The Brand: Speaking,
Teaching & Writing
Public Speaking
Over the many years as a public speaker, I have had the honor of addressing banquet, panel, and conference audiences as well as lecturing at some of the nation's leading colleges and universities. In my presentations, I address such topics as "Self Empowerment Through Volunteerism;" "Communicating Your Message Effectively;" "PR Techniques for Business and Beyond;" and "Branding Yourself for Success;" among others.
Colleges and Youth Audiences
Young audiences are a preferred group. Over the years I've spoken at countless colleges and universities, high school programs and other youth-oriented events. The messages often underscore themes of empowerment and responsibility. A favorite and well-received topic is called "Make New Mistakes," where I urge young people to forgo repeating the same errors as those who came before them. To illustrate this, I outline the many mistakes I made coming up, as opposed to simply discussing my successes. Young people respond well to this message and appreciate the honesty and candor.
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Professional Seminars
With more than 30 years of professional communications experience under my belt, I thrive at presenting communications-themed workshops and seminars to the business community. Along with the topics listed above, I can tailor all presentations to meet an organization's need to empower its members or employees. Companies, corporations, business leaders and professional groups have all benefited from my energetic presentations.
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Keynote Addresses
There is no greater honor for a speaker than to give a keynote address, regardless of the group or the setting. I've had the privilege of providing the keynote presentation for luncheons, banquets, graduation ceremonies, and more. One I am particularly proud of is pictured here - the 23rd Annual Inter-Alumni Council of UNCF's Martin Luther King Day Breakfast in Los Angeles, CA., January 2012. The audience was 1000 Black college graduates and their families.
Panels and Conference Events
Everyone has attended a conference at one time or another, and the panels are the life's blood of any convention. I have been an engaging panelist at various conferences and conventions during my time as a public speaker, addressing session topics from HIV/AIDS awareness, the future of HBCUs, communications and public relations, volunteerism and many others. Energetic, informed panels can mean everything to a successful conference - on this mark, I proudly say that I deliver.
Click here to Book Chris Today to meet your speaking needs
In 2016, I was proud and honored to
receive a Howard University School of Communications' Alumni Legacy Award
-it was a great night.
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Video shot by good friend and fellow Howard U.
Alum, The Legendary Chris Washington, much thanks.
College Lecturer
I'm proud and honored to serve as a college lecturer for three of the nation's leading institutions: California State University, Northridge (CSUN), Syracuse University, and UCLA Extension. At CSUN, I serve as a part-time instructor, teaching an a number of public relations and journalism courses.
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At Syracuse, I created a special Entertainment Public Relations Immersion course geared to graduate students who venture to Los Angeles to attend the class at the school's LA Center. The session involves course work, lectures, guest presenters and off-site visits to professional public relations offices and companies. I organized the entire process and worked to help students find internships and employment following the course. I stopped teaching the course in 2022, but remain on staff as an adjunct instructor in the University's storied Newhouse School.
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For UCLA X, I teach an Introduction to Public Relations course for mostly international students enrolled in the program; I have the pleasure to work with students from across the globe, as well as some homegrown scholars. It's a great experience.
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I began my teaching career at Columbia College Hollywood, a film and TV school in the Los Angeles area, in 2005. I have been teaching at CSUN and Syracuse since 2015; UCLA X began in 2021.
California State University, Northrdige
Syracuse University
Published Works
I'm blessed to have two books I authored in the marketplace, as well as essays published in four separate anthologies, and columns in newspapers and magazines. My latest book is HBCU Experience–The Book, a collection of essays by Black college grads I co-edited with Tia Tyree, Ph.D., was released in early 2015. Work on Vol. 2 is underway, and new essays are being solicited from HBCU grads for a new, reimagined edition.
With the debate still raging over the relevance and need for HBCUs in the new millennium, HBCU Experience –The Book highlights the important role our institutions still have in today's society and accentuates the overall benefits of having an HBCU education.
Please visit the book's website (www.BlackCollegeBook.com) if you like to purchase a signed copy of Vol. 1 directly from me, and /or if you are an HBCU grad and would like to submit an essay for Vol. 2. We know there are still many, many stories to tell and would love to have your unique Black college experience included.
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My first offering, The Lost Art of Giving Back, a how-to guide for volunteerism, was published in 2007. I'm very proud of this book because it speaks to an issue near and dear to me – volunteerism and public service. Please contact me directly if you are interested in more information on this book, or would like to purchase a copy. You can use the contact page on this site, or email me at ChrisOneDG@Gmail.com.
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The best thing, both books provide me with solid foundations for speaking topics that resonate with a variety of audiences.
Civil RIghts Icon and HBCU grad Congressman John Lewis
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Contact Me
You can contact me here with any questions and/or comments – and thanks much for visiting the site. Also, feel free to connect with me via any of our mutual social media outlets.
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I appreciate your time and interest. Be well.
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Chris
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213/840-8740
Twitter Handle: @ccathcartspeaks