Tommie Smith
Keynote Speaker: World Record Breaking Gold Medal Olympian & Civil Rights Icon Famous for Black Power Salute at the Olympics
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Tommie Smith Biography
Tommie Smith began life quietly, born to Richard and Dora Smith on June 6, 1944 in Clarksville, Texas the seventh of 12 children. Smith survived a life-threatening bout of pneumonia as an infant which allowed him to carry out the work that God intended for him. Today, his historic achievements make him a nationally and internationally distinguished figure in African American history. He is the only man in the history of track and field to hold eleven world records simultaneously.
During the historical 19th Olympiad in Mexico City in the summer of 1968, Smith broke the world and Olympic record with a time of 19.83 seconds and became the 200-meter Olympic champion. As the Star-Spangled Banner played in the wind at the Mexico City Summer Olympic Games, Smith and John Carlos stood on the victory podium, draped with their Olympic medals, each raised a clinched fist covered in a black leather glove in a historic stand for black power, liberation, and solidarity. This courageous, unexpected worldwide event propelled Smith into the spotlight as a human rights spokesman, activist, and symbol of African American pride at home and abroad. Cheered by some, jeered by others, and ignored by many more, Smith made a commitment to dedicate his life, even at great personal risk to champion the cause of oppressed people. Dr. Smith completed his Autobiography titled “Silent Gesture” published by Temple University Press in January 2007, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the literary category Autobiography and Biography. The story of the “Silent Gesture” is captured for all time in the 1999 HBO TV documentary: "Fists of Freedom".
Smith’s courageous leadership, talent, and activism have earned him well-deserved acclaim and awards. Some highlights are included here: On November 1, 2019, he was inducted into the United States Olympic & Paralympic Legend Hall of Fame; he's been featured in Sports Illustrated, Ebony, Time, and Newsweek; from 1969 to 1971 he played for the Cincinnati Bengals and was inducted in 1978 as a member of the National Track & Field Hall of Fame; he was part of the coaching staff of the 1995 World Indoor Championship team in Barcelona, Spain; in 1996 he was inducted into the California Black Sports Hall of Fame; in 1999 he won the Sportsman of the Millennium Award; in 1999 he was inducted into the Bay Area Hall of Fame and the San Jose State University Sports Hall of Fame; from 2000 to 2001 the County of Los Angeles and the State of Texas presented Smith with Commendation, Recognition, and Proclamation Awards; and the French Government named a Gymnasium and a Youth Sports House in Paris in his honor. Since the games of the 19th Olympiad, Smith has enjoyed a distinguished career as a coach, educator and activist.
Smith served as a faculty member at Santa Monica College for 27 years, teaching and coaching and serving on academic committees. He has dedicated a total of 37 years to educating and teaching children. In June of 2005 he retired and moved to Georgia, but he continues to travel worldwide giving of himself to all.
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Tommie Smith Videos
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Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Tommie Smith 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 Tommie Smith, 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 Tommie Smith or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Tommie Smith for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Tommie Smith, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Tommie Smith are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Tommie Smith, 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 Tommie Smith speak about?
Tommie Smith is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Civil Rights, Athlete, Football, Olympic Sports, Black Heritage, Diversity, Professors, Social Justice, Social Activism, Culture and Sports.
Where does Tommie Smith travel from?
Tommie Smith generally travels from Stone Mountain, GA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Tommie Smith?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Tommie Smith 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 Tommie Smith for your next private or corporate function.
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Tommie Smith is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Civil Rights, Athlete and Football. The estimated speaking fee range to book Tommie Smith for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Tommie Smith generally travels from Stone Mountain, GA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Nikki Giovanni, Renee Montgomery and Bakari Sellers. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Tommie Smith for an upcoming event.
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Tommie Smith Videos
REVIEWS
Tommie Smith Reviews
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Amazing speaker!!
The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on behalf of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln - Jan 30 2023 -
Canopius Insurance - Feb 25 2021
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - Feb 04 2019
NEWS
Tommie Smith News
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Colin Kaepernick Meets With Iconic Activist Athlete Tommie Smith ...
The quarterback recently met with the 200-meter Olympic gold medalist who at 24 gave a Black Power salute on the 1968 Summer Games podium.
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Tommie Smith, John Carlos and the 1968 Black Power protest ...
Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising black gloved fists at the 1968 Olympic Games became one of the most iconic images of the 20th century.
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