David Hogg

Co-Founder of March For Our Lives, Co-Founder of Leaders We Deserve & NYT Bestselling Author

David Hogg

Co-Founder of March For Our Lives, Co-Founder of Leaders We Deserve & NYT Bestselling Author

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Biography

David Hogg has become one of the most influential political voices of his generation—an architect of Gen Z’s rise in American politics and a leading force within today’s Democratic Party. Thrust into activism after surviving the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, David transformed personal tragedy into a national movement, helping ignite a new era of youth-led civic engagement. His early call to “get over politics and get something done” galvanized millions, positioning him as a defining moral voice on gun violence and the urgent need for young people to shape the future of American democracy.

On February 14, 2018, David’s life changed forever when a gunman killed 17 students and educators at his high school. His clear, unflinching public responses in the aftermath placed him at the center of the national conversation on gun safety. Determined that no young person should endure what he and his classmates experienced, he and fellow students co-founded March For Our Lives, now one of the largest youth-led movements in the world. Just five weeks later, the organization mobilized one of the biggest demonstrations in U.S. history, drawing more than 800,000 people to Washington, D.C. David went on to meet with families and communities across the country, deepening his understanding of gun violence and the policy failures that fuel it. With his sister, Lauren Hogg, he co-authored the New York Times bestseller #NeverAgain and contributed to the best-selling anthology Glimmer of Hope.

After heading to Harvard University in 2019 and graduating in 2023, David expanded his focus from activism to political power-building. He played a visible role supporting the breakthrough 2022 congressional campaign of Maxwell Alejandro Frost—helping elect the first Gen Z member of Congress—and witnessing firsthand how young leaders can transform electoral landscapes. Inspired by that success, David co-founded Leaders We Deserve, a grassroots political organization dedicated to electing young progressives to Congress and state legislatures nationwide. What began as a post-college idea has become one of the most influential Gen Z-focused political organizations in the Democratic Party, shaping candidate pipelines, strengthening youth turnout, and elevating Gen Z leadership at every level of government.

David’s influence continued to grow as he served as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) from February 2025 to June 2025, bringing the perspective of the nation’s youngest voters directly into the party’s national leadership. Today, he is widely recognized as the leading national voice for Gen Z political engagement—both as an organizer and as a strategist shaping the future of the Democratic coalition.

With a social media presence that reaches more than two million followers, David uses his platform to promote civic participation, fight apathy, and champion the issues young Americans care about most. As a speaker, he informs, challenges, and motivates audiences of all ages, urging them to see youth participation not as a footnote in politics, but as a transformative force. “People call us snowflakes,” he once tweeted. “What happens when snowflakes vote? That’s called an avalanche.”

Speaker Videos

Working Together as Americans for a Better and Brighter Future

Want to build a better future? Let young people lead. | David Hogg | TEDxMidAtlantic

Building Momentum and Beating Burnout: You Can Do Both | David Hogg

More Than Grit

Diversity of Thought

Hatred is Not A Mental Illness

Firearms vs. Mental Illness

Since Parkland Over 100 Gun Laws Passed at the State Level

David Hogg: Families use A.I. generated voices to 'get people's attention'

With That Power and with Those Rights Come Responsibility

Save The Country | David Hogg

March For Our Lives

How to fight the Gun Lobby

What We Must Do to End Gun Violence

Engage in the Change

The People Behind The Movement

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Speech Topics

Engage in the Change: Our Generation Must Own Democracy

The morning after the Parkland, Florida shooting, survivor David Hogg told CNN: “We’re children. You guys are the adults. Get over your politics and get something done.” Less than a month later, David, who had become one of most articulate voices of the March for Our Lives movement, had changed his perspective. His generation could not look to their elders to drive change. It was up to them to take charge. Addressing an estimated 800,000 protestors at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, David declared, “The sun shines on a new day—and it is ours!” In this passionate keynote, David inspires his generation to engage in the change: Register. Educate. Vote. Work on Congressional campaigns. Volunteer to register voters. Canvas. Phone bank. WIN. Citing a range of issues from ending gun violence, racism and inequality to protecting the environment, he says, “Everything that affects your life is on that ballot. Free college is on the ballot. The draft is on the ballot. Universal health care is on the ballot. Abortion is on the ballot. The Supreme Court is on the ballot. Your inaction today will affect your tomorrow.”

