From War Survivor to Change Leader
From War Survivor to Change Leader
Canada
Michel Chikwanine’s keynote delivers lessons in resilience and leadership, drawing from his experiences as a former child soldier and advocate for social justice.
Request fees and availability5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely loved having you at Kennesaw State tonight. You inspired so many people and Facebook pages are going crazy tonight about people wanting to make a change in the world! Thank you so much for coming!
Send a simple request. You’ll get a quick reply with fees and availability
About Michel
Keynote
Video
References
Keynote Speaker Michel Chikwanine is celebrated for his remarkable ability to convert profound personal suffering into invaluable lessons on leadership, resilience, and societal impact. As a Michel Chikwanine motivational speaker, he shares his harrowing experiences as a former child soldier in the Democratic Republic of Congo, offering audiences a rare and compelling perspective on overcoming extreme adversity and driving transformative change.
Michel’s journey—from surviving the brutal realities of war to emerging as a global advocate for social justice and leadership—infuses his keynotes with both emotional depth and practical relevance.
His presentations are designed to not only inspire but also equip organizations with actionable strategies for navigating their own challenges, fostering resilience, and achieving lasting success.
When you book Michel Chikwanine for your event, you secure a speaker who brings a profound personal narrative coupled with expert advice on resilience and leadership. Michel’s ability to connect with audiences across diverse sectors and provide concrete solutions ensures that your event will be both impactful and transformative.
Michel Chikwanine guarantees a keynote that goes beyond mere inspiration, delivering practical tools and insights that drive real-world progress and empower your team to excel.
See keynotes with Michel ChikwanineAn uplifting and inspirational speech that will give you the tools to start making a difference today. Inspiring for all audiences
A former child soldier, Michel Chikwanine has already endured and overcome unimaginable pain and struggles. His passion and belief in the possibility for change makes him a truly remarkable individual and humanitarian.
In this 50-minute uplifting, inspirational, and deeply personal speech that will bring forth laughter and emotions from all audiences, he details his incredible story of being a child soldier, his miraculous escape and subsequent fight to end an issue that has affected his entire life. He details his fight with trauma and how drumming and storytelling have helped him find healing and purpose.
Using his experiences in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Canada, and beyond, Michel offers a unique perspective on the importance of diversity and inclusion in schools, workplaces, and communities, providing practical strategies for creating more inclusive environments.
Drawing from his personal journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Canada, Michel Chikwanine passionately discusses the transformative power of education as a tool for social justice. He explores how schools can foster an inclusive environment that values diversity and teaches students the skills necessary to challenge inequities and make meaningful contributions to society.
As an advocate for social entrepreneurship, Michel Chikwanine discusses the role of innovation in addressing critical issues like the mental health crisis. Highlighting his work with programs such as the CoLab Program, Michel inspires young entrepreneurs to leverage their creativity and passion to develop impactful solutions for societal challenges.
In this heartfelt speech, Michel Chikwanine reflects on the powerful legacy of his father, a human rights activist and lawyer. He shares valuable lessons on leadership, integrity, and community service, encouraging audiences to consider the impact they want to leave on the world and how they can contribute to a more just society.
A Story of Healing and Growth Description: Michel discusses how he channeled his traumatic experiences into a force for positive change, offering inspiration and practical advice for individuals and organizations looking to make a difference in the world.
Michel Chikwanine shares his inspiring story of survival and resilience. Abducted by militias at a young age, Michel escaped and eventually resettled in Canada, where he faced new challenges. His journey highlights the importance of community support, education, and personal determination in overcoming adversity and achieving success, offering insights on fostering cross-cultural understanding and creating welcoming communities for newcomers.
This speech emphasizes the importance of community and allyship in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. Michel Chikwanine shares personal anecdotes from his time at St. Pats Catholic High School, illustrating how acts of kindness and mentorship can make a profound difference in the lives of marginalized individuals.
Michel discusses his work with the NBA in Senegal and other initiatives, highlighting how sports can be used to promote mental health, leadership, and community development among youth.
Inspired by his own journey, Michel motivates young audiences to become active citizens and leaders, emphasizing their potential to create meaningful change in areas such as human rights, mental health, and social justice.
