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.