African American Speakers
Inspire your audience with a keynote speech from one of the famous African American motivational speakers on our roster. Leading Authorities speakers bureau represents the best and brightest Black motivational speakers, media personalities, shark tank guests, well-known political strategists, members of the US Congress, best-selling business authors, black female motivational speakers, African American Chief Executive Officers, and more. We connect Fortune 500 companies, leading professional organizations, and civic groups with the most sought-after speakers, and our roster of African American talent celebrates the importance of diversity within modern society. With the Black Lives Matter movement gaining worldwide recognition don't wait to secure your motivational speaker for Black History Month. Our most celebrated Black motivational speakers are in high-demand during this time of the year.
Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall
Life Sciences Leader, Former EVP, Chief Medical Officer, & Chief Patient Officer at Pfizer, Inc.
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall
Hakeem Oluseyi
Astrophysicist, Former Space Science Education Lead for NASA, & Inspirational Speaker
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Hakeem Oluseyi
Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi has three degrees, 8 U.S. patents, four E.U. patents and has hosted shows on the Science Channel and on Discovery. But more impressive is his life story. Oluseyi grew up in the roughest neighborhoods of America, learned to survive on the street, and still taught himself Einstein’s theory of relativity from an old set of encyclopedias. At every turn he was presented with a compelling option to quit and yet he persevered. Today, he is a NASA astrophysicist, a global educator, and the author of a highly-anticipated upcoming memoir A Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Streets to the Stars where he recounts his journey from the streets to the stars. Motivational and inspirational speaker Dr. Oluseyi is exclusively represented by Leading Authorities.
Ginny Clarke
Former Director, Executive Recruiting at Google and Holistic Leadership Strategist
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
Ginny Clarke
Joan Higginbotham
Retired NASA Astronaut, Rocket Scientist, Electrical Engineer, & Third African American Woman in Space
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $55,001 - $75,000*
Joan Higginbotham
Jessica O. Matthews
Innovator and CEO, Uncharted
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Jessica O. Matthews
Jessica O. Matthews is the Founder & CEO of Uncharted Power, an award-winning energy and data technology company that develops infrastructure solutions for communities, facilities, and Internet of Things. The company was founded by Jessica when she was only 22 years old. Jessica’s research and career centers around the intersection of disruptive technology, renewable energy, human behavior, and the psychology of self-actualization. A dual citizen of Nigeria & the U.S. and Black female speaker, Jessica has a degree in Psychology and Economics from Harvard University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and is listed on over 10 patents and patents pending—including her first invention of the SOCCKET, an energy generating soccer ball, at the age of 19.
Jonathan Capehart
Jonathan Capehart is a journalist and television personality who has worked as a policy advisor to Michael Bloomberg’s campaign, a national affairs columnist, and was a member of the Daily News editorial board which won the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing. Highly popular Black inspirational speaker, he currently writes for The Washington Post’s PostPartisan blog and is a contributor for MSNBC.
Sekou Andrews
Grammy-Nominated Creator of "Poetic Voice" & Inspirational Speaker
- Local: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US East: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Europe: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Sekou Andrews
A school teacher turned actor, musician, two-time national poetry slam champion, entrepreneur, and award-winning poetic voice, any given day may now find Sekou keynoting at a leadership conference, helping a Fortune 500 company with brand messaging, or even performing pieces for Barack Obama in Oprah’s backyard. Black public speaker Sekou Andrews is the creator of Poetic Voice, a new, cutting-edge speaking category that seamlessly fuses inspirational speaking with spoken word poetry to make messages more moving and memorable. For over 15 years, Sekou Andrews has been helping the world’s largest organizations deliver relevant information with riveting inspiration through an innovative, unconventional category of speaking called “Poetic Voice.”
