We believe in the power of the spoken word. We know great stories, well told, can inspire hearts and minds.
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Alencia JohnsonCulture + Politics + Justice
Alencia Johnson leads at the intersection of social justice and culture change, cultivating over a decade of experience marrying cultural…
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Ali StrokerFirst actress who uses a wheelchair to win a Tony award.
Ali Stroker received the 2019 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as ‘Ado Annie’…
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Amy NelsonFounder and CEO of The Riveter.
Amy Nelson is the founder and CEO of The Riveter, a modern union of women and allies. A graduate of Emory…
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Angelica RossTransgender Actress from “Pose” and “American Horror Story 1984″
From the board room, to film/TV sets and even the Obama White House, Angelica Ross is a leading figure of…
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Ani DifrancoFolk/Punk icon and founder of Righteous Babe
Widely considered a feminist icon, Grammy winner Ani DiFranco is the mother of the DIY movement, being one of the…
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Anthony ErvinBiracial gold medal winning Olympic swimmer
Anthony Ervin is a four-time Olympic medalist, claiming the title of fastest person on the planet both in 2000, as…
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Antonio SaundersTeach for America VP
Antonio A. Saunders is the Vice President of Program at Teach For America, shaping the strategy for leadership development and…
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April ReignCreator of viral hashtag #OscarsSoWhite
April Reign practiced law for over 15 years, with an emphasis on campaign finance law and reform, but her life…
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Asha RangappaLegal and National Security Expert for CNN
Asha Rangappa is a Senior Lecturer at the Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and a former Associate Dean…
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Blair ImaniAuthor of “Modern HERstory” and “Making Our Way Home”
Blair Imani is a critically-acclaimed historian, social activist, public speaker, educator, and influencer. She is the author of two historical…
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Brandon WolfPulse Nightclub survivor is advocating from the intersections
Brandon Wolf is an activist, changemaker, and thought leader on issues of LGBTQ equality, gun safety, and progressive politics. A…
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Brea BakerUsing culture to fuel impact and build political power
Brea is a skilled communications strategist, influencer engagement professional, activist/organizer, and social impact advisor. She has contributed to dozens of…
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Bree Newsome BassConfederate Flag Activist
Bree Newsome Bass is an artist who drew national attention in 2015 when she climbed the flagpole in front of…
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Brittany Packnett CunninghamHarvard Fellow, MSNBC commentator, and author of forthcoming “We Are Like Those Who Dream: Black Women Speak”
Brittany Packnett Cunningham is an activist, educator, writer, and leader at the intersection of culture and justice. She is an…
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Charles PhoenixAuthor and the Ambassador of Americana
Charles Phoenix is a showman, tour guide, food crafter, and author. He is known for his live comedy slide show…
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Christina OchoaStar of “Animal Kingdom” and “A Million Little Things”
Actress Christina Ochoa (born Cristina Ochoa Lopez, in Barcelona) is known for her recurring roles in US television shows such…
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Chuck DPublic Enemy frontman and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer
Chuck D is the leader and co-founder of the legendary rap group Public Enemy, the author of two critically acclaimed books,…
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CJ JohnsonCJ Johnson is an entrepreneur and content creator who will help you level up your life.
CJ Johnson is an acclaimed Content Creator and Startup Advisor, successfully servicing small businesses to Fortune 50 clients, worldwide and…
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CommonGrammy, Oscar and Golden Globe winning musician
Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy and Grammy-winning artist, actor and activist, Common continues to break down barriers with a multitude…
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Dave ZirinSports Editor at “The Nation”
NY Times bestselling author and MSNBC Sports Columnist Dave Zirin takes audiences inside the modern world of sports for a…
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DessaDoomtree Rapper and Author
Singer, rapper, and writer Dessa has made a career of bucking genres and defying expectations. Her solo albums include rap…
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Donna HyltonAuthor, “A Little Piece of Light”
Donna Hylton has been deeply involved in movements for social justice around the country. She draws upon her experience imprisoned in…
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Elizabeth YukoBioethicist and Writer
Dr. Elizabeth Yuko is a bioethicist and writer specializing in sexual and reproductive health and the intersection of bioethics and popular…
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Emily WhiteAuthor, “Interning 101″
Emily White’s career spans the entertainment industry, carving out a unique path that defines a modern maven. Upon seeing The…
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Eunique Jones GibsonFounder, “Because of Them We Can”
Eunique Jones Gibson is a creative visionary, cultural architect and social activist who develops award winning campaigns & products that…
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Fab MorvanOne Half of Milli Vanilli
Fab Morvan’s incredible true story is inspirational, a true tribute to his own indomitable spirit in the face of one…
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Frederick JosephNew York Times Bestselling Author of “The Black Friend”
