Arts, Humanities & Lifestyle
Authors & Writers
Authors & Writers:
Best-Selling Author & “America’s Historian”
History. Legacy. Character. Great leadership. Brad Meltzer draws upon the themes of his best-selling books and popular television shows, challenging audiences to look at their lives, work and mission through the lens of legacy.
New York Times Best-Selling Author & Musician
McBride uses music and writing to share powerful stories such as The Color of Water, The Good Lord Bird and Miracle at St. Anna, which was adapted by Spike Lee.
Executive Producer at Large of Masterpiece Theater
The creative force that brought Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Victoria, Poldark, Prime Suspect, The Forsyte Saga, Wolf Hall and dozens of other acclaimed British dramas to American audiences, Rebecca Eaton relaunched PBS’s Masterpiece to a new generation.
Best-Selling Author
The best-selling author of A Walk in the Woods and I am a Stranger Here Myself, Bill Bryson has become a household name, acclaimed for his humorous insights as a travel writer.
Bestselling Author, Cancer Survivor, Host of the PBS Series Tell Me More With Kelly Corrigan
Called “the voice of a generation” by O Magazine, Kelly Corrigan is the author of four New York Times bestsellers and host of the PBS primetime interview show Tell Me More with Kelly Corrigan and the weekly podcast, Kelly Corrigan Wonders.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author & Journalist
Nazario has spent over 20 years writing about social issues including immigration. Her acclaimed book, Enrique’s Journey, recounts a Honduran boy’s struggle to find his mother in the U.S.
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.
Acclaimed Biographer & Pulitzer Finalist
Best-selling author, prize-winning journalist, acclaimed biographer and cultural historian Wil Haygood tells the story of America through the lens of history, politics, sports, race and the lives of change-making African-Americans.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning NYT Columnist
How good do you really have to be, to be christened the reporter’s reporter…by other reporters? You have to be Nicholas Kristof – good.
Poet, Professor & Activist
Speaker Sonia Sanchez authored the American Book Award winner Homegirls and Handgrenades. She speaks on a variety of topics from racial justice to hip-hop.
Columnist & Humorist
Popular novelist and food writer Calvin Trillin has been called "one of the wittiest writers of our time." He pens columns for The New Yorker and The Nation.
Political Economist & Best-Selling Author
Robert Kuttner is co-founder and co-editor of The American Prospect magazine. He was a columnist for Business Week, and continues to write columns for Huffington Post and The New York Times international edition.
Author of KooKooLand
Gloria Norris’s heartbreaking and hilarious memoir, KooKooLand, was named a best book of the year by NPR. Some of the issues Gloria has spoken passionately about include domestic violence and mental health issues.
Digital Age Expert & Author
Rachel Botsman is the leading thinker and author on trust in the modern world. By distilling complex ideas into clear and compelling content, she gives us the tools to understand trust – what it means, how it works and why it’s so important.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalists
Husband-and-wife duo Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn were the first married couple to win a Pulitzer in journalism and have written a series of best-selling books together as well as appeared in television documentaries of their books.
Host of the Podcast Harry Potter & The Sacred Text
Vanessa is currently a research assistant at Harvard Divinity School, a proctor at Harvard University, and the co-host of the podcast Harry Potter & The Sacred Text and the upcoming podcast, Hot & Bothered.
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.
Directors of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies and Professors of Teacher Education at Montclair State University
Monica Taylor and Emily J. Klein are professors at Montclair State University focusing on Teaching and Learning, Education, and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies.
Co-Authors of We Are Not Like Them & You Were Always Mine
Christine Pride partnered with Jo Piazza to write We Are Not Like Them, a story of an interracial friendship upended by a police shooting that hits close to home for two women.
Author, Podcaster & TV Host
Touré is a host and Creative Director at TheGrio. He is a TV host, a podcaster, and the author of eight books including The Ivy League Counterfeiter and the Prince oral history Nothing Compares 2 U.
Co-Authors of The Thread Collectors
Richman is an internationally bestselling author of several novels and Edwards is a former corporate attorney who now leads Global Talent and DEI for an international law firm.
80s Supermodel, Nutritional Author & Advocate for Clean Living
62-year-old, Kim Alexis grew up in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York. Having been discovered at age seventeen, in a Buffalo, New York agency, Kim quickly became one of the top models of the late 1970’s and 1980’s.
Award-Winning Author & Curator
Samina Ali is an award-winning author, curator, and popular speaker. Her debut novel, Madras on Rainy Days , was the winner of France’s prestigious Prix Premier Roman Etranger Award and a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award in Fiction.
TIME Women of the Year 2023, Journalist, Activist & Author
Masih Alinejad is an Iranian-American journalist and women’s rights activist who gained worldwide attention when she removed her veil, or hijab, and posted a photo on her Facebook page standing proudly with her hair blowing in the wind.
Writer & Performer
Writer and performer Jenny Allen has been delighting audiences and readers for many years. “I Got Sick Then I Got Better,” her solo show about being diagnosed and successfully treated for ovarian cancer, opened in New York to rave reviews.
Mindset Expert
Karen M. Allen is a Mindset Expert and TEDx Speaker who is passionate about equipping individuals with the tools and resources to feel better, live better, and achieve their goals with a healthy mindset.
Global Expert in Reducing Stress
Dr. Brian Alman, Ph.D., has stress care down to a science. His mission is to make the world a happier and healthier place driven by clinical outcomes accessible to anyone.
Co-Host of Tiki & Tierney on WFAN
Tiki Barber is the co-host of Tiki and Tierney on WFAN, alongside Brandon Tierney, weekdays 10AM-2PM ET. At UVA, Barber excelled both academically and athletically on the football field. In 1996 he was named the ACC Player of the Year.
WSJ Bestselling Author, Barking Up the Wrong Tree
Wall Street Journal bestselling author and former Hollywood screenwriter Eric Barker uses research and compelling stories to challenge common myths about success and relationships.
Author and Leading Expert on Gender & Humor
Dr. Gina Barreca has appeared on The Today Show, CNN and Oprah to discuss gender and humor. Her speeches have been called “a breath of fresh air,” “a ray of sunshine...,” and “very funny and uplifting.”
