Carlos Watson Speaking Fee: $10,000 and Below

Carlos Watson is an American entrepreneur, journalist, and former television host, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Ozy Media. Born in Miami in 1969 to Jamaican immigrant parents, Watson was raised in a family that valued education and civic engagement. He graduated from Harvard University and earned his law degree from Stanford Law School, where he served as president of the student government and editor of the Stanford Law Review. After a brief tenure at McKinsey & Company, Watson co-founded Achieva College Prep Service, a test preparation company he later sold to Kaplan, Inc. in 2002. He subsequently worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs before transitioning into media. In 2013, Watson co-founded Ozy Media with Samir Rao, aiming to create a digital media platform that offered a fresh perspective on news and culture. Ozy positioned itself as a hub for "the new and the next," focusing on underreported stories and diverse voices. Under Watson's leadership, Ozy expanded into various media formats, including television, podcasts, and live events. Notably, the company produced the Emmy-winning show "Black Women OWN the Conversation" for the Oprah Winfrey Network and hosted the annual Ozy Fest in New York's Central Park. Ozy attracted significant investment, raising over $70 million from backers such as Laurene Powell Jobs and Axel Springer. However, in 2021, Ozy Media faced scrutiny following a New York Times report alleging fraudulent practices, including inflated audience metrics and misrepresentations to investors. Watson resigned from NPR's board of directors amid the controversy. In 2023, he was arrested and later convicted on charges of securities fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft related to Ozy's operations. He was sentenced to nearly 10 years in federal prison but was granted clemency by President Donald Trump in March 2025, hours before his scheduled incarceration. Watson maintains his innocence, describing the prosecution as racially motivated and pledging to appeal the conviction. Throughout his career, Watson has been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in media and entrepreneurship. He has spoken at various conferences and events, sharing insights on innovation, leadership, and the challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the business world. Despite the legal challenges, Watson's journey reflects the complexities of ambition, accountability, and the evolving landscape of digital media.