Nontombi Naomi Tutu Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000
Speaking Fee:
$10,000 to $20,000
Travels From:
Available Upon Request
Travels From:
Available Upon Request
Primary Topic Category:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) / Social Justice
Primary Topic Category:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) / Social Justice
Secondary Topic Category:
Inspiration / Motivation / Overcoming Obstacles
Secondary Topic Category:
Inspiration / Motivation / Overcoming Obstacles
Nontombi Naomi Tutu Speaker Profile: At A Glance
The challenges of growing up a black woman in apartheid South Africa have been the foundation of Naomi’s life as an activist for human rights. Those experiences taught her that we all lose when we accept situations of oppression, and how teaching and preaching hate and division injures us all. She started public speaking as a student at Berea College in Kentucky in the 1970s when she was invited to speak at churches, community groups, and universities about her experiences growing up in apartheid South Africa. Since then, she has become a much sought-after speaker to groups as varied as business associations and church groups.
The challenges of growing up Black and female in apartheid South Africa have shaped the Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu’s lifelong commitment to justice, reconciliation, and human dignity. Those experiences taught her that the entire human family suffers when systems of oppression are allowed to persist, and that the teaching and preaching of hate and division ultimately harms us all. Rooted in the belief that people can confront difficult truths and still build stronger communities together, Rev. Tutu has devoted her life to helping individuals and institutions examine the forces that divide us and the courage required to overcome them.
Her professional experience spans work as an economist and development consultant in West Africa as well as leadership roles in higher education and social justice initiatives. She served as program coordinator for Race and Gender and Gender-Based Violence in Education at the African Gender Institute at the University of Cape Town. Rev. Tutu has also taught at the University of Hartford, the University of Connecticut, and Brevard College in North Carolina. She served as Program Coordinator for the historic Race Relations Institute at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and was part of the Institute’s delegation to the World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa.
Growing up as the daughter of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu offered Naomi both extraordinary opportunities and profound challenges. Determined to build a life defined by her own convictions and calling, she pursued a path that blended scholarship, activism, and service. One calling she long resisted, however, was the ministry. For years she joked, “I have my father’s nose, I do not want his job.” Yet the call to preach and serve never faded. In her 50s she answered that calling, attending seminary and becoming an ordained Episcopal priest. She most recently served as Associate Rector at All Saints, Beverly Hills, and now lives in Atlanta where she serves as a priest associate at All Saints’ Episcopal.
Rev. Tutu’s journey as a public voice began while she was a student at Berea College in Kentucky in the 1970s, when she was first invited to speak at churches, community groups, and colleges about her experiences growing up under apartheid. Over time, those early invitations grew into a global platform where she has addressed audiences ranging from universities and civic organizations to business associations, professional conferences, and elected leaders. Through her speaking and teaching, she challenges audiences to confront injustice honestly while recognizing the shared humanity that connects us all.
In addition to her work in ministry and education, Rev. Tutu founded Nozizwe Consulting, an initiative dedicated to helping communities and organizations navigate difference with honesty, courage, and respect. Through this work she has facilitated Truth and Reconciliation workshops for groups working through conflict and division. She is the recipient of four honorary doctorates from universities and colleges in the United States and Nigeria and has served in numerous leadership roles within the Episcopal Church, including as a Canon Missioner for Racial and Economic Equity and as Canon Missioner for Kairos West Community Center at the Cathedral of All Souls in Asheville, North Carolina.
Drawing on a lifetime of activism, ministry, and global leadership, Rev. Tutu brings a powerful voice to audiences seeking deeper conversations about justice, reconciliation, and our shared humanity. She speaks with universities, faith communities, nonprofits, civic organizations, and corporate leaders about confronting injustice, building bridges across difference, and strengthening the moral courage needed to create more equitable societies.
Rev. Tutu is also a devoted mother of two daughters and a son, and her personal experiences continue to shape her belief that meaningful change begins with empathy, humility, and the willingness to listen across differences.