Jason O. Harris
Decorated Combat Leader, Trust & Leadership Advisor, & Creator of No Fail Trust
- Local: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: Please Inquire
- Asia: Please Inquire
Jason O. Harris
Nichol Bradford
Futurist and Transformative Tech Pioneer, Founder, & Executive
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Nichol Bradford
Tarika Barrett
CEO, Girls Who Code
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
Tarika Barrett
Reggie Fils-Aimé
Former President and COO of Nintendo of America Inc.
- Local: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US East: $75,001 and up*
- US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Europe: $75,001 and up*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
Reggie Fils-Aimé
An award-winning innovator and disruptor, Reggie Fils-Aimé is a proven expert on transforming companies, re-vitalizing brands, and reshaping industries to solve daunting challenges and achieve ‘the impossible.’ Most recently, he was the president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America – the first American and African-American to hold this position and is now an influential Black speaker. Revered by business leaders and gaming fans alike, Fils-Aimé helped bring Nintendo’s greatest successes – including the Nintendo DS, the Wii, the Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and the Nintendo Switch – to the global marketplace. Using his personal story as an example, he shares with audiences his principles for effective and innovative leadership, including defining a vision, courage in decision-making, and “irrefutable integrity.”
Nikkia Reveillac
Business Insights & Strategy Leader, Organization Designer & Builder, and Director, Consumer Insights at Netflix
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Nikkia Reveillac
Donna Brazile
Former Interim Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Renowned Political Strategist and Commentator, and Best-selling Author
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: Please Inquire
Donna Brazile
Political strategist Donna Brazile is the former interim chair of the DNC, as well as the former vice chair for civic engagement and voter participation at the DNC, an adjunct professor, current Fox News contributor, best-selling author, syndicated columnist, and television commentator. She was also the first African-American woman to manage a presidential campaign. Her southern charm, big personality, and hilarious anecdotes make her an instant audience favorite. Oprah’s O magazine chose her as one of its “20 remarkable visionaries” and Washingtonian named her one of its “100 most powerful women.” As a popular Black political speaker, Brazile is known for her ability to analyze the political climate and attract supporters, and she addresses this and the political mood of the country.
Chief Carmen Best
Former Chief of Police in Seattle, WA
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $20,001 - $35,000*
- US West: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Europe: $35,001 - $55,000*
- Asia: $35,001 - $55,000*
Chief Carmen Best
The first African-American woman to hold the top policing job in Seattle, Washington, Carmen Best served with the Seattle Police Department for 28 years. In 2018, Best was promoted to Chief of Police, a job she called “a dream of a lifetime.” Best quickly began efforts to diversify the police force, which had long been less diverse than the city, recruiting more than 40 new officers of color. Black female speaker Chief Best speaks on diversity, inclusion, and leadership lessons learned guiding a police department during times of crisis.
Carla Harris
Vice Chairman, Global Wealth Management & Senior Client Advisor At Morgan Stanley
- Local: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US East: $55,001 - $75,000*
- US West: $55,001 - $75,000*
- Europe: Please Inquire
- Asia: Please Inquire
Carla Harris
Carla Harris is Vice Chairman of Wealth Management and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She was Chair of the Morgan Stanley Foundation from 2005 to 2014, and sits on the boards of several community organizations. In August 2013, Carla was appointed by President Barack Obama to chair the National Women’s Business Council. She is a gospel recording artist and a popular Black public speaker who gives impactful career guidance to corporate audiences based on her book, “Expect to Win.” Carla joined Morgan Stanley in 1987 after completing an AB in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
James D. White
Transformational Leader and Former Chairperson, President, & CEO of Jamba Juice
- Local: $35,001 - $55,000*
- US East: $75,001 and up*
- US West: $75,001 and up*
- Europe: $75,001 and up*
- Asia: $75,001 and up*
James D. White
Jessie Hayes-Stallings
Beauty Industry Leader, Founder & CEO of Skinphorea Facial Bar, and Creator of RevitalizeU Skincare Line
- Local: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US East: $10,001 - $20,000*
- US West: $10,001 - $20,000*
- Europe: $20,001 - $35,000*
- Asia: $20,001 - $35,000*
Jessie Hayes-Stallings
Keep audiences talking long after your event with the experience our African American speakers bring to the stage. As the top black motivational speakers in the industry, these men and women are engaging, insightful, and favorites of audiences.
