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Top 35 Social Justice Speakers

• By Aaron Peterson
•  Dec 10, 2024

In today’s world, the voices of social justice advocates have become more important than ever. This list of dynamic social justice speakers highlights individuals who challenge system inequities, provide meaningful insights and perspectives, and inspire action. Their work spans a diverse range of social justice topics, from gender equality and economic empowerment to mental health advocacy. 

This list introduces 35 of the most compelling social justice speakers of today. Each of them is making contributions that are shaping our world into a better place. They blend lived experience with professional expertise to inspire and empower others. Their messages resonate across multiple industries, organizations, and communities. Each of these voices is important in the pursuit of justice, inclusion, and equality. 

1. Dr. Cornel West

Dr. Cornel West is one of the most sought-after social justice speakers. As the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Char at Union Theology Seminary, Dr. West is renowned for his knowledge and passion for his social justice work, particularly in areas of crucial African American thought and the philosophy of religion. He stands as a leading voice in the ongoing fight for justice, while bringing forth truth and intellectual brilliance. He has authored twenty books, including powerful works like Race Matters, Democracy Matters, and Black Prophetic Fire. Dr. Cornel West is one of today’s most influential speakers for change. 

2. Martin Luther King III

Martin Luther King III is a public speaker known for his passion and powerful presence on the stage. As the oldest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he carries the legacy through his public speaking engagements. Martin Luther King III addresses important issues, including racial equality, voter suppression, and poverty in the United States. Martin Luther King III is more than a social justice speaker. He’s an inspiring presence with a unique voice and ability to motivate audiences. 

3. Bakari Sellers

When it comes to dynamic social justice speakers, Bakari Sellers tops the list. He’s an influential public speaker who doesn’t shy away from the most complex political and social issues we’re facing today. He addresses each issue with clarity and palpable passion. Sellers draws on his experience as a former state representative in South Carolina and has become a well-known political commentator. 

4. Layshia Clarendon

Layshia Clarendon is known for their advocacy in the areas of LGBTQ+, gender inclusivity, and social justice. As a non-binary, transgender athlete, Clarendon has been a trailblazer in the world of professional sports. When on the stage, their speeches draw from personal experiences but go beyond this to stress the importance of carving out spaces for all marginalized voices. Through their powerful speeches, Layshia Clarendon motivates audiences to become empowered allies in the continual fight for equality. 

5. Janice Bryant Howroyd

Janice Bryant Howroyd is an accomplished entrepreneur and business leader who has risen among the ranks of top speakers on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is the first African American woman to own a billion-dollar company and has personally navigated the challenges and barriers in reaching this point. She connects to audiences through her personal journey. She brings to the stage the economic empowerment component of social justice, particularly for women of color. 

6. Wanda Cooper Jones

Wanda Cooper Jones has turned personal tragedy into advocacy through her work as a social justice speaker. After the racially charged killing of her son Ahmaud Arbery, Cooper Jones has fought for racial justice and reform in the criminal justice system, including the repeal of the citizen’s arrest law in Georgia. Wanda Cooper Jones captivates audiences with her deeply personal and emotional stories as she shares her journey through grief and the power of resilience in making impactful change. 

7. Arlan Hamilton

Arlan Hamilton is the founder of Backstage Capital, which invests in people of color, women, and individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. She’s also the author of her book titled, “It’s About Damn Time,” which chronicles her experience moving from homelessness to becoming a venture capital trailblazer. Arian Hamilton’s journey speaks of resilience and what happens when you challenge the status quo. She’s a powerful speaker on the topics of entrepreneurship in marginalized communities. 

8. Amanda Nguyen

Amanda Nguyen is an incredibly inspirational and empowering social justice speaker and advocate. She is known for her unyielding advocacy for survivors of sexual violence and her work in policy changes, including the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights. She is also the Founder of Rise, which is a Nobel Peace Prize Nominee. Did we mention that Nguyen is also an astronaut? She speaks to the importance of becoming civically engaged and pushing for justice in legislative reform. 

9. Ryan Tillman

Ryan Tillman is the founder of Breaking Barriers United, as well as a best-selling author and podcast host. Tillman brings his unique experience as both a police officer and advocate to the stage. He provides the often elusive balanced perspective on police reform, race, stereotypes, systemic injustice, and community engagement. 

10. Ifeoma Ike

Ifeoma is a social justice speaker known for being a powerhouse in social justice. As the bestselling author of The Equity Mindset, Ike is a human rights lawyer and strategist who is equipped to address the most pressing equity challenges of today. Ifeoma Ike is the founder of Pink Cornrows where she engages and empowers organizations across multiple sectors to achieve meaningful social impact and diversity equality. Ike is a trusted advisor to leaders worldwide, with her life’s work deeply rooted in her lived experiences. 

