The top black keynote speakers have powerful voices and share inspiring narratives on center stage. We take immense pride in presenting a curated selection of African-American thought leaders, influencers, and trailblazers who have shattered barriers and left an indelible mark on society. These select names of the very best black keynote speakers provide motivational keynotes, impactful presentations, and thought-provoking talks that embrace diversity, foster inclusion, and inspire positive change.
Whether you're hosting corporate events, conferences, educational institutions, or community gatherings, our African-American speakers deliver captivating and inclusive presentations that empower audiences to shape an equitable future.
Top 10 Top Black Keynote Speakers
Kimberly Bryant Founder of Black Girls Code and Aspen Institute Fellow
Kimberly Bryant is the Founder and Executive Director of Bla... Read More
Eddie Glaude Jr. Social Justice Advocate, Author, Keynote Speaker
Renowned, for his work in social justice advocacy. As an aut... Read More
LaTosha Brown Co-Founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund
LaTosha is a fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School of Governmen... Read More
Wesley Lowery National Reporter at The Washington Post
He currently works as a national reporter covering law enfor... Read More
Ijeoma Oluo Racial Justice Advocate, Author, Keynote Speaker
Renowned for her work in justice advocacy and as a keynote s... Read More
Nikki Giovanni Poet, Activist, Keynote Speaker
Nikki Giovanni is a known poet and activist who is highly re... Read More
Yara Shahidi Actress Best Known for black-ish and grown-ish
In the multi-award-winning ABC comedy series "Black-ish," yo... Read More
Vann R. Newkirk II Politics & Policy Staff Writer for the Atlantic
Vann R. Newkirk II, an esteemed journalist for The Atlantic,... Read More
Marc Lamont Hill Social Justice Advocate, Media Personality, Keynote Speaker
Marc Lamont Hill is a champion for social justice and a well... Read More
Mark Anthony Neal African American Studies Scholar, Social Justice Advocate, K...
Mark Anthony Neal is a known scholar in African American stu... Read More
Speakers List
Joan Higginbotham Former Astronaut and the Third African American Woman in Space
Joan Higginbotham began her career in 1987 at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida, as a Payload Electrical... Read More
Category: Astronaut Speakers , Diversity Speakers , Top Black Keynote Speakers
john a. powell Head of UC Berkeley Othering & Belonging Institute
John a. Powell is a universally perceived master in the regions of social liberties and common freedoms and a... Read More
Category: Diversity Speakers , Top Black Keynote Speakers , Professors
John Hope Bryant Leading Financial Literacy Advocate, Founder, Chairman and CEO at Operation HOPE
A natural entrepreneur, life as businessman for young John Hope Bryant began with a modest but life changing $... Read More
Category: Business Speakers , Nonprofit Leaders , Economy and Finance Speakers
Johnnetta Cole Former Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and Spelman College
One of the most powerful and well-regarded African American women in the US, Johnnetta B. Cole has a way with... Read More
Category: Top Black Keynote Speakers , Diversity Speakers , Women's Speakers
Joshua Bennett Professor of Literature and Distinguished Chair of Humanities at MIT
American author, educator, and creative mind. He holds the esteemed position of a Professor of English and Cre... Read More
Category: Top Black Keynote Speakers , Diversity Speakers , Creativity Speakers
Joy-Ann Reid MSNBC Correspondent and Host of "ReidOut"
Joy-Ann Reid is a national correspondent for MSNBC, host of “AM Joy” and “The Reid Report, and the author of t... Read More
Category: Event Hosts , TV Personalities , Political Commentators
Judy Smith Crisis Management Expert, Communications Specialist, Keynote Speaker
Renowned for her expertise in crisis management and strategic communication skills is Judy Smith. A known figu... Read More
Category: Diversity Speakers , Top Black Keynote Speakers , Communication Speakers
Kadir Nelson Painter and Illustrator Best Known for His New Yorker Covers and Album Work
Kadir Nelson is an award-winning American artist whose works have been exhibited in major national and interna... Read More
Category: Diversity Speakers , Arts Culture Keynote Speakers , Creativity Speakers
Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University
From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation, by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, earned the Lannan Cultural Freedom Awa... Read More
Category: Professors , Top Black Keynote Speakers , Diversity Speakers
Keisha Lance Bottoms Mayor of Atlanta (2018-2022) and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement (2022-2023)
American lawyer and politician Keisha Lance Bottoms presided as Atlanta, Georgia's 60th mayor from 2018 to 202... Read More
Category: Political Commentators , Liberal Speakers , Government and Political Officials
Keisha N. Blain Award-Winning Historian & Writer
One of the most creative and significant young historians of her generation is Dr. Keisha N. Blain. Her writin... Read More
Category: Diversity Speakers , Top Black Keynote Speakers , Historians
Keke Palmer Emmy Award-Winning Actress and TV Show Host
Famed actress/singer Keke Palmer earned her first taste of national exposure with a small role in "Barbershop... Read More
Category: Actors-Actresses , Event Hosts , TV Personalities
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