Putting the USA over the NRA: What We Must Do to End Gun Violence

Every day in America, 96 people die from guns. The effective range of an AR-15, the automatic weapon used to massacre 17 students and faculty at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, is 1,600 feet (vs. 75 feet for a typical handgun). According to David Hogg, “If you’re shooting somebody from 1,600 feet away, you’re not defending yourself…you’re hunting.” Combining his emotional experiences as a survivor of gun violence with political lessons learned as one of the founders of the March for Our Lives movement, David outlines what citizens must do to ensure that we will no longer live in fear of gun violence. Noting that 77 per cent of 18 to 29 year olds say that this issue influences how they will vote, David calls on Americans to push out the politicians that send thoughts and prayers with each mass shooting. Instead, we must all come together—not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans—to elect representatives that stand for common sense gun laws.

Creating a Culture That Values Gen Z

Twenty years ago, the world became obsessed with understanding millennials. Today, Gen Z (born 1997-present) is entering the workforce with equal mystery and even more misconceptions. How do you create a culture that welcomes what will be one-fifth of the US labor force? Value them. Activist and PR Communicator of the Year David Hogg speaks truth to his elders about how to prepare for — and succeed — during the biggest generational shift to rock corporate America. "Young people coming into the workplace don’t want to be dismissed, they want to be heard," says Hogg. "Don’t dismiss what they have to say. Don’t think that they don’t know what they’re talking about." Urging leaders and managers to listen, learn and most of all, teach, Hogg outlines cultures and approaches that align with Gen Z’s values and vision. It’s knowledge that will help you to recruit and retain the best young candidates and create a thriving multi-generational culture. What’s more, says Hogg, by investing in the next generation of leaders, you’ll also shape the kind of future that we all want to have.

Testimonials

“We had an extraordinary experience with David Hogg. His visit involved time with students and as well as the community at large. The session with the students was fantastic and he imparted so much wisdom beyond his years on the nature of activism, understanding political process, self-care, etc. The community talk was deeply energizing and inspiring and people walked out of it with fire and hope simultaneously.”

- WorldOregon

“David Hogg was a pleasure to host on campus, and his message of activism and persistence really resonated with our audience. David was also refreshingly honest and candid, and he was gracious enough to stay after the event to speak with all students and audience members who wished to meet him. Thank you, David, and thank you, APB Speakers, for making our event not only successful, but also deeply impactful.”

- Tufts University

"First I have to say that David handled our logistical hiccups with grace. Thankfully, he was very flexible and accommodating. I am still receiving praise for how inspired people were after his talk. He asked me about critical feedback and, as a professor, I might usually have something to say. In this case, I have nothing. He was fabulous. I had an email earlier that said they had never been at an event where the standing ovation went on that long. I think a lot of people needed to hear his message, especially now, and it could not have gone any better!"

- James Madison University

“David’s remarks truly resonated with our audience. David was very engaging during the Q&A and did a wonderful job of connecting the dots between his neurodivergence and his activism during his Keynote. He was wonderfully authentic and did a beautiful job connecting to the audience.”

- Let’s Talk LD

“David was great. From start to finish, he was very engaged with us and everyone he met. His speech was a homerun. One of our members, an 89-year-old woman, said it was the best event she had ever attended and "he lit a fire" in her. She now is setting her sights on volunteering for a candidate. David collaborated with our entire team to help us maximize his involvement, and create an incredible experience for our community.”

- Peace United Church of Christ

"David Hogg is one of the voices of his generation. Simultaneously extraordinary and ordinary, he is comfortable speaking in front of large auditoriums, but he radiates energy when connecting with smaller groups of his young activist peers. He is prepared, articulate, and powerful advocate for the urgency of gun safety."

- Boston Public Library

"Centennial Theatre (560) was totally filled with students and we had to have about 100 in an overflow room. David was delightful at the Principal’s reception beforehand and was inspiring at the lecture!"

- Bishop's University

"Hogg was fabulous! Huge attendance--350 at each talk and we turned away about 100 people. 99% were NCC students and employees. He spoke well, handled hostile questioners well, and was very well-informed. All in all, it was a great day!"

- Nassau Community College

"David was a STAR! When he walked into the Writers Dinner, he was immediately surrounded by everyone. He is incredibly well spoken, passionate and already an inspiring leader that we need. Thanks so much for everything.

- Rancho Mirage Writers Festival

"It was a pleasure working with the entire APB team who made the process painless and efficient. David was a great addition to our event and we were honored to host him. Thank you!"

- Rancho Mirage Writers Festival

“It was a pleasure hosting David Hogg. He was a great speaker and guest. Not only was he a great presenter, but many in our student community expressed that he was also an interested and active participant in the events of the day and our community, asking thoughtful questions to everyone he met. We are very appreciative of all the help APB offered us to pull this off.”

- University of Wisconsin-Madison

“David’s visit was a great success. The luncheon and reception both went smoothly, and attendees had a great experience. We really appreciate APB’s help throughout the process as well.”

- Washington Youth Alliance