Michele Norris

Michele Norris

Keynote Speaker: Washington Post columnist, former NPR All Things Considered host, founder of The Race Card Project, author of "Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race"

Michele Norris Biography

An award-winning journalist and one of the most recognized voices in radio, Michele Norris engages audiences in candid discussion about race, culture and communication in America.

From the radio airwaves of NPR and primetime television to leading news publications such as The Washington Post, Norris is one of the most trusted voices in American journalism. On stage, she inspires open and honest dialogue, with memorable stories and fascinating perspectives drawn from her personal journey, investigative research, and interviews with world leaders, Nobel Laureates and influential newsmakers.

For a decade, as host of National Public Radio’s longest-running program, All Things Considered, she captivated audiences nationwide while earning some of journalism’s highest honors. As a Washington Post Opinions Columnist, Norris sparks important dialogue on current events, social issues and the power to make change as she breaks down commonly held beliefs and attitudes on race, diversity and bias. She makes complex and taboo issues remarkably accessible. Her audiences walk away empowered to stimulate discussion around challenging topics within their communities.

Throughout Norris’ accomplished career, her efforts to promote conversation about race have resulted in her critically acclaimed book, The Grace of Silence: A Memoir. She received accolades for a Peabody Award-winning initiative, “The Race Card Project,” which fosters conversation among individuals about their differences. Norris was previously the director of “The Bridge”—the Aspen Institute's program on race, cultural identity and inclusion—which addresses some of America's most complex issues by encouraging people to explore and engage with differing perspectives.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Michele Norris and other top speakers and celebrities.

Michele Norris Speaking Topics

If You Meant It Then You Should Have Put a Stamp On It

In this unique presentation, Michele Norris examines how old fashioned handwritten letters have helped define what is best about America, and explores how we hold on to that in the age of email, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. This refreshing talk looks at the profound impact and importance of letters written by presidents, CEOs, sportsmen, soldiers, pioneer women and pioneering scientists -- and examines how we communicate today and what it may tell us about our tomorrow.

The Grace of Silence and the Power of Words

Award-winning journalist Michele Norris's 2010 book The Grace of Silence started out as a quest to uncover how America talked about race in the wake of the Obama presidential election. What resulted was what Norris calls an "accidental memoir." Named one of the year's best books by The Christian Science Monitor, the book became an eye-opening family history lesson revealing her own family's racial legacy and the larger conversation surrounding race in America. The book has also led to the spinoff blog "The Race Card Project" and a deeper look at our attitudes and beliefs about race.

The Race Card Project - Eavesdropping on America's Conversation on Race

Join us for a discussion on race and identity in America, with Peabody Award-winning journalist Michele Norris, founder of The Race Card Project™. The Race Card Project creates sturdy cultural bridges through candid conversation using real stories on race, culture and identity. In 2010, former NPR journalist Michele Norris began inviting people to distill their thoughts on the word race to only six words. Since then, The Race Card Project™ has collected more than 500,000 “postcards” from all 50 states and 96 countries. People often send backstories and photos to share more about what is behind their six-word statements. Many of these essays contain sentiments and hard truths rarely expressed out loud. Today, these powerful six-word memoirs kickstart honest conversations that leave people with a better sense of each other, and themselves, through a variety of tools and resources. The goal is to tap into the stories, people and threads that make up our complex cultural landscape and then engage people to talk across difference, race, inclusion and identity.

Michele Norris Videos

Award-Winning Journalist & Former NPR Host Michele Norri
Ta-Nehisi Coates with Michele Norris, Conversation
Diversity Conversations: Susan Williams & Michele Norris

How do I book Michele Norris to speak at my event?

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

How much does it cost to book Michele Norris for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Michele Norris, 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 Michele Norris, 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 Michele Norris speak about?

Michele Norris is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Journalism, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Creativity, Social Media, Government, Education, Leadership, Political, Culture, Civil Rights and Social Activism.

Where does Michele Norris travel from?

Michele Norris generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Michele Norris?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michele Norris 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 Michele Norris 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 Michele Norris 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.


Michele Norris is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Journalism, Diversity & Inclusion and Innovation. Please contact us for live or virtual event fee details. Michele Norris generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Michel Martin, Joy-Ann Reid and Sandy Speicher. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Michele Norris for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/10/2024.

Michele Norris Speaking Topics

  • If You Meant It Then You Should Have Put a Stamp On It

    In this unique presentation, Michele Norris examines how old fashioned handwritten letters have helped define what is best about America, and explores how we hold on to that in the age of email, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr. This refreshing talk looks at the profound impact and importance of letters written by presidents, CEOs, sportsmen, soldiers, pioneer women and pioneering scientists -- and examines how we communicate today and what it may tell us about our tomorrow.

  • The Grace of Silence and the Power of Words

    Award-winning journalist Michele Norris's 2010 book The Grace of Silence started out as a quest to uncover how America talked about race in the wake of the Obama presidential election. What resulted was what Norris calls an "accidental memoir." Named one of the year's best books by The Christian Science Monitor, the book became an eye-opening family history lesson revealing her own family's racial legacy and the larger conversation surrounding race in America. The book has also led to the spinoff blog "The Race Card Project" and a deeper look at our attitudes and beliefs about race.

  • The Race Card Project - Eavesdropping on America's Conversation on Race

    Join us for a discussion on race and identity in America, with Peabody Award-winning journalist Michele Norris, founder of The Race Card Project™. The Race Card Project creates sturdy cultural bridges through candid conversation using real stories on race, culture and identity. In 2010, former NPR journalist Michele Norris began inviting people to distill their thoughts on the word race to only six words. Since then, The Race Card Project™ has collected more than 500,000 “postcards” from all 50 states and 96 countries. People often send backstories and photos to share more about what is behind their six-word statements. Many of these essays contain sentiments and hard truths rarely expressed out loud. Today, these powerful six-word memoirs kickstart honest conversations that leave people with a better sense of each other, and themselves, through a variety of tools and resources. The goal is to tap into the stories, people and threads that make up our complex cultural landscape and then engage people to talk across difference, race, inclusion and identity.

Michele Norris Videos

Award-Winning Journalist & Former NPR Host Michele Norri
Ta-Nehisi Coates with Michele Norris, Conversation
Diversity Conversations: Susan Williams & Michele Norris
This Is NPR: Michele Norris

Michele Norris News

  • How do I book Michele Norris to speak at my event?

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

    Speaking fees for Michele Norris, 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 Michele Norris, 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 Michele Norris speak about?

    Michele Norris is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Journalism, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation, Creativity, Social Media, Government, Education, Leadership, Political, Culture, Civil Rights and Social Activism.
  • Where does Michele Norris travel from?

    Michele Norris generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Michele Norris?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michele Norris 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 Michele Norris 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 Michele Norris 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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