African American
Find a Presenter
African American
If you don't see who you are looking for, contact one of our experts. We will help you locate the speaker or provide you additional suggestions. 1-914-940-0075 or info@pdaspeakers.com
Renowned Civil Rights Attorney and Law Professor. Spokesperson for Alzheimer’s Disease
Charles Ogletree, the Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law, and Founding and Executive Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice, is a prominent legal…
Member of Basketball Hall of Fame & One of the Most Dominant Centers in the History of the NBA
Nigerian born basketball great, Hakeem Olajuwon, was born on January 21, 1963. Olajuwon played center for the Houston Rockets, whom he led to back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995, and…
Documentarian & Emmy-Winning Producer
Stanley Nelson, an Emmy-winning MacArthur “Genius” Fellow and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Art & Sciences, is the director of thirteen documentary features. His latest film is Freedom…
Former Professional Football Player, Quarterback, Inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame
Prior to the 1978 NFL Draft, some NFL scouts suggested that since University of Washington quarterback Warren Moon had played in a rollout rather than a drop-back passing offense, he…
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.
Actor; currently stars as FBI Special Agent Derek Morgan on CBS's hit drama "Criminal Minds"
Shemar Moore lived in the Netherlands with his mother as a child, and his first language is Dutch. He didn't learn to speak English until he was five years old.…
Comedian, Former SNL Cast Member and Actor on NBC's "30 Rock"
Starring for seven seasons on NBC’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning 30 Rock, Tracy Morgan appeared opposite Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin as ‘Tracy Jordan,’ the unpredictable star of Lemon’s…
Award-Winning Author and Journalist
Author and journalist Joan Morgan began her writing career freelancing for the Village Voice. Her first article, “The Pro-Rape Culture,” explored the issues of race and gender in the case…
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…
Actor, Comedian and Television Personality. Stars as Winston on FOX's hit show, "New Girl"
Shemar Moore lived in the Netherlands with his mother as a child, and his first language is Dutch. He didn't learn to speak English until he was five years old.…
Stand-Up Comedian and Writer
Preacher Moss is clearly the new prototype for the comedian of these times and the times to come. A writer for “The Damon Wayans Show” and “Saturday Night Live,” his…
Former Professional Basketball Player, Seven-time NBA All-Star; Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame
Alonzo Mourning is the founder of Mourning Family Foundation (formerly known as Alonzo Mourning Charities), a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public fundraising foundation, created to inspire others through advocacy, education, and enrichment…
Comedian; Former "SNL" Cast Member
In March of 2015 SNL/Saturday Night Live alum Finesse Mitchell played a role in HBO’s new comedy Brothers In Atlanta which has now been picked up to series. The show…
American Academic, Political Commentator, and Linguist, Professor at Columbia University; His latest book is THE LANGUAGE HOAX
John McWhorter studies how language has evolved -- and will evolve -- with social, historical and technological developments, in addition to studying and writing about race in America. In recent…
Women's Basketball Hall of Famer
Cheryl Miller is one of the greatest players in the history of women’s basketball. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995 – one of…
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…
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…
Bringing Author/Activist W.E.B. Du Bois to life in an inspiring show
Starring Art McFarland as W. E. B. Du Bois and Petronia Paley as his wife, The Most Dangerous Man In America (W. E. B. Du Bois) will also feature Arthur…
10-time Grammy Award-Winning Musician; Conductor Known For "Don't Worry, Be Happy"
Ten-time Grammy Award winner/vocal innovator Bobby McFerrin surprises us yet again with VOCAbuLarieS, his first new release in eight years. Like his #1 worldwide hit song Don´t Worry Be Happy…
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…
Rap & Hip Hop Performer and Producer; Actor
Method Man was the first -- and biggest -- solo star to emerge from the groundbreaking Wu-Tang Clan. His mush-mouthed, sandpaper-rough bellow (at times recalling EPMD's Erick Sermon) and imaginative…
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…
Reggae Artist; Son of Bob Marley
Damian Marley was only two when his father died, but the youngest of the Marley sons must have learned something. At the age of 13, he formed his first band,…
Jazz Musician, Bandleader and Educator
Branford Marsalis has stayed the course. From his early acclaim as a saxophonist bringing new energy and new audiences to the jazz art, he has refined and expanded his talents…
Musician; Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center
The most popular and acclaimed jazz musician of his generation, Wynton Marsalis is also a distinguished classical performer and the first artist to win Grammy awards for both jazz and…
Lawyer and son of the late Supreme Court of the United States Justice Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall, Jr. is an American lawyer and son of the late Supreme Court of the United States Justice Thurgood Marshall. Thurgood Marshall Jr. worked in the Clinton White House…
Former Moderator of Lead Story on the BET Network and Author
Whether it’s on television, radio, before audiences, or one-on-one, Cheryl Martin is passionate about being an effective communicator. During this exciting season of life, Cheryl’s desire is to cultivate every…
Award-Winning Journalist & Media Personality, Author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith"
Over the course of a journalistic career that has seen him interview newsmakers ranging from multiple U.S. presidents to the top athletes and entertainers in Hollywood, Roland S. Martin is…
Racial & Cultural Economics Expert
Dr. Julianne Malveaux has long been recognized for her progressive and insightful observations.
