"I Am The Message."
First-Generation College Graduate
Former Chief of Staff for the President's Daily Brief
From a courtroom promise to coordinating daily intelligence briefs for the President of the United States, Donnie is living proof that students and first-generation trailblazers can break generational cycles while reaching the highest levels. Donnie speaks to schools and Trio programs because he walked their exact path.
WHO DONNIE SERVES
Donnie speaks to students and first-generation trailblazers
Primary Audience
Donnie primary speaks to Trio programs, schools and first-generation trailblazers- because that’s who he was and that’s the audience he knows best.
You’re navigating college without a family roadmap. No blueprint. No one in your family understands what you’re going through.
He was you.
He earned Bachelor’s degree as a first-generation trailblazers using GI Bill—while raising children as a single father. Then he earned his Master’s in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University and went on to serve as Chief of Staff for the President’s Daily Brief.
From no family college history to the highest levels of national security.
Donnie knows the doubt. The imposter syndrome. The isolation. The guilt when you succeed beyond your family’s experience.
But he also knows how to finish. And he knows there’s no ceiling for first-generation trailblazers.
He Is The Message you need to hear.
Primary Speaking Topics
✅ “I Am The Message: From Courtroom to the President’s Daily Brief”
Complete transformation story—proof that first-gen trailblazers can break cycles and reach elite levels
✅ “The First-Gen Formula: Graduating Without a Roadmap”
Practical strategies for persistence, overcoming imposter syndrome, and navigating college systems
✅ “No Ceiling: From First-Gen trailblazers to Elite Professional”
For high-achieving students—showing there’s no limit to where first-gen Trailblazers can go
✅ “Feel It. Flip It. Flex It.™: Building Self-Agency for First-Gen Success”
Signature framework students can use immediately to turn struggle into strength
Donnie’s Mission
Impact 100,000 Students by the End of 2026
His mission is to use his speaking platform, workshop, and mentorship to develop self-agency and social emotional learning (SEL) in schools and first-generation trailblazers.
What Trio Programs and schools gain
✔ Improved student persistence & graduation rates
✔ Reduced imposter syndrome & increased sense of belonging
✔ Boosted engagement & attendance
✔ Students equipped with actionable tools, not just motivation
✔ Communities built around breaking cycles and finishing strong
“When students see what’s possible in me—they start to believe it’s possible in themselves.”
WHY "I AM THE MESSAGE"
People often ask me why I say “I Am The Message.”
Here’s why: I don’t stand separate from what I teach. My life IS the lesson.
When I speak to first-generation trailblazers about finishing college, I’m not guessing—I finished as a first-gen college graduate while raising my children as a single father.
When I tell TRIO students they can overcome imposter syndrome, I’m not theorizing—I felt it every single day in class and still earned a Master’s degree from one of the nation’s most elite programs.
When I say first-gen trailblazers can reach the highest levels of their field, I’m not motivating—I’m demonstrating. I coordinated intelligence briefs for the President of the United States.
I Am The Message means every word I speak is backed by every step I’ve taken.
It means when you see me on stage at your TRIO conference or school you’re not just hearing a story—you’re seeing the exact outcome your program is designed to create.
It means I’m not asking your students to do anything I haven’t already done.
My transformation is their blueprint.
My finish line is their proof that it’s possible.
My life is the message that students and first-gen trailblazers can break cycles, finish strong, and excel at the highest levels.
That’s why schools and TRIO programs book me.
That’s why students believe me.
Because I AM what I’m asking them to become.
I Am The Message.
Trio Programs
He IS a TRIO Success Story
Donnie isn’t someone who read about first-gen challenges—he lived them:
- Son of an incarcerated father
- First person in his family to attend college
- Single father navigating college with no family guidance
- Used GI Bill and financial aid
- Overcame imposter syndrome at every level
- Finished with Bachelor’s AND Master’s degrees
- Reached the absolute top of his field (Chief of Staff for President’s Daily Brief)
When you book Donnie, your students see the exact outcome your TRIO program is designed to create.
Unmatched Credibility
- First-generation college graduate (Bachelor’s + Master’s from National Intelligence University)
- US Navy veteran (7 years, 3 deployments)
- Former Chief of Staff for the President’s Daily Brief (Top Secret/SCI clearance, 3 years)
- Current federal leader (Director of Central Services, U.S. EEOC)
- Lived experience: single parent, first-gen Trailblazers, veteran, son of incarcerated father
TRIO-Specific Expertise
- Understands TRIO’s mission, language, and desired outcomes
- Content aligned with TRIO objectives: persistence, retention, degree completion
- Addresses the specific challenges TRIO programs measure
- Available for Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) events
Authentic Connection
Students see themselves in Donnie’s story:
- From streets to success
- From doubt to determination
- From imposter syndrome to elite achievement
- From “I don’t belong” to “There’s no ceiling for me”
He meets students where they are and shows them where they can go.
Measurable Impact
Sessions designed to improve:
- Student persistence & graduation rates
- Retention rates
- Student engagement & sense of belonging
- Academic confidence & self-agency
- Reduced imposter syndrome
Students don’t just leave inspired—they leave equipped with tools and action plans.
Professional Excellence
- Polished, high-energy delivery
- Customized content for each TRIO program
- Seamless event coordination
- Social media promotion of your event
- Post-event follow-up resources