Drawing on his knowledge of Congo’s mineral wealth, Michel educates audiences about the connection between consumer electronics and conflict minerals, encouraging responsible consumerism and global awareness.
Absolutely loved having you at Kennesaw State tonight. You inspired so many people and Facebook pages are going crazy tonight about people wanting to make a change in the world! Thank you so much for coming!
Chantelle King-Munroe
Your presentation at the Faith Meets Pedagogy was so inspiring! I have watched you online before, but seeing you in person was a completely different experience! Your story is so courageous and I know today you inspired myself and so many other kids! Thank you so much for coming!
Grace Enns
Hi Michel my name is Ricci I had the privilege of meeting you today, I'm not sure if you will remember me as you met so many other people today. I just needed to say how much newfound strength your story gave me, it is something that is truly close to my heart. and that you have an amazing heart and soul and so very much to show and teach the world. It is people like you that are keeping this generation empowered and inspired. I hope dearly that I get to see you again.
Ricci Kaplan
Michel you're probably one of the most inspiring people I have ever heard speak and not speak (vow of silence speech) your cause is probably one of the biggest callings I felt for anything.
Jesse Gabai-Garley
Michel, thank you so much for coming to Minot State and sharing your story with us. I was moved and inspired by your courage and faithfulness to carry on your father's legacy. God bless you as you continue your journey and I'm so happy that you and your family have been reunited.
Ann Mason Rivera
Thanks so much for coming to visit us today. You are truly a very strong person and an amazing speaker! You certainly put things back into perspective, which all of us need from time to time. I am so very moved by your story. Stay strong and keep inspiring!
Tasha Smasha
We LOVED Michel. His speech was everything we could have dreamed for it to be. It was poignant, dynamic, and I found myself in tears several times. He was truly a joy to work with, as was your agency, and I’m glad that you all do what you can to positively impact the world. When we look for speakers in the future we will for sure consider your agency! Thank you for helping us with such an amazing event!
Working with Michel Chikwanine and Speaker’s Spotlight has undoubtedly been the best conference keynote experience I have ever had! Speakers Spotlight provided the most efficient, upbeat and exceptionally professional service I have every experienced. And Michel!! Wow! His presentation is so powerful; any audience would have the experience of their lives. His story, in turns breathtakingly intense, then hilarious and uplifting, makes him the most gifted speaker I have ever heard. Students loved him; adults loved him. On top of all of this, he is genuine, kind and down to earth. It was a real pleasure, and honor, to have him be such an integral part of our conference.
We absolutely loved Michel. He is probably the best speaker I have heard. Students stopped him in the hall to thank him and teachers and staff have thanked me for bringing Michel to our school. It is an amazing life for him to live through. I liked that he talked so highly of his family and that he left students for something to think of as they buy a cell phone or complain about life’s stressors.
I wanted to say that I enjoyed your speech very much. The content of your speech was, of course, very moving – what you are doing is so important. Everyone loved it!
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...
Michael Sheldrick is the Co-Founder of Global Citizen and Author of upcoming book “From Ideas to Impact: A Playbook for Influencing and Implementing Change in a Divided World”. He leads Global Citizen’s campaigns to rally support from...
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...
Meet Marisol Nichols, acclaimed Hollywood actress starring in Lions Gate's "SPIRAL" and CW's "Riverdale." Beyond her screen successes, Marisol is a dedicated humanitarian and renowned activist against human trafficking. Recognized with the...
Experience a life-changing event with keynote speaker Dr. Ludy Green. Empower your organization and drive impactful change as she shares proven strategies to break free from abuse patterns, achieve financial autonomy, and ignite lasting...
Irshad Manji is a Canadian-born social entrepreneur, educator, and author. She is the founder and CEO of Moral Courage College and has taught leadership with New York University and Oxford University's Initiative for Global Ethics and Human Rights....
Transform your event with Karamo Brown's powerful keynotes on diversity, resilience, and leadership. Inspire your audience with his journey from adversity to empowerment. Book Karamo now for an unforgettable experience that sparks meaningful change...
Unlock organizational potential with Beth Inglish, a dynamic keynote speaker. Her transformative journey from adversity to success resonates powerfully, inspiring joy and resilience. Elevate your team's mindset, fostering creativity for collective...
Send a simple request. You’ll get a quick reply with fees and availability
