Sekou Andrews

One of the Most Celebrated Spoken Word Poets in the World

Nancy's Note:

“Mind-blowing is an understatement to describe a Sekou Andrews presentation! He is remarkable on every level, bringing an utterly unique experience that has audience members leaping out of their seats at the end. Truly memorable!”

Sekou Andrews

One of the Most Celebrated Spoken Word Poets in the World

Nancy’s Note
“Mind-blowing is an understatement to describe a Sekou Andrews presentation! He is remarkable on every level, bringing an utterly unique experience that has audience members leaping out of their seats at the end. Truly memorable!”

Sekou Andrews

One of the Most Celebrated Spoken Word Poets in the World

Nancy’s Note
“Mind-blowing is an understatement to describe a Sekou Andrews presentation! He is remarkable on every level, bringing an utterly unique experience that has audience members leaping out of their seats at the end. Truly memorable!”

Expertise

Spoken Word Poetry, Storytelling, Innovation, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Success, Transformation, Mindset

Travels From

Los Angeles, California

Speaking Style

Magnetic, Enthralling, Powerful

About Sekou...

This schoolteacher turned artist, entrepreneur and Grammy nominee, is the innovator of “Poetic Voice” and one of the most celebrated and  successful spoken word poets in the world.

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Presentation Topics

Themes: Innovation, Disruption, Leadership, Bold Thinking, Inspiration

Length: 20 – 60 min

“Innovation is the difference between ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ and ‘Why didn’t I think LIKE that?’” As businesses scurry in pursuit of “big I” Innovation – A.I., robotics, and other exponential technologies – Sekou focuses on empowering your leadership with “little i” innovation, helping you to innovate from within.

Offering incredibly fresh perspectives on embracing failure, bold thinking and the innovator’s mindset, Sekou teaches how to harness the power of collaboration, purpose, storytelling, community, and inspirational leadership to create a culture of innovation.

This insightful and inspiring talk promises to surprise you with its ability to delight, discomfort, and disrupt you on a business and personal level.

Laugh, Be Uplifted and Learn:

  • How to master “little i” innovation to think, communicate and lead like an innovator
  • Simple ways to use inspiration, inclusion, and intention to catalyze a culture of innovation
  • How to embrace “successful failure” to empower your team’s innovation mindset
  • 3-5 innovation tools that every D.i.Y. Innovator must master
  • How to shift a stagnant culture through creative thinking and purpose-driven innovation

Themes: Disruption, Resilience, Innovation, Empowerment, Inspiration

Length: 20 – 60 min

“Disruption is not just a concept, it’s a feeling … it’s a mindset.” This rollercoaster-of-a-speech is the embodiment of that idea. It begins with a deliberate cacophony that consistently turns on a dime while offering valuable insights from the “voices” of consumers, technology, millennials and more. Soon the experience evolves from cacophony to symphony as Sekou brings it all together, teaching you how to disrupt yourself through mindset shifts that deliver powerful business results.

As an entrepreneur who is disrupting the traditional speaking model, Sekou shares inspiring stories and empowering strategies on how he helps global organizations shift their relationship to change and ready themselves for the unknown.” Prepare for an entertaining and unconventional keynote experience that will help you catch disruption’s rhythm and leave you wanting more.

Laugh, Be Uplifted and Learn:

  • How to shift your relationship to change in order to welcome, not fear, disruption
  • The single, most important technique for training yourself to transform disaster into delight
  • How to learn like a disruptor in order to prepare today for whatever tomorrow brings
  • The current shifts disrupting business units – from marketing and sales to operations and HR
  • How to master the art of recovery in order to free yourself from the fear of failure

Themes: Resilience, Transformation, Adaptability, Sustainable Growth, Self-Empowerment

Length: 30 – 60 min

“The next level is not about reaching new heights, but reaching new depths.” Ever since we were little, we’ve been obsessed with growth. But in order for the transformational leader to keep reaching the proverbial “next level,” you must first transform your concept of the word “growth” in a sustainable way. This unique keynote experience will help you unlock your ability to adapt and innovate, fortify your well-being, connect more deeply with your community and purpose, and lead with inspiration. You will learn how to win by losing, how to go higher by going deeper, and how to remind yourself, and your team, that you already have everything you need to perpetually reach your next level. Prepare to supercharge your resiliency through an energetic and inspiring keynote like no other.

