Esmeralda Santiago
Keynote Speaker: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker; Bestselling Author of Transcultural Novels & Memoirs
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Esmeralda Santiago Biography
Esmeralda Santiago is a Puerto Rican author, screenwriter, and filmmaker recognized for her narrative memoirs and trans-cultural writing. Santiago moved to the United States at age 13, settling in Brooklyn, where she learned English and attended New York City's Performing Arts High School. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, earned an MFA in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College, and has received honorary doctorates from five universities.
Santiago gained national attention with her memoir "When I Was Puerto Rican," which was described by the Washington Post as the work of "a welcome new voice, full of passion and authority." Her second memoir, "Almost a Woman," received multiple "Best of Year" mentions and an Alex Award from the American Library Association. She adapted "Almost a Woman" into a Peabody Award-winning movie for PBS Masterpiece Theatre. Her third memoir, "The Turkish Lover," continued her exploration of identity, liberation, and the complexities of a bilingual and bicultural life. Santiago is also an award-winning screenwriter and essayist, and, together with her husband, founded CANTOMEDIA, a film and media production company recognized for excellence in documentaries.
In addition to memoir, Santiago is known for her work as a novelist. Her historical novel "Conquistadora" became a national best seller, with Publishers Weekly calling it "a Puerto Rican Gone With The Wind." Her novel "América's Dream" was praised by the Chicago Tribune as "thrilling and page-turning." Her novel "Las Madres," published by Alfred A. Knopf, presents an intergenerational saga set in New York City, Maine, and Puerto Rico, exploring the lives of five women against the backdrop of Hurricane María. Santiago has also co-edited two anthologies of Latino literature, "Las Christmas" and "Las Mamis," and authored the children's book "A Doll for Navidades."
Santiago's personal journey includes overcoming significant health challenges. After experiencing a stroke that resulted in aphasia, she relearned written language by connecting words to objects, mirroring her process of learning English as a teenager. Within 18 months, she completed her novel "Conquistadora." Her stroke recovery has been chronicled in neurology publications, making her a case study for strokes and stroke recovery.
Santiago has received the National Women of Distinction Award alongside Hillary Clinton, Katie Couric, Elizabeth Dole, Alma Powell, and Vera Wang, and has served as a cultural ambassador for the United States State Department. She has served on the boards of The Jacob Burns Film Center, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, PEN American Center, and The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. "When I Was Puerto Rican" is required reading in schools, and Santiago's work has been translated into numerous languages, establishing her as a writer whose stories of immigration, identity, and perseverance resonate with audiences worldwide.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Esmeralda Santiago and other top speakers and celebrities.
Esmeralda Santiago Speaking Topics
Santiago was in the middle of writing her latest, and most challenging work, Conquistadora, when she had a stroke that left her unable to comprehend what she read or wrote. In this moving presentation, Santiago describes how, on her own, she re-learned to read and write in English and in Spanish so that she could finish her book.
Approachable and sympathetic, Santiago engages audiences as she weaves stories from her eclectic life: how she learned English, her years of part-time study in community colleges, transfer to and graduation from Harvard University, years as a small business owner, and rise as an author of powerful, life affirming memoirs and novels. Santiago's Q&A sessions often bring testimony from listeners. Laughter and tears commingle in her inspirational presentations.
Esmeralda Santiago Videos
How do I book Esmeralda Santiago to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Esmeralda Santiago 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 Esmeralda Santiago, 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 Esmeralda Santiago or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Esmeralda Santiago for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Esmeralda Santiago, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Esmeralda Santiago are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Esmeralda Santiago, 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 Esmeralda Santiago speak about?
Esmeralda Santiago is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Diversity & Inclusion, Author, Fiction Authors, Hispanic Heritage, Children's Authors, History, Women, Social Activism, Immigration, Government, Culture and Television & Film.
Where does Esmeralda Santiago travel from?
Esmeralda Santiago generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Esmeralda Santiago?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Esmeralda Santiago 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 Esmeralda Santiago 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 Esmeralda Santiago 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.
Esmeralda Santiago is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Diversity & Inclusion, Author and Fiction Authors. The estimated speaking fee range to book Esmeralda Santiago for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Esmeralda Santiago generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Olga Custodio, Linda Alvarado and Shayla Rivera. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Esmeralda Santiago for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Esmeralda Santiago Speaking Topics
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Stroke by Stroke
Santiago was in the middle of writing her latest, and most challenging work, Conquistadora, when she had a stroke that left her unable to comprehend what she read or wrote. In this moving presentation, Santiago describes how, on her own, she re-learned to read and write in English and in Spanish so that she could finish her book.
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Creating a Life
Approachable and sympathetic, Santiago engages audiences as she weaves stories from her eclectic life: how she learned English, her years of part-time study in community colleges, transfer to and graduation from Harvard University, years as a small business owner, and rise as an author of powerful, life affirming memoirs and novels. Santiago's Q&A sessions often bring testimony from listeners. Laughter and tears commingle in her inspirational presentations.
VIDEO
Esmeralda Santiago Videos
BOOKS
REVIEWS
Esmeralda Santiago Reviews
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Thank you for your candor, humility, and artistic expression. It was a true honor to speak with and learn from Esmeralda this evening.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP - Jun 22 2023 -
Esmeralda was great and we received wonderful feedback on the event!
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP - Oct 08 2020 -
Esmeralda fulfilled a very last-minute request, after our first speaker cancelled. Thank you!
Florida Atlantic University - Oct 23 2017
FAQS
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How do I book Esmeralda Santiago to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Esmeralda Santiago 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 Esmeralda Santiago, 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 Esmeralda Santiago or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Esmeralda Santiago for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Esmeralda Santiago, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Esmeralda Santiago are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Esmeralda Santiago, 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 Esmeralda Santiago speak about?
Esmeralda Santiago is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Diversity & Inclusion, Author, Fiction Authors, Hispanic Heritage, Children's Authors, History, Women, Social Activism, Immigration, Government, Culture and Television & Film. -
Where does Esmeralda Santiago travel from?
Esmeralda Santiago generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Esmeralda Santiago?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Esmeralda Santiago 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 Esmeralda Santiago 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 Esmeralda Santiago 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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