LZ Granderson

LZ Granderson

Keynote Speaker: CNN & ESPN Columnist; Celebrated Voice on Sports, Race & Gay Rights

LZ Granderson Biography

LZ Granderson is an ABC News contributor and host of ABC Audio’s “Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson” podcast. He is an Emmy Award-winning journalist as well as an op-ed columnist for the Los Angeles Times.

Granderson hosts the network’s first LGBTQ-focused podcast, “Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson,” of which he is also the producer. In the podcast, Granderson draws from his own lived experience as a gay, Black father to host thought-provoking, poignant, and engaging conversations with some of the most influential and inspirational people in the LGBTQ+ community. “Life Out Loud” received a Special Recognition Award from GLAAD in 2022 and Spotify selected it as one of the “Best New Podcasts of 2021.” Since joining ABC News in 2015, Granderson focuses heavily on politics in his role as a contributor.

In 2021 the Equality Forum listed Granderson among its “LGBTQ History Month Icons, and the Los Angeles Press Club as well as California News and Publishing Association named him the year's top columnist. In 2016 he was inducted into the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Hall of Fame and his TED Talk, “Myth of the Gay Agenda,” has more than 1.7 million views. Granderson received recognition for his work from major LGBTQ+ organizations in the nation, including the Human Rights Campaign, GLSEN and GLAAD. The Advocate, the nation’s most prominent and oldest LGBTQ+ magazine, frequently includes him as one of the 50 most influential LGBTQ voices in media.

Throughout his career, Granderson worked at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, South Bend Tribune, and the Grand Rapids Press. He spent over 17 years at ESPN in a variety of roles, including NBA editor, Page 2 columnist, tennis commentator, radio host, and co-host of the television show "SportsNation." During this time, he was also a columnist and political contributor for CNN. Before that, Granderson was a fellow at the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago and the Hechinger Institute at Columbia University.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on LZ Granderson and other top speakers and celebrities.

LZ Granderson Speaking Topics

Sports is My Orientation

Numerous times over the course of his Hall of Fame career, Chicago White Stockings baseball player Cap Anson, refused to play if the opposing team had Black players. He carried this prejudice with him to his managerial career and his time as part owner of what is now the Chicago Cubs. In his 1900 autobiography, "A Ball Player's Career," Anson refers to one of his team's mascots as "little darkey" and with other racial slurs but makes no reference to the great Black baseball players he pushed to exclude.

Similarly, LGBTQ athletes have historically been excluded from sports, in policy, and more importantly, in culture. From slurs on the court to painting locker rooms pink, to banning trans athletes—all of the wonderful benefits that come from participating in sports are far too often kept away from queer athletes. This is a conversation about how that hurts everyone.

Dare You to Move

Through humor and candid personal stories, ESPN columnist and TV personality LZ Granderson shares his journey from poverty, physical abuse and gang culture in Detroit to becoming the most visible openly gay man working in sports today. In his commentary LZ has tackled taboo subjects such as usage of the N-word in the black community, the presence of gays in the locker room, and the truths and lies about reverse racism. He spares no one. Not even himself.

LZ Granderson Videos

LZ Granderson on Hosting ABC News’ First LGBTQ+ Podcast
LZ Granderson: US hasn't 'addressed the damage' from racial ...
LZ Granderson: 'My prayer is that this becomes a trend'

How do I book LZ Granderson to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like LZ Granderson 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 LZ Granderson, 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 LZ Granderson or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book LZ Granderson for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for LZ Granderson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire LZ Granderson, 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 LZ Granderson speak about?

LZ Granderson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as News & Media, LGBTQ, Diversity & Inclusion, Sports Journalism & Broadcasting, TED, Blogging, Culture, Civil Rights, Social Activism, Broadcasting, Black Heritage, DEI and Entertainment.

Where does LZ Granderson travel from?

LZ Granderson generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for LZ Granderson?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like LZ Granderson 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 LZ Granderson 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 LZ Granderson 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.


LZ Granderson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including News & Media, LGBTQ and Diversity & Inclusion. Please contact us for live or virtual event fee details. LZ Granderson generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Geena Rocero, Kylar Broadus and Jason Collins. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling LZ Granderson for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 02/07/2024.

LZ Granderson Speaking Topics

  • Sports is My Orientation

    Numerous times over the course of his Hall of Fame career, Chicago White Stockings baseball player Cap Anson, refused to play if the opposing team had Black players. He carried this prejudice with him to his managerial career and his time as part owner of what is now the Chicago Cubs. In his 1900 autobiography, "A Ball Player's Career," Anson refers to one of his team's mascots as "little darkey" and with other racial slurs but makes no reference to the great Black baseball players he pushed to exclude.

    Similarly, LGBTQ athletes have historically been excluded from sports, in policy, and more importantly, in culture. From slurs on the court to painting locker rooms pink, to banning trans athletes—all of the wonderful benefits that come from participating in sports are far too often kept away from queer athletes. This is a conversation about how that hurts everyone.

  • Dare You to Move

    Through humor and candid personal stories, ESPN columnist and TV personality LZ Granderson shares his journey from poverty, physical abuse and gang culture in Detroit to becoming the most visible openly gay man working in sports today. In his commentary LZ has tackled taboo subjects such as usage of the N-word in the black community, the presence of gays in the locker room, and the truths and lies about reverse racism. He spares no one. Not even himself.

LZ Granderson Videos

LZ Granderson on Hosting ABC News’ First LGBTQ+ Podcast
LZ Granderson: US hasn't 'addressed the damage' from racial ...
LZ Granderson: 'My prayer is that this becomes a trend'
LZ Granderson: Here's why Biden appeals to African-American voters

LZ Granderson Reviews

  • NCAA - May 07 2024

  • Great experience, thank you so much for everything!
    Perkins Coie LLP - Jun 29 2021

LZ Granderson News

  • How do I book LZ Granderson to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like LZ Granderson 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 LZ Granderson, 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 LZ Granderson or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book LZ Granderson for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for LZ Granderson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire LZ Granderson, 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 LZ Granderson speak about?

    LZ Granderson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as News & Media, LGBTQ, Diversity & Inclusion, Sports Journalism & Broadcasting, TED, Blogging, Culture, Civil Rights, Social Activism, Broadcasting, Black Heritage, DEI and Entertainment.
  • Where does LZ Granderson travel from?

    LZ Granderson generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for LZ Granderson?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like LZ Granderson 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 LZ Granderson 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 LZ Granderson 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.
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LZ GRANDERSON

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