Grammy-nominated artist, Award-winning Innovation & Inspiration Expert, “Hamilton Meets TED” keynotes
Grammy-nominated artist, Award-winning Innovation & Inspiration Expert, “Hamilton Meets TED” keynotes
USA
GRAMMY-nominated artist, Award-winning Innovation & Inspiration Expert, “Hamilton Meets TED” keynotes blending spoken word poetry with inspirational speaking, leaving a lasting impact.
Request fees and availability5 out of 5 stars
I was a little bit nervous, because what Sekou does is definitely edgy and out there. But people were blown away by it. Sekou is definitely one of the most engaging motivational speakers that I have had the pleasure to work with.
Send a simple request. You’ll get a quick reply with fees and availability
About Sekou
Keynote
Video
References
It is no surprise that Forbes Magazine has called Sekou “the de facto poet laureate of corporate America.” His “wow-factor” is in high demand with the world’s most successful organizations, including Google, Viacom, Toyota, Nike, Cisco, Linkedin, Global Green, Paypal, ASAE, The Gap, General Mills, TEDx, YPO, Capital One, L’Oreal, Autodesk, ACLU, Intuit, and the NBA to name but a few. Sekou has also emerged as an inspiring voice for health and wellness, routinely evoking tears, cheers, and standing ovations at events for clients such as Johnson & Johnson, United Healthcare, Mayo Clinic, Blue Shield, TEDMED, Roche, Genentech, and the American Nurses Association.
Many of Sekou’s clients share a similar journey with his work. It begins with the words “Why would we want poetry at our leadership meeting?” and ends with the words “highest rating opening of our event, ever” and “only speaker invited back.” Sekou’s talks on disruption are in such demand because they literally embody disruption on stage, charging audiences to disrupt themselves to access their individual innovation. His keynotes on dynamic communication and storytelling show leaders how to deliver dense data through beautifully human presentations. From bold thinking and success, to healthcare and tech, Sekou’s speeches are rich with actionable insight that help attendees connect more deeply with their communities, become more influential leaders, and unlock greater possibilities.
A schoolteacher turned actor, recording artist, two-time national poetry slam champion, entrepreneur, and award-winning poetic voice, Sekou is a multi-talented entertainer with over 2 decades of experience rocking diverse audiences. His work has been featured on ABC World News, MSNBC, HBO, Good Morning America, Showtime, MTV and BET. He has given private performances for such prominent individuals as Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Quincy Jones, Larry King, Hillary Clinton, Coretta Scott King & family and President Obama. He has also shared the stage with such heavyweights as Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Carlos Santana, Kendrick Lamar, Maroon 5, Jill Scott, and the Pasadena Pops Orchestra. As a recording artist, his last album, “Poetic License,” made him the most awarded artist in the nation’s largest independent music organization.
Sekou has now returned to the classroom, teaching his rockstar secrets to public speakers through his highly effective Stage Might™ speaker training system, that helps executives, influencers and leaders become more dynamic communicators by applying the techniques of master performers to business stages.
With all of the innovation and inspiration that is poetic voice, Sekou Andrews is accomplishing the seemingly impossible – bringing spoken word to the world’s largest stages, while redefining the notion of what a speaker is… and what a poet can be.
See keynotes with Sekou Andrews“Innovation is the difference between ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ and ‘Why didn’t I think LIKE that?’”
As businesses scurry in pursuit of “big I” Innovation – A.I., robotics, and other exponential technologies – Sekou focuses on empowering your leadership with “little i’” innovation, helping you to innovate from within. Offering incredibly fresh perspectives on embracing failure, bold thinking and the innovator’s mindset, Sekou teaches how to harness the power of collaboration, purpose, storytelling, community, and inspirational leadership to create a culture of innovation.
This insightful and inspiring talk promises to surprise you with its ability to delight, discomfort, and disrupt you on a business and personal level.