Emmy Award-Winning TV Host & Best-Selling Cookbook Author
Lidia Matticchio Bastianich is an Emmy award-winning public television host, best‐selling cookbook author, successful restaurateur, and owner of a flourishing food and entertainment business.
Best-Selling Author, Permission to Speak
Samara Bay is a sought-after speech coach and thought leader on a mission to change how power sounds. Her clients include top actors in Hollywood, C-suite execs and thought leaders, candidates for U.S. Congress, celebrities, activists, diplomats, moms returning to work, and high school girls who want to make a difference.
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.
One of America's Most Provocative & Controversial Authors
Raymond Bechard is an Author, Publisher and Human Rights Advocate. For over 25 years he has worked to provide justice, tolerance and equality to people around the world.
Visionary Sustainability Expert, Award Winning Author & Entrepreneur
Maxine Bedat is a renowned expert in sustainability, the future of business, and an acclaimed author known for her groundbreaking book, Unraveled: The Life and Death of a Garment.
11-Time IRONMAN Champion
Lisa Bentley raced for 20 years as a professional triathlete. She won 11 Ironman and 16 Ironman 70.3 races. She should not have won any of them. She has cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic lung disease.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist, Best-Selling Author & Political Analyst
Few journalists in America’s history have had the impact on history and their craft as Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Carl Bernstein. Drawing parallels between the past and the events of today, Bernstein provides invaluable context for our tumultuous times.
Author, Educator & Social Activist
An expert on cultural diversity, Dr. Bertice Berry is an inspirational and humorous motivator who empowers people to improve their lives. She is the best-selling author of The Ties That Bind.
New York Times Best-Selling Author & Award-Winning Historian
Dr. Keisha N. Blain is one of the most innovative and influential young historians of her generation. Her research and writing examine the dynamics of race, gender, and politics in both national and global perspectives.
CEO of the Digital Wellness Institute
The only person to be named a Point of Light by two Presidents, Amy Blankson co-founded GoodThink and was a key driver in developing and scaling the company as it sought to bring the science of happiness to life.
Founder and Past President of Solution Tree & HOPE Foundation
Award-winning author and educational leader, Alan Blankstein served for 25 years as President of the HOPE Foundation, which he founded and whose honorary chair was Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Bestselling Author of Molly’s Game
Molly Bloom is an inspirational keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of Molly’s Game. She is best known for her memoir, Molly’s Game, which was adapted into an award-winning film of the same name by Aaron Sorkin.
Comedic Keynote, Author & Corporate Event Emcee
A veteran comedian and television personality who has built a reputation as the go-to choice for business humor, Scott has hosted hundreds of events over two decades for companies such as FedEx, Ford, IBM, MetLife, and Pfizer.
Writer, Filmmaker & Adventurer
Writer, filmmaker and adventurer, Jon is a six-time grantee of the National Geographic Expeditions Council. One of the Society’s ‘Ocean Heroes,’ his first assignment for National Geographic Magazine was documenting a 3,741 mile crossing of Antarctica by dogsled.
"The Notorious Ph.D."
Dr. Todd Boyd, a.k.a. “Notorious Ph.D.,” is the Katherine and Frank Price Endowed Chair for the Study of Race and Popular Culture and Professor of Cinema and Media Studies in the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist
Rick Bragg is the author of two best-selling books, All Over but the Shoutin' and Ava's Man. He joined The New York Times in 1994 and has covered events like the Oklahoma City bombing.
Children's Book Author & Creator of "Arthur"
As the creator of everyone's favorite aardvark, author and illustrator Marc Brown has captured children's imaginations for generations through his Arthur series.
Former US Senator & Ambassador
Known as a builder of political bridges with deep expertise in both the public and private sector, Ambassador Scott Brown speaks from more than 30 years of experience as a diplomat, senator, military officer, trade negotiator and bestselling author.
Dean of Harvard’s Renowned Radcliffe Institute
Tomiko Brown Nagin is a prize-winning author, eminent legal scholar and historian, dean of Harvard’s renowned Radcliffe Institute, and pathbreaking leader in higher education.
Senior ESPN Writer
The author of eight books on sports and legendary black athletes, Bryant’s latest work examines the intersection of race, sports, politics and patriotism in a divided America.
Award-Winning Authors, Prolific Content Creators, Disability & Relationship Experts
Shane and Hannah Burcaw are prolific relationship vloggers and authors on a mission to improve the way society understands disability. On their YouTube channel, Squirmy and Grubs, which has gained 900,000+ subscribers and worldwide media attention.
Youngest Solo Pilot to Circumnavigate the Globe
Born and raised in an Australian coastal town, Ryan discovered his passion at a very young age -- flight. Aviation would be the dominant fixture in the young Australian’s life, providing some amazing but also traumatic, life-altering experiences.
New York Times Bestselling Author & Political Analyst
Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, radio host, political analyst and a New York Times bestselling author. The Grift, an instant New York Times bestseller, was released in January 2024.
Boston Globe Columnist & Author
James Carroll began his writing career as a priest but left the Order to pursue his craft full time. He has published nine books and writes for The Boston Globe.
Historian & Author
Clayborne Carson was selected by the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King to edit and publish the papers of Martin Luther King Jr. He studies his life and the movements he inspired.
Sought-After Physician & Author
One of the country's most sought-after physicians, Dr. Greg Charlop is regularly featured on ABC, FOX, Forbes, CBS, and NBC.
Playwright & Novelist
Speaker Pearl Cleage probes issues of race, sex, and love in her literary works. She authored popular books such as 2011's Just Want to Testify.
"The Ethicist"
Emmy Award-winning Randy Cohen pens "The Ethicist," a weekly column for The New York Times Magazine, which answers readers' ethical questions spanning all topics.
Emmy-Winning Writer & Co-Executive Producer, The Simpsons
As the Emmy award-winning writer and producer for The Simpsons, the longest-running American scripted primetime television series in history, Joel Cohen has been a key part of the show’s success. Since its debut, The Simpsons has broadcast more than 600 episodes.
Award-Winning Author & the American Marie Kondo
Known nationally and internationally as the woman who lived in one of the world’s smallest apartments, Felice Cohen is also the award-winning author of the bestselling books.
