The Lavin Agency Speakers Bureau
A speakers bureau that represents the best original thinkers,
writers, and doers for speaking engagements.
Search Results for: education
Higher education is failing its most vulnerable students. But we can fix that.
“Class Dismissed should be mandatory reading at every college in the country—for students and administrators alike.”
— Clint Smith, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How the Word Is Passed
Gain and Edge Over Your Competitors by Investing in Education (2:23)
Here’s How AI Could Save (Not Destroy!) Education. Khan Academy Founder Salman Khan’s New Book
Brave New Words, out now, is a “timely masterclass” on learning and AI (Bill Gates).
3 Major Releases of 2024: Growth Mindset, a MoMA Show, AI and the Future of Education
2024 promises to be a blockbuster year for our exclusive speakers: from groundbreaking new books to Museum of Modern Art exhibitions, their ideas are poised to catch fire nationwide. Here’s a sneak peek at just three of the releases you’ll see from our speakers this year.
The Top 5 AI Keynote Videos of 2023: On Education, Employee Engagement, and More
This year has made history for its dramatic boom in Artificial Intelligence. In a time of great excitement, our exclusive AI speakers have garnered attention from all over the media for their ability to cut through the hype and deliver practical insights on AI and ChatGPT. Check out our top AI keynote videos now!
Why Do We Have a Mental Health Crisis in Higher Education? (3:36)
Top 10 AI Speaker Sal Khan: AI Won’t Destroy Education. It’ll Save It
Artificial Intelligence is already revolutionizing how we teach and how we learn—and that’s not a bad thing. Amidst the rampant questions and worries about AI’s role in schools, AI education speaker Sal Khan offers a powerful (and hopeful) case for AI’s transformative potential.
How AI Could Save (Not Destroy) Education (15:36)
Our Greatest Tool for Solidarity and Change? Education (3:00)
Two New AI Talks from the TED Mainstage: Lavin speakers on Education, the Brain, and New Technologies. Watch Now!
At TED this year, Lavin speakers Nita Farahany and Sal Khan made waves and spurred endless conversation. Unsurprisingly, their talks centered on the fast-changing conversation around Artificial Intelligence. Both talks are now available to watch!
HBCUs have been underfunded for decades. A history of higher education tells us why
Racial Equality and the Future of Education (20:04)
One Way to Decrease Bias in Education and Improve Student Success (3:18)
“It’s Not Cheating” – Using ChatGPT as a Tool in Education (2:15)
Bill Strickland’s education revolution
Assistant Professor of Education
How Bill Gates’ Favorite Teacher Wants to Disrupt Education
How Khan Academy Is Changing the Rules of Education
One Man, One Computer, 10 Million Students: How Khan Academy Is Reinventing Education
Sex education is too important to be left to parents
ChatGPT Will Upend Education and That’s Not a Bad Thing (2:30)
The Importance of Race Education (5:46)
Managing Failure in Education (3:42)
Higher Education is Unfair – But the Stakes Truly Matter (5:34)
How Education Went from Enabling Social Mobility to Preventing It (1:09)
TED: The One World School House: Education Reimagined
Building A More Equitable Society with Sunlight, Art, and Education: Bill Strickland on PBS NewsHour
Bill Strickland grew up in a rough neighborhood. He estimates that 30% of his friends “ended up dead or in the penitentiary by the time they were 30 years old.” But a chance encounter with an art teacher and a pottery wheel put him on a lifelong journey of learning—one that he’s now replicating with his […]
Organic Education
Building a Community Through Education
The Importance of Race Education
The Great Disconnect in Modern Education
New Technology, the Future, and Education
How Education Went from Enabling Social Mobility to Preventing It
Higher Education is Unfair—But the Stakes Truly Matter
Managing Failure in Education
The One World School House: Education Reimagined
New York Times Bestselling Author Paul Tough Explores the Glaring Injustices of Higher Education
How did American colleges and universities go from being a powerful engine for social mobility, to a mighty force against it? In his explosive book The Inequality Machine, Paul Tough combines deep, authoritative reporting with the vivid stories of students themselves, to reveal where higher education went wrong. For a long time, the relationship […]
Reimagining Higher Education in Response to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems in history. Not only that, but this crisis is exacerbating pre-existing education disparities for many of the most vulnerable students. How are higher education institutions carrying on with teaching during this socio-economic, cultural and health crisis, and what do we know about the future of […]
