Social, Community & Cultural Issues
Activism, Philanthropy & Volunteerism
Activism, Philanthropy & Volunteerism:
Founder & Executive Director of the Pan-Mass Challenge
As Founder and Executive Director of the Pan-Mass Challenge, Billy Starr has dedicated 45 years to funding life-saving breakthroughs in cancer research.
NFL Defensive End & Childhood Cancer Advocate
Devon Still is a professional athlete, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and advocate for childhood cancer awareness.
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.
Founder & CEO, National CARES Mentoring Movement
The visionary that built the Essence brand, Taylor left the magazine to found an organization devoted to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty among African-Americans.
Educator, Author, Intersectionality Expert & Award-Winning Change-Maker
Twice named one of the 100 most influential people in Philadelphia and named one of the top 50 feminists in the world, Dr. Michelle Taylor—the social media icon known as Feminista Jones—is an educator, writer, public speaker and community activist.
Actress & Comedian
Speaker Lily Tomlin's success as a comedian and actress has spanned a range of media for decades. In her entertaining keynotes, she recalls her career with candor and charm.
Maryland's 1st Female Lt. Governor
As Maryland's first female Lieutenant Governor, speaker Kathleen Kennedy Townsend has worked tirelessly on behalf of children and families.
White House Coronavirus Task Force Whistleblower
Olivia Troye is a risk management and national security executive whose most recent role was serving as the Homeland Security, Counterterrorism, and White House Coronavirus Task Force Advisor to the Vice President of the United States.
Actor, Activist & Philanthropist
An actor known for his roles on Sex and the City and In Treatment, speaker Blair Underwood is the co-founder of Artists for New South Africa.
Lawyer, Author & TV Personality
From welfare mother to New York Times best-selling author, NAACP Image Award winner Vanzant is one of the most influential and acclaimed spiritual life coaches of our time.
Inspirational Thought Leader, Resilience Expert, Former Professional Baseball Player & Three-Time Cancer Survivor
Chris Vasami’s story proves that resilience is not something you talk about, it is something built in the face of adversity and proven through action.
Criminal Legal Reform Activist
With more than 23 years of lived experience, incarcerated for a crime he did not commit, Mr. Velazquez has worked tirelessly to redefine the humanity of men who are or have been incarcerated.
Human Rights Activist & Advocacy Educator
Natalie Warne is an activist who at the age of 17 decided to work for the humanitarian aid organization, Invisible Children. What began as a 5 month internship resulted in Natalie producing award-winning international human rights awareness campaigns.
Former President, Center for the Advancement of Women
Faye Wattleton's distinguished career has amassed an extraordinary track record for leadership. Wattleton is the former President of the nation's oldest & largest voluntary reproductive health provider, Planned Parenthood.
Entrepreneurial Activist & CEO of 4thMVMT
Karim Webb is an Entrepreneurial Activist and CEO of 4thMVMT, a Los Angeles based firm that vets, trains, facilitates funding, and partners with individuals from underserved communities to own and operate competitive retail businesses.
Political Analyst, Social Justice Activist & Creator of Sunday Civics Podcast
Recognizing the need for civics education and engagement in an accessible format, L. Joy Williams created the hit show and podcast Sunday Civics to teach civics using the current political landscape.
Guest Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank, Atlanta Falcons Limited Partner
Rashaun Williams is a trailblazing investor, entrepreneur and financial literacy advocate who has carved out a unique role in the world of venture capital.
Actress & Best Selling Author
Kimberly Williams-Paisley is an actress, New York Times Best Selling author, Alzheimer’s advocate, and co-founder of non-profit, The Store, an organization in Nashville which aims to address food insecurity.
Serial Social Entrepreneur, Storyteller & Author
Growing up in Washington, DC, Chris Wilson was surrounded by violence and despair. At 18, he was sentenced to life in prison, with no hope of parole. While behind bars, Chris embarked on a remarkable journey of self-improvement.
Actor, Comedian, Seinfeld & Activist for the Disability Rights Movement
Danny Woodburn is perhaps best known for Mickey Abbott, Kramer’s volatile friend on NBC’s Emmy-winning, history-making show, Seinfeld. Danny raises awareness of the need for inclusion and understanding of people with disability.
Co-Founder, Apple Computer, Inc.
Speaker Steve Wozniak changed the computer world when he designed Apple's first product line: Apple I and II. He is also a philanthropist focusing on computer use in schools.
Social Entrepreneur & Co-Founder of 321 Coffee
Lindsay Wrege is the co-founder and CEO of 321 Coffee, a coffee shop and roaster in Raleigh, NC that employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist
Sheryl WuDunn, the first Asian-American reporter to win a Pulitzer Prize, is a business executive and best-selling author. She co-founded FullSky Partners, a consulting firm focusing on double-bottom line ventures in new media, technology and health.
Nobel Laureate
The founder and managing director of Grameen Bank, speaker Muhammad Yunus is a Nobel Peace Prize winner who is respected for his work toward eradicating world poverty.
Pollster, Bestselling Author & Founder of John Zogby Strategies
Hailed as the “Prince of Polling” and a "maverick predictor," John Zogby is a skilled pollster and trendspotter whose pioneering new technique, Tribal Analytics SM, is more predictive than traditional demographics.