“Rev. Tutu offered our audience an evening marked by humility, self-effacing humor, and profound insight into the corrosive nature of racism and its impact on individuals and communities. Through graceful and compelling storytelling, Rev. Tutu wove together personal experiences with the tragic history of apartheid in South Africa, creating a campus forum that was both illuminating and deeply moving for students, faculty, and community members alike. Her message resonated powerfully with the audience, challenging us to reflect on our shared humanity and the need to confront injustice. In the days that followed, students continued to speak about how deeply they were affected by the integrity and conviction of her testimony. Rev. Tutu’s remarks inspired an intergenerational audience to consider the importance of reaching out, listening across differences, and seeking common ground.”
- Fairfield University
“Rev. Tutu possesses a rare ability to amplify a message, energize her audience, and inspire the kind of personal and collective momentum that sustains meaningful social change. Experiencing her depth of knowledge and wisdom was a tremendous gift for our community. The planning process was seamless from start to finish, and her presence elevated the entire event. We highly recommend Rev. Tutu to organizations seeking to strengthen local and global connections in service of the common good.”
- Syracuse University
“Rev. Tutu was outstanding and delivered the perfect message with warmth and clarity. Her presentation made the luncheon our most successful to date, and the response from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. Guests continue to share enthusiastic feedback about the impact of her remarks and the experience she created for our community.”
- YWCA
“Our MLK event was a tremendous success, and Rev. Tutu was exceptional. She engaged the audience from the moment she arrived and delivered remarks that resonated deeply during both her introduction and the fireside chat. With a packed room and overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, the program exceeded our expectations. We are grateful for the recommendation and appreciate the team’s support in helping make the event such a success.”
- Northwell Health
“Rev. Tutu was absolutely amazing and delivered a truly remarkable presentation. The community continues to talk about the experience, and many attendees were deeply moved by her message. She received a well deserved standing ovation that reflected the impact of her remarks. We are grateful for the support that helped ensure such a successful event.”
- Evansville-Vanderburgh County Human Relations Commission
“Rev. Tutu was a tremendous success and the perfect choice to open our conference. Her remarks resonated strongly with our schools, and the response from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. She received a well deserved standing ovation and set an inspiring tone for the entire event.”
- Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE)
“Rev. Tutu received an overwhelming response from our community following her presentation. She was brilliant, connected powerfully with our mission, and shared her personal story in a deeply compelling way. We are grateful for her impact and appreciate all of the support provided to help make the event such a success.”
- Northern Nevada International Center
“Rev. Tutu’s presence was deeply appreciated and underscored the importance of organizations developing a stronger understanding of how diversity can be meaningfully integrated into their culture and operations. Her remarks highlighted the role that inclusive leadership and diverse perspectives play in strengthening collaboration and optimizing organizational performance.”
- Center Focus International, Inc.
“Rev. Tutu’s visit to Trinity College left a lasting impression on our campus community. Attendees described her remarks as inspirational, amazing, and uplifting as she skillfully wove together stories from South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation hearings with her own personal experiences and reflections on the need for honest conversations about race and class. Her message planted important seeds for progressive social change both on our campus and in the personal lives of those who attended. We are deeply grateful for her impact and hope to have the opportunity to work together again in the future.”
- Trinity College
“Rev. Tutu’s visit to Port Angeles proved to be an extraordinary success for our community. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, not only regarding the events themselves but also for the meaningful dialogue and renewed trust her presence helped inspire. During her time with us, including her sermon at St. Andrew’s, Juju’s words were described as wise, healing, and deeply hopeful, reminding many that we are part of a wider community that faces adversity together. Rev. Tutu’s presence added depth and integrity to the important work already underway in our town and opened new doors for continued reflection, connection, and progress.”
- The Jubilee Fund
“Rev. Tutu delivered a remarkable keynote at the 25th Annual Northwest Booking Conference in Eugene, Oregon. Her presentation added depth and integrity to a gathering that plays an important role in the booking, touring, and presenting life of the western arts community. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, and her contribution helped make this one of the most successful and productive conferences in our history. We are sincerely grateful for her participation and hope to have the opportunity to work with her again in the future.”
- Arts Northwest
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