11. Dr. Monique Couvson

Dr Monigue Coubson is a trailblazing social justice scholar, author, and advocate with an impressive career that extends more than thirty years in civil rights and juvenile justice reform. Dr. Couvson serves as president and CEO of Grantmakers for Girls Of Colors, where she leads the way in initiatives like the Black Girl Freedom Fund. Her books were the inspiration behind the NAACP Image-Award nominated documentary Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools You can also find her on TED Talk, where she continues her commitment to stopping the criminalization of Black girls. Dr. Couvson’s work bridges the important intersections of race, gender, education, and justice. 

12. Dr. Kenneth B Morris

Dr. Kenneth B. Morris, JR,m is a direct descendant of Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington. Today, he carries forward his ancestor’s legacies as one of the leading voices in social justice and education. He is the cofounder and president of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives where he supports the mission of “Build Strong Children and end systems of exploitation and oppression.” Dr. Morris is an acclaimed speaker, having addressed audiences around the globe, and has earned accolades including the Ida B Wells Award for Bravery in Journalism. He has appeared in multiple documentaries, including Blood and Glory: The Civil War in Color.

Through Morris’s thought leadership, he has become a passionate advocate for education as a path to freedom. Today he continues his mission to inspire audiences around the world to continue the fight for equity and justice. 

13. Alencia Johnson

Alencia Johnson is a notable strategist and cultural commentator whose work joins at the intersections of social justice, politics, and culture. She has been recognized by EBONY Magazine’s Power 100 and PRWeek’s “40 Under 40”. She has been a leader in impactful initiatives that have driven meaningful change. She is the Founder and Chief Impact Officer of 1063 West Broad, a social impact consultancy. Here, she delivers mission-driven solutions to brands and organizations. 

Valencia Johnson has become a highly sought-after advisor and media presence. In her work with Planned Parenthood, she created the now iconic “Stand With Black Women” campaign. With her visionary leadership, Johnson has a career that is deeply rooted in purpose, She continues to inspire and empower audiences as a champion for transformative change in equity and justice. 

14. Chris Bashinelli

Chris Bashinelli, who is also affectionately known as “Bash” is a National Geographic Explorer, acclaimed public speaker, and host of the Bridge the Gap series. He draws on his experiences from traveling around the globe and visiting more than forty countries. He is known for delivering messages that are transformative and inspire a sense of connection and belonging. Drawing from his personal experiences, including the loss of his father to terminal cancer, Bash combines powerful storytelling with humor and compassion to empower individuals and teams to embrace diversity, prioritize mental wellness, build resilience, and foster meaningful connections. 

15. Candice Matthews Brackeen

Candice Matthews is an advocate for diversity in innovation, and a venture capitalist where she funds minority-led companies. As a general partner at Lightship Capital, she is a champion of underrepresented founders in underserved industries. To her credit, she has led a $50 million fund that was focused on minority-led startups in healthcare and sustainability. Candice Matthews Brackeen also contributes to NASA’s  Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium and is a member of the advisory committee at Ohio State University and Cincinnati’s Children’s Hospital and Medical Center. In these positions, she works to ensure that diversity is key to shaping the future of technology and space exploration. 

16. Michelle MiJung Kim

Michelle MiJung Kim is a powerful advocate for equity and inclusion. She has become a prominent voice as a queer Lorean American immigrant who has taken on the challenge of inspiring meaningful change. She is the award-winning author of "The Wake Up” Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change and is a lifelong activist having held leadership roles with the San Francisco Human Rights Commission and Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality. Through her voice and presence, she impresses the vital need to move beyond performative allyship and to invest themselves in making true change. 

17. Shola Kaye

Shola Kaye is a renowned, dynamic speaker who has worked to empower organizations to build more inclusive and emphatic workplace cultures where diversity can thrive. She draws on her own experiences as a Black female introvert and former corporate professional to bring a unique perspective to her public speaking. Through her personal narrative, Shola Kaye brings to light the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and reducing bias, as organizations support diverse teams. Her impressive client roster includes names that rank among a class of global giants. They include Google, IBM, Meta, and American Express. 

Kaye is known for her ability to effortlessly captivate audiences while sharing transformative insights and inspiring inclusive leadership through the values of empathy and communication. 

18. Anton Gunn

Anton Gunn has devoted his life to inspiring leaders to build successful, diverse teams. He has become a sought-after speaker on socially conscious leadership and served as a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama. Gunn also was the first African American to be elected to his South Carolina district. Anton’s career, which includes earning a master’s degree in social work and a Havard fellowship, has been defined by breaking barriers. As an international keynote speaker, Anton Gunn is empowering and inspirational. 

