Diverse Communities Speakers

Paul Rusesabagina

Considered the "Rwandan Schindler," Rusesabagina saved over 1,200 lives during the Rwandan genocide. His story is chronicled in both his book, An Ordinary Man, and the Oscar-nominated film, Hotel Rwanda, a riveting account of a man finding strength within himself to save others in the midst of his country's darkest moment. A...

Susan L. Taylor

As editorial director of Essence magazine, Taylor is the driving force behind one of the most celebrated black-owned business success stories of the past three decades. Her firm belief that tapping into the power within and motivating her employees to adopt the best practices they can achieve has led Essence to become...

Julian Bond

Beginning with his pivotal role in the Civil Rights movement, Bond has always been on the cutting edge of social change and leadership. Legendary as the first black US vice presidential nominee, he is now Chairman of the NAACP and continues to deliver a powerful message of equality, freedom, and justice with a renewed sense of relev...

Alvin Poussaint

A veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Poussaint is a Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School who is renowned as an expert and educated crusader for the African American family within our multicultural society. He has worked closely with Bill Cosby, serving as an advisor on The Cosby Show, and has partnered wit...

Ted Childs

As IBM's Vice President of Global Workforce Diversity, Childs oversaw IBM's model workforce diversity programs and policies. Called "perhaps the most effective diversity executive on the planet," by Hewitt Magazine, he helps companies, organizations, and communities understand the importance of diversity education to succeed i...

Terry McMillan

Since McMillan's breakout novel Waiting to Exhale surged onto The New York Times bestseller list, critics and readers alike have been captivated by her irreverent, often-hilarious take on the issues faced by contemporary African-American women. With several of her bestsellers, including Waiting to Exhale, How Stella...

Maria Hinojosa

Senior Correspondent for PBS news program NOW and Managing Editor of the radio program, "Latino USA," Hinojosa hosts a new PBS series, One-on-One, interviewing some of America's foremost Latino leaders. A prominent voice in the Hispanic community, she brings her wit, warmth, and professional wisdom to the dialogue about celeb...

Luis Alberto Urrea

An award-winning poet and essayist, Urrea authored the epic novel The Hummingbird's Daughter, as well as a collection of notable nonfiction works, including the gripping The Devil's Highway. Reflecting his dual talents, he explores greater themes of love, loss, cultural experiences, and triumph.

Juan Williams

Prize-winning columnist and editorial writer for The Washington Post, Williams is NPR’s Senior Correspondent and authority on Brown vs. Board of Education. His current book Enough: The Phony Leaders, Dead-End Movements, and Culture of Failure That Are Undermining Black America—and What We Can Do About It challenges...

Kevin Powell

As a talented political activist, poet, journalist, essayist, hip-hop historian, public speaker, and entrepreneur, Powell is widely considered one of America's most important voices in these early years of the 21st Century. An astute and enlightening observer, he comments on race, gender, class, and American pop culture and politics.

Eric Etheridge

Eric Etheridge is the author, journalist, and photographer behind the recently published Breach of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Mississippi Freedom Riders, a "then-and-now" memoir of the individuals who took part in the Freedom Riders of 1961.

Tess Gerritsen

Internationally bestselling author Tess Gerritsen took an unusual route to a writing career. A graduate of Stanford University, Gerritsen went on to attend medical school and become a physician. While on maternity leave, she began to write fiction. Eight suspense novels later, she has never looked back.

Ice-T

Hip-hop pioneer currently starring on Law and Order: SVU, Ice-T has risen up from the harsh realities of growing up disadvantaged to become a successful entertainer and entrepreneur. Serving as a sobering, yet inspirational, role model, he shares a powerful message with youth about overcoming adversity through education.

Michael Eric Dyson

Named by Essence magazine as one of the 50 most inspiring African Americans, Dyson is one of the nation's most renowned public intellectuals, revitalizing the role with the fervor of an ordained Baptist minister. Called "a street fighter in a suit and tie," he takes on the toughest and most controversial issues of the day, inc...

Herman Boone

When he became head football coach at T.C. Williams High School, Boone faced the daunting challenge of uniting a racially divided team, and through his hard work and dedication, he led the Titans to a championship title. Portrayed by Denzel Washington in the highly acclaimed film, Remember the Titans, Boone delivers an uplifti...