Paul Tough Talks to PBS’ Amanpour & Co., on Education Inequality and His New Book, The Years That Matter Most
Bestselling author Paul Tough sat down with Michel Martin on PBS to discuss how inequality and its widespread effects have come to define higher education. His most recent book, The Years That Matter Most explores this phenomenon in heartbreaking detail. Today's American students a jaw-dropping $1.5 trillion in student loans—making the average per student nearly […]
Learn from the Best: Daniel Lerner Joins Outlier, an Online Education Platform from the MasterClass Creators
MasterClass brought us online classes taught by some of the world’s greatest minds. Now, Outlier brings us University-level courses from some of the world’s best educators. Daniel Lerner, a mastermind of positive psychology, joins the platform that’s changing the future of higher education. The Intro to Psychology course offered by Outlier, the offshoot of MasterClass, […]
Reforming Education: Top Ten Teaching and Learning Speakers
From boosting economic growth, to living healthier and happier lives, the benefits of education are rich and plenty. Lavin’s Top Ten Teaching and Learning Speakers address how we can reform our public institutions, deepen our knowledge, increase productivity, and ultimately, achieve more success. With a New York Times bestselling book and Viral TED talk […]
Emotions are information. Learn to use them. Psychologist Ethan Kross’s new book Shift
“Shift breaks new ground.”—Adam Grant, #1 NYT bestselling author of Think Again
The Top 10 AI Speakers for 2025: This Is How You Thrive in the AI Revolution
Generative AI is already changing the way we think about work, the economy, investments, education, and society at large. It promises to be more disruptive than the internet itself. Lavin has been exploring the potential of AI for years, and we are proud to share the insights of our leading thinkers.
Black History Month is More Important Now Than Ever Before. The 12 Top BHM Speakers on The Past, Present, and Future
From a member of the Little Rock Nine to the award-winning author of one of the country’s most challenged books, these 12 top Black History Month speakers show us how to honor the legacy and history of Black communities across America.
A Paradigm Shift in Retail: 4 Ways to Gain an Edge by Adding Value—Not Extracting It. Retail Futurist Doug Stephens
How retailers can get ahead in the new era of competitive advantage.
People Are at the Heart of AI. Former White House Deputy National Cyber Director Camille Stewart Gloster
Small changes can help you and your company stay safe in the age of AI.
The Top 5 LGBTQ+ Speakers for 2024: Keynote Speakers on Inclusion, Resilience, and Hope, for Pride Month and Beyond
Today, we have the opportunity to envision—and fight for—a world where we can all embrace our unique identities and shared future. At a moment where the LGBTQ+ community is more visible than ever before, Lavin’s dynamic LGBTQ+ speakers (from pioneering activists to New York Times bestselling authors) offer bold talks on solidarity and hope.
An Urgent New Book on America Today. What We’ve Become by Dr. Jonathan Metzl Offers Hope for a Stronger Democracy
Our path towards racial justice, solidarity, and equal freedom for all seems unclear. But it’s not too late to set things right. Renowned psychiatrist and professor Dr. Jonathan Metzl offers a new perspective on our current moment, using the lens of gun reform to show how we can come together in the pursuit of a better democracy.
The Top Juneteenth Speakers for 2024: On Racial Justice, Shared Freedom, and How the Past Influences the Future
Every Juneteenth, we commemorate the end of slavery, reflect on the progress we’ve made, and commit to our ongoing fight for true freedom and racial justice. Our brilliant speakers—including the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of On Juneteenth—illuminate the history and importance of this celebration.
The Top 12 International Women’s Day Speakers for 2024: True Gender Equality, Learning From the Past, and More
Every March, International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month give us the chance to be inspired by the women of the past, and to let their stories light the way towards our shared future. Lavin is proud to represent the world’s top IWD speakers: from literary icon Margaret Atwood to civil rights legend Minnijean Brown-Trickey, and many more.
The Top 12 Women’s History Month Speakers for 2025: An Exclusive Video on Solidarity, Gender Equality, and More
March is Women’s History Month, a celebration of women’s progress and contributions to this country since its founding. Lavin is proud to exclusively represent the world’s top Women’s History Month speakers: from Margaret Atwood, #1 internationally bestselling author of The Handmaid’s Tale, to Ellen Ochoa, first Latina in space.
