François Clemmons
Keynote Speaker: Grammy Award-Winning Singer, Actor, Author, Activist & Storyteller; Best Known as Officer Clemmons on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood"
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François Clemmons Biography
When he earned the role as Officer Clemmons on the award-winning television series, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” Dr. François Scarborough Clemmons made history as the first African-American actor to have a recurring role on a children’s program. A new, wide world opened for him—but one that also required him to make painful personal choices and sacrifices.
From New York to Russia, Berlin to California, Dr. Clemmons has performed for audiences around the world and remains a beloved figure, bringing joy to millions of adults and children across generations and borders. His book, "Officer Clemmons: A Memoir," details his incredible life story, beginning with his early years in Alabama and Ohio, marked by family trauma and loss, through his studies as a music major at Oberlin College, where Dr. Clemmons began to investigate and embrace his homosexuality, to a chance encounter with Fred Rogers that changed the whole course of both men’s lives, leading to a deep, spiritual friendship and mentorship spanning nearly 40 years.
Dr. Clemmons’ background is in vocal performance, having won the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions in Pittsburgh and winning a position in the Met Studio. He sang professionally with the Met for seven seasons in more than 70 roles, and he won a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording as part of the cast of the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus recording of George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Following his opera career, he had the opportunity to join "Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood" and created the role of Officer Clemmons, the friendly local police officer in the “Neighborhood of Make-Believe.” In the role, he acted in the barrier-breaking scene in which Mister Rogers invites Clemmons to soak his feet in the wading pool together on a hot day—sending a powerful message of inclusion at a time when there was civil unrest over pool segregation policies across the U.S.
In 1986, Dr. Clemmons founded the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble, a group devoted to the preservation and performance of American Negro spirituals. From 1997 until his retirement in 2013, he was the Alexander Twilight Artist in Residence and director of the Martin Luther King Spiritual Choir at Middlebury College. He continues to live and work in Vermont. In addition to his memoir, he has authored a series of children’s stories titled “Little ButterCup and the Majic Cane” and a volume of poetry, “A Place of My Own.” Dr. Clemmons has also published a volume of choral arrangements of spirituals titled “Songs for Today” and composed a stage musical, “My Name is Hayes,” based on the life of the great tenor Roland Hayes.
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François Clemmons Speaking Topics
Known to the world as the friendly policeman on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Dr. François Clemmons made history as the first African American actor to have a recurring role on a children’s television program. As a Grammy award-winning opera singer, conductor, educator and author, Clemmons has touched the hearts of thousands. In his interactive keynotes, both virtual and in-person, he shares his unexpected artistic and personal journey, often gracing audiences with song. Tailoring each event per audience, he also explores the intersection of race, identity and culture in arts and music, including no -holds barred Q&A sessions. He fosters a dialogue of courage and caring, illustrating the power of friendship to build bridges.
François Clemmons Videos
How do I book François Clemmons to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like François Clemmons 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 François Clemmons, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for François Clemmons or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book François Clemmons for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for François Clemmons, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book François Clemmons are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire François Clemmons, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does François Clemmons speak about?
François Clemmons is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Music, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Diversity & Inclusion, Entertainers, Television & Film, Acting and Host & Emcee.
Where does François Clemmons travel from?
François Clemmons generally travels from Middlebury, VT, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for François Clemmons?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like François Clemmons 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 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book François Clemmons 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 François Clemmons 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.
François Clemmons is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Music, Black Heritage and Black History Month. The estimated speaking fee range to book François Clemmons for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. François Clemmons generally travels from Middlebury, VT, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Cynthia Erivo, F. Gary Gray and Ben Vereen. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling François Clemmons for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
François Clemmons Speaking Topics
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“Won’t You Be My Neighbor?" - A Conversation on Race, Culture & the Arts with Dr. Francois Clemmons
Known to the world as the friendly policeman on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Dr. François Clemmons made history as the first African American actor to have a recurring role on a children’s television program. As a Grammy award-winning opera singer, conductor, educator and author, Clemmons has touched the hearts of thousands. In his interactive keynotes, both virtual and in-person, he shares his unexpected artistic and personal journey, often gracing audiences with song. Tailoring each event per audience, he also explores the intersection of race, identity and culture in arts and music, including no -holds barred Q&A sessions. He fosters a dialogue of courage and caring, illustrating the power of friendship to build bridges.
VIDEO
François Clemmons Videos
FAQS
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How do I book François Clemmons to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like François Clemmons 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 François Clemmons, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for François Clemmons or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book François Clemmons for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for François Clemmons, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book François Clemmons are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire François Clemmons, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does François Clemmons speak about?
François Clemmons is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Music, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Diversity & Inclusion, Entertainers, Television & Film, Acting and Host & Emcee. -
Where does François Clemmons travel from?
François Clemmons generally travels from Middlebury, VT, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for François Clemmons?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like François Clemmons 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 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book François Clemmons 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 François Clemmons 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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