901-754-9404
My List0

We've now made it easier for you to research and save your favorite keynotes speakers. Click on the + sign to add a speaker to your Speaker List and email your favorites to colleagues and friends.

using System.Text.RegularExpressions;
Andre Norman

Andre Norman

    Ambassador of Hope

Full Bio
In Person-Fee 🛈

$20,000 - $30,000

Virtual Fee:

$10,000 - $15,000

Travels From

Massachusetts

How The Wrong Choice Changed My Life Powerful Speech - Andre Norman

How The Wrong Choice Changed My Life Powerful Speech - Andre Norman

Andre Norman Speaker Biography


Andre Norman is the reason to believe in second chances. He grew up in a challenging situation witnessing domestic violence, was a victim of the Boston Busing Crisis, and was fatherless by the first grade.
Raised by a single mom with six kids, Andre’s mom did her best to keep things afloat, leaving Andre with too much idle time.

At his new elementary school, it was discovered that Andre was illiterate. The Administrators placed Andre in what was effectively known as the “dummy class.” That is until Mrs. Oliver intervened in third grade.

It wasn’t until Andre started middle school that he fully understood his family was poor. He was tormented by the other students for wearing dirty clothes and receiving free lunch. Quitting school was not an option, so Andre began working for the marijuana dealers in the local park.

While in high school Andre went full-time into gang life. He was arrested and received a 100-year prison sentence.

When Andre entered the prison, he double-downed on gang life, following in the footsteps of the wrong path that so many had walked before him. Andre rose the ranks of the prison gang.

Andre was placed in solitary confinement for 2 1?2 years. It was during this time that he had an epiphany. Realizing that he was the King of Nowhere

Andre crafted a plan to go from solitary confinement to Harvard University. Over the next eight years, Andre worked 20-hour days to make this plan a reality. Teaching himself how to read and write. His transformation included studying the law and attending anger management classes. Mentors became a key part of his transformation.

Winning his appeal and armed with a GED, Andre walked out of prison in 1999.

Within 90 minutes of his release, Andre went from the prison to the parole office to the juvenile center, talking to a room full of young black boys about why they were locked up.

Turning his experiences into programs he created the Violence Interrupters & Proven Risk Youth model. Andre was a contributor to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, created by President George W. Bush. He went on to become one of the nation’s leading experts in gang and prison violence intervention.

In 2018 Andre was called on to create a program after one of the most deadly prison riots in American History.

From working with child soldiers in Monrovia, Liberia, to suburban families throughout America on the opioid crisis. Andre’s talents have turned trauma into triumphs.

Since 2001, Norman has been working with the London Business School Executive Education Department, for clients including Prudential Insurance (UK), Bovis Lend Lease, (AUS), Deutsche Bank (Germany), British Petroleum, UK), Ericsson (Sweden), DANONE (France), KPMG and more.

In 2016, Andre received a fellowship to Harvard Law School for his help ending the protest in Ferguson, Missouri.

Today, Andre Norman is a sought-after advisor for companies dealing with social justice issues, community engagement & leadership. Also helping city and state governing officials experiencing violence in their jurisdiction. On top of his successful advising business, he is one of the most impactful international speakers. He collaborates with various notable organizations.

United Nations
Genius Network
Department of Corrections
Entrepreneurs Organization
Young Presidents Organization
Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose
In 2020, Andre released his first of two books titled, “Ambassador of Hope: Turning Poverty and Prison into a Purpose-Driven Life,” which continues to spark the conversation that if Andre can achieve all that he has with such odds against him, then what is truly holding anyone
back?

His focus on inclusion and making an impact is why he has been selected as an advisor to several corporations and a Board of Director member.

In 2021 he made history when the prison system that he was sentenced to, hired him to design a program and mentor other inmates where he once lived. Yet again proving that the impossible is possible with Andre Norman.

BREAKING THE BARS: TURN YOUR PRISON INTO A PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE
From an early age, Andre witnessed domestic violence, was a victim of the Boston Busing Crisis and was fatherless by the first grade. Raised by a single mom with six kids, Andre’s mom did her best to keep things afloat, leaving Andre with too much idle time. By the age of 9, he learned a lesson that would define his life and land him in prison by 18.

When you quit on everything positive, all left behind is negativity, which leads you to one of two places: prison or the graveyard. Being allowed to quit and give up at such an early point in his life ultimately led him to prison and realize that everyone there had the same mindset he did.

He was the King of Nowhere. The only place his title took him was into a 2 ½ year sentence in solitary confinement. It was over. Andre had no way out. Alone with only his thoughts, he had an epiphany moment that would forever change his life trajectory. He heard this voice telling him he would go to Harvard. Calling it out to the world where not a soul could hear him, he knew this moment would move him to the King of Somewhere. Andre understood that he needed to change his purpose if he wanted to change his life.

Andre shares the journey from the prison yard to Harvard graduate to become one of the most called upon international speakers and top social justice consultants in this defining keynote. He reveals what is behind the curtain of his success, and it all started with his time in solitary confinement serving a 100-year sentence.

Now, as the Ambassador of Hope, Andre leverages his unique experiences to deliver a message of inclusivity and positive change. Whether you work in the boardroom or the mailroom, if you need that “second voice” of inspiration to be the change you seek, Andre will help you discover and achieve your purpose in life.

Audiences will walk away with not only the mindset needed to succeed but with an actionable plan for change. Andre Norman is the reason to believe in second chances. He will inspire audiences to see that it is never too late to change.

