Motivation & Inspiration
Personal Stories
Personal Stories:
Entrepreneur, Author & Philanthropist
Chris Gardner is an entrepreneur whose autobiography, the Pursuit of Happyness, became a best seller and the inspiration for the movie of the same name. His talks aim to help others achieve their full potential.
Abuse & Homelessness Survivor, Author of CinderGirl
Empowering others with her inspiring life story, Christina Meredith survived sexual, mental and emotional abuse, incest, trauma, aging out of foster care, poverty and homelessness to forge a life committed to helping others.
Founder & President, World Without Hate, 9/11 Hate-Crime Survivor
Rais Bhuiyan has a remarkable story — one that continually inspires people to interview him about his campaign, World Without Hate. His captivating speeches educate others on the regenerative power of forgiveness.
NYT Best-Selling Author & Motivational Leader
Moore energizes audiences with his remarkable personal story of overcoming adversity through education, embracing personal responsibility and emerging as an inspirational leader.
Brother of George Floyd & Activist
On May 26, 2020, Floyd learned that his older brother, George “Perry” Floyd, Jr. had been murdered by four police officers in Minneapolis after a store clerk alleged that he passed a counterfeit $20 bill.
Award-Winning Actress, Producer & Equal Rights Advocate
With various ‘firsts’ in her already impressive career, Laverne Cox is a four-time Emmy- nominated actress, Emmy-winning producer, and a prominent equal rights advocate and public speaker.
Actor, Author & Patient Advocate
As an actor and author, Taylor has captivated audiences with her unique blend of talent, humor, authenticity and inspiring personal story of survival and resilience.
One of Wall Street’s First Black Women Traders
From humble Southern beginnings to breaking barriers on Wall Street, Martina Marshall Edwards is the epitome of not allowing your circumstances to determine your outcome.
Author, Miracles from Heaven
Christy Beam is the author of Miracles from Heaven, a NYT bestseller that was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah.
Human-Centered Thought Leader, Bestselling Author, Managing Director at Seramount & The Pemberton Podcast
Steve Pemberton is a visionary human-centered thought leader and the Founder and CEO of The Lighthouse Academy.
Subject of the Disney+ film Safety
The Disney+ film Safety shares Ray Ray’s story as a shining example of perseverance triumphing through repeated adversity and the message of family above everything.
Inspirational Educator & Author
Erin Gruwell helped students "written off" by the system harness the power of education to graduate high school. Her dedication to her students resulted in the publication of The Freedom Writers Diary.
World-Renowned Neurosurgeon & Neuroscientist
Mexican immigrant Quiñones-Hinojosa went from migrant worker to head of brain tumor surgery at Johns Hopkins. His incredible story is being developed into a movie by Brad Pitt and Disney.
Founder & Chief Executive Officer Scholly
Raised in poverty and determined to help others go to college, Gray sparked the biggest fight in Shark Tank history with Scholly, his breakthrough app that helps students find scholarships.
Snowboarder & Founder of Adaptive Action Sports
After going through a life-altering experience, Amy Purdy attained goals that even those who have both legs struggle to achieve. Today, she is one of the top ranked adaptive snowboarders in the world.
Animal Scientist & Autism Self-Advocate
The most accomplished adult with autism in the world, Grandin inspired the HBO film Temple Grandin (starring Claire Danes). Grandin shares the challenges and successes of her fascinating life.
Olympic/Paralympic Games Medalist
Patrick “Blake” Leeper is an eight-time Paralympic Track and Field international medalist, world record holder and three-time American record holder.
Subject of the Movie Stronger, Boston Marathon Bombing Hero & Best-Selling Author
A survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing and a national hero, Jeff Bauman shares his story in a presentation that will inspire. He is the subject of the movie Stronger starring Jake Gyllenhaal, based on his best-selling book of the same name.
Boston Marathon Bombing Survivor
Abbott’s life changed forever when she was struck by bomb shrapnel and lost her left leg. She captivates audiences with her inspirational story of pain, anger, optimism and resilience.
Chief of Staff to Chief Content Officer, Netflix
As Obama’s personal aide, Ferial Govashiri spent the past 10 years within arm’s length of one of the world’s most powerful leaders. She is now the Chief Of Staff to Chief Content Officer at Netflix.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist, Author
The author of Life, Animated (inspiration for the Academy Award nominated film of the same name) shares his journey of connecting with his son, who has autism, through Disney movies.
NFL Defensive End & Childhood Cancer Advocate
Devon Still is a professional athlete, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and advocate for childhood cancer awareness.
Founder Of Media Platform Swaay
Iman Oubou is a Moroccan American self-made entrepreneur, former beauty queen and a published scientist, on a mission to change the women's media landscape.
Teacher & Student Inspirational Speakers
Donna Porter and DJ Batiste have a story that is sure to inspire all audiences. Porter has dedicated her life to the field of education and changed DJ Batiste’s life by introducing him to Conscious Discipline.
Former White House Senior Advisor
Rising from the depths of extreme poverty, Omarosa was the only African American senior advisor to the 45th President of the US Donald Trump and is one of the most dynamic keynotes in the speaking world today.
Writer, Performer & Consultant
Whether ALOK is selling out an international performance tour, publishing essays and books advocating for LGBTQ equality, designing a new fashion collection, or speaking about a 21st century approach to gender rights – their distinctive mix of charisma, poetry, and intellect has made them one of the most dynamic artists of our times.
Authors, Storytellers & Advocates
Twins Sarah Eagle Heart and Emma Eagle Heart-White are members of the Oglala Lakota Nation and grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where they learned Native American storytelling traditions.
Founders of I AM ALS, Health Care Activists & Movement-Builders
In 2017, Brian was given a terminal diagnosis, ALS. Having met on the Obama campaign in 2008 and worked in the White House, they responded by building the most powerful patient and caregiver-led movement since the fight against HIV.
Gracie Award-Winning Media Personality, Motivational Speaker & Boy's Prep Basketball Coach
For nearly two decades, Gracie Award-Winning media personality and basketball coach, MalaniKai has dedicated her life to training and mentoring youth and daring to speak her mind on radio and television.
Award-Winning Investigative Journalist at NBC News & Criminal Legal Reform Activist
In 2002, Dan Slepian, award-winning NBC News journalist and veteran producer of its newsmagazine Dateline, received a letter from Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez, a man incarcerated and serving 25 years to life in person for a crime he didn’t commit.
Major League Pitcher and Gold Medal Olympian
Though born without a right hand, Jim Abbott went on to become a Major League Baseball pitcher who now shares a powerful message of overcoming adversity.
Former U.S. Navy Commander, Leadership Expert & Gen Z Engagement Strategist
Known for his innovative leadership style, former Navy commander Mike Abrashoff turned the worst-performing ship in the fleet to the best by changing his leadership style and the culture - not the crew