Kwame Alexander
Keynote Speaker: Poet, Educator & Children's Literature Innovator; No. 1 New York Times Bestselling Author; Newbery Medal & Emmy Award Winner
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Kwame Alexander Biography
Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, Emmy Award-winning producer, and No. 1 New York Times bestselling author recognized for his contributions to children's and young adult literature. After initially studying biochemistry at Virginia Tech, Alexander shifted his focus to English and developed an interest in poetry under the guidance of professor and poet Nikki Giovanni. This experience led to a career spanning 45 books, including "Why Fathers Cry at Night," "The Mighty Macy," "Black Star," "J vs. K," the motivational primer "Say Yes," and "The Crossover," a Newbery Medal-winning novel adapted into an Emmy Award-winning series on Disney+.
Alexander gained national attention after receiving the Newbery Medal for "The Crossover," a novel written largely in free verse that blends basketball, poetry, and hip-hop. He served as executive producer, showrunner, and writer for the Disney+ adaptation of "The Crossover." Alexander is a regular contributor to NPR's "Morning Edition" and has received the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, the Coretta Scott King Author Honor, three NAACP Image Award nominations, and the Pat Conroy Legacy Award. His illustrated poem "The Undefeated" earned a Newbery Honor, while illustrator Kadir Nelson received the Caldecott Medal and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for his work on the book.
Alexander established Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers, to publish unconventional works in children's literature. Versify focuses on innovative creators and stories that celebrate the lives and possibilities of all children. Alexander has collaborated with other authors, including James Patterson on "Becoming Muhammad Ali." He also published "Say Yes: Find Your Passion, Unlock Your Potential, and Transform Your Life," a book on creativity adapted from a commencement speech delivered at American University's School of Education.
As a literacy advocate, Alexander has developed the Book-in-a-Day literacy program, which has helped create more than 3,000 student authors at schools across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. He co-founded LEAP for Ghana and opened the Barbara E. Alexander Memorial Library and Health Clinic in Ghana. Alexander also founded One Word at a Time, a nonprofit supporting literacy, creative writing, and mentoring programs in schools and libraries. He is the co-creator and executive producer of the Emmy-nominated "Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band" and "Acoustic Rooster: Jazzy Jams," a PBS KIDS special and series of shorts.
The American Library Association selected Alexander to deliver the Children's Literature Lecture during the ALA Youth Media Awards, recognizing his impact on children's literature and poetic storytelling. The Sine Institute for Policy and Politics at American University named Alexander as one of its fellows, highlighting his role in public conversations on policy and politics. Alexander's work in poetry, children's literature, and literacy advocacy continues to influence young readers, educators, and communities.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Kwame Alexander and other top speakers and celebrities.
Kwame Alexander Speaking Topics
A Talk and Performance on the quintessential American bullet points of Race, Racism, and Hope.
KWAME ALEXANDER shares stories from overcoming the NOs—winning the most prestigious children’s book award in America after five years of rejections from publishers—to dreaming the impossible—building a library and health clinic in Ghana, and everything in between—all by saying YES, to himself.
Sports is a great metaphor for life. It is about how we prepare for the games in our fantastic and messy lives. In these games we decide who the best players are to assist us, and we test our skills on the court of life to help determine who we really are and what is most important to each of us.
A talk on facing your fears, finding your voice, standing up for what’s right, and taking whatever situation you are faced with and making something constructive happen with it. Making your blues beautiful.
A bit of conversation, and a splash of performance as KWAME ALEXANDER shares what he’s learned from reading and writing poetry and children’s books.
Kwame Alexander Videos
How do I book Kwame Alexander to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Kwame Alexander 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 Kwame Alexander, 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 Kwame Alexander or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Kwame Alexander for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Kwame Alexander, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire Kwame Alexander, 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 Kwame Alexander speak about?
Kwame Alexander is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Author, Children's Authors, Bestselling Authors, Fiction Authors, Poetry, Creativity, Education, Motivational, Social Activism, Anti-Racism, Diversity & Inclusion, Black Heritage and Black History Month.
Where does Kwame Alexander travel from?
Kwame Alexander generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Kwame Alexander?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Kwame Alexander 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 Kwame Alexander 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 Kwame Alexander 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.
Kwame Alexander is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Author, Children's Authors and Bestselling Authors. Please contact us for live or virtual event fee details. Kwame Alexander generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are R.L. Stine, Clayborne Carson and Bakari Sellers. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Kwame Alexander for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Kwame Alexander Speaking Topics
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Light for the World to See
A Talk and Performance on the quintessential American bullet points of Race, Racism, and Hope.
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Say Yes
KWAME ALEXANDER shares stories from overcoming the NOs—winning the most prestigious children’s book award in America after five years of rejections from publishers—to dreaming the impossible—building a library and health clinic in Ghana, and everything in between—all by saying YES, to himself.
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The Playbook: #BasketballRules for Life
Sports is a great metaphor for life. It is about how we prepare for the games in our fantastic and messy lives. In these games we decide who the best players are to assist us, and we test our skills on the court of life to help determine who we really are and what is most important to each of us.
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Be Constructive with Your Blues
A talk on facing your fears, finding your voice, standing up for what’s right, and taking whatever situation you are faced with and making something constructive happen with it. Making your blues beautiful.
-
The Writerly Life
A bit of conversation, and a splash of performance as KWAME ALEXANDER shares what he’s learned from reading and writing poetry and children’s books.
VIDEO
Kwame Alexander Videos
BOOKS
REVIEWS
Kwame Alexander Reviews
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Kwame was so candid and moving, and I really appreciated the way the conversation flowed between him and the moderator. We’ve received positive feedback, and it was a fantastic way to celebrate Juneteenth. A few key takeaways I've heard include the importance of knowing our stories, our family stories, and our roots. How can we grow without knowing our roots? We keep our ancestors alive by telling these stories. It's also crucial to have books that kids and people can relate to.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, Slate and Flom LLP - Jun 14 2024 -
Fayetteville Public Library - Nov 06 2018
NEWS
Kwame Alexander News
FAQS
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How do I book Kwame Alexander to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Kwame Alexander 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 Kwame Alexander, 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 Kwame Alexander or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Kwame Alexander for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Kwame Alexander, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire Kwame Alexander, 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 Kwame Alexander speak about?
Kwame Alexander is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Author, Children's Authors, Bestselling Authors, Fiction Authors, Poetry, Creativity, Education, Motivational, Social Activism, Anti-Racism, Diversity & Inclusion, Black Heritage and Black History Month. -
Where does Kwame Alexander travel from?
Kwame Alexander generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Kwame Alexander?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Kwame Alexander 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 Kwame Alexander 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 Kwame Alexander 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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