Jane McAlevey
Power, Participation and Democracy: As a labor organizer, author and scholar, her work and activism focus on the intersection of power and strategy.
Thought-Provoking Keynotes
Inspirational speakers for commencement or keynote programs – with messages that will stay with your audience
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Your personal astrophysicist and host of the Emmy Award winning, COSMOS: A SpaceTime Odyssey and StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson. Dr. Tyson’s passion for science communication changes the way we think about the universe.
Charles Johnson
National Book Award winner for Middle Passage, Dr. Charles Johnson writes captivating novels that address issues of being African-American in today’s U.S. society.
Video: Charles Johnson talks about writing and learning to write
Lilly Ledbetter
The inspiration behind the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, she continues to ignite change. A bestselling author and activist, Ledbetter fights for pay equity.
Sandra Steingraber
An international anti- fracking activist & biologist who fights for the environmental protection of others. Steingraber sees environmental rights as a basic human right.
Video: Speaking out on Fracking
Michael Tubbs
Defeating the odds, Mayor Tubbs has had an extraordinary rise to become the youngest and most highly effective mayors of our time. His innovative ideas span from a Basic Income Program to Education For All.
Shola Lynch
Award-winning filmmaker, scholar, and prominent film curator known for the documentaries FREE ANGELA And All Political Prisoners, and Chisolm ’72-Unbought and Unbossed.
Video: Toronto International Film Festival Interview with Shola Lynch
Mariama White-Hammond
Through her environmental and social justice advocacy, Rev. White-Hammond reforms racial divides within communities and empowers individuals to make change for the greater good.
Richard Rodriguez
An award–winning, thought provoking writer, hailed in The Washington Post as “one of the most eloquent and probing public intellectuals in America”.
Video: Richard Rodriguez at the Library of Congress
Robert Bullard
“Father of Environmental Justice,” & “One of 13 Environmental Leaders of the Century”. Dr. Robert Bullard is a leading voice on environmental racism, sustainable housing & human rights.
Steven Strogatz
An award-winning researcher, teacher, and communicator, Strogatz enjoys sharing the beauty of math, nonlinear dynamics and complex systems, often on topics inspired by the curiosities of everyday life.
Video: Steven Strogatz at the World Government Summit in Dubai
Michael Mann
Recognized as one of our planet’s heroes & part of the IPCC team that won the Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Mann is an award-winning climate scientist and expert on climate change.
Ainissa Ramirez
Science Communicator & Innovator, known as the “Science Evangelist,” Dr. Ramirez educates and excites audiences of all backgrounds, making science timely, informative and fascinating.
Video: Ainissa Ramirez and the importance of STEM education
Raffi
Known to millions as a children’s entertainer, Raffi believes that the key to building a humane and sustainable world lies in how we treat our children, a philosophy he calls Child Honouring.
Curt Ellis
Co-founder of FoodCorps, promoting food advocacy in youth, Award-winning documentary filmmaker of King Corn.
David Quammen
Quammen’s science journalism creates a fascinating blend of exploration and storytelling. He brilliantly explains complicated science concepts to his audiences. Three-time recipient of the National Magazine Award and long-time contributing writer for National Geographic.
Daisy Hernández
Award winning author, Hernandez crosses the barriers between race, gender, and media representation. Her bold insight emphasizes current disparities in today’s culture.
Bernice Johnson Reagon
Legendary icon — singer, activist, scholar, artist — inspires audiences with a moving and memorable mixture of song and spoken word.