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Dan Slepian
Award-Winning Journalist at NBC News & Author of The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice
Dan Slepian
Award-Winning Journalist at NBC News & Author of The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice
Biography
Dan Slepian is a distinguished, award-winning investigative journalist at NBC News, a leading authority on the criminal justice system and a seasoned public speaker. For nearly three decades at NBC’s Dateline, Dan has spearheaded dozens of documentaries and hidden camera investigations, earning a reputation for his pivotal work regarding wrongful convictions and mass incarceration. His podcast, Letters from Sing Sing, was a 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist and debuted at #1 on Apple’s top charts.
Dan’s deep knowledge about the criminal legal system is seen in nearly all of his work, from conducting a TEDx talk at Sing Sing to conceiving and producing groundbreaking televised events, including the first-ever town hall from inside a maximum-security prison, where he and anchor Lester Holt brought the voices of the incarcerated to a national audience. Known for his tenacious, relentless pursuit of truth and his empathetic storytelling, Dan is a respected figure in both journalism and the fight against injustice.
In addition to being a Pulitzer Prize finalist, Dan Slepian has received more than a dozen Emmy nominations, four Edward R. Murrow awards, a Sigma Delta Chi, and has been honored by multiple justice organizations across the country.
His new book, The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice, chronicles his 20-year journey to exonerate six wrongfully convicted men. It is more than just a chronicle of a journalist's two-decade quest to uncover the truth behind six wrongful convictions. The themes of justice, fairness, loyalty, truth, perseverance, social impact and fostering deep relationships in the most unlikely of places woven through Dan's journey are especially pertinent today.
The Sing Sing Files was named one of Amazon’s Best Books of the Year and was nominated for a 2024 Goodreads Choice Award for Readers' Favorite Nonfiction. The audio version was recently nominated as a 2025 Audie Award Finalist as the Audiobook of the Year by the Audio Publishers Association and one of Audible’s Best of the Year.
Dan brings decades of investigative, lived experience and heartfelt storytelling to every keynote. Each presentation is enriched by the powerful in-person presence of exonerees like JJ Velazquez, who Dan visited more than 250 times in the Sing Sing Correctional Facility over 20 years.
In a time when societal shifts are mandating us to reexamine our commitments to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dan proudly offers a transformative educational experience that focuses on fostering understanding, building bridges and discussing pathways to reform.
Speaker Videos
‘Sing Sing Files’ author talks toll on life for the falsely imprisoned
Incarcerated man’s decades-long journey to freedom chronicled in NBC News podcast
How a prisoner's letter led to a 20-year search for the truth
Joe Biden and JJ Velazquez Discuss Criminal Legal Reform
Voices from within | Dan Slepian | TEDxSingSing
Speech Topics
The Sing Sing Files: Exposing the Injustice of Wrongful Convictions
Take a deep dive into the harrowing stories of six innocent men who were wrongfully convicted and spent decades behind bars with Dan Slepian, a veteran Dateline producer. In this powerful and profound talk, Dan explores the systemic failures of the criminal legal system, the relentless pursuit of truth and the difficulty in achieving justice. The personal anecdotes of these men add a profound human element to the discussion. This session or workshop is supported by compelling multimedia content, including video, which makes the experience even more engaging and impactful. In a landscape where these issues are more relevant than ever, Dan's perspective offers a timely and transformative experience.
WHY THIS PROGRAM IS ESSENTIAL:
- Promotes understanding and continued learning: Perfect for organizations seeking to bolster their inclusionary efforts in meaningful ways.
- Educational and Inspiring: Provides valuable learning opportunities that encourage critical thinking and empathy.
- Adaptable and Relevant: Suitable for a wide range of audiences, from corporate settings to academic environments and beyond.
Building Bridges in Unlikely Places: A Friendship Forged Through Adversity
Get ready to be inspired and reminded that hope and compassion still thrive in this powerful talk by Dan Slepian, veteran producer of Dateline. In this keynote, Dan discusses his extraordinary friendship with JJ Velazquez, a Sing Sing inmate who was wrongfully convicted, and how it challenged Dan’s perceptions and ignited a lifelong mission to fight for justice. The pair’s bond evolved over two decades, leading Dan to several other innocent men he told stories about. It’s a narrative about building trust, understanding and a lasting friendship in the most unlikely of places—inside the walls of prison.
Investigative Journalism: The Power of Persistence & Truth
Get a behind-the-scenes look at how investigative journalism can bring justice to light with Dan Slepian, a longtime Dateline producer. Using real-life examples from Dan’s 20-year journey, he shares the challenges, triumphs and ethical dilemmas faced while uncovering wrongful convictions.
Through the Prism of Wrongful Convictions: Perversity & Pathology of Mass Incarceration
What if the system designed to protect us is failing? By examining the epidemic of wrongful convictions, Dan Slepian, a veteran Dateline producer, delves into the broader issues of mass incarceration. This talk reveals the systemic perversities and deep-rooted pathologies that have led to the United States’ current crisis of incarceration.
The Human Cost of Injustice: A Journalist’s Journey Through the American Prison System
In this compelling presentation, Dan Slepian, longtime Dateline producer, highlights the profound human impact of wrongful convictions on the incarcerated, their families and society—revealing the untold stories of those trapped in a system that often fails them. Through his investigative lens, Dan uncovers not just the stark realities of incarceration but also the emotional and psychological toll and shares the stories of resilience and hope that emerge.
Justice for All: How We Can Reform the Criminal Justice System
Focused on actionable insights and reforms, this talk by Dan Slepian, a veteran Dateline producer, addresses the critical need for changes within the criminal justice system. Drawing from decades of experience and specific anecdotes, Dan provides a roadmap for how society can better ensure justice for all. You’ll leave empowered to help shape a future where justice truly serves everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
Testimonials
Books & Media
Books
The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice