Top 5 Diversity Speakers
- By Declan McManus
- Aug 15, 2021
Diversity is an important topic of conversation, and in today’s world, we are finally having the impactful conversations that will change our society for the better and make a true impact on future generations. There is a large variety of diverse perspectives to highlight, and on Engage, you are guaranteed to find the perfect Diversity speaker for your next event. Whether you are looking for someone who is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, or someone who aims to ensure that those with disabilities do not get left behind, you will find a speaker on Engage who will provide the important diverse perspective, while simultaneously entertaining your audience. Take a look at the Top 5 Diversity Speakers on Engage:
5. Eric LeGrand
Eric LeGrand is a former defensive tackle for Rutgers University. While he was playing in college, he made a tackle that led to him becoming paralyzed. He is fortunate to have regained movement in his shoulder as well as certain sensations throughout his body, but he still fights every day with the attitude that, “it’s not even whether you keep breathing, it’s whether you keep breathing how you want to breathe.” His inspirational attitude has taken him all over, teaching others that even when the chances don’t look good, you always persevere. He has since published two novels, ``The Victorious Story of Eric LeGrand” and “Believe: My Faith and the Tackle that Changed My Life,” that tell the story of how he overcame the tackle that changed everything. If you are looking for a speaker who will appeal to all audiences and will truly inspire, you have found the right man in Eric LeGrand.
4. Nick Santonastasso
Nick Santonsastasso was born with a rare genetic condition called Hanhart Syndrome which left him with no legs and only one arm. Despite these challenges, Santonastasso has managed to have a career as a high school athlete, a bodybuilder, and a fitness model, which are all things that most people said would not be possible. From a young age, Santonastasso shocked even his parents with the things he was able to teach himself to do using his “can do” attitude. After posting a series of funny prank videos online, Santonastasso gained a huge social media following filled with plenty of celebrities. Snatonastasso aims to relate to people not only with his inspiring story, but also through laughter, which can be seen through his fame on the Vine app. Santonastasso will have your audience both laughing and crying, making him the perfect keynote speaker for any event.
3. Chris Nikic
Chris Nikic is the first person with Down Syndrome to ever finish an Ironman triathlon. Even at the young age of 22, Nikic has chosen not to focus on the things he lacks, but instead on all of his God given abilities. At the 2021 ESPY awards, Nikic was awarded the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, which is an award given to a person in the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles. Through his foundation, the Chris Nikic Foundation, Nikic aims to raise awareness of Down Syndrome, and to help everyone become “1 percent better” each day. Nikic delivers a heartwarming and entertaining talk that will have your audience smiling but in tears. Nikic brings an important diverse perspective to the conversation and will change your audiences hearts for the better.
2. Greg R. Baird
Greg R. Baird is a lecturer, educator, writer and social activist. Baird has spent much of his life advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, but his talks are always inclusive for all audiences, covering the topics of equal rights, inclusion, acceptance, community, peace, & anti-hate. Baird has worked to produce documentaries that tell the stories of those who do not normally have their story told in the best light, such as the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting. Baird has been the keynote speaker at important events such as the Rotary World Peace Conference and the Signature Pride Event for Aetna. Baird is a speaker who is sure to spread the message of acceptance, inclusion, and community for everyone who is attending your event.
1. Dr. Kimberly Clay
Dr. Kimberly Clay is the CEO and founder of Play Like a Girl, which is a non-profit that teaches girls to leverage the skills they gain from sports to help them find their way in the male-dominated career fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Dr. Clay worked as a public health analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which allowed her to see the gender gap in education and health that led to the creation of Play Like a Girl. As a tenure-track professor at the University of Georgia, Dr. Clay studied long-term cancer survivorship in women. Dr. Clay has devoted her entire career to educating and advocating for women across the country, and has won numerous national awards for her work in this space, including the Toyota Everyday Hero award. If you are looking for a speaker who truly practices what they preach, Dr. Clay is the perfect speaker for your next event.
Should I book a speaker for my event?
In today’s age, our attention span is dwindling. A technological era in which we can get rushes of dopamine to our brain in a couple seconds by scrolling on a variety of social media platforms has created an atmosphere where we quickly become uninterested by something if we are not immediately curious to hear more. In an event, this means being able to grab your audience’s attention immediately and pull them in, wanting to hear more. This is where hiring a speaker for an event comes into play. The speakers that are on Engage’s website are some of the most high-class, interesting stories you will ever hear. From Dwayne Wade talking about all the challenges he has faced on his rise to stardom in the NBA, to Ron Garan discussing what it’s like to be an astronaut, Engage has the stories and speakers that will hold your audience captive with interest.