LAUGH, BE UPLIFTED & LEARN:
Themes: Owning Innovation, Humanizing Leadership, Risk-taking, Change Management, Successful Failure, Collaboration/Diversity, Technology/A.I.
“The next level is not about reaching new heights, but reaching new depths.”
Ever since we were little, we’ve been obsessed with growth. But in order for the transformational leader to keep reaching the proverbial “next level,” you must first transform your concept of the word “growth” in a sustainable way.
This unique keynote experience will help you unlock your ability to adapt and innovate, fortify your well-being, connect more deeply with your community and purpose, and lead with inspiration.
You will learn how to win by losing, how to go higher by going deeper, and how to remind yourself, and your team, that you already have everything you need to perpetually reach your next level. Prepare to supercharge your resiliency through an energetic and inspiring keynote like no other.
LAUGH, BE UPLIFTED & LEARN:
Themes: Resilience, Growth Mindset, Adaptability, Wellbeing/Mental Health, Sustainable Growth, Transformational Leadership, Human Capital/Community
“What if there is a better way?” As the innovator of an audacious new category of public speaking that brought poetry to industry in unprecedented ways, Sekou has mastered the art of audacity.
His 20-year career helping global brands humanize messaging, began with two words: “What If?” “What if we could define business our own way?” “What if our way could set the standard for our industry?” This inspiring and interactive speech will help you ignite that same audacity needed for you to defy convention, deny limitations, and define yourselves for yourselves.
It focuses on re-defining the word “touch” as a metaphor for how leaders and brands can impact communities in increasingly purposeful ways. Prepare to engage your imagination and learn new strategies to help your business get in TOUCH with its humanity.
LAUGH, BE UPLIFTED & LEARN:
Themes: Impact/Purpose, Collaboration, Creative Thinking, Re-defining Business, Emotional Intelligence, Social Responsibility, Storytelling
“It’s not that we don’t understand the science behind waves… it’s just that we like YOUR version better”
Big ideas and bold thinking are not traits exclusive to pioneering leaders. They have been lying dormant within each of us since childhood, waiting to be reignited. This speech is the spark that rekindles your access to the imagination and creativity required to stir the waters and make waves in your industry.
Inspired by hilarious grade school theories on how waves are made, Sekou delivers a highly inspiring and informative keynote on why leaders must challenge convention to maketransformational change. Sharing pivotal moments and insights from barrier-breaking companies and individuals, Sekou shows leaders how to spark the big ideas that make a big splash.
LAUGH, BE UPLIFTED & LEARN:
Themes: Challenging Convention, Bold Thinking, Leading Change, Inspiring, Communication, Power of Partnership, Advocacy, Harnessing Imagination
“When is the last time you wrote a love poem at work… ABOUT work?”
What if you could remind your audience of the moment they fell in love with healthcare? What if you could reignite the passion in providers – caregivers, executives and housekeeping alike – to connect with patients on a human, heartfelt level?
What if you could take your entire healthcare community on a laughter and tear-filled journey that renews their vows to provide the best quality care. If you could do that – write a love poem to healthcare that makes your audience fall back in love with it – this keynote is how it would sound.
LISTEN, LAUGH & BE UPLIFTED WHILE:
Themes: Caregiving, Reigniting Passion, Reconnecting to Purpose, Inspiring Health, Work-Life Harmony, Celebrating Impact, Humanizing Healthcare
“Disruption is not just a concept, it’s a feeling … it’s a mindset.”
This roller coaster-of- a-speechis the embodiment of that idea. It begins with a deliberate cacophony that consistently turns on a dime while offering valuable insights from the “voices” of consumers, technology, millennials and more. Soon the experience evolves from cacophony to symphony as Sekou brings it all together, teaching you how to disrupt yourself through mindset shifts that deliver powerful business results.
As an entrepreneur who is disrupting the traditional speaking model, Sekou shares inspiring stories and empowering strategies on how he helps global organizations shift their relationship to change and ready themselves for the unknown.” Prepare for an entertaining and unconventional keynote experience that will help you catch disruption’s rhythm and leave you wanting more.
