L. Douglas Wilder

L. Douglas Wilder

Keynote Speaker: Politician, First African American Elected Governor of a U.S. State, Serving as Governor of Virginia (1990-1994)

  • Travels From:
    Richmond, VA, USA
  • Speaking Fee:
    Live Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
    Virtual Event Fee: Contact us for details
    More Fee Info
  • Categories:
    Black Heritage, Diversity & Inclusion, Black History Month, Political
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L. Douglas Wilder Biography

L.Douglas Wilder’s career in public service spans over 70 years and includes many historic milestones. Governor Wilder became the first African-American to be elected governor in the U.S., leading the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1990 to 1994. As the Commonwealth’s 66th governor, he was commended for his sound fiscal management and balancing the state budget during difficult economic times. Financial World magazine ranked Virginia as the best-managed state in the U.S. for two consecutive years under his administration.

Governor Wilder’s commitment to service began when he served in the United States Army during the Korean War, where he earned a Bronze Star for heroism in ground combat. Prior to his time as governor, he served as lieutenant governor from 1986 to 1990 and as a state senator from 1969-1985, chairing committees on Transportation; Rehabilitation and Social Services; Privileges and Elections; the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council; and the Senate Steering Committee, which appoints committee members.

Other legislative achievements include providing state health care coverage for sickle-cell anemia patients, toughening penalties for capital murderers and prison escapees, and expanding low and moderate-income housing. For eight years, he persisted in sponsoring legislation that eventually led to establishing a state holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., making Virginia the first state in the nation to have a legislative holiday for Dr. King. Governor Wilder was the driving force in appointing black judges to serve on the bench.

Persuaded to run for Richmond City Mayor in 2004, Governor Wilder received eighty percent of the vote and carried each of the city’s nine council districts and every precinct in the city. He was sworn in as Richmond’s first elected mayor in 2005 and served until 2009, making him the first African-American mayor elected by popular vote from all of the citizens of Richmond. During his term, the city made remarkable progress in its fight against crime, hitting its lowest rate in 27 years. Downtown economic development and neighborhood improvements were widespread, and financial management reached a new level of scrutiny that served taxpayers well.

An attorney by profession, Governor Wilder gained recognition as a leading criminal trial lawyer. He graduated from Howard University Law School in 1959 and later established the legal firm that became known as Wilder, Gregory & Associates, one of the few minority-owned businesses in Virginia at the time. Prior to earning his J.D., he graduated from Virginia Union University with a B.S. degree in Chemistry and worked in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as a toxicology technician.

Today, Governor Wilder is a Distinguished Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs where he lectures and hosts symposia, including “Race in Academia,” “The Triple Pandemic,” and "Racism, Health, and Accountability." He is also the author of "Son of Virginia: A Life in America’s Political Arena," published by Lyons Press.

In recent years, he has served as the keynote speaker for The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Kerner Commission Report National Conference held at the University of Minnesota and the University of Richmond’s Law Symposium, The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act: Past, Present, and Future.

While Governor Wilder's support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) is longstanding, he recently played a pivotal role in urging Virginia's Attorney General Jason Miyares to issue a binding opinion on state funding for HBCUs. This opinion seeks to rectify past and ongoing racial discrimination in funding allocation, underscoring Wilder's unwavering commitment to educational equity.

He continues to be a champion of people and causes and remains a highly-involved and dedicated citizen of the city that he has called home for most of his life, as one of its best and most outspoken ambassadors. A previous recipient of the NAACP’s prestigious Spingarn Medal, he is also the driving force behind establishing a National Slavery Museum in Virginia.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on L. Douglas Wilder and other top speakers and celebrities.

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How do I book L. Douglas Wilder to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like L. Douglas Wilder 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 L. Douglas Wilder, 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 L. Douglas Wilder or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book L. Douglas Wilder for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for L. Douglas Wilder, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire L. Douglas Wilder, 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 L. Douglas Wilder speak about?

L. Douglas Wilder is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Black Heritage, Diversity & Inclusion, Black History Month and Political.

Where does L. Douglas Wilder travel from?

L. Douglas Wilder generally travels from Richmond, VA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for L. Douglas Wilder?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like L. Douglas Wilder 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 L. Douglas Wilder 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 L. Douglas Wilder 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.

L. Douglas Wilder is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Black Heritage, Diversity & Inclusion and Black History Month. The estimated speaking fee range to book L. Douglas Wilder for live events is $10,000 - $20,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. L. Douglas Wilder generally travels from Richmond, VA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Roland Martin, Kylar Broadus and Michael Steele. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling L. Douglas Wilder for an upcoming event.

BOOK L. DOUGLAS WILDER

  • How do I book L. Douglas Wilder to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like L. Douglas Wilder 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 L. Douglas Wilder, 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 L. Douglas Wilder or any other speaker of your choice.

  • How much does it cost to book L. Douglas Wilder for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for L. Douglas Wilder, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire L. Douglas Wilder, 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 L. Douglas Wilder speak about?

    L. Douglas Wilder is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Black Heritage, Diversity & Inclusion, Black History Month and Political.

  • Where does L. Douglas Wilder travel from?

    L. Douglas Wilder generally travels from Richmond, VA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

  • Who is the agent for L. Douglas Wilder?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like L. Douglas Wilder 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 L. Douglas Wilder 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 L. Douglas Wilder 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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