Olympic Speed Skater & Design Thinking Expert
John “Kairos" Coyle is a true polymath: a champion athlete, a widely-read intellectual, a seasoned executive, an NBC sports analyst, a 3 time TedX speaker, a professor and award winning author of two books.
Mental Health/Recovery Advocate & Author
Brian Cuban is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness. He speaks from personal experience and expertise on eating disorders, substance use disorders, and their underlying factors.
“The Most Connected Man on Earth”
A modern-day story of rebirth and redemption, Dancy shares wisdom and insight on how to improve and transform our lives by paying attention to the relationship between how we move and how it all makes us feel.
American Actor & Comedian
Tommy Davidson’s exceptional range – from stand-up comedy and acting to versatile music accomplishments – have earned him a reputation as an extraordinary performer who delivers no matter the arena.
NYT Best Selling Author of Street Gang
Author, producer and educator Michael Davis wrote the New York Times Non-Fiction Best Seller Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street and is a co-executive producer of the documentary film adapted from the book.
Award-Winning Conflict Navigator
With a TEDx talk at over 10 million views, Davis examines the truths about conflict, hate, intolerance, and communication. His extraordinary journey is chronicled in his first book, Klan-Destine Relationships.
Author of The Queens’ English
Chloe O. Davis is a Broadway performer and debut author who works in the entertainment industry in New York. A graduate of Hampton University and Temple University, she has centered her creative platform on amplifying the narratives of Black culture.
Best-Selling Author, Educator & Thought Leader
Jennifer De Leon is author of the YA novel Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From which was chosen as a Junior Library Guild selection, and the essay collection White Space: Essays on Culture, Race, & Writing, which is a recipient of the Juniper Prize in Creative Nonfiction.
Communications Expert
Rachel DeAlto is a communications expert, media personality, and the author of relatable: How to Connect with Anyone Anywhere (Even if It Scares You).
TV Critic/Media Analyst/Guest Host
Eric Deggans is NPR’s first full-time TV critic and media analyst, providing reviews, feature stories, commentary and guest hosting for the network’s shows such as Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
Award-Winning Essayist & Critic
William Deresiewicz is an award-winning essayist and critic, a frequent college speaker, and the best-selling author of Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life.
National Book Award-Nominated Author & Executive Editor of YES! Media
Evette Dionne, known across the internet as @freeblackgirl, is a journalist, critic, and magazine editor. She’s the National Book Award-nominated and Coretta Scott King honor author of Lifting As We Climb.
Author, Recovering Addict & Son of Michael Douglas
Born into Hollywood royalty as the son of Michael and grandson of Kirk, Cameron is the author of the #1 Amazon bestseller Long Way Home, an unflinching account of his dangerous descent into years of drug abuse and his eventual rise to recovery.
Author, Decision Strategist & Former Professional Poker Player
Annie Duke has leveraged her expertise in the science of smart decision-making to excel at pursuits as varied as championship poker to public speaking.
Public Intellectual & Best-Selling Author
Featured on NPR and MSNBC, Professor Dyson melds scholarly insight with contemporary culture and examines civil rights and race relations. This thought-provoking talks foster social change.
New York Times Bestselling Author, Living Well & Performance Expert
Michael Easter is a New York Times bestselling author who's made a career of traveling the world to uncover innovative and practical ideas that help people live healthier, happier, and more productive and remarkable lives.
Founder of McSweeney's & Author
Dave Eggers is an expert of every step of the book industry as the founder of McSweeney’s, a designer, an editor, and author of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, You Shall Know Our Velocity and more.
Comedian, Writer & Host
Ophira Eisenberg is a standup comic, storyteller and host of NPR’s national comedy-trivia show Ask Me Another where she interviews and plays silly games with celebrities.
Historian / Biographer / Teacher
Grandson of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, David Eisenhower is a political scientist and historian with great insight into American history and the leaders who shaped it. He is the author of Eisenhower: At War.
Scholar, Author & Playwright
Elliot Engel is an award-winning teacher of English and American literature. Featured on PBS for his mini-lecture series on Charles Dickens, his brilliance and humor bring great authors and literature to life.
Founding Director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University
Jeffrey A. Engel is founding director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University and Professor in the Clements Department of History.
Bestselling & Award Winning Novelist & Essayist
Amy Ephron lives in Los Angeles. Her new book Carnival Magic the continued, startling, sometimes magical adventures of Tess and Max is a bestseller and was featured in Teen Vogue.
Transgender Public Scholar & Intellectual Activist
Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza is passionate about the politics of radical difference and the ways that our collective differences might shed light on how we become a better body together. He is also a teacher at heart and loves being with people and teaching the community.
Criminal Lawyer & Best-Selling Crime Novelist
Linda Fairstein’s writing is influenced by her experiences as a former prosecutor. An expert on crimes of violence against women and children, her work draws on today’s most pressing societal issues.
Bridal Fashion Designer
The most trusted source in the Bridal Industry, Randy Fenoli’s mission is to educate, elevate & empower every bride to choose the most important dress in her life & all women to realize their own personal beauty.
New York Times Best-Selling Author & One of the Nation's Most Respected Political Journalists
Franklin Foer, one of the nation's most respected political journalists, is a staff writer at the Atlantic. For seven years, he was the editor of the New Republic magazine.
Pulitzer Prize Winning Author
James Forman, Jr. started the Maya Angelou Public Charter School and is a Professor of Law at Yale Law School. He also worked as a law clerk for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor of the U.S. Supreme Court and is a Pulitzer Prize Winning Author.
Best-Selling Author
Therese Anne Fowler’s best-selling book Z, A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald brings justice to the legacy of F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife, Zelda. She speaks on her writing career and the importance of community libraries.
Actor, Comedian & Writer
One of Hollywood’s fastest rising young talents, Jermaine Fowler can most recently be seen in RETREAT for FX. He can previously be seen in Tim Story’s feature, THE BLACKENING, which premiered at TIFF in 2022.
Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter
Alicia Garza is someone who believes that black communities deserve what all communities deserve — to be powerful in every aspect of their lives. That’s what drives Garza as an innovator, strategist, internationally recognized organizer and writer.