Frederick is New York Times bestselling author of “The Black Friend”, Forbes Under 30 list-maker for marketing and advertising, an…
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Gabi MoskowitzFood Blogger, “Broke Ass Gourmet”
Gabi Moskowitz is the editor-in-chief of the nationally-acclaimed budget cooking blog BrokeAss Gourmet, author of The BrokeAss Gourmet Cookbook (Egg &…
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Gigi GorgeousTransgender YouTube Superstar
As a transgender female, Gigi Loren Lazzarato is a Canadian actress, model, and internet personality who inspires and entertains with…
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Glory EdimFounder, “Well-Read Black Girl”
Glory Edim is the founder of Well-Read Black Girl, a Brooklyn-based book club and online community that celebrates the uniqueness…
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Heather Matarazzo“The Princess Diaries” co-star and Mental Health activist
Heather Matarazzo has over two decades of award-winning and critically acclaimed performances in both major studio film as well as…
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Ice-TRap Pioneer and ‘Law & Order: SVU’ co-star
Ice-T not only invented gangster rap, he has lived it. Ice-T is the original embodiment of LA Hip-Hop and a…
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Imani BarbarinDisability Activist, Founder of CrutchesAndSpice.com
Imani Barbarin is a disability rights and inclusion activist and speaker who uses her voice and social media platforms to…
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Jamie TworkowskiFounder, To Write Love On Her Arms and Author of “If You Feel Too Much”
Jamie Tworkowski is the founder of To Write Love on Her Arms and the New York Times bestselling author of If…
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Jamilah LemieuxIntersectional Feminist, Writer and Cultural Critic
A renowned cultural critic and writer with a focus on issues of race, gender and sexuality, Jamilah Lemieux is a…
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Jamira BurleyHead of Youth Engagement and Skills at the Global Business Coalition for Education
Jamira Burley is an internationally recognized speaker, social justice advocate, and next-gen social impact consultant. Jamira is on a mission…
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Jan BrobergSubject of Netflix documentary “Abducted in Plain Sight”
Jan Broberg is an actress, singer and dancer who has appeared in more than two dozen feature films, numerous television…
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Jeff CohenAuthor, “The Dealmaker’s Ten Commandments: Ten Essential Tools for Business Forged in the Trenches of Hollywood”
Jeff co-founded Cohen Gardner LLP in 2002 and focuses on transactional representation for clients in the entertainment, media, and technology…
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Jeffrey MarshNonbinary, genderfluid author of “How To Be You”.
As a pundit for cable news, Jeffrey Marsh was the first openly nonbinary activist to appear on national television. Jeffrey…
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John MoeAuthor and Host of “The Hilarious World of Depression”
John Moe is the author of the acclaimed memoir, “The Hilarious World of Depression,” the host and creator of the…
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Kaitlin SandenoOlympic Gold Medalist and General Manager of DC Trident
Kaitlin Sandeno is General Manager of The International Swimming League’s DC Trident, making her one of the first women in…
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Kevin LymanVans Warped Tour, FEND movement
Kevin Lyman has shaped youth culture for over 35 years with his award-winning expertise in the music and entertainment industry…
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Kezia M WilliamsFounder and CEO of The Black upStart
Kezia M. Williams is the Chief Executive Officer of The Black upStart — a nationally recognized company serving African-American innovators…
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Kimberly JonesActivist and Co-Author “I’m Not Dying With You Tonight”
Kimberly Jones is a former bookseller that now hosts the Atlanta Chapter of the popular Well Read Black Girl book…
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Kristina WongComedian and Political Performance Artist
Kristina Wong was featured in The New York Times’ Off Color series “highlighting artists of color who use humor to make smart…
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Lane MooreHost of Tinder Live and author of “How To Be Alone”
Lane Moore is an award-winning stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and musician living in New York City. Her monthly comedy show…
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Lauren RidloffFirst deaf superhero, Marvel’s “The Eternals”
Lauren Ridloff stars as Marvel’s first deaf superhero opposite Angelina Jolie, Kumail Nanjani and Salma Hayek in the upcoming Eternals.…
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Lux AlptraumAuthor, “Faking It: The Lies Women Tell About Sex – And The Truths They Reveal”
Lux Alptraum is a writer, producer, and consultant whose smart commentary has been featured in publications including The New York Times, New…
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Madison YoungFilmmaker and Sex Expert for Parents
Madison Young is a performance artist, author, feminist filmmaker and sex educator. Young speaks frequently on the topics of feminism,…
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Marika ShawArcade Fire instrumentalist and Founder of social entrepreneur platform Plus1
Marika Anthony-Shaw played the viola as a touring member of Grammy award winning band Arcade Fire for 9 years. She…
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Megan StielstraAuthor, “The Wrong Way To Save Your Life”
Megan Stielstra is a writer, educator, and live storyteller in Chicago. She is the author of three collections of narrative…
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Melissa DahlAuthor of “Cringeworthy”
Melissa Dahl is the author of Cringeworthy: A Theory of Awkwardness, published by Portfolio/Penguin Random House. Also, she has a…
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Mia Ives-RubleeMia Ives-Rublee is a disabled transracial adoptee who has dedicated her life’s work to civil rights activism.