The Top 3 DEI Keynote Videos of 2023: On Equality, Finding Your Edge, and More
Now that we know that DEI helps us get the best out of everyone, leaders are asking how we can actually implement it in our organizations. Lavin is proud to represent the world’s top DEI speakers, who give us practical strategies for the path ahead. Check out our top DEI keynote videos now!
Brave New Words
How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That’s a Good Thing)
The State Must Provide
The Definitive History of Racial Inequality in American Higher Education
Adam Harris
Higher education could be a powerful force for equity and democracy—but it must face up to its history of racial injustice first.
The One World Schoolhouse
Education Reimagined
Oil and Honey
The Education of an Unlikely Activist
About
THE LAVIN AGENCY is the world’s largest intellectual talent agency, representing leading thinkers for speaking engagements, personal appearances, consulting, and endorsements. Our Team “We have a remarkable team here, and one reason is that the staff is very diverse, politically and intellectually. I like people who want to contribute to the debate. At The Lavin […]
Innovate for Communities, Not Individuals: David Robertson on How Cherokee Values Help You Innovate Better
Nobody lives in a vacuum. Our behaviors, needs, and desires are highly influenced by the people around us. So why does so much of our innovation center solely around the individual? MIT innovation expert David Robertson knows that if we can tap into the communities we serve, we’ll be able to develop a framework of […]
FAQ
I want to book a speaker … What is The Lavin Agency? For over 30 years, The Lavin Agency speakers bureau has helped a diverse range of clients find the perfect speakers for conferences, keynotes, workshops, and more. We represent authors, scientists, business leaders, humanitarians, politicians, economists, and other remarkable people making the world a […]
Lavin Speakers at SXSW 2022
The legendary South By Southwest conference—an essential collection of film fests, conferences, sessions, and networking opportunities that spotlight creativity globally—is back for 2022, and Lavin’s speakers are showing up in a big way. Here’s a who’s who of the groundbreaking Lavin talent you’ll find on the SXSW stage: Jessica Nordell’s brilliant career as a science […]
Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman Unites Bold and Brave Voices to Uplift Black America
Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman is the editor of The Black Agenda: the first ever book to bring together dozens of Black writers, scholars, and leaders to solve today’s most pressing social issues, from economics to education to climate change. The Black Agenda “will challenge what you think is possible” (Ibram X. Kendi, New York Times bestselling […]
Anna Unites Bold and Brave Voices to Uplift Black America
Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman is behind The Black Agenda: the first ever book to bring together dozens of Black writers, scholars, and leaders to solve today’s most pressing social issues, from economics to education to climate change. The Black Agenda “will challenge what you think is possible” (Ibram X. Kendi, New York Times bestselling author). America needs help. […]
Salman Khan
AI won’t destroy education. It’ll save it.
A Reckoning of Racist Ideologies: The Lavin Agency Welcomes Psychiatrist Jonathan Metzl
We are only just beginning to understand the deep impacts of racial resentment—including its fatal consequences on public health. In the era of Donald Trump, many lower- and middle-class white Americans were drawn to politicians who pledged to make their lives great again. But as Lavin’s newest speaker physician JONATHAN METZL shows in his explosive […]
Books to Read This Fall
Fall is upon us, so we here at Lavin wanted to bring you a selection of our favorite reads to grace your bookshelves this season. From riveting non-fiction that will change the way you see the world, to practical guidebooks for finding success in an unpredictable climate, there’s something here for everyone. Sukhinder Singh Cassidy’s […]
Liberty & Justice for All: A Lavin Exclusive
The United States has historically been a nation in deep denial of its own past. But today, the country—indeed, the entire world—is facing a racial reckoning of epic proportions. Between a global pandemic that disproportionately affects Black communities, the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and a growing White Power movement, the staggering […]
The Top 10 Social Activist Speakers Changing the World Today
Lavin’s Top 10 Social Activist Speakers are the thought-leaders and advocates pushing for a better world. Whether it’s through art, history, education, or humanitarian efforts, these speakers are not only calling for change, but actively making it happen. LaToya Ruby Frazier: LaToya Ruby Frazier treats art as activism. With her powerful images of post-industrial towns […]
Why ‘Cartooning’ Political Opponents is Bad for Us: Jay Van Bavel for the BBC