Best-Selling Author, Thought Leader & Executive Coach
Michael J. Gelb is a scintillating and charismatic speaker and a pioneering practitioner and thought leader in the fields of creative thinking, executive coaching and conscious leadership.
Author of the Rizzoli & Isles Series
Best-selling author Tess Gerritsen took an unusual route to a writing career. While on maternity leave as a physician, she began to write fiction. Eight suspense novels later, she has never looked back.
Actor, Singer, Author, Producer & Model
Perhaps best known for his roles in The Fast and the Furious and Transformers, Tyrese Gibson is a multifaceted artist whose career boasts accomplishments as an R&B singer, actor and author.
Business Speaker & Author
A member of the Speaker Hall of Fame, Steve Gilliland is one of the most in-demand and top-rated speakers in the world. Recognized as a master storyteller and brilliant comedian, he can be heard daily on SiriusXM Radio’s Laugh USA.
New York Times Bestselling Author & James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor, Princeton University
One of the nation’s most prominent scholars, Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr. is an author, political commentator, public intellectual and passionate educator who examines the complex dynamics of the American experience.
Stand-Up Comedian, Actor & Author
Judy has had stand-up specials on HBO, Comedy Central and LOGO. She was a part of Netflix’s Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration. She is the author of Yes I Can Say That, a critically acclaimed book.
Investigative Journalist / Author
Journalist and author David Goodman is an avid human rights speaker. He encourages us that we can make a difference and that it is everyday citizens who have the power to challenge government and prevail.
Edgy Expert on Equity, Trainer & Author
Risha Grant is diversity personified. From her race, gender and lifestyle choices, to being a young, small business owner and tackling economic issues, every area of her life intersects diversity.
Award-Winning Franchise Owner & Business Performance Expert
Meet Scott Greenberg: one-part business game-changer, one-part motivational leader. Scott practically wrote the book on what it takes to transform businesses from average to extraordinary.
Psychologist & Author
Ross Greene is the creator of the Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) approach, author of the acclaimed book The Explosive Child, and an advocate for compassionate treatment of behaviorally challenging kids.
Award-Winning Artist, Educator & Leader
Praised for his game-changing portrayal of Sitting Bull in Woman Walks Ahead, Greyeyes is a proud Nehiyawe (Plains Cree) blazing new trails for indigenous people in film.
Former White House Press Secretary for Donald Trump
Stephanie Grisham is a public relations specialist and television pundit with over 15 years of experience at the highest levels of government and media relations. She is one of just 31 people in American history to hold the title of White House Press Secretary.
Iranian American Writer & Journalist
A celebrated poet and filmmaker, Roya Hakakian is the author of Journey from the Land of No and a founding member of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center. She speaks on the Middle East and human rights.
Vice Chairman, Morgan Stanley
Carla Harris is a Vice Chairman, Managing Director and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She is responsible for increasing client connectivity and penetration to enhance revenue generation across the firm.
Founder & CEO of charity: water, New York Times Bestselling Author
Scott founded the non-profit organization charity: water in 2006. He created public installations and innovative online fundraising platforms to spread international awareness of the issue.
Foreign Correspondent & Author
Author of War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning and a foreign correspondent in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans, Chris Hedges speaks on war, religion and the conflict in the Middle East.
Biologist & Stress Expert, Author
Dr. Heiss is a stress expert dedicated to transforming our fears into fuel we can use through her T-minus 3 Technique. Her research has been designated “transformative” by the National Science Foundation.
Author of Running with the Bulls
Valerie Hemingway has evoked the magic and the pathos of Ernest Hemingway's last years in Running with the Bulls, an account of what she enjoyed, and what she endured when capturing the mystique of a great author.
Author & LGBTQ Rights Advocate
Jessica Herthel is the co-author of the children’s picture book, I Am Jazz. She uses the book as a classroom tool and why it is imperative to make schools and communities a safer place for ALL children.
Emmy & Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist
Maria Hinojosa is the Pulitzer Prize-winning founder of Futuro Media based in New York City. She has written four books, won multiple awards, and is the Anchor and Executive Producer of the Peabody Award-winning show Latino US.
New York Times Bestselling Author of Rocket Girls
New York Times bestselling author Nathalia Holt enthuses audiences with her inspiring narratives of women who have defied the odds, broken barriers, and made history.
Psychotherapist & Parenting Expert
Katie Hurley, LCSW, is a child and adolescent psychotherapist, parenting expert, and writer. She is the founder of “Girls Can!” empowerment groups for girls between ages 5-11.
Superintendent - K12 Educational Thought Leader
Dr. Michael Hynes works as a Superintendent in New York. His mission is to spread the message of the importance of a holistic approach to educating children around the world.
Education Policy Advisor, Children’s Book Author, Film Producer, & Public Servant
Nicole Jain has dedicated her career to public service and leadership specifically in the realm of K-12 public education policy and management.
Co-Founder and VP, The Documentary Group
Kayce Freed Jennings is co-founder and executive VP of The Documentary Group, an independent production company that produced the 2008 Academy Award nominee, Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience.
World’s Foremost Authority on Rejection & Bestselling Author of Rejection Proof
Rising to notoriety with his most-viewed TED Talk (top 200 out of 60,000), What I Learned from 100 Days of Rejection, which became the basis for his bestselling book and #1 audio book, Rejection Proof, Jia Jiang has become the world’s foremost expert on rejection.
Best-Selling True Crime Author & Journalist
Jones is a best-selling true crime author and journalist who uses her reporter’s hunch to investigate high-profile crimes and murder cases. Through her eyes, Jones sheds light on the dark motives and emotional truths lurking behind the headlines.
MSNBC Political Analyst, Host of the Fast Politics Podcast & Vanity Fair Special Correspondent
Molly Jong-Fast is an American writer, journalist, author, political commentator, and podcaster. Jong-Fast is the author of two novels; Normal Girl and The Social Climber's Handbook, and her memoir will be coming out from Viking in spring 2025.
Thought Leader & Founding Director, LBJ School of Public Affairs CSRD
In Fall 2015, Dr. Peniel E. Joseph joined the University of Texas at Austin as Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy.
