Speaker Search

Freeman A. Hrabowski III is president emeritus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and a nationally respected leader in STEM education, leadership, and inclusion. He co-founded the Meyerhoff Scholars Program, a national model for advancing underrepresented students in science and engineering. A former White House appointee and advisor to the National Academies, NSF, and NIH, Hrabowski is the author of five books on student success and institutional culture. A child leader in the Civil Rights Movement, he is a member of the National Academies and widely recognized for using education and science to drive social progress.

Two of Washington’s most seasoned political veterans come together with unparalleled expertise on national politics and public affairs. Using their firsthand knowledge, renowned political strategists and leaders from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC), respectively, Donna Brazile and Michael Steele focus their discussions on Washington’s rapidly changing political drama and take audiences behind the scenes in today's politics. Donna and Michael offer engaging, timely, and razor-sharp analysis on the political landscape and the future of their respective parties.

Dominique Dawes is best known for her success as an Olympic gymnast who competed in three Olympic Games. Winning team medals in all three Olympic Games, Dominique became the only American gymnast to do so and has a permanent place in the U.S. Olympic Committee Hall of Fame. Fans across the nation and around the world remember her as a member of the gold medal winning “Magnificent Seven” at the 1996 Atlanta Games, where she also won a bronze medal as she wowed the crowd with her stunning performance in the floor exercise. Dominique is the first female African-American gymnast to win an individual medal.

Ruth Carter is a Hollywood veteran, having outfitted some of the culture’s most iconic films from Malcolm X to Five Heartbeats. The multiple Oscar and Emmy-nominated costume designer took on afrofuturism fashions in the mega-blockbusters, Black Panther and in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She just became the first black woman to win two Oscars at the 2023 awards, making Ruth one of the most renowned costume designers and inspirations today. With an unparalleled ability to develop an authentic story through costume and character, Ruth has become one of the most sought-after, renowned, and award-winning costume designers of today.

Jason P. Chambers is a renowned expert on the African-American consumer market and the history of advertising. He serves as an associate professor and Associate Department Head in the Charles H. Sandage Department of Advertising at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Chambers has authored several influential books, including "Madison Avenue and the Color Line" and an upcoming biography of Tom Burrell, a pioneering figure in advertising. His work has been featured in numerous academic and trade journals, and he is a sought-after speaker on topics related to diversity and advertising history.

Bakari T. Sellers is an American attorney, political commentator, and politician. He represented South Carolina's 90th district in the lower house of the state legislature from 2006 to 2014, becoming the youngest African American politician in the country at age 22. He has served as a featured inspirational speaker at events for the National Education Association, College Democrats of America National Convention, the 2008 Democratic National Convention and, in 2007, delivered the opening keynote address to the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC. Sellers is also the first vice chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party.

Ron is the visionary behind the Apple Stores and the leader who brought design to Target through its first design collaboration. A Harvard MBA and Stanford alum, he’s widely regarded as one of the boldest retail innovators of the last 30 years. Known for driving game-changing innovation, exceptional customer experiences, and inspiring workplace cultures, Ron shares powerful lessons from Apple, Target, and JCPenney as a sought-after speaker and storyteller. His upcoming book, Shop Different, will be published by Harper Business in 2026.

Named one of the 150 most powerful African Americans by Ebony magazine, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, an American Book Award recipient and two-time NAACP Image Award winner, “is reshaping what it means to be a public intellectual by becoming the most visible black academic of his time.” Dr. Dyson has appeared on nearly every major media outlet and he is also a contributing editor to TIME magazine. In addition, he hosts a news and talk program on NPR, “The Michael Eric Dyson Show,” where he delivers thoughtful analysis of today’s biggest stories from pop culture to race relations.

Jouelzy is one of the top-watched African American female vloggers on YouTube. She is best known for advocating for the #SmartBrownGirl. She produces weekly videos for her 240,000+ YouTube subscribers with witty commentary on current events and cultural topics that impact women of color throughout the African diaspora. With a dash of wit, snark and humor, Jouelzy educates her audience on historical and political context of trending pop culture topics in her popular #PopSnark series.

Beverly Jenkins is an award-winning author known for her historical and contemporary romance novels that highlight 19th-century African American life. Her work blends meticulous research with storytelling to bring overlooked Black histories to a wider audience. Jenkins has been recognized for her contribution to literature and her role in promoting diversity and inclusion. She speaks widely on themes of history, culture, and social justice. Beverly lives in Southeastern Michigan.

John Imah is a prominent figure in the tech industry, comparable in influence to Elon Musk. His career includes executive roles at major companies like Snapchat, Meta, Samsung, and Twitch, as well as founding and exiting two companies. Currently, he's the CEO of SpreeAI, a fashion technology startup for which he raised an estimated $40 million. As a Nigerian American, John's experience as a first-generation immigrant has significantly shaped his character and work ethic. He's been a trailblazer in tech, often being the first black employee in his roles, and actively works to inspire more people of color to enter the industry.

Dr. François S. Clemmons is an American singer, actor, published author, playwright, poet, and professor emeritus. He is perhaps best known for his role as "Officer Clemmons" on the PBS television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood from 1968 to 1993. His recently published book, OFFICER CLEMMONS: A MEMOIR is an intimate debut detailing his incredible life story as well as his deep, spiritual friendship and mentorship spanning nearly forty years with Fred Rogers.