Motivation & Inspiration
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Motivation & Inspiration
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Entrepreneur, Civil Rights Activist and Co-Founder of WeAreSoze
Michael Skolnik is an entrepreneur, an activist, a storyteller and a proud father. From 2009-2015, Michael served as the President of GlobalGrind.com, a multi-million dollar news website founded by hip-hop…
Legendary Civil Rights Activist and co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center
Civil rights and diversity speaker Morris Dees is the co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, a non-profit group specializing in lawsuits involving civil rights violations, domestic terrorism, and hate-motivated…
Co-Host of 'Good Morning America,' Fox NFL Sunday Analyst, NFL Hall of Famer and Super Bowl Champion
Emmy winner and Super Bowl Champion Michael Strahan currently co-hosts ABC’s Good Morning America and serves as an analyst for Fox NFL Sunday. This summer, Strahan hosted the top-rated primetime…
Has energized almost two million leaders, educators, volunteers, and students worldwide with his authentic, inspiring messages of hope
An original Freedom Writer whose story is told in part in the 2007 hit movie, Freedom Writers, Manny Scott has energized over a million leaders, educators, volunteers, and students worldwide…
Politician
Former Minnesota Congresswoman, Michele Bachmann became the first Republican woman elected to represent Minnesota in the U.S. House of Representatives. She was listed in Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People”…
Owner of The Dallas Mavericks, "Shark" Investor on ABC's "Shark Tank"
Mark Cuban was an entrepreneur from the early age of 12, when he sold garbage bags door-to-door. Today, Mark is the highly successful entrepreneur and investor who founded HDNet, Broadcast.com…
Youngest-Ever Nobel Prize Winner; Advocate for Girls' Education & Women's Equality; Author of the International Bestseller "I Am Malala"
Malala Yousafzai made headlines when she was shot by the Taliban in 2012 at the age of 15 while traveling home from school on the bus with her friends in…
Retired Professional Soccer Forward; Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist; Founding Member of the Women's United Soccer Association
After 17 years, two World Championships, two Olympic Gold Medals, and near unparalleled success as a marketing icon, Mia Hamm retired from professional soccer in 2004 as not only the…
Star of the Film Murderball, Winner of the 2005 Sundance Film Festival's Documentary Audience Award
Mark Zupan was paralyzed in a car accident while in high school, he began playing quad rugby in college. In 2004 he lead team USA to a bronze medal at…
Actor Known for his NAACP Image Award-Winning Role in "New York Undercover" ABC's Hit Show 'Designated Survivor'
Malik Yoba is an award-winning actor, a playwright and a published author. He composes and performs original music and is a gifted singer, lyricist and poet. He’s a sex symbol.…
Emmy-Winning TV Host, MS and Health Advocate, Wellness Entrepreneur, Decorated Naval Officer
Montel Williams earned his media celebrity status as an inspirational Emmy Award winning television personality whom Americans invited into their homes for more than 17 years. He is a decorated…
Editor-at-Large, Essence Magazine
Mikki Taylor is the quintessential authority on all matters regarding beauty and style. From A-list celebrities and world-renowned cover models to women in the know, Taylor influences all types of…
Award-Winning Actor, Columnist, Radio, TV Personality and Author
During the span of seven years award-winning columnist, Mi-Ling Stone Poole wrote a weekly syndicated lifestyles and decorating column entitled, “Ask Mi-Ling.” Her column was featured in The Oklahoman and…
Legendary Olympic Swimmer, nine-time Olympic champion, and former world record-holder in seven events
Once considered the greatest Olympic athlete of all-time, the globally renowned Mark Spitz is synonymous with excellence. Voted Athlete of the Century in water sports and one of the six…
Rhythm and Blues and Gospel Singer, Actress, and Civil Rights Activist; Member of Family Band, The Staple Singers
Soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples possesses one of the most recognizable and treasured voices in contemporary music. From her early days sharing lead vocals with her groundbreaking family group,…
New York Times Best-Selling Author and one of the Nation's Leading Experts on Happiness, Success, and Unconditional Love
Marci Shimoff is a #1 NY Times bestselling author and one of the nation's leading experts on happiness, success, and unconditional love. She is the author of the Love for…
Award-Winning Journalist, Former First Lady of California, Best-Selling Author and Leading Alzheimer’s Advocate
Award-Winning Journalist, Former First Lady of California, Best-Selling Author and leading Alzheimer’s Advocate. Born Maria Owings Shriver on November 6, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois.
President of Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia
Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell, A leader in education, the arts, and the public sector for nearly 40 years, Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., began her tenure as the 10th president of…
Track and Field Athlete, Road Runner and Marathon Runner who is Legally Blind. Digital Accessibility Consultant/Testing Team Lead, Perkins School for the Blind
Marla Runyan is a former world-class American track and field athlete and marathoner who is legally blind. She began losing her vision at age nine, but that never kept her…
President of Ireland (1990-1997) & President of the Mary Robinson Foundation: Climate Justice
Mary Robinson served as president of Ireland from 1990 to 1997, and as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002.
