Speaker Profile Thumbnail for Derreck Kayongo

Social Entrepreneur, Global Soap Project Founder & CNN Hero

Derreck Kayongo Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000

Social Entrepreneur, Global Soap Project Founder & CNN Hero

Speaker Profile Thumbnail for Derreck Kayongo
Speaking Fee:
$10,000 to $20,000

Travels From:
ATL - Atlanta, GA

Primary Topic Category:
Inspiration / Motivation / Overcoming Obstacles

Secondary Topic Category:
Business & Entrepreneurship

 

Derreck Kayongo Speaker Profile: At A Glance

With his trademark panache, Derreck Kayongo tells his courageous story of survival, social entrepreneurship, and humanitarianism, and the life lessons he learned along the way. From Ugandan refugee to successful entrepreneur, CEO, and renowned human rights activist, Derreck’s journey inspires audiences to dream big. Through personable and articulate storytelling, he shares his visionary ideas for harnessing the power of observation and creative problem solving, applicable to any organization or community. It’s all about taking responsibility while looking for opportunities to improve.

Derreck Kayongo's life story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of social entrepreneurship. Born in Kampala, Uganda, during a time of political turmoil, Kayongo and his family fled to Kenya as refugees. Eventually, he moved to the United States to pursue higher education, earning degrees from Tufts University and an honorary doctorate from Oglethorpe University. Kayongo's most notable achievement is the founding of the Global Soap Project. This innovative initiative collects unused soap from hotels, reprocesses it, and distributes it to impoverished communities worldwide. The project has reached over 90 countries, significantly reducing hygiene-related illnesses and deaths. His work with the Global Soap Project has been widely celebrated, earning him a spot as a CNN Top Ten Hero in 2011 and a speaker at TED Talks in 2014. In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Kayongo served as the CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia. Under his leadership, the Center gained global recognition, highlighting stories of civil rights abuses and the heroes who fought for justice. Kayongo's commitment to social justice extends beyond his professional roles; he actively participates in various humanitarian efforts and serves on the board of advisors for Sharing Sacred Spaces, an organization focused on building interreligious communities. Kayongo is a sought-after keynote speaker, known for his dynamic storytelling and infectious enthusiasm. He speaks on a variety of topics, including entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, global health, and social justice. His presentations are grounded in his personal experiences and the principles of Service, Education, Leadership, and Faith (S.E.L.F.), inspiring audiences to embrace their potential to drive positive change in the world.
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