Cognitive Scientist and Humanistic Psychologist & Host: The Psychology Podcast
Renowned humanistic psychologist, Scott Barry Kaufman, explores the depths of human potential by challenging traditional metrics of success.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Historian
A professor of American history at Stanford University, David Kennedy offers convention-shattering revelations about 20th Century America. Author of Freedom from Fear, he also contributes to The New York Times.
Resilience Mode Founder, Inspirational Leader, Author & Justice Advocate
You would probably be incredibly angry after spending nearly a quarter of a century in prison before being exonerated for a crime you didn’t commit. But not Ricky Kidd. Instead, Ricky focused on the positive—no matter how unfairly he was treated.
New York Times Architecture Critic
Michael Kimmelman is chief architecture critic of The New York Times and a contributor to The New York Review of Books. While his critiques assess art, they help people understand the bond between art and life.
Award-winning Correspondent / Author
Stephen Kinzer is an award-winning correspondent who has reported from more than 50 countries. His book, Overthrow, is an account of the fourteen times the United States has overthrown foreign governments.
Professor at Montclair State University in the Department of Teaching and Learning & the Department of Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies
Emily J. Klein is a professor at Montclair State University in the Department of Teaching and Learning, the PhD program in Teaching and Teacher Education, and the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies.
Author, Notorious RBG, Attorney & Activist
Knizhnik is a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of New York City’s Criminal Defense Practice. While a student at NYU School of Law, she created the Notorious RBG Tumblr, and in 2015 she co-wrote Notorious RBG with journalist Irin Carmon.
Legendary Music Mogul Behind Destiny's Child, Beyoncé & Solange
Mathew Knowles taps into every area of his expertise to deliver engaging, educational, and motivating keynotes that will leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Emmy Award Winning TV Personality & Style Expert
Emmy Award winning TV personality, style expert, fashion designer, interior designer and New York Times best-selling author are some of the credits of the multi-talented and unforgettable Carson Kressley.
Educator, Best-Selling Author, Recovery & Prevention Coach
Teacher and NYT best-selling author, Jessica Lahey, inspires audiences with her rallying cry to allow children to experience failure as an integral part of becoming successful, resilient and self-reliant adults.
Best-Selling Novelist / Educator
Earning two spots in Oprah’s Book Club, Wally Lamb wrote The Hour I First Believed, a docudrama of the Columbine massacre, and She’s Come Undone. His writing crosses genres and enthralls readers of all types.
Sociologist, Educator & Author
Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, a MacArthur prize-winning sociologist, is the Emily Hargroves Fisher Professor of Education at Harvard University, where she has worked since 1972, and the author of nine books.
Biographer & Author
A best-selling author and Kennedy expert, speaker Laurence Leamer most recently authored Fantastic: The Life of Arnold Schwarzenegger, which USA Today called "truly fantastic."
Chief Engineer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
A renowned science fiction writer who produced the Cosmos series with Carl Sagan, B. Gentry Lee is responsible for the engineering integrity of all the robotic planetary missions managed by JPL.
Actress / Creator of Angry Little Asian Girl
Lela Lee created the cult online cartoon "Angry Little Asian Girl" and website for people, like her, who grew up thinking girls shouldn't get upset. She has guest starred on Will & Grace and Friends among others.
Grief Advocate, Entrepreneur & Bestselling Author
Marisa Renee Lee is a called upon grief advocate, entrepreneur, and bestselling author of Grief is Love: Living with Loss.
Founder and CEO of Hollywood Unlocked, Multimedia Powerhouse and Self-Made Entrepreneur
Multimedia powerhouse and self-made entrepreneur Jason Lee’s success has nothing to do with luck. Life tried to underestimate Lee. Life has learned its lesson.
Analyst, Author & Supermarket Guru
Known as The Supermarket Guru, Phil Lempert is an expert analyst on consumer behavior, marketing trends, new products and the changing retail landscape.
Speaker on Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
Susan Levine has been in the financial services industry for most of her career. That all changed when she suffered a suicide attempt in NYC, which left her a double amputee, having lost her right arm above the elbow and her left leg above the knee.
Adventure Sports & Travel Journalist / Author
Writer, educator, public speaker and entertainer Buddy Levy is a co-star of Brad Meltzer's Decoded on The History Channel. As a freelance journalist, he has covered adventure sports and lifestyle/travel worldwide.
Wired’s Editor at Large
A former senior editor of Newsweek, Steven Levy has been at the forefront of technology since the 80s. Levy is an expert on innovation, creative technology and technology's impact on business and society.
Foremost Expert on Asian Pop Culture
Stu Levy is an entrepreneur, producer, director and writer of graphic novels, film, television and new media. Founder of the pioneering media company TOKYOPOP, he established the manga market in North America.
Best-Selling Author & Community Activist
Author of the New York Times best-seller All Souls, Michael Patrick MacDonald shares his remarkable story of survival and redemption while examining the relationship between poverty and class he witnessed growing up in South Boston.
Bestselling Author of the Award-Winning Book Dear William
David Magee is the bestselling author of the award-winning book Dear William: A Father’s Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love and Loss (2021), a Publisher’s Weekly national bestseller featured on CBS Mornings.
Food Enthusiast
Simon Majumdar is a world-renowned broadcaster, food writer, speaker, author and cook who has dedicated the second half of his time on this planet to fulfill his ambition to “Go Everywhere, Eat Everything.”
Author & Founder of Moral Courage TV
Professor Irshad Manji role models the key teaching of moral courage: that doing the right thing in the face of our fears makes us whole. A senior fellow at the USC, she is an educator at heart.
Award-Winning Author & Cultural Educator
Larry Spotted Crow Mann is a nationally acclaimed author, and citizen of the Nipmuc Tribe of Massachusetts. He is an award winning writer, poet, cultural educator and Traditional Story Teller.
"Maria" on Sesame Street & Best-Selling Author
Having retired her iconic Sesame Street character “Maria,” Manzano now dedicates her time to speaking and writing on education, communication, and Hispanics in the media.
Best-Selling Author & Son of Pablo Escobar
Sebastian Marroquín is the son of the late Colombian drug lord, Pablo Escobar. Marroquín has come out of the shadows to share his personal story in his best-selling book, Pablo Escobar: My Father.
Former NASA Astronaut
Mike Massimino is a former astronaut, the first person to tweet from space, a recurring character on The Big Bang Theory, a professor at Columbia University and a New York Times best-selling author.
