Our 50 Favorite African-American Professional Speakers 2020

Our commitment as event professionals means ensuring the speakers we're putting on our stages (digital and in person) are sharing diverse, inclusive, and impactful stories, transformational habits, and insights in business, leadership, faith, gender equity, education, creativity, innovation, persistence, and more.

A study from Bizzabo found 69% of professional speakers globally are male. However, less attention has been paid to how too many events also lack racial diversity. We know diversity in teams unlocks innovation and makes us smarter. So I’m routinely surprised at the reluctance of event managers to prioritize this.

Challenge the status quo of who the expert on the event stage should be

There are some long-held beliefs that we need to challenge if we are going to truly diversify conferences, events, and tradeshows. First, we must undo the fallacy that the most confident or engaging speakers are the most competent in imparting knowledge and learning to your community. They’re often not.

Instead, we need to fundamentally understand and accept how different perspectives and life experiences among speakers will bring a richer conversation to any conference, and as a result, encourage greater attendee participation from diverse and underestimated communities.

In 2019, Apple had more people of color than ever in their history taking the stage, limiting the total of white men. Though the more diverse lineup drew mixed reactions on social media, many inside in the events industry felt it was a step in the right direction. But how big was the ripple really?

"Black leaders have struggled to make inroads in a variety of influential industries and sectors. At U.S. finance companies, only 2.4% of executive committee members, 1.4% of managing directors, and 1.4% of senior portfolio managers are black. A mere 1.9% of tech executives and 5.3% of tech professionals are African-American. Black representatives and senators account for 9% of the U.S. Congress. The average black partnership rate at U.S. law firms from 2005 to 2016 was 1.8%. Only 7% of U.S. higher education administrators and 8% of nonprofit leaders are black. And just 10% of U.S. businesses are owned by black men and women. As the Toigo Foundation points out, all this has a cascading impact on economic development, housing, jobs, quality of schools and other services, access to education, infrastructure spending, consumer credit, retirement savings, and more." HBR - Towards a Racially Justice Workplace

In 2020, many corporate and association events continue to be notable not only for the prominent people on stage, but also for those who are missing, usually women and people of color. For event managers, however, past performance need not be an indicator of future results. 

Changing the

ways event professionals source and book speakers

Many of us use the same methods to find speakers: We invite people we know or know of or we have an open call for proposals. But because those processes reliably over-represent white male candidates, the results still are not bringing the racial diversification we need on our event stages. We must also recognize and acknowledge the systematic barriers holding back people of color (especially) from being recognized as experts.

As event organizers, especially those of us with privilege, we have the power to lift up speakers of color and both present and advocate for them on a platform to showcase their expertise. 

Here are fifty of our favorite African-American speakers that should be gracing your next keynote stage or company meeting

1. Darren Woodson
2. Bertice Berry
3. Justin Forsett
4. Simon T. Bailey
5. Marquessa Pettaway
6. Bozoma Saint John
7. Risha Grant
8. Chris Gardner
9. Kimberly Bryant
10. Lauren Delisa Coleman
11. Chef Jeff Henderson
12. Farai Chideya
13. Erica Javellana
14. Chris Rabb
15. Vernice “Fly Girl” Armour
16. Bob Love
17. Dr. Traci Lynn
18. Dr. Adolph Brown
19. Rachael Ross
20. Harvey Alston
21. Coach Ken Carter
22. Devon Harris
23. Earvin “Magic Johnson
24. Omar Johnson
25. Daymond John
26. Dr. Natalie Nixon
27. Jade Simmons
28. Carla Harris
29. Brian Holloway
30. Les Brown
31. Christopher Gardner
32. Lisa Nichols
33. Baruti Kafele
34. Roland S. Martin
35. Christopher Paul Curtis
36. Dr. Ronald Ferguson
37. Angela Davis
38. Gloria Ladson-Billings
39. Stephanie Robinson
40. Kimberly S. Reed
41. Daymond John
42. AJ Carr
43. Egypt Sharrod
44. Van Jones
45. Zuriel Oduwole
46. Donna Brazile
47. Paula Boggs
48. Sarita Maybin
49. Celeste Headlee
50. Bernice King

Use your privilege

As a white woman in an upper-middle class tax bracket, I have privilege. Growing up, I was always told that there were no limits. While I have encountered the patriarchy several times over the course of my professional and personal life, I've always known that I have a seat at the table, even if I had to push my way there with sharp elbows.

I have the privilege of confidence. I have the privilege of safety in many situations. My children do not fear walking down the street, and though I wait for the day my daughter can see herself reflected back in the office of the US President, there are representations I can point to that allow her to know the same truth and privilege that I have. 

Most of my black friends and professional colleagues do not have this. They can't point to as many stages, boardrooms, conference meeting rooms, or professional development webinars. Help change the equation and showcase all voices of value.