The best part is the Black speakers we represent are the perfect fit for a variety of events and budgets. Need Black female motivational speakers for a women’s business event? Happy to help. What about a Black political strategist with the know-how to steer candidates to success? Problem solved. Interested in securing a top Black motivational speaker or inspirational speaker? We've got you covered. Inquiring for a African American author speaker? We can fill your Black History Month speaker lineup with some of the most celebrated Black history experts and keynote speakers.
At Leading Authorities speakers bureau, we’ll help you secure the perfect speaker for your program and be there every step of the way to ensure you pull off an unforgettable and successful event. Our team of seasoned professionals, which offers more than 20 years of experience in the speaking and meeting planning industry, works with you one-on-one to find the perfect keynote speaker. Whether you’re searching for Black women motivational speakers on innovation, inspiration, human rights, civil rights, race relations, diversity and inclusion, leadership, or a famous African American figure, we’ll find a speaker that matches your budget, audience, and goals. And to make it even better, we handle all the logistics and event add-ons.
Types of African American Speakers
Black History Month Speakers
Our Leading Authorities team can connect you with the top African American speakers who will inspire and educate audiences at Black History Month programs, as well as events year-round. All of the African American keynote speakers we’re so honored to work with come from every background and industry imaginable. The talent we represent includes top business executives, transformational leaders, innovators and disruptors from the world’s leading brands, tech experts and practitioners, media personalities, athletes, and entertainers who share their stories of achievement, as well as lessons learned along the way and insights for creating more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments for all.
Women’s History Month Speakers
In addition to Black History Month speakers, we also work with groups to book top African American speakers to diversify the agenda for the Women’s History Month events. Our female African American keynote speakers provides new perspectives on all of the amazing contributions of women who are breaking barriers, transforming culture, and changing the world. The women we represent have turned the status quo on its head and draw from their experiences to speak to today’s most-requested topics, including leadership, corporate culture, team building, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and more.
Motivational Speakers
Our African American keynote speakers share incredible stories of grit, determination, and perseverance that motivate and inspire audiences across the globe. If you’re looking for a top African American speaker to energize your group and provide actionable insights and takeaways to challenge your audience and spark change for the better, we can provide recommendations who fit the theme of your event. From overcoming adversity and shattering glass ceilings to blazing new trails and displaying an unwavering commitment to making the impossible possible, the motivational wisdom these speakers provide will remain with audience members long after your event has concluded.
Political Speakers
For a more diverse and representative take on today’s politics and policy, consider booking a powerful African American voice in politics for your meeting. African American keynote speakers for politics break down the leading issues driving voters in all communities to the polls, and analyze how elements such as race, religion, gender, and culture are reshaping our nation’s political landscape. Our African American political speakers are among the leaders, decision makers, advisors, and journalists operating at the heart of federal and state policy, and reshaping America’s future.
Business Speakers
Our top African American speakers are also influential business leaders who have built high-performing teams that have adapted, innovated, and dominated their industries. They share actionable frameworks for being a conscious leader, building and empowering diverse teams, creating an intentional culture with diversity, equity, and inclusion at its core, showing compassion and empathy as a leader, attracting and retaining talent, and uniting teams around a shared purpose in order to achieve your business’ strategic objectives. Our African American keynote speakers for business include CEOs from global powerhouse brands, New York Times bestselling authors, and high-ranking executives who share what it takes to bring an organization to the next level.
Book an African American Keynote Speaker
Browse through our top African American keynote speakers listed above and click on any of the speaker's photos to see their individual speaker profile pages and read more about their expertise and speaking topics.
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