We tend to reduce our political opponents to caricatures and stereotypes, a practice that is further reinforced by social media. And though it may feel satisfying to call one another out publicly, the effects could be dangerous. Psychology professors Jay Van Bavel and Dominic Packer investigate for the BBC. Political polarization may increase voter turnout, […]
Lavin’s Top Race Speakers Explore the Past and Present, and Share Their Solutions for the Future
As we enter a new decade, there’s a lot to look forward to—and a lot left to fight for. And unfortunately, racism isn’t a relic of shameful times past—it’s still very much alive today. Here at The Lavin Agency, our Top Race Speakers tackle this tough topic from all angles—public policy, pop culture, education, and […]
Flikshop Founder and CEO Marcus Bullock Collaborates with Apple
Marcus Bullock is the creator of Flikshop, an ingeniously simple app that allows family members to connect with prisoners via short messages and photos. His entrepreneurial enterprise has proven so successful that he’s collaborating with Apple, as part of their Code with Apple series. At the age of 15, Marcus Bullock was sentenced to eight […]
Saving Local News: The New York Times profiles Elizabeth Green and The American Journalism Project
1,400 communities across the U.S. have lost a local newspaper in the last 15 years—a statistic that reveals the severity of the crisis independent press now faces. Inspired, Lavin speaker and journalist Elizabeth Green co-founded The American Journalism Project to support the nonprofit, local publications our democracy deserves. The American Journalism Project announced its first […]
The AI Disruption: Martin Ford Explores Andrew Yang’s Surprising Campaign and Why it Matters
In a new op-ed, Martin Ford—acclaimed author of two books on the impact of AI on the labour market—explains why AI-driven automation should be a top-of-mind issue in the upcoming election, and why Andrew Yang is the only candidate willing to speak out about it. “The Democratic Party’s agenda increasingly is being shaped by the […]
Marcus Bullock’s New TED Talk Already Over 500k Views in Under a Week
The new TED Talk from Marcus Bullock—founder and CEO of Flikshop, a tech startup with heart and a personal history—has already surpassed the 500k mark, in less than a week of being live. Bullock’s dramatic, inspiring story takes audiences on his incredible journey from behind bars to venture-backed; a man who made good and is […]
The Years That Matter Most—A New Book By New York Times Bestseller Paul Tough—Is Out Today
Who gets into college, who doesn’t, and why does it matter? Based on six years of reporting, education speaker Paul Tough’s hotly-anticipated new book explores how social mobility affects higher education—and what this means for America’s future generations. In The Years That Matter Most, Tough shares true stories of students trying to find their […]
When did College Turn So Cruel? Paul Tough’s Upcoming Book Profiled in The New York Times
In The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us, bestselling author Paul Tough re-evaluates the state of higher education across the United States. Does college still work? What are the flaws in our current system? And how can we do better? “In an increasingly pessimistic country with fewer manufacturing jobs than decades ago […]
Anecdotes Aren’t Data: Psychologist Steven Pinker Calls for a Stronger Delineation Between Facts and Feelings
What is the one thing wrong with the world that you would change, and why? It’s a question posed by Harvard University to its faculty, in a new ongoing series. In it, professor Steven Pinker shares his desire to temper our cognitive biases with hard facts. A president riling up citizens over the supposed […]
When Will AI-Driven Income Inequality Hit? A Conversation with AI Expert Ajay Agrawal and Vinod Khosla
Ajay Agrawal, AI Expert and Founder of the Creative Destruction Lab, sat down with billionaire venture capitalist Vinod Khosla for a conversation on the future of machine learning—and the social implications it will bring. “Education is not the solution,” Vinod Khosla said, when discussing the impact of artificial intelligence on the economy and the labour […]
Anthony Jack’s Book The Privileged Poor Honored by Harvard University Press with the Thomas J. Wilson Memorial Prize
This year’s historic Thomas J. Wilson Memorial Prize goes to Anthony Jack for his first book, The Privileged Poor. Bestowed by Harvard University Press, the prize acknowledges an exemplary first book manuscript, and is judged for its outstanding style, content, and presentation. It also highlights the author’s special contribution into illuminating a major problem in […]
Grit Speaker Lauren Eskreis-Winkler Investigates the Motivational Benefits of Advice-Giving
