Shaka Senghor

Shaka Senghor

Keynote Speaker: Author, Criminal Justice Reform Activist & Head of Diversity, Equality & Inclusion at TripActions

Shaka Senghor Biography

In 1991, Shaka Senghor entered prison for committing second-degree murder. Today, he’s a best-selling author, lecturer at universities, and leading voice on criminal justice reform.

Senghor is the Head of Diversity, Equality & Inclusion at TripActions, Director's Fellow Alumni of the MIT Media Lab, college lecturer, author, and was convicted of murder in American courts. As of October 2015, he also teaches a class as part of the Atonement Project, a partnership between him, the University of Michigan, and the MIT Media Lab. His memoir, "Writing my Wrongs," was published in March 2016. Senghor was named to Oprah's SuperSoul 100 list of visionaries and influential leaders in 2016.

Raised in a middle class neighborhood on Detroit’s east side during the height of the 1980s crack epidemic, Senghor was an honor roll student and a natural leader who dreamed of becoming a doctor. But at age 11, his parents' marriage began to unravel. The beatings from his mother worsened, sending him on a downward spiral that saw him run away from home.

On the streets, he quickly turned to drug dealing to survive, running crack houses and getting caught up in the hopelessness of the life that surrounded the epidemic. At 18, he was shot in an altercation in front of his home. By 19, he was in prison for murder, fuming with anger and despair.

During his 19 years incarcerated—including seven in solitary confinement—Senghor began a journey of self reflection, inspired by reading and writing as a means of understanding his past, his present, and his future potential. By embracing forgiveness, hope, and everything that’s possible when you refuse to be defined by your past, he’s become a leading voice on the potential inherent in us all when given support and a second chance.

In the decade since his release, he’s garnered awards and fellowships, lectured at universities, started and worked with nonprofits seeking to lift people up, visited the White House, been interviewed by Trevor Noah and Oprah Winfrey, given award-winning TED talks, featured in a song with Nas, and tirelessly worked to help create the personal and societal change we need for a more inspired, just, fulfilling future.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Shaka Senghor and other top speakers and celebrities.

Shaka Senghor Videos

COVID-19: What's happening in US prisons? | Shaka Senghor
Co-Parenting as Allies, not Adversaries | Ebony Roberts & Shaka Senghor
Talking Criminal Justice Reform with Shaka Senghor

How do I book Shaka Senghor to speak at my event?

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

How much does it cost to book Shaka Senghor for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Shaka Senghor, 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 Shaka Senghor, 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 Shaka Senghor speak about?

Shaka Senghor is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Youth, Publishing, Storytelling, Blogging, Entertainers, Social Media, Creative Writing, Networking, Celebrity, TED, Motivational, Leadership and Government.

Where does Shaka Senghor travel from?

Shaka Senghor 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 Shaka Senghor?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Shaka Senghor 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 Shaka Senghor 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 Shaka Senghor 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.


Shaka Senghor is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Youth Empowerment & Motivation, Publishing and Storytelling. Please contact us for live or virtual event fee details. Shaka Senghor 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 Cynthia Germanotta, Sarah Evans and Joe Sabia. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Shaka Senghor for an upcoming event.

Shaka Senghor Videos

COVID-19: What's happening in US prisons? | Shaka Senghor
Co-Parenting as Allies, not Adversaries | Ebony Roberts & Shaka Senghor
Talking Criminal Justice Reform with Shaka Senghor
Writing my wrongs: Shaka Senghor at TEDxMidwest
  • How do I book Shaka Senghor to speak at my event?

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

    Speaking fees for Shaka Senghor, 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 Shaka Senghor, 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 Shaka Senghor speak about?

    Shaka Senghor is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Youth, Publishing, Storytelling, Blogging, Entertainers, Social Media, Creative Writing, Networking, Celebrity, TED, Motivational, Leadership and Government.
  • Where does Shaka Senghor travel from?

    Shaka Senghor 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 Shaka Senghor?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Shaka Senghor 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 Shaka Senghor 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 Shaka Senghor 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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