19. Daryl Davis

“How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?”. This is the powerful question Daryl Davis asked when sitting down in a conversation with white supremacist groups and leaders of the KKK. Along with being a world-renowned blues musician, Daryl Davis has spent decades taking uncomfortable encounters and turning them into opportunities for transformation. He has met hatred face to face and approached with patience and genuineness. His journeys through hate and division to inclusion and acceptance are chronicled in his book Klan-Destine Relationships. Today, he can be found addressing global audiences about becoming a more inclusive world and how it can be accomplished through one conversation at a time. 

20. Luke Cooper

Luke Cooper makes this list as a dynamic entrepreneur and investor who is a prominent advocate for equity in the tech industry. He is a founding general partner at Latimer Ventures, where he is a champion for underrepresented tech founders. Through Latimer Ventures, Cooper equips tech founders with both the capital and expertise to break barriers. As a Presidential Distinguished Scholar at the University of Maryland Baltimore, Luke Cooper is able to empower and lift Black entrepreneurs. 

21. Ivelyse Andino

Ivelyse Andino is an Afro-Latina health equity advocate. As the founder of Radical Health, she has served as the head of the first Latina-owned public benefit corporation in New York. Andino was born and raised in the Bronx, she has carved out an inspiring career in health tech and played a role in the launching of the first mobile app prescribing platform. She has partnered with global health giants, including NHS London and Kaiser Permanente. Her passion is rooted in her personal experiences in healthcare inequalities, and today she uses her voice to raise awareness for health literacy and self-advocacy. 

22. Dr. Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins

Dr. Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins is an award-winning journalist who has earned national recognition for being a pioneer in health disparities advocacy, including awareness of the impact of racism on health. He delivers expertise in evidence-based solutions for organizations that are ready to address systemic inequities through proven strategies and transformative conversations. As part of his groundbreaking work, he has linked how racial stress is connected to diseases such as Alzheimer’s. He has contributed to leading organizations, including Johnson & Johnson. Today, Dr. Kevin Ahmaad Jenkins speaks in a way that fosters equity in the healthcare sector and beyond., 

23. Astrid Scholz

The blending of innovations in technology, finance, and law can make an incredible impact. This is exactly what Dr. Astrid J Scholz shows us as the co-founder and CFO/COO of Armillaria. This is a tech-for-good company that moves beyond the typical to solve the real challenges of today. In addition to this Astrid Scholz is a co-founder and board member of Zebras Unite. This is a global movement focused on building businesses that are going to improve our world. On the stage, she tells her story and experiences, while inspiring businesses and teams to make positive impacts. 

24. Chris Singleton

Chris Singleton, who was once a professional baseball player drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2017, has made an inspiring transition into being a highly sought-after speaker on the topics of unity, resilience, and forgiveness. These aren’t easy topics for most to master, but the loss of his own mother during the 2015 Emanuel Church Shooting inspired his advocacy. As of date, Chris Singleton has reached thousands of people and major global companies, including Microsoft, Volvo, and Boeing. He is also the author of a best-selling children’s book titled Different: A Story About Loving Your Neighbor, promoting the values of acceptance and empathy among readers of all ages. 

25. Aswad Thomas

Aswad Thomas is an inspiration among social justice speakers. As a former college basketball star and author of the book The Stars Represent You and Me, he has shown the world the possibilities of challenging personal experiences into something positive. In his case, this has been a life of advocacy and change. In 2009, Thomas was the victim of near-fatal gun violence, at a time when he was just weeks away from beginning his professional basketball career. While his dreams on the court ended that day, he has used his understanding of the challenges of communities impacted by trauma and loss to inspire change. He’s a leading voice in gun violence prevention and criminal justice reform. 

26. Rebecca Minor

Meet Rebecca Minor, LICSW, a queer, Jewish clinician who specializes in the interplay of trauma, gender, and sexuality. As a gender specialist, Minor provides compassionate and supportive guidance to transgender and gender-expansive youth. In her role, she helps not only youth navigate their identities, but also empowers parents to offer meaningful support. She is the founder of Prism Therapy Collective, where she works in trauma-informed care. To her credit, she is also the author of a forthcoming book titled Raising Trans Youth: A Guide for Parents When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn. She is an amazing speaker to have on the stage when addressing issues of transgender inclusion. 

27. Sheena Allen

Sheena Allen is an entrepreneur and dynamic speaker from Terry, MS, who today is considered a trailblazer in the tech and fintech industries. With massive success, she launched her first company in 2011, called Sheena Allen Apps. This was followed by her founding CapWay in 2019, which positioned her as the youngest woman in the United States to own and operate a digital bank. She is a powerful force in the tech world but has also been featured in documentaries, including Google’s Black Women in Tech series. She speaks on topics of financial inclusion, along with women and minorities in tech. 