Laugh, Be Uplifted and Learn:

  • How to fall gracefully and recover masterfully to create next-level resilience
  • Effective ways to use collaboration to create a next-level community
  • How to strengthen the “small muscles” of your mindset to create next-level adaptability
  • How to harness the power of inspiration to create next-level leadership
  • The next-level ways to create a sustainable, perpetual growth mindset

Themes: Impact, Self-Determination, Bold Thinking, Social Responsibility, Celebrating Culture

Length: 30 – 60 min

“What if there is a better way?” As the innovator of an audacious new category of public speaking that brought poetry to an industry in unprecedented ways, Sekou has mastered the art of audacity. His 20-year career helping global brands humanize messaging, began with two words: “What If?” “What if we could define business our own way?”  “What if our way could set the standard for our industry?”

This inspiring and interactive speech will help you ignite that same audacity needed for you to defy convention, deny limitations, and define yourselves for yourselves. It focuses on re-defining the word “touch” as a metaphor for how leaders and brands can impact communities in increasingly purposeful ways. Prepare to engage your imagination and learn new strategies to help your business get in TOUCH with its humanity.

Laugh, Be Uplifted and Learn:

  • How to have the audacity to empower imagination to re-define business conventions
  • How to have the audacity to create collaborative communities that cultivate creative culture
  • How to have the audacity to transform business impact through personal stories
  • How to have the audacity to change the game by innovating how you play the game
  • How to have the audacity to be a purpose-driven company without sacrificing success

Power Through the People

Themes: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, High-Performing Teams, Human Resources, Culture, Community

Length: 45 – 90 min

“Diversity is disruption.” It is uncomfortable, volatile and disrupts the stasis of “sameness”. And yet, just like with disruption, the organizations that are facing and embracing diversity end up stronger, smarter and higher-performing than their counterparts.

Sekou is no stranger to tackling discomforting and disruptive topics with an engaging, emotive and highly entertaining presentation style. This interactive presentation delivers proven data and actionable takeaways to help your audience understand how DEI can strengthen performance, stimulate innovation, enhance “belonging” and future-proof your organization. Sekou will create a safe space for your audience to grapple with this troublesome topic, leaving them laughing til it hurts and shifting in their seats as they learn how to include diverse voices in their collective success story.

Laugh, Be Uplifted and Learn:

  • How to disable the types of homogenous company cultures that stifle innovation
  • How successful companies are using D&I to build and empower high-performing teams
  • How to empower the “sameness” of purpose in order to embrace the “otherness” of diversity
  • The hidden ways your organization may be inhibiting a sense of “belonging” in your teams
  • How to use storytelling to catalyze community, understanding and empathy

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Find Your Voice

Themes: Dynamic Communication, Inspirational Leadership, Public Speaking, Storytelling, Purpose

Length: 30 – 60 min

“Your vision is only as powerful as your voice.” No matter how mighty the vision for your organization is, your ability to communicate it must be just as mighty. As consumers and employees expect to be moved by brands and leaders, it’s no longer enough to do your job like a rock star; you must also communicate your value like a rock star!

In this interactive presentation, Sekou shares the rock star secrets that help amplify influence through dynamic communication. Perfect for entrepreneurs, leaders, and influencers, this keynote will unlock your ability to communicate and inspire in ways that are more compelling, passionate, and human, in order to deepen your relationships with the communities you serve. The voice of your organization must be purposeful. The voice of your leadership must be inspiring. This speech will help you find that voice and tell your stories in the mightiest of ways.

Laugh, Be Uplifted and Learn:

  • Powerful techniques for embedding business data into purposeful stories
  • How to become a more confident and compelling communicator
  • Rockstar Secrets for turning any content into engaging audience experiences
  • How to increase influence and humanize leadership by connecting authentically
  • The most effective ways to take your content from informative to inspiring

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The Story of Telling

Themes: Strategic Storytelling, Engagement, Leadership, Compelling Communication, Influence

Length: 20 – 45 min

“A great story requires your ability to tell it greatly.” Storytelling is transforming how innovative companies market themselves, engage customers and reinvent their businesses. And as the world’s leading poetic voice, no one tells stories quite like Sekou Andrews.

