Judy Smith

<p>The real-life inspiration behind ABC&#39;s hit political thriller series "Scandal" starring Kerry Washington, Judy Smith is the US&#39;s premier crisis management expert. As the founder and president of Smith & Company -- a leading strategic and crisis communications firm with offices in Los Angeles and Washington, DC -- she uniquely combines her communication skills, media savvy, and legal and political acumen to serve clients around the world.</p>