Kevin Powell

GRAMMY-Nominated Poet, Human & Civil Rights Activist, Award-Winning Filmmaker & Best-Selling Author of 16 Books

Kevin Powell

GRAMMY-Nominated Poet, Human & Civil Rights Activist, Award-Winning Filmmaker & Best-Selling Author of 16 Books

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Biography

Kevin Powell’s journey—from a boy in Jersey City with a dream to one of the most celebrated political, cultural, literary, and hip-hop voices in America—is a story of resilience, purpose, and love. Raised by a single mother whose strength shaped his view of the world, Kevin learned early that words could both heal and transform. That belief became his compass, guiding him to a life devoted to storytelling and service. A prolific writer, GRAMMY-nominated poet, and one of the most sought-after speakers of his generation, he has shared his message of empathy and justice in all 50 states and on five continents. As a lifelong human and civil rights activist and visionary thought leader, Kevin has helped redefine manhood away from sexism and violence, while mentoring countless individuals and advocating for equality across education, the #MeToo movement, immigrant rights, gun violence prevention, marriage equality, mental health, voting rights, and access to quality healthcare for all.

Kevin was raised by his single mother in abject poverty. At the tender age of three, his mom introduced him to the importance of reading and that persistent encouragement propelled Kevin beyond his violent and impoverished surroundings. He enrolled at Rutgers University through the Educational Opportunity Fund, an initiative created during the Civil Rights Movement to benefit youth who otherwise lacked access to higher learning. At Rutgers, Kevin's political education and activism blossomed. He reflects: "Just to be able to get to college, to be exposed to a new world, a new way, changed my life forever, and I am forever grateful." It was at Rutgers that Kevin found his voice and his purpose, and since then Kevin's writings, ranging from interviews, celebrity features, social commentary, poems, and blogs, have been published in The New York Times, Newsweek, The Washington Post, The New York Amsterdam News, CNN, NPR, ESPN, Essence, Ebony, Rolling Stone, Esquire, HuffPost, Utne Reader, The Guardian, Politico, The Progressive, Complex, British GQ, and other outlets.

As an author, Kevin has written 16 books, including Grocery Shopping with My Mother, his third volume of poetry; The Education of Kevin Powell, his critically acclaimed autobiography, which is being adapted for the screen; and his most recent title, The Kevin Powell Reader, which collects over 30 years of Kevin's literary output. Currently, he is working on a biography of the iconic rapper and actor Tupac Shakur, who he interviewed several times as a founding senior writer for Quincy Jones' groundbreaking Vibe magazine.

As a truth-seeker, bridge-builder, hip-hop authority, and pop culture curator Kevin has been at the center of several watershed moments. He was a cast member on the very first season of MTV's The Real World, which launched the reality TV genre. He produced, in partnership with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Brooklyn Museum, the very first history of hip-hop exhibit in America. And he has worked with, or interviewed, or both, pioneering icons such as Chris Rock, Tommy Hilfiger, Stacey Abrams, Gloria Steinem, bell hooks, V (formerly Eve Ensler), Chadwick Boseman, Samuel L. Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Spike Lee, Michael B. Jordan, and Kerry Washington.

In the worlds of film and theater, Kevin has directed, co-written, and co-produced his debut feature-length documentary, When We Free The World. It is a never-before-seen deep dive about healthy manhood versus toxic manhood, inclusive of Black males of all kinds—straight, gay, transgender, disabled, short-statured, formerly incarcerated, college-educated—while also representing five generations of Black men and boys. Kevin is also creating a stage play that will be based on Grocery Shopping with My Mother, his moving collection of poems that he transformed into a musical project. That music project was GRAMMY-nominated in 2024 for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album.

And Kevin has long been focused on using his talents, resources, and network of friends and business partners to improve the lives of people everywhere. Through the years he established a highly successful annual clothing drive for youth who are un-housed in New York City; he spearheaded many national and international relief efforts including for survivors of Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti, and the storm that devastated Puerto Rico.

