One of my favorite insights on Tuesday came from Luvvie Ajayi. She pushed people like me - people of privilege, especially in senior positions - to recognize moments when the viewpoints of others could be excluded and to choose to "stand in the gap"and make sure every voice is heard. Speak up for others who might experience more backlash than you would for speaking out. It's a behavior I commit to practicing. Count me in.
Luvvie Ajayi
New York Times Best-Selling Author, Podcast Host & Professional Troublemaker
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Luvvie Ajayi
Biography
Assassin of the Alphabet. Bestseller of Books. Loaner of Courage. Advocate of Audacity. Sorceress of Side-Eyes. Aficionado of Authenticity. Service Sage. Testifier of Truth. Curator of Community. Critic of Culture. Nigerian Noble. Justice Seeker.
Luvvie Ajayi Jones is a three-time New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and podcast host who thrives at the intersection of humor, media, and justice. Her critically acclaimed books Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual (2021) and I'm Judging You: The Do-Better Manual (2016) were instant bestsellers and established her as a literary force with a powerful pen. Her newest book and first book for young adults Rising Troublemaker: A Fear-Fighter Manual for Teens (released May 17, 2022) debuted at #3 on The New York Times Bestseller list.
Luvvie is an internationally recognized speaker whose thought leadership on culture, authenticity, and disruption enables transformative action. Her renowned TED talk "Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable" has over 8 million views, has been transcribed into 23 languages, and has placed her in the Top 1% of TED Talks of all time. Luvvie has taken the stage at some of the world's most innovative and disruptive brands, such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, Spotify, Nike, Bank of America, Salesforce, Deloitte, and Clif Bar. She's been a featured speaker at noted conferences such as Cannes Lions, SXSW, Leadercast, 3% Conference, and MAKERS Conference.
A noted writer, she has contributed to several anthologies (You Are Your Best Thing, Hungry Hearts, Black Girls Rock) and has written for The New York Times, ELLE, and Essence. In addition, her work has been featured in outlets such as NPR, Forbes, Inc, Fortune, Fast Company, The Chicago Tribune, and more. An 18-year blogging veteran, Luvvie writes on AwesomelyLuvvie.com, covering all things culture with a critical yet humorous lens.
Luvvie is the host of a podcast of the same name as her book, Professional Troublemaker, where you can listen to her have candid conversations with changemakers who have taken action, caused good trouble, and led courageous lives driven by conviction, humor, and honesty. Guests like Bozoma Saint John, Jenifer Lewis, Glennon Doyle, Cynthia Erivo, Donna Brazile, Yvette Noel Schure, Saruah Jakes Roberts, Thasunda Brown Duckett, Tarana Burke, Elsa Majimbo, Elaine Welteroth, and more. Started in February 2018, the podcast has over 3 million downloads, was chosen as "New & Noteworthy" by Apple Podcasts, and featured in their "BOLD WOMEN" collection. It was chosen as a "featured podcast" by Spotify, and NPR's Michel Martin chose it as a "Must Listen."
As a veteran marketer and digital strategist, Luvvie is adept at creating campaigns that make an impact and rise above the noise. Most recently, Luvvie created Black Business Luvv (#BlackBizLuvv) to fund and amplify Black businesses, which are often under-appreciated, under-mentored, and underfunded. #BlackBizLuvv was a month-long campaign highlighting 31 companies, across multiple product categories (skincare, fashion, tech, jewelry, home decor, candles, and more). In just 31 days, the #BlackBizLuvv campaign infused nearly $500,000 into small, Black-owned businesses.
In 2020, Luvvie was co-creator of #SharetheMicNow, a campaign that magnified the voices of brilliant Black women through the telling of their stories from the Instagram accounts of prominent white women. The campaign got over 20 billion impressions worldwide, and its impact earned it an honorable mention by Fast Company for "World Changing Ideas." It also won the Content Marketing Institute's 2020 B2C Marketer of the Year award. The campaign's reach has spanned the globe and industries, having been replicated through #SharetheMicUK, #SharetheMicNowHome, and #SharetheMedicalMic, to name a few.
One of Luvvie's superpowers is her ability to lead and curate dope spaces, which is why she created LuvvNation, a platform to build community, find courage, and get life and career cheat codes. Imagine LinkedIn for changemakers.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduate has been honored with her alma mater's Outstanding Young Alumni Award. She's received the Council of Urban Professionals Breakthrough Award. She was named a 2021 Rising Star in the "For(bes) the Culture 50 Champions" list, and Oprah Winfrey chose her as part of her inaugural "SuperSoul100" list as someone who "elevates humanity."
Born in Nigeria, bred in Chicago, and comfortable everywhere, Luvvie enjoys laying around in her plush robe and eating a warm bowl of jollof rice in her free time. Her love language is shoes.
Luvvie Ajayi
Featured Keynote Programs
Why Professional Troublemakers Are Good for Business
Embracing Disruption and Innovation
A Professional Troublemaker is someone who is committed to elevating the rooms they’re in, by disrupting for the greater good of them and everyone else. They should be celebrated.
In this talk, Luvvie explores the important role that troublemakers and dissent play in driving innovation and progress within organizations.
Often viewed as a nuisance or hindrance to productivity, troublemakers have the unique ability to challenge the status quo and bring fresh perspectives to problem-solving. By embracing their ideas and fostering a culture of curiosity and thoughtful challenging, companies can tap into the fullness of their workforce that leans into bold thinking.
Great for: inspiring leaders and employees at all levels to think boldly for the betterment of their business.
Creating Authentic Brand Stories That Foster Community
In a world where companies are competing for our ever devolving attention and ever decreasing market share, the strongest brands with the best stories win. In this talk, Luvvie will explore the importance of storytelling in building a bold, lasting and successful brand or company imprint. It will delve into the power of authenticity in shaping brand narrative and connecting with audiences.
How do you create content that organically aligns with your organization’s mission and values, effectively communicating those stories through various channels? The keynote will also cover strategies for overcoming common challenges that arise when creating brand stories, such as dealing with internal resistance and navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Attendees will walk away with a deeper understanding of the role of storytelling in building a strong, relatable brand. They will leave with practical tools to help them create authentic brand stories that create not just consumers, but evangelists.
Great for: Businesses of all sizes looking to level up on their marketing, storytelling and brand representation.
Speaking Truth to Power for Good
Speaking the truth is one of the biggest forms of courage, and one of the greatest ways to make an impact in our lives. This powerful keynote delves into the importance of using your voice and platform to create change in whatever room you’re in. In it, Luvvie explores the ways in which individuals and organizations can use their influence to challenge the status quo and drive progress.
This talk covers topics like understanding the role of privilege, the resistance of our cultural programming and how to push past our fears to create and amplify important messages. Attendees will leave the keynote with a deeper understanding of the power of their own voice and the impact it can have on shaping the world around them.
Great for: anyone looking to make a difference in their personal or professional life, and for organizations looking to build a socially responsible brand.