Aswad Thomas
Keynote Speaker: Vice President of the Alliance for Safety and Justice; National Director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice
-
Travels From:
-
Speaking Fee:
-
Categories:
Aswad Thomas Biography
Aswad Thomas is the current Vice President of the Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ), National Director of ASJ’s flagship project, Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ), and the author of a book titled, “The Stars Represent You and Me.”
As an African American male, and a surviving victim of violence, Thomas is well aware of the impacts of trauma and loss that many, in communities across the country have experienced and continue to live with. In 2009, he became the first male in his family to graduate from college. He was just three weeks from going to Europe, to play professional basketball, when he became a victim of gun violence. Two near-fatal gunshots to his back, not only ended his basketball career, but nearly ended his life. Driven by this traumatic experience, and his passion for helping others learn to deal with their own trauma, Thomas has dedicated his life to organizing communities, and helping to elevate the voices of those victims and their families, through both state and federal policymaking debates. Thomas has become one of the country's leading policy experts on gun violence, criminal justice reform, and a leader in building coalitions across racial lines to advance safety. In his role, Thomas is dedicated to expanding ASJ’s national network of crime survivors, to include those most commonly affected by violence, most notably, young men of color.
Thomas' story has been featured in the New York Times, Time Magazine, The Hill, New Yorker Magazine, NBC LX, NBC Nightly News, Huff Post, Chicago Tribune, Yahoo News, The Trace, Detroit Free Press, Hartford Courant, The Guardian, VICE, The Marshall Project, and dozens of other media outlets. He was recently named one of The Root’s 100 most influential African Americans of 2021.
Thomas received a Master's of Social Work, with a concentration in Community Organizing, and a focused area of study on Urban Issues, from the University of Connecticut and a B.A., in Business Management from Elms College.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Aswad Thomas and other top speakers and celebrities.
Aswad Thomas Videos
How do I book Aswad Thomas to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Aswad Thomas 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 Aswad Thomas, 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 Aswad Thomas or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Aswad Thomas for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Aswad Thomas, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Aswad Thomas are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Aswad Thomas, 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 Aswad Thomas speak about?
Aswad Thomas is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Overcoming Adversity, Family & Parenting, Social Activism, Government, Social Justice, Inspirational and Civil Rights.
Where does Aswad Thomas travel from?
Aswad Thomas generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Aswad Thomas?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Aswad Thomas 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 Aswad Thomas for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Aswad Thomas or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Aswad Thomas is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Overcoming Adversity, Family & Parenting and Social Activism. The estimated speaking fee range to book Aswad Thomas for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Aswad Thomas generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Brandon Wolf, Leon Ford Jr. and Dr. Marc Lamont Hill. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Aswad Thomas for an upcoming event.
VIDEO
Aswad Thomas Videos
REVIEWS
Aswad Thomas Reviews
-
We could not have been happier with Aswad as our speaker. Our guests loved hearing his story and his passion for ensuring violence survivors receive the attention they deserve.
Temple Sholom of Chicago - May 15 2023
NEWS
Aswad Thomas News
-
FROM PAIN TO POWER: HOW BLACK SURVIVORS ARE RESHAPING THE NARRATIVE ON VIOLENCE AND CRIME
From day one, the Alliance for Safety and Justice has committed itself to creating tangible changes inside of the world of criminal justice, growing into an organization known for building shared safety, reducing incarceration and offering invaluable support to survivors of violence. With its Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ) network, thousands of survivors from across the country have worked tirelessly to share their stories and empower other victims of violent crimes. All the while, they’ve worked together to create an impact on a national scale by advocating for legislation in statehouses across the country and lifting up other solutions to address trauma and violence in the most harmed communities. Through the newly launched National Crime Victims Agenda, the group has worked to redefine just what it means to transition from victim to survivor — a difficult journey for anyone who has previously encountered or been touched by violence or loss.
-
Aswad Thomas: Chief of Organizing and National Director of Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice
For people wondering about community safety alternatives amid calls to defund and abolish the police, Aswad Thomas has an answer: listen to the victims. He was 26 and weeks away from leaving the United States to play basketball professionally in Europe when gun violence ended his career and almost ended his life. He realized that victims of crime like himself rarely get the resources for emotional, physical, or financial recovery, and this was true for his assailant, who lost an eye from a shooting.
-
U.S. Crime Victims Often Don’t Get the Government Money Meant to Help Them Heal—and Say They Feel ‘Excluded'
Aswad Thomas’ dream of pursuing a career in basketball was disrupted about a decade ago when he was shot twice in the back during an attempted armed robbery in Connecticut. In the following years, Thomas—like many other victims of violent crime—didn’t know that Congress had set aside money and resources for his recovery decades ago.
-
How I Came to Terms with the Man Who Shot Me
Seven years ago, I was shot. Twice.In 1988, my family moved to Highland Park in Detroit. I grew up on Geneva Street, one of the most vibrant spots in the neighborhood for reasons both good and bad. There were the friendly games of bike-tag — but also constant drug-dealing and shootings. I lived in a single-parent home along with my four brothers. I was the youngest, and watched as the people around me succumbed to violence, prison, or both.
FAQS
-
How do I book Aswad Thomas to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Aswad Thomas 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 Aswad Thomas, 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 Aswad Thomas or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Aswad Thomas for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Aswad Thomas, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Aswad Thomas are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Aswad Thomas, 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 Aswad Thomas speak about?
Aswad Thomas is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Overcoming Adversity, Family & Parenting, Social Activism, Government, Social Justice, Inspirational and Civil Rights. -
Where does Aswad Thomas travel from?
Aswad Thomas generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Aswad Thomas?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Aswad Thomas 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 Aswad Thomas for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Aswad Thomas or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
BOOK ASWAD THOMAS
We are happy to assist you with your interest in booking a speaker or celebrity for your event, your organization, and the type of talent you would like to secure, and an agent will be in touch shortly.
Fill out the form below to or call us at 1-800-698-2536 if need immediate assistance.
We respond to most inquiries within 4 hours. Under special circumstances, it may take up to 24 hours.
We are happy to help! Call us to speak with a booking agent about your event or specific speaker request.
Gauge Interest and check availability for appearances, speaking engagements, or corporate events.
Provide you with speaking fee to book Aswad Thomas or other celebrity appearance fees
Give you personal recommendations for the best keynote speakers or celebrities
Assist you with any questions you have throughout the talent booking process
This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.
All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