Bestselling Author, Poet & Advocate
Aija Mayrock is a bestselling author, poet, and advocate. Forbes Magazine wrote about Aija Mayrock, “With hundreds of thousands of social media followers, Aija Mayrock uses writing and performing to connect, educate, and advocate...”
Top-Ranked Futurist & 2x Bestselling Author
One of Forbes' Top Futurists, Heather E. McGowan is a globally recognized future-of-work strategist, keynote speaker, and 2x bestselling author who equips leaders and organizations to navigate relentless change.
Inspirational Speaker, Author & Longest Held Captive of Al Qaeda
Stephen's talk is a story about resilience and overcoming adversity amidst harsh weather conditions, a different culture, language and religion. He talks about making important decisions, about the importance of acceptance and communication.
Cartoonist and Writer, Close to Home
McPherson is the cartoonist and writer behind the renowned comic panel Close to Home. McPherson has published more than 20 book collections, yearly block calendars, and an award-winning line of greeting cards.
Expert on Interfaith, Interracial & Multicultural Experiences
Samira K. Mehta is the Director of Jewish Studies and an Associate Professor of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research and teaching focus on the intersections religion, culture, and gender.
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.
Award Winning Actress, Author & Advocate
Debbi Morgan is known to international audiences for her prolific career most recently starring in TYLER PERRY'S "Divorce In The Black" for Amazon Prime and TYLER PERRY'S "Beauty In Black" for Netflix.
Great-Great-Great Grandson of Frederick Douglass
Mr. Morris descends from two of the most influential names in American history: he is the great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass and the great-great grandson of Booker T. Washington.
2021 Nobel Peace Prize Winner & Editor-in-Chief of Novaya Gazeta
Dmitry Muratov is a Russian journalist who, as editor in chief of the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, was a vocal advocate for an independent press and known for investigating abuses of power. In 2021 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace, cited for his “efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.”
Inspirational Speaker & Best-Selling Author
Formerly homeless, Liz Murray transformed her life of despair into an inspiring journey of determination, hope and hard-won success. Lifetime produced a movie about Murray’s life story entitled Homeless to Harvard, which was nominated for three Emmys.
Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law at NYU School of Law
Melissa Murray knows the transformational power of women’s rights and gender justice. As a leading scholar of constitutional law and reproductive rights and justice, she researches and writes about the structures, systems, and institutions.
NFL Columnist for the Dallas Morning News & Author
Gary Myers is the former NFL Columnist for the Dallas Morning News and New York Daily News. He is the author of seven books.
Triple Emmy Award Winner, Bestselling Author & Entrepreneur
Triple EMMY award winner, bestselling author, and entrepreneur Gaby Natale helps organizations embrace their uniqueness, break barriers, and redefine what is possible.
Journalist & Author
Judith Newman is the author of the bestseller To Siri With Love, a collection of illuminating stories about life with a fourteen-year-old boy with autism.
Writer, Speaker & Internet Yeller
Ijeoma Oluo (ee-joh-mah oh-loo-oh) is a writer, speaker and internet yeller. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller So You Want to Talk About Race and most recently, Mediocre.
New York Times Best Selling Author
Peggy Orenstein is an internationally-acclaimed expert on the challenges facing teens, college students--and their parents--as they come of age in today’s culture, She is the author of the New York Times best-sellers Boys & Sex and Girls & Sex.
Social Entrepreneur & Author of Uncharitable
Dan Pallotta is a humanitarian entrepreneur, one of the world’s most forward voices on philanthropy and innovation, reshaping the nonprofit sector at an early age.
Leadership & Happiness Expert
After graduating from Harvard Business School, Neil Pasricha spent a decade as Director of Leadership at Walmart, the world’s largest company. While there he wrote the 50-million-hit, award-winning blog 1000 Awesome Things and NYT bestsellers.
Best-Selling Author & Reading Champion
One of the most prolific and best-selling writers of all time, speaker James Patterson has authored such titles as Kiss the Girls. He is also a vocal reading advocate.
The Real-Life Spencer From Netflix’s All American
Former NLF player Paysinger is the inspiration behind CW’s hit drama, All American. Passionate about helping underserved communities, he serves on the board of KIPP Public Schools Black and LatinX Leadership committee.
Author, Child Rights & Mental Health Advocate
As a child, Pelzer's resilience enabled him to overcome extreme life-threatening obstacles. As an adult, his inspirational work has encouraged millions to remain steadfast to their personal convictions.
Human-Centered Thought Leader, Bestselling Author & Managing Director at Seramount
Steve Pemberton is a visionary human-centered thought leader and the Founder and CEO of The Lighthouse Academy.
Internationally Bestselling Author, Award-Winning Journalist & Podcast Creator
Jo Piazza is a bestselling author, podcast creator and award-winning journalist. Jo is the national and international bestselling author of many critically acclaimed novels and nonfiction books including We Are Not Like Them.
GRAMMY-Nominated Poet; Human & Civil Rights Activist; Filmmaker; Author of 16 Books
Kevin Powell is one of the most celebrated political, cultural, literary, and hip-hop voices in America today. Kevin has gone on to author 14 books, including When We Free The World, his new short essay collection about freedom in America.
Fitness & Transformation Expert
Heidi Powell is the ultimate female force. She is a trainer, transformation specialist, businesswoman and author. Heidi became a fixture in America’s living room as she worked side-by-side husband Chris Powell on ABC’s hit show, Extreme Weight Loss.
Award-Winning Journalist & Author of The Family Roe
For more than twenty years, Joshua Prager, a former senior writer for The Wall Street Journal, has written about historical secrets. His work has shed new light on our cultural touchstones.
Former Teacher & Elementary Principal
Toby Price is a former teacher and elementary principal. He is a husband, an educator, a writer, a story teller, an artist, and the King of Dad Jokes.
Editor, Writer, Co-Author of We Are Not Like Them & You Were Always Mine
Christine Pride is a writer, editor and long time publishing veteran. She’s held editorial posts at many different imprints including Doubleday, Broadway, Crown, Hyperion, and Simon and Schuster.
