Xavier Cooper

Former NFL player, investor, and co-founder of the scholarship fund Everyone Learns Differently

Brandon Fleming

*Exclusive with AEI Speakers* Nationally-acclaimed Motivational Speaker, Educator, Award-winning Author, and Founder & CEO of The Veritas School

Candacy Taylor

*Exclusive with AEI Speakers* Cultural Documentarian, Author of the bestselling book, Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America

Nikki Giovanni

Renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator

Dr. Michelle Gourdine

Senior Vice President, CVS Health & Chief Medical Officer at CVS Caremark, Expert in preventive health and wellness, with a special emphasis on African American health

Shelton Johnson

Yosemite National Park Service ranger and author of Gloryland

Leonard Pitts Jr

Writer, Winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary

Dorian Warren

Scholar, organizer, and media personality

Dr. Bernice A. King

Youngest daughter of Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, she speaks on social justice and racial equality that her father envisioned

Paula Boggs

Former General Counsel for Starbucks, Army Veteran, Entrepreneur, Diversity Leader and Musician

Christopher Emdin

A social critic, public intellectual and science advocate whose commentary on issues of race, culture, inequality and education

Gloria Ladson-Billings

Investigates Critical Race Theory Applications and Diversity as the Key to Innovation

Van Jones

Author, CNN political contributor, host of the Van Jones Show and main advocate for the Green Jobs Act

Baruti Kafele

Award-Winning Educator, Internationally-Renowned Speaker and Best-Selling Author

Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr

President and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, an organization that has registered thousands of young people to vote

Dr. Ronald Ferguson

MIT-trained economist and author focused on social and economic challenges

Angela Davis

Educator, Social Justice Activist, Author

Donna Brazile

Veteran Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile is a Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School Shorenstein

The Reverend Al Sharpton

Founder and President of the National Action Network and Host of PoliticsNation on MSNBC

Dr. Crystal Kuykendall

Educator, Attorney, Author, Human Resource Expert

Daymond John

Founder & CEO of FUBU, Star of ABC’s Shark Tank, Entrepreneur and Branding Expert

Dr. Bertice Berry

Author of four novels and two humor books, sociologist, and award winning lecturer

Roland S. Martin

Nationally award-winning journalist, author and political analyst

Hill Harper

Award-winning Actor know for television’s CSI: NY and The Good Doctor, Bestselling Author and Philanthropist

Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu

Best Selling Author and Lecturer who has Dedicated his Career to Addressing the Ills Afflicting Black Culture in the United States

Christopher Paul Curtis

One of America’s leading authors of children’s literature

Freeman Hrabowski

President of UMBC/Chair, Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans

Dr. Lonise Bias

After the tragic death of her two sons, Dr. Bias decided to bring new solutions to solve old problems in her speeches

Harvey Alston

Former Head Football Coach, Educator, Business Professional and Author

Sampson Davis

Named “One of The Premiere Role Models of the World” by Oprah Winfrey, Physician, Author, Inspiration

Dr. Alveda King

Dr. Alveda C. King is actively working toward her purpose in life, to glorify God.

Jeff Johnson

Award-winning journalist and communications specialist

Ice-T

American rapper, songwriter, actor, and producer

Spike Lee

Director, Writer, Producer, Actor, Filmmaker

Majora Carter

Urban revitalization strategy consultant, real estate developer, MacArthur Fellow, Peabody Award–winning broadcaster, leader in environmental justice solutions