Graci Harkema
Keynote Speaker: Inspirational Speaker & Author of "Rising: From a Mud Hut to the Boardroom—and Back Again"
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Graci Harkema Biography
Graci Harkema is an international, inspirational public speaker and author of the memoir "Rising: From a Mud Hut to the Boardroom—and Back Again." Born in a mud hut with a slim chance of survival, amidst civil unrest in the Congo, Harkema’s life began with rising through adversity.
After having a life expectancy of 12-24 hours, through divine intervention Harkema was adopted and had the opportunity of survival. After moving to the United States and growing up in a homogenous area, Harkema longed for belonging and acceptance. While continuing to rise through adversities, she learned how to embrace her identities and live more authentically, while fostering belonging within herself and in the world around her.
Harkema's work with Fortune 500 companies to small businesses inspires all to rise in authenticity, inclusion, and belonging. Her writing on authenticity in the workplace has been published in Harvard Business Review. She has been featured in global media outlets including Forbes, NBC News, and Medium. Crain's Grand Rapids Business has recognized Harkema as a two-time 40 Under Forty Business Leader in West Michigan, one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan, and five-time 200 Most Influential Business Leaders in West Michigan.
A graduate in communications from Grand Valley State University, Harkema enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering with local boards and organizations in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Graci Harkema and other top speakers and celebrities.
Graci Harkema Speaking Topics
Most of us are on a journey most others of us know nothing about. Be swept away with riveting inspiration of Graci Harkema’s life experiences from the mud hut to the boardroom and the impact of inclusion and belonging. Audiences will be inspired to embrace their identities, build more safe and inclusive environments where we allow ourselves and others to be seen and heard by living more authentically. Participants will learn the power of inclusive leadership, the impact of our voices, and importance of fostering belonging and inclusion in the world around us, while overcoming adversity, empowering others, rising into mental wellbeing, and exemplifying authenticity in the way we live.
Learning Objectives:
- Authenticity & Belonging in the Workplace: Learn to live more authenticity and foster belonging in the workplace and the way we show up
- Personal Empowerment: Embrace our identities as our strengths and value others for their unique identities.
- Leadership: Lead more effectively by meeting people where they are
Riveting, inspirational journey of inclusive leadership through Harkema’s career and life experiences. Audience will gain understanding of meeting our people where they are at. Leadership at any level is a process of growth and vulnerability. Learn to build more safe and inclusive environments where we allow ourselves and others to be seen and heard by living more authentically. Hear Harkema’s inspirational lessons of rising through adversity, empowering others, rising into mental wellbeing, finding belonging within ourselves and the environment around us, rising in inclusion, and exemplifying authenticity in the way we lead and live.
Learning Objectives:
- Leadership: Apply steps to lead more effectively and inclusively through empathy and action
- Authenticity & Belonging: Leverage authenticity and belonging in the workplace and the way we lead.
- Personal Empowerment: Embrace our identities as our strengths and empower others to contribute to personal development, belonging, and allyship
Graci Harkema’s vulnerable story of coming out of the closet, and openly identifying as LGBTQ+. Be inspired to find joy in our queer identities, be empowered as an ally, and see our identities as our super powers, not our shame.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain understanding of the history of LGBTQ+ Pride
- Learn and celebrate LGBTQ+ identities
- Embrace your identities are your strengths and learn to be an ally
How do I book Graci Harkema to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Graci Harkema 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 Graci Harkema, 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 Graci Harkema or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Graci Harkema for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Graci Harkema, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Graci Harkema are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Graci Harkema, 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 Graci Harkema speak about?
Graci Harkema is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Author, Black Heritage, Inspirational, Belonging, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Overcoming Adversity, LGBTQ, Non-Fiction Authors, Diversity & Inclusion and College.
Where does Graci Harkema travel from?
Graci Harkema generally travels from Grand Rapids, MI, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Graci Harkema?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Graci Harkema 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 Graci Harkema 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 Graci Harkema 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.
Graci Harkema is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Author, Black Heritage and Inspirational. The estimated speaking fee range to book Graci Harkema for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Graci Harkema generally travels from Grand Rapids, MI, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jodie Patterson, Alex Newell and Haley Carolyn Taylor Schlitz. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Graci Harkema for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Graci Harkema Speaking Topics
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Rising in Authenticity & Belonging
Most of us are on a journey most others of us know nothing about. Be swept away with riveting inspiration of Graci Harkema’s life experiences from the mud hut to the boardroom and the impact of inclusion and belonging. Audiences will be inspired to embrace their identities, build more safe and inclusive environments where we allow ourselves and others to be seen and heard by living more authentically. Participants will learn the power of inclusive leadership, the impact of our voices, and importance of fostering belonging and inclusion in the world around us, while overcoming adversity, empowering others, rising into mental wellbeing, and exemplifying authenticity in the way we live.
Learning Objectives:
- Authenticity & Belonging in the Workplace: Learn to live more authenticity and foster belonging in the workplace and the way we show up
- Personal Empowerment: Embrace our identities as our strengths and value others for their unique identities.
- Leadership: Lead more effectively by meeting people where they are
-
Rising in Inclusive Leadership
Riveting, inspirational journey of inclusive leadership through Harkema’s career and life experiences. Audience will gain understanding of meeting our people where they are at. Leadership at any level is a process of growth and vulnerability. Learn to build more safe and inclusive environments where we allow ourselves and others to be seen and heard by living more authentically. Hear Harkema’s inspirational lessons of rising through adversity, empowering others, rising into mental wellbeing, finding belonging within ourselves and the environment around us, rising in inclusion, and exemplifying authenticity in the way we lead and live.
Learning Objectives:
- Leadership: Apply steps to lead more effectively and inclusively through empathy and action
- Authenticity & Belonging: Leverage authenticity and belonging in the workplace and the way we lead.
- Personal Empowerment: Embrace our identities as our strengths and empower others to contribute to personal development, belonging, and allyship
-
Rising in Pride
Graci Harkema’s vulnerable story of coming out of the closet, and openly identifying as LGBTQ+. Be inspired to find joy in our queer identities, be empowered as an ally, and see our identities as our super powers, not our shame.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain understanding of the history of LGBTQ+ Pride
- Learn and celebrate LGBTQ+ identities
- Embrace your identities are your strengths and learn to be an ally
VIDEO
Graci Harkema Videos
FAQS
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How do I book Graci Harkema to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Graci Harkema 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 Graci Harkema, 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 Graci Harkema or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Graci Harkema for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Graci Harkema, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Graci Harkema are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Graci Harkema, 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 Graci Harkema speak about?
Graci Harkema is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Author, Black Heritage, Inspirational, Belonging, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Overcoming Adversity, LGBTQ, Non-Fiction Authors, Diversity & Inclusion and College. -
Where does Graci Harkema travel from?
Graci Harkema generally travels from Grand Rapids, MI, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Graci Harkema?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Graci Harkema 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 Graci Harkema 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 Graci Harkema 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.
BOOK GRACI HARKEMA
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This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.
All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
