Ernest Green

Ernest Green

Keynote Speaker: Civil Rights Icon & Education Advocate; Member of the Little Rock Nine; Former Assistant Secretary of Labor

Ernest Green Biography

Ernest Green holds a significant place in American history as a member of the Little Rock Nine, the group of African American students who became the first Black students to attend classes at Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. Green and his peers entered Central High School under the protection of federal troops after state authorities attempted to block their entry, marking a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Green was the only senior among the nine students who integrated Central High that fall. Facing daily threats and abuse, Green and the other students were guarded throughout the school year by elements of the 101st Airborne Division. His actions under pressure established him as a symbol of the fight for civil rights and educational equality.

Green made history as the first of the Little Rock Nine, and the first African American, to graduate from Little Rock Central High School. Martin Luther King Jr. attended the graduation with the Green family. Following this milestone, Green attended Michigan State University on a full scholarship, earning a Bachelor of Arts in social science and a Master of Arts in sociology. His academic achievements laid the foundation for a career in public service and finance, focusing on social justice, education, and economic development.

Green advocated for equal employment laws with the A. Philip Randolph Education Fund, served as Assistant Secretary of Labor under President Jimmy Carter, and contributed to urban development as a managing director at Lehman Brothers, assisting cities such as Chicago, New York, and Atlanta. He has worked at Matrix Advisory, an institutional asset manager, serving as a partner and guiding the firm in public-private partnerships and municipal finance. Green was appointed chairman of the African Development Foundation and served as chairman of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Capital Financing Advisory Board.

Green serves on the board of directors of Fisk University, the Quality Education for Minorities Network, and the Clark Atlanta University Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Executive Leadership Council. Among his honors, Green, along with other members of the Little Rock Nine and Daisy Bates, received the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP for outstanding achievements of African Americans. He was also presented with the Congressional Gold Medal for his bravery during the integration of Little Rock Central High School. The Little Rock Nine have been further recognized with a commemorative stamp by the United States Postal Service, and a one-dollar coin issued by the U.S. Mint commemorates the anniversary of the Little Rock Nine.

Green's story has inspired films, documentaries, and audiences across generations. He was portrayed by Calvin Levels in the CBS movie "Crisis at Central High" and by Morris Chestnut in the Disney Channel movie "The Ernest Green Story." Green is a frequent speaker and spokesperson, connecting with young people across the United States and sharing lessons of courage, perseverance, and civic responsibility. He continues to make public appearances and provide insights on civil rights, education, and leadership, serving as a testament to the impact of standing up for equality and justice.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Ernest Green and other top speakers and celebrities.

Ernest Green Speaking Topics

Lesson from Little Rock

The Ernest Green Story

Ernest Green Videos

Ernest Green (Little Rock Nine Member)
J Ernest Green Talks about Pledging on Nov 24
22News | Living Legends Series - Ernest Green

How do I book Ernest Green to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Ernest Green for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Ernest Green, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Ernest Green or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Ernest Green for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Ernest Green, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Ernest Green are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Ernest Green, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Ernest Green speak about?

Ernest Green is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Diversity & Inclusion, Political, Black Heritage, College, Culture, Civil Rights, Social Activism, Anti-Racism, Social Justice and Black History Month.

Who is the agent for Ernest Green?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Ernest Green for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Ernest Green for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Ernest Green or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Ernest Green is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Diversity & Inclusion, Political and Black Heritage. The estimated speaking fee range to book Ernest Green for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Ernest Green can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Minnijean Brown Trickey, Dr. Terrence Roberts and Bakari Sellers. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Ernest Green for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 01/06/2026.

Ernest Green Speaking Topics

  • Lesson from Little Rock

  • The Ernest Green Story

Ernest Green Videos

Ernest Green (Little Rock Nine Member)
J Ernest Green Talks about Pledging on Nov 24
22News | Living Legends Series - Ernest Green
Ernest Green of the Little Rock Nine
Eye to Eye With Katie Couric: Little Rock Nine (CBS News) - YouTube
  • How do I book Ernest Green to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Ernest Green for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Ernest Green, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Ernest Green or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Ernest Green for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Ernest Green, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Ernest Green are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Ernest Green, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Ernest Green speak about?

    Ernest Green is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Diversity & Inclusion, Political, Black Heritage, College, Culture, Civil Rights, Social Activism, Anti-Racism, Social Justice and Black History Month.
  • Who is the agent for Ernest Green?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Ernest Green for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Ernest Green for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Ernest Green or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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