Learning Objectives:

Cultivating your purpose – Living a life without a dream is impossible

The importance of mentorship, a “second voice” – How to find it and craft yours

Finding self-belief- You are your own best resource

The transformation mindset- Learning the tools it takes for historical change

HOW TO BRING YOUR DIFFERENCES TOGETHER FOR STRENGTH
Growing up in a tumultuous home life raised by a single mother, Andre Norman had much idle time that ultimately led him to gang life, which earned him an over 100-year prison sentence when he was in high school. While in prison, Norman quickly rose through the ranks, which led him to a 2 1/2 year bid in solitary confinement. It was during this time that he had an epiphany. Realizing that he was the king of nowhere, Andre started to conceive a plan to get out of prison and attend Harvard University. A start to a long journey that first began with teaching himself how to read.

With his new skill sets, he started attending anger management classes and studying the law, which enabled him to win his appeal. Armed with a GED and a changed mindset, Andre walked out of prison a changed man on November 15, 1999. Within 90 minutes of his release, Andre went from the prison to the parole office to the juvenile center, talking to a room full of young black boys about why they were locked up.

Turning his experiences into programs, he created the Violence Interrupters & Proven Risk Youth model. Andre was a contributor to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, created by President George W. Bush. He has become one of the nation’s leading experts in gang and prison violence intervention.

Today, Andre Norman is a sought-after advisor for companies dealing with social justice issues taking him to calm the chaos in Ferguson, Missouri, and leading the efforts of change with community engagement & leadership. Andre’s skills are called upon to bring peace to the streets, helping city and state governing officials experiencing violence in their jurisdiction,

In his most called upon keynote, Andre Norman addresses why leaders do not see change, movement, or transformation in their organization. Advising on how to see results with diversity and inclusion programs and shining a light on how to achieve with bringing these programs into a company, leaders will walk away with an actionable plan moving their teams forward towards overall goals and inclusion.

From an educational and outreach perspective, Andre speaks to communities from elementary schools to city council leaders on what it takes to move from the idea of diversity and inclusion and put it into practice. This keynote can be tailored for any audience looking to ask questions and speak with Andre openly and candidly in a safe learning space about how to bring our differences together for strength.

Learning Objectives:

Understanding why leaders do not see change, movement, or transformation in their organization.

How to see results with diversity and inclusion programs.

Walk away with an actionable plan moving their teams forward towards overall goals and inclusion.

Related Speakers

Gregg Steinberg, Leadership Speaker

Gregg Steinberg

Performance Psychology Expert

Albert Mensah, Philanthropy & Volunteerism	 Speaker

Albert Mensah

Inspirational Speaker on Overcoming Adversity and Achieving the American Dream

Curtis Aikens

Curtis Aikens

Food Network Chef

Jim Fannin, Jim Fannin Speaker

Jim Fannin

America’s ZoneCoach®

Patch Adams, Speaker

Patch Adams

Unique Medical Doctor  

Alex Banayan, speaker

Alex Banayan

The youngest bestselling business author in American history

Cheff Jeff, Celebrity Chef

Jeff Henderson

Inspiring Celebrity Chef

Ozzie Smith, keynote speaker

Ozzie Smith

"The Wizard" - MLB Hall of Fame Shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals

Larry Brudnicki, Overcoming Adversity Speaker

Larry Brudnicki

Retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain

Mildred Muhammad, Inspiration Speaker

Mildred Muhammad

Award-Winning Global Keynote Speaker

Brandon Williams, keynote speaker

Brandon Williams

Principal & Founder

Elizabeth McCormick, Overcoming Adversity Speaker

Elizabeth McCormick

Female BlackHawk Helicopter Pilot and Warrant Officer for the United States Army

Reviews

Testimonials

Everyone on the ESB team has been great to work with for our events. Looking forward to keep working with ESB!

Plexus Worldwide

We had a positive experience with ESB. Matt Meyer is a great communicator and easy to get a hold of. His helped us through the process to mak..

BNSF

ESB was patient, thorough, and responsive during the planning process. Thank you for making this such a great experience for us!

ConnectWise

ESB supported our needs and the needs of our speaker throughout the entire process. I highly recommend working with ESB to find your next spe..

DogWatch

"It's always a pleasure to work with ESB. Very professional and personable staff. Thanks!"

Testimonial | Texas Society of Architects

"Excellent! Thank you for being a true partner to our organization and its development."

HCA Healthcare

"They are the only speakers bureau I will even consider using!"

Testimonial | Youth Villages

A wonderful bureau to work with! Big ups to everyone who helped make our event a success. Fingers crossed we get the chance to collaborate fo..

MDRT | Testimonial

"As always, you are the best most responsive speaker bureau I've ever worked with!"

Image Media

Angela Schelp was a great partner in finding the right kick-off speaker for our conference. This was my first conference identifying the keyn..

CubeSmart
Need Suggestions? Have Questions?

Need Suggestions? Have Questions?

Call to discuss how we can you help find the right speaker(s) for your organization.

© 2024 Executive Speakers Bureau. All Rights Reserved.

Design and Developed by eBiz Solutions

Get Ideas in 1 hour or less

Executive Speakers Bureau consistently receives praises about our speed and efficiency. From the beginning of your event planning, our extensive online speaker database and resourceful staff allow us to quickly equip you with the best speaker for your event.

Need a last minute speaker? No worries. Our speed and efficiency help us give you ideas for speakers in one hour or less.

Please fill in information below