Journalist, Award Winning Non-Fiction Author & Photographer
Sam Quinones is a journalist, storyteller, former LA Times reporter, and author of four acclaimed books of narrative nonfiction. His most recent book is The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth.
Performance Coach, Psychologist & Author
Jamil Qureshi is one of today's foremost practitioners of performance enhancing psychology and is an expert in high performing teams.
Research Professor & Historian of Education
Diane Ravitch is a research professor of education at New York University and a prolific writer, who has published more than 500 articles and reviews for scholarly and popular publications on the subject.
Navy SEAL & Best-Selling Author
Retired Navy SEAL Jason “Jay” Redman is the author of The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader, which captures his 21-year career and journey in leadership serving with the US Navy SEAL teams.
Writer for The Simpsons
Mike Reiss has won four Emmys and a Peabody Award during his twenty eight years writing for The Simpsons. He ran the show in Season 4, which Entertainment Weekly called “the greatest season of the greatest show in history.”
International Explorer, World Record Setting Climber & Skier, and Award Winning Nonfiction Author
Jan Reynolds is a world record setting climber and skier, Olympic athlete, award winning author and photographer known for her ability to capture extraordinary imagery and stories while climbing and skiing in extremely high-risk environments.
3x Emmy Award Winning Actor, Seinfeld
Michael Richards is a three-time Emmy Award winning actor beloved for starring as Cosmo Kramer on the groundbreaking classic television series Seinfeld.
Renowned Authority in Mental Health & Child Psychology
Dr. Jillian Roberts is a renowned authority in the fields of mental health, child psychology, parenting, and resilience building.
Host, Voiceover Artist & Content Creator
Attorney, educator, journalist, producer, host, moderator, voiceover artist and author, Angélique Roché believes in the power of story and the impact that fiction and non-fiction narratives can have.
Practical Futurist
Michael Rogers is an author, futurist and technology pioneer who recently completed two years as futurist-in-residence for The New York Times. Rogers zeros in on how technology affects society.
Beauty Boss, TV Personality & Positivity Preacher
Celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal has dedicated her life to helping people feel like the best version of themselves by mirroring their outward appearance with their inner beauty.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author & Columnist
Tina Rosenberg is co-writer of the New York Times "Fixes" column and author of Join the Club: How Peer Pressure Can Transform the World.
Bestselling Author & Screenwriter
Steven Rowley is the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016, The Editor, named by NPR and Esquire magazine as one of the Best Books of 2019.
Original Chick-fil-A Marketing Executive
David Salyers was one of the original two marketing executives at Chick-fil-A. He spent 37 years in the Chick-fil-A Marketing Department and most recently served as a Vice President before his recent retirement.
Author & Documentary Filmmaker
Speaker Esmeralda Santiago is an award-winning author and founder of Cantomedia, a production company known for its documentaries. She supports community-based programs.
Best-Selling Author & Accomplished Entertainment Executive
After overcoming a childhood of adversity, Tara Schuster quickly rose up the ranks of Comedy Central where she rocketed upwards to become the youngest Vice President of Talent and Development at the network.
Daughter of Malcolm X, Professor & Author
Sharing the legacy of her parents, Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, Ilyasah is an inspirational role model, youth advocate and champion of women and girl empowerment.
Reality TV Star & Winner of Survivor
Parvati Shallow is an internationally recognized yoga teacher, executive coach, and speaker. She holds advanced certifications in both Hatha and Kundalini Yoga and is a four-time competitor and winner of CBS’s hit series SURVIVOR.
Best-Selling Author, Storyteller
From his maritime masterpiece The Finest Hours (now a Disney blockbuster), to Boston Strong, Sherman is a masterful storyteller making giant leaps into Hollywood with his triumphant tales of overcoming adversity.
TV Personality & Author of She’s Unlikeable
The breakout star of Netflix’s Emmy-nominated Indian Matchmaking Seasons 1 and 2, Aparna Shewakramani became an overnight ambassador for those women demanding to have their voices heard.
Award-Winning Author
The best-selling author of Super Sad True Love Story, speaker Gary Shteyngart offers insights into the absurdity of life, balancing humor with tragedy.
Co-CEO, Archie Comic Publications
Silberkleit is co-CEO of Archie Comic Publications, one of the most successful, longest-running brands in the history of the comic industry. She believes the comic book is a valuable tool for developing literacy.
Motivator & Philanthropist
Justine Simmons, star of MTV's hit reality show Run's House, is an accomplished author, jewelry designer, and philanthropist who speaks on family and motivation.
"The Wolfette of Wallstreet"
Affectionately known as the "Wolfette Of Wallstreet," at just 28, Lauren Simmons made history becoming the youngest trader on the NYSE floor, and second African-American female trader to work on the exchange in over 228 years.
Founder of LiberatED
Dr. Dena Simmons is the founder of LiberatED, a liberatory approach to social and emotional learning, racial justice, and healing. She is also the inaugural scholar-in-residence at the Institute for Racial Justice at Loyola University of Chicago.
2x Emmy Winning ESPN Sportscaster & Addiction Prevention Advocate
Lauren Sisler is a two-time Emmy award-winning sports broadcaster who joined ESPN and SEC Network in 2016 as a sideline reporter for both college football and gymnastics.
Doctor, Author & Media Consultant
A medical expert on Celebrity Fit Club and author of The 4 Day Diet, Ian Smith is a medical correspondent for NBC and a health columnist for Men's Health.
Author & Criminal Justice Advocate
Smith attended the prestigious Hampton University, but what happened at her campus was a nightmare, and led to a 24.5-year sentence in a federal prison. In 2000, after serving 6.5 years, President Clinton commuted her sentence to time served.
Legendary Lawyer & Noted Mental Health Advocate
Rolling Out magazine calls Corey Minor Smith a “legendary lawyer, renowned attorney, noted mental health advocate, prominent media fixture, and New York Times celebrated author.”
Rap Artist & Community Activist
Performer, author, and activist Sister Souljah organizes community youth events that encourage activism. Her best-selling books include No Disrespect.
Expert on Young People & Sexuality
The author of Unhooked, Laura Sessions Stepp offers an inside look at the "hookup" - the basis of social interaction between sexes in high schools and colleges.