USA Gold Medalist; Most Decorated Olympic Athlete in History
Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time, having won 28 career medals, including 23 gold. He competed in his first Olympic games in Sydney when he was…
Award-Winning Journalist and Writer. She is the widow of Daniel Pearl, an journalist who was the Southeast Asia bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal
Mariane Pearl is an award-winning journalist and writer who works in English, French and Spanish. She is currently the Managing Editor of CHIME FOR CHANGE global journalism platform that focuses…
Singer and TV Personality; Author of "Behind The Smile: My Journey Out of Postpartum Depression"
Beginning with her national debut at age three on "The Andy Williams Show," Marie Osmond has proven to be a resilient talent with a magnetic presence recognized across generations. Entertaining…
Political and Civic Leader and the Current President of the National Urban
In a distinguished professional career that has spanned 25 years, Marc Morial has served as one of the most accomplished servant-leaders in the nation. As an entrepreneur, Morial started several…
Award-Winning Singer, Actress, Speaker and Philanthropist
Award winning singer, actress, speaker and philanthropist, Melba Moore's enduring talent has earned her a rewarding career in theater, television, music and film.
New York Times Best-Seller "Kaffir Boy"
South African writer Mark Mathabane, author of the best-selling autobiography "Kaffir Boy," In "Kaffir Boy," published in 1986, Mathabane told the true story of his coming of age under apartheid…
Academy Award Winning Actress & Activist. Deaf since she was 18 months old, due to illness and high fevers, she is also a prominent member of the National Association of the Deaf
Marlee Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her film debut in Paramount Pictures’ “Children of a Lesser God,” for which she received the Academy Award for Best Actress. At 21,…
Former CBS Weatherman, TV Personality & Author of "Change in the Weather: Life After Stroke"
CBS journalist and popular television news personality, Mark McEwen served for many years in a variety of high profile positions, including anchoring "CBS This Morning" and serving as weather and…
Journalist and Correspondent for ABC News and National Public Radio
Michel McQueen Martin is a correspondent for ABC News. Prior to joining ABC News, she spent more than a decade covering politics and policy for The Wall Street Journal and…
Daughter of Nelson Mandela and CEO, House of Mandela
Makaziwe Mandela is the daughter of the late former president, Nelson Mandela and his first wife Evelyn Mase. She was named after her older sister , who was born in…
Radio Show Host and Motivational Life/Executive Coach, LOHAS Leader!
Coach Marjorie Lynn Johnson is a certified Master Life/Executive Coach trained by the founders of the coaching industry, The Coaches Training Institute. The Coach Lynn Show has broadcast over 100 national…
Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra
Ever since 1995, when Keith Lockhart was named 20th conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra, he has drastically diversified the activities and appeal of orchestra. During his 16-year tenure, he…
Host, Extra, America's Best Dance Crew
Mario Lopez is the host of Extra, the Emmy Award–winning entertainment news program.This is Lopez’s eighth consecutive season as the show’s host, after co-hosting Extra's weekend edition since January 2007.…
Author, Educator and Community Activist
Dr. Mona Lake Jones, author, educator and community activist. Jones, who has served as Poet Curator and Poet Laureate for the City of Seattle and Martin Luther King County, travels…
Creator of Kwanzaa
Dr. Maulana Karenga, an internationally recognized activist-scholar.
Olympic Gold Medalist, Track & Field
Michael Johnson is a four-time Olympic track and field gold medalist, nine-time World Champion and world record holder. During his 11-year career, Michael established a record of 13 Olympic and…
Retired Professional Basketball Player and ESPN Game Analyst
Mark Jackson former NBA player and former basketball coach. A point guard from St. John's University, he played for the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets,…
Politician, Author and Former Governor of Arkansas
Mike Huckabee was the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 until 2007, becoming one of the longest serving Governors in his state’s history, and was only the fourth Republican elected…
Founder and Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul Book Series, Voted as one of the Top Five Speakers of all Time. Mega-Entrepreneur, Devoted Philanthropist
Mark Victor Hansen is a veteran Business Thought Leader who draws from his mega success to empower audiences to become better leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as better people. Mark…
Former Editor-In-Chief of ESSENCE magazine and Owner of the Award-Winning Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns
Dream job or dream life? That’s the question Monique Greenwood had to answer for herself. And in answering that question, she realized that having it all isn’t where it’s at—it’s…
Drug and Alcohol Awareness and Educator
Over the past 18 years, Mike Green has presented on more than 2000 campuses nationwide in his effort to make drug and alcohol awareness and education an integral part of…
Bestselling Author, "What the Dog Saw," "Outliers," "Blink," and "The Tipping Point"
Malcolm Gladwell is the author of five New York Times bestsellers — The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, What the Dog Saw, and now, his latest, David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits…
Acclaimed Author, Speaker and Workshop Presenter
Marita Golden writing is "the way I live in and respond to the world." It is also a calling and a mission. A writer who has distinguished herself as a…
Actor and Humanitarian
Morgan Freeman earned his first Academy Award nomination for his chilling performance as a homicidal pimp in the drama Street Smart, which also brought him the LA, N.Y., and National…
Author and Activist
Michael Fosberg began his performing artist career as a young student at the prestigious intensive theater training program at Northwestern University, The National High School Institute where he has returned…
Award-Winning Actor, Author, Producer and Advocacy
Michael Fox loved hockey and dreamed of a career in the National Hockey League.
Internationally known speaker Marc Elliot will describe a childhood of struggle growing up as a kid diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. Who speaks on “What Makes You Tic”
Marc Elliot, is one of the most sought-after young public speakers in the country. Preaching the theme of tolerance, he travels to high schools and colleges talking about his struggles…
Captain of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team and Subject of the Hit Film, "Miracle"
Mike Eruzione served as the enthusiastic captain that led the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team to its gold medal victory. He scored the winning goal against the Russians in…