Mia Ives-Rublee is a disabled transracial adoptee who has dedicated her life’s work to civil rights activism. She began her…
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Michael ArceneauxAuthor of “I Don’t Want To Die Poor” and “I Can’t Date Jesus”
Michael Arceneaux is the New York Times bestselling author of the 2018 memoir I Can’t Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other…
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Michael Ian BlackAuthor of “A Better Man”
Michael Ian Black is an actor, comedian, screenwriter and author who co-founded the legendary sketch comedy group, The State. He…
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Milana VayntrubActress and Refugee Advocate
Milana Vayntrub, Adweek Creative 100 and #Can’tDoNothing co-founder, shares her message of hope, opportunity, and global responsibility, challenging others to…
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Miracle OlatunjiAuthor of Purpose: How To Live and Lead With Impact
Miracle Olatunji is an entrepreneur, activist, and author of Purpose: How To Live and Lead With Impact.
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Mykki BlancoTransgender Activist, Rapper, and Performance Artist
A fearless artist at his challenging yet melodic best, Mykki Blanco released his long-awaited debut, full-length album Mykki (produced by Woodkid and…
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Nitika ChopraLearning How to Thrive with Chronic Illness
While Nitika’s career started over 10 years ago as the founder of a popular online magazine, the host of her…
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Parker MolloySenior Editor at Media Matters for America and Upworthy
Parker Molloy is a writer whose work has appeared in places like The Guardian, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Daily Beast, VICE, and The…
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Rabia ChaudryAttorney, Author, and co-host of the Undisclosed podcast
Rabia Chaudry is an attorney, advocate, and author of the New York Times bestselling book “Adnan’s Story” and Executive Producer…
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Randall RobinsonLeading Thought Leader on Reparations
Randall Robinson is an internationally respected social justice advocate and best-selling author. Until recently a professor of human rights law…
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Rev SekouSocial Justice Activist and Musician
Noted activist, theologian, author, documentary filmmaker, and musician, Reverend Osagyefo Sekou was born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in…
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Sally KohnAuthor, “The Opposite of Hate”
Sally Kohn is one of the leading progressive voices in America today. A frequent guest on CNN, MSNBC and Fox…
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Santina MuhaDisabled Actress and Comedian
Santina Muha is a speaker, writer, actor, storyteller, host, and avid Marshall’s shopper. She grew up in New Jersey, where…
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Sara BenincasaMental Health Writer and Author of “Agorafabulous” and “Real Artists Have Day Jobs”
Sara Benincasa is the host of the stress relief podcast “Well, This Isn’t Normal”. She’s also a comedian, actress, and the author of “Real…
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Sara MoraImmigration Rights Activist
In 2017, Sara Mora publicly came out as undocumented while at a press conference with the governor of her home…
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Sarah LohmanFood Historian and Author “Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine”
Sarah Lohman is originally from Hinckley, Ohio (near Cleveland), where she began working in a museum at the age of 16,…
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Shavone CharlesMusician and Founder of “Magic in Her Melanin”
SHAVONE. is a multi-hyphenate creative and force in music, fashion and tech. On the heels of being named on Forbes’ 30…
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Simran Jeet SinghTeaching Anti-Racism through Knowledge, Wisdom, and Empathy
Dr. Simran Jeet Singh is an educator, writer, activist, and scholar who speaks regularly on issues of diversity, inclusion and…
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Sophia KianniSophia Kianni is making climate crisis resources accessible for everyone
Sophia Kianni is a 19 year old Iranian-American climate activist. She is the founder and executive director of Climate Cardinals,…
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SpeechMusician and Mass Incarceration Activist featured in documentary “16 Bars”
Speech is a multiple Grammy award recipient and founder of the legendary hip hop group Arrested Development. Known for songs…
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Taraji P. HensonAward winning actress is working for mental health awareness and peace of mind for all.
Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe winning actor, writer, and producer Taraji P. Henson quickly rose to fame after her…
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Tegan and SaraIconic pop/folk duo and LGBTQIA+ trailblazers
In 1995, at the height of grunge music, 15-year-old twin sisters Tegan and Sara Quin started their first band in…
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Tiq MilanTransgender Activist
Tiq speaks and writes about intersectional leadership, transgender rights, and racial justice. He shares stories of his life and how…
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TWLOHAInternational non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide.
To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling…
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Yesha CallahanEditorial Director, Essence
With a knack for breaking news, Yesha (pronounced I-esha) Callahan, a native of Elizabeth, NJ and Rutgers University graduate, has…
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Zach BarackFirst Transgender Actor in the Marvel universe
Zach Barack is a young transgender actor and musician from the northern suburbs of Chicago. In Summer 2019, Zach made…
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Zahra NoorbakhshIranian-American comedian and host of #GoodMuslimBadMuslim podcast
ZAHRA NOORBAKHSH is a Feminist Muslim, Iranian-American comedian and cohost of the award-winning podcast, #GoodMuslimBadMuslim. The podcast was listed as…
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Ziad AhmedGen Z Activist and Co-Founder of JUV Consulting
Ziad Ahmed is an 20-year-old rising junior at Yale University. He is an unapologetic American-Muslim-Bangladeshi student activist, entrepreneur, and speaker.
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Zoey LunaTrans Latinx Actress seen in recent remake of “The Craft”
Zoey Luna is a pioneering transgender youth activist turned actress from Los Angeles.