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The Lavin Agency Speakers Bureau

A speakers bureau that represents the best original thinkers,
writers, and doers for speaking engagements.

Isabella Hanson

You can change the world, no matter who—or how old—you are.

Founder of the "I Matter" Poetry and Art Competition | Teen Vogue 21 Under 21 Honoree | Winner of the Princeton Prize in Race Relations

Lavin Exclusive Speaker

Anyone can use their unique voice to make a powerful change in the world, says Isabella Hanson. At only 14, spurred on by the 2020 racial justice protests, Isabella founded the I Matter poetry and art competition dedicated to elevating youth voices in the Black Lives Matter movement. The competition rapidly caught fire around the world—today, it’s sponsored by Gucci and has drawn participation from youth across 49 states and 60 countries. Isabella’s leadership has won her the Princeton Prize in Race Relations, the inaugural Prudential Emerging Visionaries Award, and the Princess Diana Award. In talks, she reveals how we all have the power to make a real difference in the path towards justice, showing adults and youth alike how we can step into our unique capabilities and enable every generation to lead.

Injustice is embedded in our society, says Isabella Hanson, founder of the I Matter project—which is why it’s so important that we empower everyone to fight it.

At 14, moved by news coverage of the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, Isabella was inspired to launch a national competition to uplift young poets and artists in the Black Lives Matter movement. The I Matter project soon skyrocketed to international renown, with players from the NBA and NFL (among others) acting as judges. Every year, the competition brings in thousands of entries—the top submissions are made into a compilation book to promote social justice and equality.

Isabella has served as an advisor for Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. She has been featured on Nickelodeon’s Kid of the Year program, as well as in Black Enterprise, Forbes Magazine and Medium.com. She is the winner of the inaugural Prudential Emerging Visionaries award, the Princeton Prize in Race Relations and the Princess Diana Award, as well as The Institute for Citizens & Scholars’ Youth Civic Solutions Competition, which seeks to recognize young leaders for bold civic engagement ideas. She was also selected for the 2022 Teen Vogue “21 Under 21” list of revolutionary changemakers.

Lavin Exclusive Speakers

Angela Duckworth

Author of Grit, the #1 New York Times Bestseller | Pioneering Researcher on Grit, Perseverance, and the Science of Success

Daron Acemoglu

2024 Nobel Prize Winner | 3rd Most Cited Economist in the World | MIT Institute Professor | Bestselling Co-Author of Why Nations Fail and Power and Progress

Nikole Hannah-Jones

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Creator of The 1619 Project | Executive Producer of the Emmy Award-Winning 1619 Project Hulu Docuseries | MacArthur Genius

Greg Hoffman

Nike's Former Chief Marketing Officer | Author of Emotion by Design

Nicholas Thompson

CEO of The Atlantic | Former Editor-in-Chief of WIRED

Speech Topics

Social Justice

I MatterUsing Your Unique Voice for Racial Justice

In a moment where racism against Black people is pervasive, it’s never been more important for us all to use our unique talents and voices to come together in the fight for justice.

Isabella Hanson has firsthand experience in empowering others to change the world. At 14, she started the I Matter poetry and art competition, which skyrocketed to international fame and brings in thousands of entries every year. Through I Matter, Isabella elevates youth voices and equips the younger generation to join the fight for racial justice.

In this inspiring, personal talk, Isabella shares her journey: from watching news coverage of the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement to starting her own international project and winning awards for her visionary leadership. She explores how Black people in America are faced with racial trauma, the effect that has on Black youth, and how we can still come together in community. And she shares lessons from her time in this movement, showing adults and youth alike how to secure partnerships to make your project a success, how to step into your power, and how to use your unique perspective to change the world.