Futurist & Cyberpunk Sci-Fi Author
Speaker Bruce Sterling led the cyberpunk movement in science fiction. A contributing editor to Wired, he covers everything from globalization to technology.
Trend & Pop Culture Journalist
Trend & pop culture journalist and four-time author Alix Strauss is a media savvy social satirist. A frequent contributor to the New York Times Metro, Styles, Real Estate and Special Section, she also created and writes the It’s No Secret column.
Author, The Death of Vishnu
A novelist and professor, speaker Mani Suri was named a Time Person to Watch after releasing his award-winning book The Death of Vishnu.
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.
Best-Selling Author
A philosopher, essayist, risk-management expert and former trader. He is author of The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable, which explains everything we know about what we don’t know.
Disability Advocate, Educator & Best-Selling Author, Sitting Pretty
Rebekah Taussig will challenge everything you think you know about disability as she invites us into her experience of living in a body that looks and moves differently than most.
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.
Director of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies & Professor in the Department of Educational Foundations at Montclair State University
Monica Taylor is the Director of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, a professor in the Department of Educational Foundations, as well as in the teacher education and teacher development doctoral program at Montclair State University.
Humanitarian, Director & Author of The Third Wave
Dr. Alison Thompson is a global humanitarian volunteer, running large refugee camps, field hospitals and resilience command hubs in natural and man-made disasters around the world for the past 23 years.
Award-Winning Actress & Author
A Golden Globe winner for her role in Agnes of God, speaker Meg Tilly is a child protection advocate and the author of Singing Songs, which addresses family violence.
Marine Biologist, TV Personality & Author
Luke Tipple is a marine biologist, TV personality, best selling author, entrepreneur and pilot. Guided by the universal language of the water he’s spent the past 30+ years in, on or under the surface, experiencing its gifts and brutalities.
Author, Humorist & Public School Advocate
Tsing Loh is an award-winning author, academic and host of the syndicated radio show "The Loh Down on Science." She is also the author of the book The Madwoman In The Volvo: My Year Of Raging Hormones.
Attorney & Author of Legal Thrillers
Known for their alluring plotlines and twists, Attorney Scott Turow's law-inspired thrillers include Presumed Innocent, its sequel, Innocent and his newest novel, Identical.
Award-Winning Author
An NAACP Image Award winner, speaker Omar Tyree has authored such best-selling titles as For the Love of Money and Flyy Girl.
Bestselling Author & Creator of the Wildly Popular Blog Wait But Why
Tim Urban is a wildly popular thinker, blogger, illustrator, and speaker beloved for his ability to make sense of our world and humanity in head-spinning, hilarious ways.
President, Futuro Media & Founder, Latino Rebels
As Editorial Director for Futuro Media, Julio (Julito) Ricardo Varela is responsible for the overall editorial vision and voice of Latino USA, Latino Rebels and In The Thick.
Futurist, Game Developer & Architect of the Metaverse
Kelly Vero is a futurist, game developer, and architect of the Metaverse with over 30 years in the gaming and technology industry. She is acknowledged worldwide as an expert on the Metaverse.
Poet, Writer & Children's Author
A former contributing editor for Redbook, speaker Judith Viorst is a best-selling author and writer of children's books. She speaks on loss, growth, and more.
Author, The Color Purple
A gifted, prolific novelist and a leading voice among African-American women writers, Walker authored the Pulitizer Prize winning book, The Color Purple.
Author, Feminist & Activist
Rebecca Walker contributes to the global conversation about gender, identity, power, and the evolution of the human family through writing books, collaborating with artists and thought leaders, teaching at the university level, and more.
Founding Director, Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice
Professor of the Practice at the McCourt School of Public Policy and Founder and Director of the Center for Faith and Justice at Georgetown University, Jim Wallis is a globally respected writer and speaker, public theologian, and justice advocate.
Inaugural Associate Professor of Equity & Inclusion in Education Policy at Vanderbilt University
Dr. Chezare A. Warren is the inaugural Associate Professor of Equity & Inclusion in Education Policy at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development.
Financial Expert & Social Activist
As the founder of YourBlackWorld.com, speaker Boyce Watkins fights for economic and social justice in America. He is the resident financial expert for AOL Black Voices.
Distinguished Professor of History, Assistant Director, Center for Citizenship & Civility & Award-Winning Author
Dr. Robert Watson is an award-winning author, professor and Avron Fogelman Research Professor at Lynn University and historian and analyst for numerous media outlets.
Former Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan & Author
Speaker Kate White led Cosmopolitan to become the US's top-selling women's magazine. She motivates others to reach goals in their personal and professional lives.
Columnist & Law Professor
The recipient of the MacArthur Foundation "Genius Award," speaker Patricia J. Williams is the author of Seeing a Color-Blind Future.
Spoken Word Artist
Star of the first hip-hop play on Broadway, “Holler If You Can Hear Me,” musician and slam poetry legend Williams wows with his one-man spoken word performance.
Cultural Critic, Author & The Atlantic Contributing Writer
A cultural critic for extraordinary times, Thomas Chatterton Williams brings his insightful perspective to subjects of race, Black identity and history, cancel culture, social justice and inequality in America and the world.
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.
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist & Author
Woodward is a journalistic icon who gained international attention when he and Carl Bernstein broke the news of the Watergate scandal. The author of 21 bestsellers, he delivers the inside scoop on Washington.
World’s Leading Expert on Change Enthusiasm
Cassandra Worthy is the world’s leading expert on Change Enthusiasm. She is lighting the world on fire with her refreshingly unique take on not just ‘managing’ but growing through change.
Most Influential Dean in Legal Education
In 2004, Frank H. Wu became the ninth Dean of Wayne State University Law School in Detroit. The author of Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White, he was named among the Top 20 Scholars in the Nation.
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.
Substance Abuse Advocate
Speaker Koren Zailckas authored Smashed, a riveting account of her alcohol abuse as a teen. She probes the national culture of addiction and recovery in her keynotes.
Geopolitical Strategist
Peter combines an expert understanding of demography, economics, energy, politics, technology, and security to help clients best prepare for an uncertain future.
Expert on Race Relations
Leading the way as an academic voice on race relations, Dr. Tukufu Zuberi is an inspiring champion for social justice. He hosts PBS's The History Detectives.