Social, Community & Cultural Issues
Trauma & Trauma Informed Care
Trauma & Trauma Informed Care:
Survivor of Cleveland Kidnappings
As one of the women who escaped from the Cleveland home of Ariel Castro after 11 years of captivity, torture and abuse, Michelle Knight has risen out of darkness and trauma to captivate audiences around the world with her incredible story.
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.
Domestic Violence Activist, Actor & Author
Born in Cuba, Rivers came to the US at the age of two, endured horrific child abuse and witnessed domestic violence at the hands of his father, which he chronicles in his bestseller, A Private Family Matter.
Award Winning Television Executive & Creative Corporate Change Agent
Michelle D. Hord is a creative storyteller and media executive. As the President of Hope Warrior, Inc., and former Vice President of Creative Content and Talent Management for NBCUniversal, Michelle has produced content for television shows.
Abduction Survivor & Best-Selling Author
The abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time. Smart’s speeches not only tell her story but also cover topics such as overcoming extreme adversity.
Author, Journalist & Mental Health Advocate
Szalavitz is an author and journalist who covers addiction and neuroscience. Her latest book, Unbroken Brain uses her own story of recovery from heroin and cocaine addiction to explore how to reframe addiction.
Best-Selling Author & Screenwriter
Antwone Fisher is the screenwriter and real-life subject of the Hollywood hit Antwone Fisher, directed by Denzel Washington. The film tells the story of his childhood at the hands of the foster care system.
Founder of Peaceful Hearts Foundation
The Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal was highly publicized. Through the traumatic experiences Matthew Sandusky has gone through, he has decided to take on the role of advocate for CSA survivors.