28. Lorraine Hariton

Loraine Hariton is a globally recognized advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, being known for driving workplace changes that are truly transformative. Their career spans leadership roles in Silicon Valley, working for corporations like IBM, and being a member of the Obama administration’s Department of State. She has been a champion of creating equitable opportunities for women and parents in the workplace. Her achievements include implementing flexible work models, offering childcare solutions, and creating inclusive workplace polices where everyone can thrive. Hariton is a dynamic and inspiring speaker who stresses that achieving equity is much more than shattering glass ceilings. Her work is about ensuring that every voice, regardless of their status in a company or organization, is valued and heard. 

29. Madison Butler

Madison Butler, a Black, queer New England Native who is now based in Texas is the founder of a consulting agency called Blue Haired Unicorn. The agency is focused on fostering psychological safety and reshaping the working culture. Butler is a strong mental health advocate and survivor who has worked tirelessly to advocate and challenge stigmas. She has been recognized as a top LinkedIn Black Voice as well as being celebrated as DivInc’s 2021 Austin Rising Star. She speaks on surviving corporate America, anti-racism and allyship, and the intersection of race and privilege. 

30. Dr. Chris Brooks

Dr. Chris Brooks is widely recognized for his leadership and impactful results across diverse industries spanning his more than 25-year career. He is seen as a visionary, thinker, educator, advisor, and more, with his work focused on addressing the complexities of race, economics, and face. He is the co-founder and managing partner of Brown Venture Group, which is the first Black-owned capital firm in Minnesota. Today, Dr. Brooks remains committed to empowering communities by breaking the cycle of generational poverty. 

31. Dina Gilio-Whitaker

Dina Gilio Whitaker, a descendant of the Colville Confederated Tribes, is a lecturer in American Indian Studies at California State University San Marcos. She is recognized as being a modern-day expert on Indigenous environmental issues. She’s an accomplished author, co-authoring the books All the Real Indians Died Off and 20 Other Myths About Native Americans, in addition to other literary works to her name. She is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Indian Country Today, a Sierra Magazine. She is an incredible, empowering voice for Indigenous issues, particularly those that intersect with the pressing environmental issues of today. 

32. Magie Cook

Dr. Magie Cook is an award-winning business leader who has transformed into a powerful keynote speaker as she inspires audiences to find opportunities to cultivate resiliency by facing big and small life challenges and changes head-on. As founder and former CEO of Maggie’s All Natural Fresh Salsa & Dips, she eventually sold her Garden Fresh line to Campbell’s Soup for more than $230 million. Her’s isn’t just another millionaire success story. She fought and persevered through challenges, including growing up in an orphanage in Mexico. In her life’s work, she has tackled the generational human sex trafficking and has rescued dozens of Mexican children from the sex trade industry. Magie’s story is one of powerful achievements, despite homelessness, and other significant setbacks. Today, she is an author and speaker who shares her journey with Fortune 500 companies, and on stages around the globe. 

33. Brandon Miller

Brandon Miller has risen to the top tier as an athletic, entrepreneur, and social justice advocate. He is a retired professional soccer goalkeeper, having spent nine years with the USL. He is also the founder of Prime Focus Goalkeeping. During his time off the field, he founded the Black Players Alliance of the USL, with a mission to raise the voices of those who are underrepresented and reside in underserved communities. Brandon Miller is now a sought-after keynote speaker who showcases his commitment to equity and empowerment for the underserved. 

34. Erika Gilchrist

Erika Gilchrist is known as “The Unstoppable Woman”. In her life, she has overcome immense challenges, including being the victim of childhood assault, domestic abuse, and suffering through homelessness. Her darkest moment is what inspired her to become a pillar of resilience and empowerment. Erika Gilchrist is a dynamic and compelling speaker, with a transformative ability to inspire change. She has been speaking publicly for more than 25 years, and in that time has authored thirteen books. She has been recognized as one of the “15 Most Powerful Women on the South Side of Chicago”, with her works being showcased in multiple media outlets. Find her on the stage as a leading voice for social justice and women’s empowerment. 

35. Damian Pelliccione

Damian Pelliccione is a powerful advocate for intersectional diversity. They are the CEO and co-founder of Revry, which is a premier global streamlining platform that offers free access to premium LGBTQ+ content. They have been recognized as one of Business Insider’s “Top 16 Power Player Execs in Ad Video Streaming Space”, among numerous other accolades and awards. As a speaker, Pelliccione is committed to amplifying and empowering marginalized voices. 

Conclusion

In our era of profound social, political, and environmental challenges, the voices of these 35 social justice speakers serve not only as a guiding light toward a transformative future but also as a rallying call for change. Each of the speakers on this brings a unique perspective to the stages. These speakers don’t just inspire action. They equip their audiences with the tools to act boldly, think critically, and build inclusive communities. 

We encourage you to learn more about each of these 35 social justice speakers, and then reach out to us at Engage to schedule an experience for your next event.