LAUGH, BE UPLIFTED & LEARN:
“Your vision is only as powerful as your voice.”
No matter how mighty the vision for your organization is, your ability to communicate it must be just as mighty. As consumers and employees expect to be moved by brands and leaders, it’s no longer enough to do your job like a rockstar; you must also communicate your value like a rockstar!
So, in this interactive presentation, Sekou shares the rockstar secrets that help amplify influence through dynamic communication. Perfect for entrepreneurs, leaders, and influencers, this keynote will unlock your ability to communicate and inspire in ways that are more compelling, passionate, and human, in order to deepen your relationships with the communities you serve.
The voice of your organization must be purposeful. The voice of your leadership must be inspiring. This speech will help you find that voice and tell your stories in the mightiest of ways.
LAUGH, BE UPLIFTED & LEARN:
Themes: Dynamic Communication, Inspirational Leadership, Storytelling, Owning Your Stage/Platform, Imposter Syndrome, Inspiring Action, Humanizing Yourself
THANK YOU for an engaging session on disruption, mindset, and shifting. I always thought I had to separate my artistic and creative self from my professional brand, but you just opened a world of possibilities for me with your poetic voice and inspirational keynote.
In over 15 years we’ve never seen a response that positive.
Linsy Miller
The energy and passion he brings to the stage resulted in the highest-scored opening our program has ever had.
Keith Pearce
The energy level in the room was the highest I’ve ever seen, the content was amazing, and the reception by this conservative audience was beyond belief.
Trish Lilly
He took our strategy and his expertise and brought it to life in a way that’s more amazing than ever. He absolutely commands engagement and respect from the room!
Marc Patrick
For a conservative organization, I wasn’t sure how it was going to land. But people were floored. They were absolutely blown away by it. Not only is Sekou brilliant at what he does... but he’s also a really nice guy. He’s great to work with.
Sven Berlinger
Recognizing God and his parents for his mindset and success, Cornell Thomas leverages a lifetime of experiences to encourage audiences to remain positive in the face of adversity. Standing in his truth that every problem has a solution, he shares...
Elevate your event with Quentin Robinson, a dynamic keynote speaker. Inspire teams, drive innovation, and achieve success. Book now for impactful insights and strategies that set your event...
Najwa Zebian is a Lebanese-Canadian based in Ontario. She came to prominence on Instagram by sharing her poetry and for her role in the Me Too movement. She is a prolific speaker, including one for Tedx Talks. Audiences resonate with Zebian’s...
Looking to inspire and motivate your audience? Look no further! Keynote speaker Tucker Bryant is a dynamic force ready to captivate your event. As a renowned motivational speaker, Tucker Bryant brings a unique blend of poetic brilliance and...
Elevate your organization’s performance with Dr. Rebecca Heiss, a renowned stress physiologist and author. With her transformative insights, she empowers audiences to reframe stress as a catalyst for success rather than a barrier. Her acclaimed...
Recognized as the best psychologist in the world for sports performers by Golf Digest, Gregg Steinberg Ph.D. has worked with top golfers on the PGA tour, players in the NFL and NBA, and college championship teams. Travelling the world to speak about...
Invite Mike Staver, author of "Leadership Isn't for Cowards" and Speaker Hall of Fame inductee, to transform your leadership. Mike's engaging delivery and actionable insights make complex concepts immediately useful and entertaining. With 30 years...
Empower your audience with insights from Anne Mahlum, visionary founder of Back on My Feet and . With a journey that transformed startups into multimillion-dollar successes, Anne inspires resilience and bold leadership. Her keynotes offer actionable...
Maggie, a graduate of Emory University, with a JD and MBA from the University of Chicago, has since devoted her life to the causes of business diversity and inclusion, and economic empowerment and justice. Named “Woman of the Year” by YWCA, and...
Send a simple request. You’ll get a quick reply with fees and availability