A vegan, two-time New York City Marathon runner, bicyclist, skateboarder, student of yoga, avid hiker, and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Kevin is a proud and long-time resident of Brooklyn, New York, and happily married to Evangeline Lawson, photographer, filmmaker, writer, and his equal partner in every way.

Speaker Videos

Re-defining Manhood: A Message to Men, to Boys, to Us All

Weekend Edition Saturday With Scott Simon | NPR (December 10, 2022)

Michael B Jordan on Black Panther, race and power | British GQ

History is a People’s Memory

Hope and Resilience

See Fewer Videos

Speech Topics

What I’ve Learned in the America We All Share

Kevin Powell’s story is proof that greatness isn’t reserved for the privileged or the powerful—it’s born in the courage to show up, speak up, and rise up. Raised by a single mother in Jersey City and once told that his circumstances would define him, Kevin chose a different path. He became one of America’s most compelling voices on culture, identity, and social change—not because he was destined to, but because he decided to. In this heartfelt and inspiring keynote, Kevin reflects on the lessons learned from a life lived across the divides of race, class, and opportunity, reminding us that each of us has the power to shape the story of who we are and the country we share. His journey invites audiences to see their own potential—to believe that every voice matters, every act of empathy counts, and every small step toward justice adds up to something far greater.

When We Free the World: Reimagining Manhood and Belonging

In this compelling and deeply human keynote, Kevin Powell and Evangeline Lawson explore what it truly means to be a man in today’s America—drawing from their acclaimed documentary When We Free the World, which was six years in the making and features the voices of 70 Black men across five generations. Through raw storytelling and honest reflection, they reveal how traditional ideas of masculinity have fueled cycles of gender violence, emotional isolation, and poor mental health—and what it looks like to break free from them. Together, they invite audiences to imagine a more compassionate and connected version of manhood—one rooted in accountability, healing, and love. More than a film or a talk, this is a movement to free ourselves from the expectations that divide us and to build a culture where everyone belongs.

Audiences will learn:

How harmful definitions of manhood impact relationships, mental health, and community.
Why healing, vulnerability, and accountability are essential to redefining strength.
What each of us can do to help create cultures of empathy, respect, and belonging.

Looking for Martin: Why Dr. King & His Dream Still Matter

In this moving keynote, writer and activist Kevin Powell takes audiences on a journey through the life, legacy, and lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—not as a distant historical figure, but as a guide for the America we’re still striving to build. Drawing from his own life experiences and decades of work for human and civil rights for all people, Kevin reflects on how far we’ve come since 1968—and how far we still have to go. With honesty and heart, he challenges audiences to move beyond symbolic celebration and instead live King’s message of courage, compassion, and collective responsibility. Kevin reminds us that King’s dream was not a fantasy—it was a call to action: to confront hate with love, division with dialogue, and privilege with purpose. Through personal storytelling and deep reflection, Kevin shows that each of us carries a piece of that dream—and the power to make it real.

Audiences will learn:

Why Dr. King’s words still speak directly to America’s most urgent challenges today.
How to move beyond commemoration toward living the values of empathy, justice, and service.
What it means to turn King’s dream into a daily practice of courage and community.

The Power of Words: Poetry, Voice, and Personal Truth

In this powerful keynote and live poetic performance, Kevin Powell demonstrates how poetry is not reserved for the page or the podium, but belongs to everyone who has a story to tell. Weaving together spoken word, personal reflection, and cultural commentary, Powell draws from decades of work—including poems such as “for aunt cathy,” “September 11th,” “Son2Mother,” and his GRAMMY-nominated album Grocery Shopping with My Mother. His words explore identity, memory, justice, and resilience, showing how language can bear witness to pain while also pointing toward healing and hope. Through rhythm and truth, Powell reveals how poetry gives voice to lived experience and creates connection across difference. This keynote invites audiences to recognize the power of their own voices and the impact that honest words—spoken or written—can have on their lives, their communities, and the world.

