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Dan  Slepian

Dan Slepian

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist at NBC News & Author of The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice

Dan Slepian

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist at NBC News & Author of The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice

Biography

Dan Slepian is an Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist at NBC News, a leading authority on the criminal justice system, and a seasoned public speaker. For nearly three decades at NBC’s Dateline, he has spearheaded dozens of documentaries and hidden-camera investigations, earning a reputation for exposing wrongful convictions and the human cost of mass incarceration. His 2025 MSNBC Films documentary The Sing Sing Chronicles—chronicling his two-decade friendship with Jon Adrian “JJ” Velazquez inside Sing Sing Correctional Facility—captured the Emmy Award for Best Documentary. Dan’s podcast, Letters from Sing Sing, was a 2024 Pulitzer Prize finalist and debuted at #1 on Apple’s Top Shows chart.

Dan’s deep knowledge of the criminal legal system threads through all of his work, from a TEDx Talk staged inside Sing Sing to conceiving and producing groundbreaking televised events, including the first-ever town hall broadcast from within a maximum-security prison. Known for his relentless pursuit of truth and his empathetic storytelling, he is a respected voice in both journalism and the fight against injustice.

Along with his recent Emmy win, Dan has received more than a dozen Emmy nominations, four Edward R. Murrow Awards, a Sigma Delta Chi Award, and commendations from justice-reform organizations across the country.

His recent book, The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice, recounts his decades-long mission to uncover the truth behind six wrongful convictions. A powerful narrative of perseverance, loyalty, and the pursuit of justice, it was named one of Amazon’s Best Books of the Year and nominated for a 2024 Goodreads Choice Award for Nonfiction. The audiobook version is a 2025 Audie Award finalist and one of Audible’s Best of the Year.

Dan brings decades of investigative experience and heartfelt storytelling to every keynote, often joined onstage by exonerees like JJ Velazquez, whom he visited more than 250 times over 20 years at Sing Sing.

In an era when organizations are re-examining their commitments to justice reform, empathy, resilience, social impact, and authentic storytelling, Dan delivers transformative programs that foster understanding, build bridges, and chart practical pathways to meaningful change.

Speaker Videos

‘Sing Sing Files’ author talks toll on life for the falsely imprisoned

Incarcerated man’s decades-long journey to freedom chronicled in NBC News podcast

Dan Slepian and JJ Velazquez Hot Takes' on Career, Civil Rights, and Turning Pain into Power

How a prisoner's letter led to a 20-year search for the truth

Joe Biden and JJ Velazquez Discuss Criminal Legal Reform

Voices from within | Dan Slepian | TEDxSingSing

Speech Topics

The Sing Sing Files: Exposing the Injustice of Wrongful Convictions

Take a deep dive into the harrowing stories of six innocent men who were wrongfully convicted and spent decades behind bars with Dan Slepian, a veteran Dateline producer. In this powerful and profound talk, Dan explores the systemic failures of the criminal legal system, the relentless pursuit of truth and the difficulty in achieving justice. The personal anecdotes of these men add a profound human element to the discussion. This session or workshop is supported by compelling multimedia content, including video, which makes the experience even more engaging and impactful. In a landscape where these issues are more relevant than ever, Dan's perspective offers a timely and transformative experience.

WHY THIS PROGRAM IS ESSENTIAL:

  • Promotes understanding and continued learning: Perfect for organizations seeking to bolster their inclusionary efforts in meaningful ways.
  • Educational and Inspiring: Provides valuable learning opportunities that encourage critical thinking and empathy.
  • Adaptable and Relevant: Suitable for a wide range of audiences, from corporate settings to academic environments and beyond.

Building Bridges in Unlikely Places: A Friendship Forged Through Adversity

Get ready to be inspired and reminded that hope and compassion still thrive in this powerful talk by Dan Slepian, veteran producer of Dateline. In this keynote, Dan discusses his extraordinary friendship with JJ Velazquez, a Sing Sing inmate who was wrongfully convicted, and how it challenged Dan’s perceptions and ignited a lifelong mission to fight for justice. The pair’s bond evolved over two decades, leading Dan to several other innocent men he told stories about. It’s a narrative about building trust, understanding and a lasting friendship in the most unlikely of places—inside the walls of prison.

Investigative Journalism: The Power of Persistence & Truth

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how investigative journalism can bring justice to light with Dan Slepian, a longtime Dateline producer. Using real-life examples from Dan’s 20-year journey, he shares the challenges, triumphs and ethical dilemmas faced while uncovering wrongful convictions.

Through the Prism of Wrongful Convictions: Perversity & Pathology of Mass Incarceration

What if the system designed to protect us is failing? By examining the epidemic of wrongful convictions, Dan Slepian, a veteran Dateline producer, delves into the broader issues of mass incarceration. This talk reveals the systemic perversities and deep-rooted pathologies that have led to the United States’ current crisis of incarceration.

The Human Cost of Injustice: A Journalist’s Journey Through the American Prison System

In this compelling presentation, Dan Slepian, longtime Dateline producer, highlights the profound human impact of wrongful convictions on the incarcerated, their families and society—revealing the untold stories of those trapped in a system that often fails them. Through his investigative lens, Dan uncovers not just the stark realities of incarceration but also the emotional and psychological toll and shares the stories of resilience and hope that emerge.

Justice for All: How We Can Reform the Criminal Justice System

Focused on actionable insights and reforms, this talk by Dan Slepian, a veteran Dateline producer, addresses the critical need for changes within the criminal justice system. Drawing from decades of experience and specific anecdotes, Dan provides a roadmap for how society can better ensure justice for all. You’ll leave empowered to help shape a future where justice truly serves everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.

Testimonials