Sekou has helped diverse divisions – from sales and marketing, to finance and IT – understand how to use strategic storytelling to inspire customers, galvanize staff and up-level leadership. This presentation will not only teach you the value of storytelling in business as an individual, it will help your organization harness the power to “sequel itself” and write the next chapter of your success story by transforming your narrative.

Pulling key insights from Sekou’s “Stage Might: Storytellers” corporate training, this speech is rich with actionable takeaways on how to embed business data into compelling stories to engage your listeners on a human level.

Laugh, Be Uplifted and Learn:

  • How to connect deeply with audiences without compromising credibility or authority
  • Ways to humanize your business through personal and purposeful storytelling
  • How to embed data into engaging stories that deliver information through inspiration
  • The top techniques that help you storify any business message
  • How storytelling enables your brand to “sequel yourself” and create perpetual success

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Success Junkie

Themes: Winner’s Mindset, High-Performing Culture, Influence, Inspirational Communication, Healthy Hustle

Length: 20-45 min

“We don’t know how to spell ‘end’ or ‘say when’ or do anything but win… Win… WIN!!!” There are certain people, teams and cultures that are hardwired to be winners. But when you love your work, and love winning, both can become addictive.

This speech helps you define the word “win” in a balanced, purpose-driven context in order to win at the long game. Set in the fun, fictional world of a support group for success addicts, Sekou celebrates the ambition and standards of excellence present in every culture of go-getters. The best practices, storytelling techniques and success strategies he shares are especially motivating for sales teams who need to be championed for the heights they’ve reached, while being challenged to keep raising the bar.

This high-energy keynote will inspire you to prevent your success story from ending by embracing a sustainable version of the word “winning.”

Listen, Laugh, Be Uplifted While:

  • Being celebrated for the milestones you’ve reached both personally and professionally
  • Learning creative perspectives on the mindset, voice, and behavior of winners
  • Receiving “healthy hustle” tips for maintaining well-being and work-life harmony
  • Learning how to inspire yourself, your team, and your customers to super-charge success
  • Feeling re-connected to your community and re-anchored in your purpose

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Return of the Do-Gooder

Themes: CSR, Purpose, Social Impact, Community, Doing Well by Doing Good

Length: 20-45 min

“The number of people in the world who are able to BE WELL depends on the number who are willing to DO GOOD.” Used to be that the word “do-gooder” was almost a slur in the business world. Now, however, consumers are more likely to support businesses that are purpose-driven, socially responsible, inclusive, and authentic. Which means: Do-gooders are back!… and more profitable than ever. The definition of business success can no longer ignore social impact. The companies that will own the future are the ones doing the right thing in the present. Of course, you already know that. Yours is an organization that believes in making a positive impact through your work … yours is a team that is driven by purpose, passion, and values … yours is a community that is ready to celebrate the good you do for the world … which is why this is the speech for you!

Listen, Laugh, Be Uplifted While:

  • Being celebrated for doing the right thing in the face of industry conventions
  • Learning how to include service, sustainability and social impact in success metrics
  • Being given permission to cultivate and celebrate conscious leadership
  • Learning how to use storytelling, vulnerability and purpose to strengthen connections
  • Receiving creative reminders of the power of individual contribution and community collaboration

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The Pinky Promise of Care

Themes: Healthcare, Patient Safety, Agency, Patient-centricity, Transformation

Length: 20 – 45 min

“You made me an unspoken but unmistakably understood pinky promise when I was admitted into your care…” The provision of quality healthcare is a beautiful topic. Patient safety and medical error?… not so much. So, in true poetic voice fashion, Sekou transforms this important and uncomfortable subject into a roller coaster ride of laughter, tears and valuable insight that holds every team member accountable to giving the highest quality, most human, and safest care possible.

The fact that this interactive speech consistently leaves audiences carrying Sekou’s “Pinky Promise Pledge” back to their facilities, pinning it on their walls, and sharing it with their teams is proof of Sekou’s poetic power to tackle topics like patient safety, inspire patient-centric culture, and leave audiences re-committed to providing world-class patient care. Prepare to re-engage your commitment to caregiving by remembering “the irrevocable power of the digitus minimus.”