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Trust AAE Speakers Bureau for Booking Top Professional Speakers. Find a Keynote Speaker Today.
John Carlos

John Carlos

Keynote Speaker: Former Track and Field Athlete and Professional Football Player; 1968 Olympic Bronze Medalist

John Carlos Biography

At the 1968 Olympic Trials, John Carlos stunned the track world when he beat Tommie Smith in the 200 meter finals and surpassed Smith's world record by 0.3 second. Though the record was never ratified because the spike formation on Carlos' shoes wasn't accepted at the time, the race reinforced his status as a world-class sprinter. At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, Carlos earned bronze in the 200-meter. During the award ceremony he courageously stood up for racial equality on the world’s largest stage during the civil movement, with his black-gloved fist raised in the air and removing shoes, alongside teammate Tommie Smith. This act established a legacy of championing for equal rights that continues to inspire activists today.

Carlos had his greatest year in 1969, equaling the world 100-yard record of 9.1, winning the AAU 220-yard run, and leading San Jose State to its first NCAA championship with victories in the 100 and 220 and as a member of the 4x110-yard relay. Carlos was also gold medalist at 200 meters at the 1967 Pan-American Games and set indoor world bests in the 60-yard dash (5.9) and 220-yard dash (20.2). Prior to his successful collegiate career at San Jose State University under Hall of Fame coach Bud Winter, Carlos attended East Texas State University, where he single-handedly won the school's first Lone Star Conference Championship. Following his track career, Carlos tried professional football, where a knee injury curtailed his one-year stint with the Philadelphia Eagles. He then went on to the Canadian Football League where he played one season each for the Montreal Alouettes and the Toronto Argonauts. In 1985, he became a counselor and in-school suspension supervisor at Palm Springs (Calif.) High School.

In 2008, he accepted the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his salute, at the 2008 ESPY Awards and was recognized at the White House by President Obama in 2016. Carlos continues to work for human rights and is a founding member of the Olympic Project for Human Rights.

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John Carlos Videos

1968 Summer Olympics, Black Power Salute - YouTube
John Carlos, 1968 Olympic U.S. Medalist, on the Sports Moment ...

How do I book John Carlos to speak at my event?

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

How much does it cost to book John Carlos for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for John Carlos, 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 John Carlos, 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 John Carlos speak about?

John Carlos is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Olympic Sports, Diversity, Social Activism, Inspirational, Motivational, Sports Motivation and Teamwork & Teambuilding.

Where does John Carlos travel from?

John Carlos generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for John Carlos?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like John Carlos 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 John Carlos 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 John Carlos 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.


John Carlos is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Olympic Sports, Diversity and Social Activism. The estimated speaking fee range to book John Carlos for live events is $10,000 - $20,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. John Carlos generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Billy Mills and Tommie Smith. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling John Carlos for an upcoming event.

John Carlos Videos

1968 Summer Olympics, Black Power Salute - YouTube
John Carlos, 1968 Olympic U.S. Medalist, on the Sports Moment ...

John Carlos News

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