Poet, Vocalist, Songwriter and Professor
Gina Loring is a poet, vocalist, songwriter and professor. She has guest lectured at countless colleges and universities nationwide. As guest artist of the American Embassy, she has traveled to…
Nine-Time Grammy Award Winner, Academy Award-Winner & Philanthropist
Nine-time Grammy award-winning R&B artist John Legend and the “All of Me” crooner has earned millions of fans with his chart-topping albums.
WNBA Champion; Olympic Gold Medalist & Author of "Don't Let the Lipstick Fool You"
When the “face” of your sport is a Wilhelmina model, you know you’re off to a good start. But Lisa Leslie, the most-recognized player in the WNBA and Team USA…
Author, "The Man from Essence"; Co-Founder, Essence Magazine
Edward Lewis is co-founder of Essence Communications Inc. During his 35 years as Chairman, CEO and Publisher, he nurtured Essence into a media powerhouse, addressing the needs of black women.…
Grammy Award-Winning Singer/Actress
Dawnn Lewis a multitalented and multifaceted individual. Perhaps best known for her roles on the hit TV shows A DIFFERENT WORLD (composer of shows theme song) and HANGIN’ WITH MR.…
One of the Greatest Olympians of All-time
Carl Lewis is one of the greatest Olympians of all time. During his career as an Olympic athlete, Carl Lewis won 10 medals. These medals consisted of nine golds, which…
Award Winning Actress, Poet, and Playwright
Helena D. Lewis is an award winning actress, poet, and playwright. Her one-person show, “Call Me Crazy: Diary of A Mad Social Worker,” chronicles her work in the social service…
Emmy Award-Winning AIDS Activist
Rae Lewis-Thornton is an Emmy award winning AIDS Activist, Author, Award Winning Blogger, Social Media Expert, Jewelry Designer and Tea Connoisseur. RLT has been living with HIV for 36 years…
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…
Social Critic & Intellectual
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is one of the leading intellectual voices in the country. He is the host of HuffPost Live and BET News, as well as a political contributor…
Singer-Songwriter, Rapper, Actress, Television & Record Producer
After a short stint as a Burger King employee, Queen Latifah made her breakthrough as a rapper when she was just 18 years old.
Consulting Strategist
Kathryn D. Leary is a writer, marketing and public relations consultant and former President & CEO of the Leary Group Inc., which specialized in international marketing and communications, trade development…
Civil Rights Activist & Sociologist
Sociologist Dr. Joyce Ladner is one of the nation’s pre-eminent thought leaders. Her career has been shaped through her first hand involvement with the civil rights movement in Mississippi and…
Educational Consultant, Mentor, Author and Lecturer
Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu is the author of over 25 books including national bestsellers, Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys, State of Emergency: We Must Save African American Males, Solutions…
Emcee, Activist & Co-Owner of Blacksmith Music Label
Talib Kweli, known around the world for his art and activism, A famed social activist, Kweli promotes equality and awareness through his rapping and spoken word. Kweli has tried to…
Co-Author of "Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice" and author of "The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires"
Few individuals impact the day-to-day management of organizations and institutions as Dennis Kimbro. A tireless educator, author, and B-school professor, Dr. Kimbro is universally characterized as one of the most…
Co-Host of "CBS This Morning" and Editor-At-Large of O, The Oprah Magazine
Gayle King is a co-host of “CBS This Morning,” and editor-at-large of the award-winning O, the Oprah Magazine. King previously hosted “The Gayle King Show,” a live, weekday television interview…
Minister, Attorney & Daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Nationally and internationally known as one of the most powerful, motivating, and life changing orators and speakers, Bernice A. King leaves her audiences spell bound and challenges people to raise…