Coach Ken Carter Speaking Fee: $20,000 to $30,000

Ken “Coach” Carter is the real-life figure behind the 2005 hit movie Coach Carter, starring Samuel L. Jackson. The film tells the powerful story of how he locked his undefeated, state-playoff basketball team out of the gym, forcing them to focus on academics. His message was clear: athletic potential alone is not a guaranteed ticket out of a tough inner-city life. Coach Carter has continued to spread this message of teamwork, accountability, integrity, and leadership to thousands of people. Today, he is one of the world’s most sought-after success speakers, authors, life coaches, philanthropists, and businessmen. Coach Carter has been in the presence of many greats, including the President of the United States, television personalities such as Dr. Phil, and countless stars in film and music. However, he considers the most impressive individuals he has worked with to be the young men and women whose lives he has impacted. His tough love and mentorship have helped many students succeed—including Cruz from Coach Carter, who is now a top medical professional. The Coach Carter Experience is about empowering the masses to believe in their ability to succeed and leaving a lasting impact on every person, business owner, and leader he encounters. His philosophy on a balanced life is built on fundamental skills necessary for success: a strong mindset, physical fitness, and financial responsibility. This holistic approach has earned him the title The Real Solution. His book Yes Ma’am, No Sir: The 12 Essential Steps for Success in Life chronicles his personal experiences and the lessons that shaped him into the man he is today. In addition to this, he has authored Listen to the Woman—a must-read filled with advice, motivation, and inspiration for both men and women. He also co-authored Success Uncomplicated, which is combined with the original Think and Grow Rich in one volume, along with other success resources he has developed. Coach Carter continues to inspire the world by sharing powerful experiences and lessons, just as he did with the Richmond High School students. He offers valuable success tips, quotes, and insights, including: "If you get one percent better each day, within one hundred days, you'll be one hundred percent better." "You don’t get paid by the hour—you get paid by the value you bring to the hour." "The road to success starts with the quality of your character, and the quality of your character is built on a positive self-image." Coach Carter's contributions to education and youth mentorship have earned him numerous accolades, including: The Harvard Club’s Distinguished Secondary Educator Award The NAACP’s Impact Citizen of the Year Award California State Lottery/Governor Gray Davis’ Heroes in Education Award San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown’s Leadership Award California’s Unsung Heroes Award The A.N.G. California Boys’ Coach of the Year Award A proclamation from the City of Richmond honoring Coach Carter Day The prestigious Life Saver Award for rescuing young men from jails and gangs Recognition as one of City Flight Newsmagazine’s “Ten Most Influential African Americans in the Bay Area” (Sports category) Through his Coach Ken Carter Foundation and Coach Carter Impact Center, he continues to dedicate himself to helping young people reach their full potential. Coach Carter has been a successful entrepreneur for over 50 years. His journey began at age seven in McComb, Mississippi, when he started collecting bottles from the streets. With a simple yet brilliant idea, he placed cucumbers inside bottles, allowing them to grow to the bottle’s shape. Once the stem was broken off, he had a cucumber-in-a-bottle creation—similar to a ship in a bottle—which he sold for $10 each, never giving back change. His philosophy? “Hard work is a skill.” He encourages others to transform obstacles into opportunities by shifting their mindset: "Take problems from your head—what you think is a problem—put them into your heart, and watch them show up in the work you do." Coach Carter truly is The Solution.