Community & Nonprofit

For six decades, American Program Bureau (APB) has proudly stood as one of the world’s most trusted speaking agencies. Founded on the belief that ideas can inspire action, APB has brought the voices of world leaders, groundbreaking innovators, cultural icons, and passionate advocates to audiences across the globe. Our history is a testament to the caliber of people we’ve worked with—individuals who don’t just speak, but shape history.

National Grief Awareness Day is on August 30th and writer, APB speaker, and podcaster Nora McInerny offers a powerful, compassionate reframe of grief in her celebrated TED Talk. Her words ring truer than ever, reminding us that loss isn’t something to be escaped—it's something we learn to carry.

A fearless voice in a divided world, acclaimed cultural critic Thomas Chatterton Williams is about to release his highly anticipated new book, Summer of Our Discontent. With clarity, nuance, and unflinching honesty, Williams confronts today’s most urgent debates—from race and nationalism to cancel culture and personal identity. This bold new book is essential reading for anyone grappling with what it means to belong in an increasingly fractured society.

This year marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Malcolm X. Hear from his daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, who carries his voice forward.

We are excited to share that two of our most popular speakers, investigative journalist Dan Slepian and criminal justice reform advocate Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez, have been honored with the 2025 News & Documentary Emmy Award for Best Documentary for their groundbreaking series, The Sing Sing Chronicles. This four-part documentary, directed by Dawn Porter and produced by MSNBC Films, chronicles Slepian's 22-year investigation into wrongful convictions at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, including Velazquez's own case.

Juneteenth (short for June 19th) marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans throughout Texas learned that they were free—news that took approximately two months after the Confederate surrender of the Civil War and two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation to reach them.  As our nation recognizes the legacy of Juneteenth during a time of heightened consciousness over pervasive racism and persecution in our nation, we urge everyone to continue to do their part in igniting change.

We are excited to share that Molly Jong-Fast's recently released memoir, How to Lose Your Mother, has landed on The New York Times Bestseller List! With rave reviews continuing to pour in, People magazine said: "This raw, intimate memoir is a stunning portrait of difficult relationships and how we survive them.”

Molly Jong-Fast is the only child of a famous woman, writer Erica Jong, whose sensational book Fear of Flying launched her into second-wave feminist stardom. She grew up yearning for a connection with her dreamy, glamorous, just out of reach mother, who always seemed to be heading somewhere that wasn’t with Molly. When, in 2023, Molly's mother was diagnosed with dementia just as Molly’s husband discovered he had a rare cancer, Jong-Fast was catapulted into a transformative year.

We are excited to share that Steve Pemberton, an APB exclusive speaker, renowned author, and human-centered thought leader, has launched The Pemberton Podcast, a series dedicated to stories of resilience, reflection, and hope. Drawing from his experiences detailed in his bestselling memoir A Chance in the World, Pemberton offers listeners narratives that inspire and uplift. The podcast aims to be a guiding light for those navigating challenges, emphasizing that one's beginnings do not dictate one's destiny.

A new documentary, Heightened Scrutiny, spotlights the groundbreaking work of Chase Strangio, Deputy Director for Transgender Justice at the ACLU. Premiering at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, the film follows Strangio as he prepares to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Skrmetti, challenging Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Strangio's advocacy extends beyond the courtroom as the documentary delves into how mainstream media narratives contribute to anti-trans legislation, featuring insights from journalists and activists.