Audiences will learn:

How poetry can be used as a practical tool for self-expression and social change
Why telling our stories matters, even when it feels uncomfortable
How anyone—not just writers—can use words to connect, heal, and inspire
Insight into the themes behind Powell’s upcoming collection/album, A Poem for Evangeline, And Other Songs

Testimonials

“Kevin Powell was wonderful, and his personal story—combined with his reflections on embracing diversity, equity, and serving others with love—was incredibly well received at our annual event for the National School Boards Association (NSBA). At least half the room gave Kevin a standing ovation, and leaders from across the country, from Alaska to Florida, were eager to engage with him following the event. Several NSBA board members shared that they truly enjoyed Kevin and felt that more people need to hear his message. We believe his focus on peace, diversity, tolerance, and creating opportunities for young people was exactly right.”

- National School Boards Association

“Kevin Powell made a powerful impact, and we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from everyone involved. The passion Kevin brings to his work is truly inspiring and resonated strongly throughout the program. We are deeply appreciative of the meaningful impact Kevin made and the way he connected with those in attendance.”

- Flagship Credit Acceptance

“Kevin Powell was amazing and stands among the most positively received speakers in the history of the MLK Breakfast at Texas A&M University. Kevin spoke to an exceptionally diverse audience and challenged the room to confront hard truths without marginalizing anyone, creating space for thoughtful reflection and shared understanding. His exploration of Dr. King’s life and legacy brought depth and nuance that many attendees had never encountered, delivered in a way that invited genuine buy-in. We found Kevin’s ability to center humanity in every discussion to be both rare and profoundly impactful.”

- Texas A&M University

“Kevin Powell’s keynote at the 8th Annual A2MEND African American Male Summit in California was on point, relevant, and deeply moving for the young men and the professionals who support their success. Kevin’s ability to share his personal story as a blueprint for overcoming barriers and reaching one’s full potential was both uplifting and inspiring. His dynamic delivery and command of language—bridging academic insight with the language of hip hop—allowed Kevin to meet students where they were. We found his message to be highly accessible and deeply rooted in spirituality, moral values, and scholarship.”

- West Los Angeles College

“Kevin Powell’s presence and powerful presentation at Saint Lawrence College had a profound impact on our students, particularly students of color who needed to hear his message from someone so compelling and credible. We deeply admire and respect Kevin and the work he does, and his words truly resonated with the young men in our community. Kevin was a gift to us, meeting students where they are and speaking to them with authenticity, understanding, and care. We hope to welcome Kevin back for a future residency, as both our students—and our community—need his voice.”

- Saint Lawrence College

“Kevin Powell’s visit to the Novartis Teen Mentoring Program was deeply inspiring, and his willingness to share his personal story earned the respect of everyone in the room. Kevin’s reflections on overcoming a difficult childhood, the influence of his mother, and the power of positive thinking made him a powerful role model for students. His talk stood out not only for how relatable it was, but also for how interactive and engaging he made the experience. We left feeling moved, motivated, and eager to continue learning from Kevin’s work and writing.”

- Novartis Team Mentoring Program

“Kevin Powell’s speech at the Unity Through Diversity Conference was deeply appreciated by everyone in attendance. His presentation was enlightening, inspiring, and contemporary, and his ability to captivate a room of 600 teenagers—so much so that you could hear a pin drop—was remarkable. Kevin’s message clearly resonated with the audience and held their full attention throughout. We believe his words will stay in the minds and hearts of those who attended for a long time to come.”

- Anti-Defamation League

“Kevin Powell was incredible and very well received by the audience at the Family League of Baltimore’s event. We couldn’t have asked for a better match for the program, and Kevin’s presence truly elevated the experience for everyone in the room. We loved working with Kevin and felt everything came together seamlessly. He was fabulous, and we look forward to working with him again soon.”

- Family League of Baltimore

“We were thrilled to bring Kevin Powell to the Flint Public Library. Kevin delivered a great program and engaged students effectively during the afternoon session. We were also very pleased with the strong turnout for the evening program, which drew a diverse audience and sparked thoughtful questions. Kevin did exactly what we hoped, bringing the theme of the month together while adding a meaningful scholarly dimension. His ability to connect across ages and backgrounds made the experience especially impactful.”

- Flint Public Library