Keynotes & Workshops for TRIO Programs & First-Generation Students
I Am The Message: Every keynote is backed by the lived experience of a first-gen graduate who broke generational cycles and reached the highest levels of government.
Keynote #1
I Am The Message: From Courtroom to the President's Daily Brief
My complete transformation story—from son of an incarcerated father and facing felony charges at 19 to coordinating daily intelligence briefings for the President of the United States. This keynote is raw, authentic, and living proof that first-generation students can break cycles and reach elite levels.
Students Learn:
- Their past doesn’t define their future
- How to overcome imposter syndrome
- That there’s no ceiling for first-gen students
- How one decision can change the trajectory of their life
Why It Works:
Students don’t just hear about transformation—they see it standing in front of them.
Perfect For:
TRIO Day events, TRIO conferences, college orientations, motivational assemblies, graduation ceremonies
Length: 60-90 minutes
Keynote #2
The First-Gen Formula: Graduating Without a Roadmap
Practical, research-backed strategies for navigating college as a first-generation student. I share the exact tools and mindset shifts I used to persist through doubt, overcome imposter syndrome, manage financial stress, and finish with two degrees—all while being a single father.
Students Learn:
- How to navigate college systems without family guidance
- Strategies to overcome imposter syndrome
- How to ask for help (and from whom)
- Time management while juggling family obligations
- Building a support system when you feel isolated
Why It Works:
I don’t theorize about first-gen challenges—I overcame them. Students get actionable strategies, not just motivation.
Perfect For:
TRIO programs (Student Support Services, Upward Bound, McNair Scholars), first-gen student orientations, retention initiatives, academic success workshops
Length: 45-90 minutes
Keynote #3
No Ceiling: From First-Gen Student to Elite Professional
For high-achieving first-gen students who need to see that they belong not just in college, but at the absolute top of their fields. From using my GI Bill as a single dad to earning a Master’s from the National Intelligence University to coordinating intelligence for the President—I show students that excellence, not just completion, is possible.
Students Learn:
- That there’s no ceiling for first-gen students
- How to navigate imposter syndrome at elite levels
- Strategies for graduate school and elite career paths
- How to own their seat at the table
Why It Works:
I Am The Message that there is no ceiling for first-gen students. My career trajectory proves it.
Perfect For:
McNair Scholars programs, honors programs, graduate school prep, TRIO leadership conferences, high-achieving first-gen student organizations
Length: 60-90 minutes
Keynote #4
Feel It. Flip It. Flex It.™: Building Self-Agency for First-Gen Success
My signature framework for transforming struggle into strength. This interactive keynote teaches first-gen students a repeatable process to
Students Learn:
- Feel It: Acknowledge struggles without shame (imposter syndrome, financial stress, family guilt)
- Flip It: Reframe obstacles as opportunities and choose the next right action
- Flex It: Build daily habits that create lasting change and lead to graduation
This is the exact process I used to transform from a courtroom at 19 to the President’s Daily Brief.
Why It Works:
Students leave with a framework they can use immediately—not just inspiration, but a process.
Perfect For:
TRIO programs, student success courses, leadership development, workshops, retention initiatives
Length: 45-90 minutes
