
John Quinones
Seven-Time Emmy Winner and Host of ABC's Award-Winning "What Would You Do?"
John Quinones is anchor of ABCs What Would You Do?, a co-anchor of Primetime, a correspondent for 20/20, and the author of Heroes Among Us: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Choices (Harper). Winner of seven Emmy Awards, Quinones has also been honored with the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards Grand Prize for International Reporting. Quinones joined ABC…
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Full Bio
John Quinones is anchor of ABCs What Would You Do?, a co-anchor of Primetime, a correspondent for 20/20, and the author of Heroes Among Us: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Choices (Harper).
Winner of seven Emmy Awards, Quinones has also been honored with the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards Grand Prize for International Reporting. Quinones joined ABC News in June 1982 and has reported for World News with Charles Gibson, Nightline, and Good Morning America. A sought after speaker, he has been a keynote speaker, diversity speaker, commencement speaker, and after-dinner speaker at universities, diversity conferences, and charitable organizations across the country.
In addition to sharing the many stories of heroes hes met, he also shares his own touching personal narrative of his rise from humble roots as the son of a laborer and a house cleaner to his life as a network anchor. His is one of the most American of stories. Quinones reminds us all of the courage and dignity it takes to stand up for oneself and those around us, and by chronicling such bravery, he captures Americas can-do spirit, showing that through the slightest good deed, each one of us harbors a hero within.
Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Quinones received a masters degree from the Columbia School of Journalism and makes his home in New York City.
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Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
What Would You Do? Words of Wisdom about Doing the Right Thing
As creator and host of the critically-acclaimed and highly-rated ABC hidden camera show, “What Would You Do?”, John Quiñones forces all of us to take a close look in the mirror. What do we do when we witness injustice, racism, bullying? Do we step in or, do we step away? In his new book, What Would You Do?: Words of Wisdom About Doing the Right Thing, Quiñones – who has been called, “the personification of the moral compass” – takes us behind the scenes of the show and shares stories from the many parts of his colorful life: from his humble beginnings in the barrios of San Antonio, Texas to his amazing career as a network journalist.
From the Barrio to Network Television: The Power of Never Taking “No” for an Answer
What do you do when life gives you green bean sandwiches? John Quiñones grew up in poverty, the son of a gardener. He spoke no English when entered the first grade of public school. He shined shoes on the streets of San Antonio and harvested crops with his family as a migrant farmworker. He’s never forgotten the day his family ran out of food and, had to survive on a gallon can of green beans and a loaf of bread. It was hardship and hunger, Quiñones says, that gave him the determination to turn disadvantages into assets. Despite the negative messages that society often lobbed his way, he relentlessly pursued his dream to become a television journalist – and simply, never took “no” for an answer. And his dream…it came true.
What Would You Do? Changing Ethics in America
John Quinones, the host and creator of the highly-rated ABC show, What Would You Do? has held up a mirror to American ethical behavior for almost a decade. When we witness something disturbing: someone being discriminated against because of the color of their skin or, the accent in their voice, a child is being bullied by his classmates, an employer refuses to hire someone because of their sex, do we speak out on their behalf or, do we remain silent? With hidden cameras, John has staged almost 500 different scenarios. The results can be heart-breaking but, in virtually every scenario, there is an everyday hero who steps in and, restores our faith in humanity. Do men come to the rescue as often as women? How do children react? How have our morals changed in the years since John began shining his light on ethics in America? His findings are fascinating.
A 20/20 Vision of Hispanic America
In this riveting speech, ABC News anchor John Quiñones shares his vision of Hispanic America, sharing stories from his life and career, including how he grew up in a poor family of migrant workers, got his big break with ABC as their first Latino correspondent, and later went on to report on a number of national and global issues. By weaving in video clips from stories that he has personally reported on over the years, Quiñones drives home his message of perseverance, teaching audiences that success knows no color or socioeconomic status; everyone can succeed and thrive.
Quiñones will customize his remarks, focusing on the issues surrounding Hispanic America that most interest your organization.
The Power of Education
In this fascinating speech, John Quiñones shares his story of growing up in the barrio – poor and the child of migrant farm workers. Although Quiñones could not speak a word of English when he entered the first grade, his problems only grew worse as his teachers and school counselors in San Antonio insisted on railroading him through vocational programs like auto mechanics, wood shop, and metal shop – never, ever believing that he could be college material. But, when Quiñones reached high school, he met an English teacher who saw something in him and he entered the federal program Upward Bound, which was the beginning of his personal success story. Quiñones offers a message of overcoming the odds, believing in yourself, working hard to achieve goals, and never taking “no” for an answer in this speech.
Quiñones, illustrates how ordinary people can spark change by intervening in challenging scenarios involving the dynamics of ethics, race, class, gender, and other factors. This spirit of compassion and courage.
Videos
ABC’s John Quiñones speaks at UW Bothell 2014 Commencement
Keynote Speaker - Journalist, John Quiñones
John Quiñones talks about ethics at CSUB
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