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Queen of Katwe
Meet the Real-Life Inspiration
Queen of Katwe
Meet the Real-Life Inspiration
Biography
One day in 2005, while searching for food, nine-year-old Ugandan Phiona Mutesi followed her brother to a dusty veranda where she met Robert Katende. Katende, a war refugee turned missionary, had an improbable dream: to empower kids in the Katwe slum through chess—a game so foreign there is no word for it in their native language. Laying a chess-board in the dirt, Robert began to teach. At first children came for a free bowl of porridge, but many grew to love the game that—like their daily lives—requires persevering against great obstacles. Of these kids, one girl stood out as an immense talent: Phiona.
By the age of eleven, Phiona was her country’s junior champion and, at fifteen, the national champion. Now a Woman Candidate Master—the first female titled player in her country’s history—Phiona dreams of becoming a Grandmaster, the most elite level in chess. But to reach that goal, she must grapple with everyday life in one of the world’s most unstable countries.
Now you can hear from Robert and Phiona, the real life subjects of the incredible new Disney film, Queen of Katwe. Your audience will be inspired with their extraordinary, heartfelt message of overcoming challenges, pursuing opportunity and realizing one’s dream in life.
Speech Topics
Overcoming Adversity, Pursuing Opportunity & Realizing Your Dream
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President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Africa’s First Elected Female President & Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize
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