Colleges & Universities

APB speaker and civil rights activist Cheryl Brown Henderson recently finished writing her book entitled Recovering Untold Stories: An Enduring Legacy of the Brown v. Board of Education Decision. Her new book contains a collection of essays by plaintiffs and descendants of plaintiffs from the cases consolidated under the Brown decision. Readers will glean insights into and a better understanding of personal experiences and challenges faced by those at the center of an extraordinary historic milestone. 

Throughout February, audiences around the country listened to various APB speakers celebrate Black History Month. Speaking on topics ranging from continuing the legacy and lessons of MLK to creating more diverse and inclusive spaces for everyone, our Black History Month speakers inspired and empowered!

March is Women's History Month, a time to honor and celebrate the triumphs of the trailblazing women who have paved the way for change and progress. APB continues to represent a number of speakers on women's issues, from award-winning actresses and activists to journalists, best-selling authors, entrepreneurs and innovative global leaders. Below, we have highlighted some of our most talked-about and requested female voices. Responsible for inspiring millions, these women continue to empower audiences worldwide:

In three short years, Sophia has seen many firsts. She is the first non-human to address the U.N., gain citizenship and grace the covers of Cosmopolitan and Elle. She has gone on a date with Will Smith, sung a duet with Jimmy Fallon and wowed speaking audiences from Indiana to Pamplona, Spain.

Known for making history in 2006 for defeating a 26-year incumbent State Representative, Bakari Sellers is the youngest member of the South Carolina state legislature and the youngest African American elected official in the nation. Sellers' documentary, While I Breath, I Hope, examines what it means to be young, black and a democrat in the American South.

Virginia governor Ralph Northam’s blackface yearbook photo is just the latest “in a long and troubled cultural legacy of racist stereotypes being used to entertain,” says best-selling author, cultural historian and acclaimed biographer Wil Haygood.

Liberia’s former president, Nobel Peace Laureate and APB speaker President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has joined The Elders, a group of former world leaders tasked with ensuring peace and human rights. Sirleaf, Africa’s first democratically-elected female head of state, is a leading promoter of freedom, justice, women’s empowerment and democratic rule.

From record-breaking Olympic gold medalist to today's most famous transgender woman, Caitlyn Jenner has always captured the world’s attention. Her post transition life and rise to LGBTQ+ champion was documented in E!’s landmark series, I am Cait.

The Washington Post recently highlighted 10 leadership books to watch for in the new year and APB speaker David Epstein’s new book made the list. In Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, set to release May 28th, Epstein presents a compelling examination of the most effective path to success. Drawing from research on the world’s top performers, from professional athletes to Nobel laureates, he found that early specialization is the exception, not the rule. 

Calling the inspiring new movie based on his life “powerful,” The Today Show’s Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones and Craig Melvin welcomed childhood abuse survivor and pioneering human resources executive Steve Pemberton to the show. Against a backdrop of clips from the film, which is based on his best-selling memoir of the same name, Pemberton shared highlights of his life story growing up in foster care, overcoming adversity and turning tragedy into triumph.