Common wisdom would suggest that offering advice to those who are struggling is helpful to them. But findings from the University of Pennsylvania suggest the opposite is true. In fact, it is the actually person dispensing the advice who is benefiting most. Lauren Eskreis-Winkler reveals the surprising insights from her new study. Wharton post-doctoral researcher […]
Jamil Zaki Awarded PECASE: the Highest Honor Bestowed by the US Government to Scientists
Established in 1996, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) acknowledges outstanding contributions in STEM education and community service. This year, Associate Professor of Psychology at Stanford University Jamil Zaki received the prestigious award. Much of Jamil Zaki’s research focuses on how we can build and strengthen our connections to one another […]
Lavin Speaker John Maeda Appointed Chief Experience Officer at Leading Digital Transformation Company
A leader in the world of design, technology, education, and computer science, John Maeda is one of Silicon Valley’s most revered names. Now, he’s spearheading design at Publicis Sapient—a digital consultancy firm—to guide legacy companies through the peaks and valleys of the digital revolution. As the Global Head of Computational Design at Automattic—the parent company […]
Two Humanitarian Leaders—The Dalai Lama and Lavin Speaker Bill Strickland—Meet to Discuss the Power of Supporting Youth
As the founder of Manchester Bidwell—a revolutionary center which gives the poor and underprivileged youth access to careers—Bill Strickland is a widely-recognized leader in the world of philanthropy. He was recently invited by fellow philanthropic leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, to discuss compassion, resiliency, and the radically transformative power of helping those who need it most. Bill […]
Admission Isn’t Acceptance: Anthony Jack Reveals the Plight of Low-Income Kids at Ivy League Schools in The Privileged Poor
Even though the Ivy League has opened their doors to a more diverse student body, less privileged students still struggle. Drawing from his own experiences, as well as dozens of interviews with undergraduates at one of America’s most prestigious colleges, Anthony Jack’s The Privileged Poor (out now) reveals what happens to students who don’t have […]
Get to Know Lavin’s MacArthur “Geniuses”!
This year Titus Kaphar and Vijay Gupta join a whopping SIX other Lavin Speakers in receiving MacArthur “Genius” Grants—a prestigious honor awarded to those who are forging truly significant progress towards “building a more just, verdant and peaceful world.” Get to know Lavin’s “geniuses”: Titus Kaphar’s sculptures, paintings, and installations create new and striking ways […]
Nikole Hannah-Jones is “One of the country’s most distinctive and respected voices” says Columbia Journalism School Dean Steve Coll
Columbia Journalism School has awarded Nikole Hannah-Jones, investigative reporter and author of the upcoming book The Problem We All Live With, the 2018 John Chancellor Award for Excellence in Journalism. Hannah-Jones’ groundbreaking reporting on modern segregation in American schools has already earned her a collection of prestigious awards, including the MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship. The John Chancellor […]
Anthropocene, the Latest Project from Renowned Photographer Edward Burtynsky, Opens Tomorrow
The Anthropocene is our current geological age, in which humans are the primary cause of permanent planetary change. It’s also the name of renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky’s latest project, a meditation (via film, exhibit, book and education program) on humanity’s massive, powerful reengineering of the planet. Opening tomorrow (Sept. 28) at the Art Gallery of […]
Transformative Organizational Change Isn’t Impossible. New Speaker Heather McGhee Has Done It and Can Show You How.
In the wake of two wrongful, racially motivated arrests in their store, Starbucks entrusted HEATHER C. MCGHEE and her team at Demos to create and implement a groundbreaking racial bias training strategy. Now Lavin’s latest speaker, McGhee is a policy expert and natural storyteller who draws from her research and experience to help kickstart transformative […]
The Aging Population is Capable, Happy and Excited, Says Activist Ashton Applewhite. Marketers Barely Know This Demographic.
Misconceptions about our aging population abound. As Ashton Applewhite proves in This Chair Rocks—her celebrated anti-ageism manifesto—and her mainstage TED Talk, which garnered a standing ovation and over 1.2 million views, we barely know the aging demographic; they’re a consumer group far more capable, happy, and excited than socially constructed biases give them credit for. […]
4 Speakers Who Will Empower You to Change Your Patterns of Action (And Stick To It)
Motivate your employees. Reduce your carbon footprint. Run a marathon. January is the month we want to figure out how to do better—with our time, our colleagues, and our creative endeavours. These four keynote speakers will inspire you to set goals, work through slumps, and make positive change that really sticks. Vijay Gupta On Healing Communities Through Music […]