“The only reason to give a speech is to change the world.” — JFK

Margot Jordan, photographer

Speaking Engagements

You can schedule me for gatherings to talk about specific or general ideas, perspectives and lessons learned from my work and experiences.

I have presented to dozens of groups and organizations, including corporations, foundations, nonprofits, faith-based congregations and cultural and arts institutions, as well as conferences and creative civic forums such as Pecha Kucha and TEDx.

My speaking style is engaging as I strive to lead audiences to insight while sharing facets of my exploration and discovery of myself, communities and the world. My aim is to ensure that everyone leaves energized, grasping new knowledge and equipped to begin shifting ideas into action.

From leading multimedia and interactive workshops to creating experiences for group reflection and learning to participating in panel discussions, public talks and presentations are some of the ways I connect and share with people and organizations. I also take part in interviews for print, broadcast and digital media and a variety of forums.

To extend an invitation for a keynote address, presentation, workshop or media interview, please email valaida[at]vnet.net.


Topics include, but are not limited to, my experiences and perspectives on:

• Collaborating across race, ethnicity and culture
• Collecting stories and developing, publishing and marketing the book Giving Back
• Reframing portraits of philanthropy for a richer picture of generosity and community
• Starting a giving circle and participating in collective giving
• Traveling and exploring the world
• Using storytelling and the arts to inspire social change
• Working in the realms of social innovation, philanthropy, community building, civic engagement, education and the arts
• Writing

Recent speaking engagements and participation in interactive forums:

• Yours, Mine, Ours: Perspectives and Conversations, BEST Project, Flint, MI
• JPMorgan Chase, Black Organization for Leadership Development, New York, NY
• Poor Richard’s Book Shoppe, We’re Bringing ‘Giving Back,’ Charlotte, NC
• TEDxCharlotte, Charlotte, NC
• Shorter Community A.M.E. Church, Denver, CO
• Council on Foundations 2013 Family Philanthropy Conference, San Jose, CA
• The Mint Museum, Romare Bearden Society ‘Giving Back’ Event, Charlotte, NC
• The History Museum of Burke County, Holiday Open House, Morganton, NC
• Temple Beth El, Senior Sage Study Group, Charlotte, NC
• Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS) Giving Campaign Luncheon, Charlotte, NC
• “Power, Politics and Philanthropy” State of the Race Conference, Bay Area Blacks in Philanthropy, San Francisco, CA
• Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. / African American Associate Network, Charlotte, NC
• Philanthropist, Where For ART Thou, 2012 CIN Conference, Birmingham, AL
• Foundation for the African Diaspora, Columbus, OH
• Alliance of Nonprofit Management Conference, Grand Rapids, MI
• WGIV radio interview with BJ Murphy, Charlotte, NC
• “For Us, By Us” dial-in discussion series hosted by CIN and GIFT 
• Black Achievers Gala, YMCA of Northwest North Carolina, Winston-Salem, NC
• The Tavis Smiley Show syndicated public radio interview
• Council on Foundations National Philanthropy Conference, Los Angeles, CA
• The Cleveland Foundation’s African American Philanthropy Summit, Cleveland, OH
• The Denver Foundation, The Links Inc., Blair-Caldwell Library, et al. “Giving Back” Book Event and Reception, Denver, CO
• The Cultural Trust, Development Roundtable & Luncheon, Charlotte, NC
• North Carolina Network of Grantmakers, 2012 Annual Meeting, Greensboro, NC
• South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO), 2012 Annual Conference, Columbia, SC
• 10th Annual Black History Month “Gathering of the People,” Morganton, NC
• Burke Women’s Fund Annual Brunch, Morganton, NC
• Warren County Memorial Library and Heritage Quilters, Book Event, Warrenton, NC
• Mecklenburg County Health Department, Giving Group Luncheon, Charlotte, NC
• National Center for Civil & Human Rights @ Georgia-Pacific Auditorium, Atlanta, GA
• Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, 2012 MLK Day Celebration, Charlotte, NC
• YWCA Racial Justice Community Forum & Breakfast, Charlotte, NC
• Black Philanthropic Alliance Annual Meeting, Washington, DC
• Park Road Books Talk w/ Charles W. Thomas Jr., Charlotte, NC
• Gaston Chapel AME Church Women’s Ministry, Morganton, NC
• Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Summit, Minneapolis, MN
• W.K. Kellogg Cultures of Giving Convening, Wilmington, NC
• Women’s Funding Network Global Conference, Brooklyn, NY
• Wine Up Open Mic Night Poetry Reading, Charlotte, NC
• Luck Family Reunion Banquet, Charlotte, NC
• Pecha Kucha Night, Charlotte, NC
• Burke Women’s Fund Luncheon, Valdese, NC
• Council on Foundations Family Philanthropy Conference, San Diego, CA
• Shelton Family Reunion Banquet, Charlotte, NC
• Bethune Women’s Club Annual Banquet, Morganton, NC

Schedule of upcoming Giving Back book events can be found here.