Derek Clark | From Foster Care to Success

Derek Clark

From Foster Care to Success

Derek Clark
Biography

Derek Clark is an inspiring motivational speaker and the author of Never Limit Your Life and the critically acclaimed I Will Never Give Up book series. Derek Clark spent 13 years of his life in the Alameda County foster care system and now shares his inspiring story of resilience and redemption throughout the world. Derek Clark knows first-hand the power of attitude in coping with adversity and overcoming hardship. At five years of age, Derek's mother and stepfather (his biological father was in prison) turned him over to the California foster care system, where he would spend the next thirteen years of his life, contending with rejection, humiliation, emotional distress and overwhelming anxiety. Yet through it all, Derek never gave up, and went from victim to victor by defying the artificial limitations imposed on him. He literally took a disadvantage in life and turned it into an advantage. His remarkable story is one of resilience and redemption, from his personal to professional life. Having suffered brutal child abuse and abandonment, Derek was prone to severe distress and lashing out in anger. As a child he was "labeled and misdiagnosed" in almost every psychological evaluation in existence. As a helpless child, Derek was nearly institutionalized due to severe erratic behavioral problems and violent tendencies. At 6 years old, Derek was diagnosed as mentally handicapped with an IQ of a two and half year old and suffered erratic psychosis. As he developed, it became clear to his wonderful foster parents that this diagnosis was without merit. Derek's life mission has become helping others find the mental strength to recognize and take advantage of opportunities. His keynotes are based on true-life trials and triumphs, and have inspired thousands of listeners to have the mental strength to overcome adversity and fear. His purpose is to cultivate drive, focus, and the courage to take action. In his presentations, he reveals how he overcame his adversities and how he triumphed in his personal life. He takes you down his road of lessons that he has learned of hate, anger, resentment, mistrust in adults, violent tendencies, rejection, lack of love, child abuse and the memories that have haunted his life. Derek believes he has successfully thrived as a leader in life because of his painful past, compassion for others and living a "No Excuse" life. As a motivational speaker, Derek inspires youth and adults across this nation to never give up and to not let the past limit their incredible future. He shares his message of courage, hope and perseverance to help others find the strength to Never Give Up. When Derek speaks, it is from his passionate soul. He brings along his guitar to sing the journals of his life. He believes that music is one of the purest ways to touch and communicate with the hearts of the audience. His listeners will be ignited with passion and have the courage to take action and fight their fears. He will inspire and teach you to push yourself beyond your perceived limits. He believes it all comes down to a choice and taking responsibility for the direction of your life. He is proof that you don't have to let adversity hold you down in life; you have a fascinating and inspiring destiny awaiting you. Derek Clark is an inspiring speaker/trainer, singer/songwriter and the author of the I Will Never Give Up book series. Derek has over 100 tracks on iTunes. His true-life trials and personal triumphs have inspired organizations throughout the United States and Canada with his powerful message of hope and unwavering perseverance. He has been featured in numerous radio shows in many major U.S. cities, newspaper articles, and television. He has performed his music for some very famous people including the President of the United States. He has been featured with Lance Armstrong, Michael Phelps, Johnny Depp, Tyler Perry, Brad Pitt, Tyra Banks and U2 as "People Who Roar" by Roar Clothing. He unleashes his creative energy in a never-ending effort to ignite passion in others and instill the courage to never give up. His maxim is to make no excuses and become what you want to become. He has turned his situation from a victim to a victor, equipping him with the Wisdom and the Will to Never Give Up.

Derek Clark
Featured Videos

Current: TEDx It's not about your IQ, it's about your I WILL

Time 18:57

More Videos From Derek Clark

TEDx It's not about your IQ, it's about your I WILL
Time 18:57
Steve Harvey Show - Rapping Dad
Time 01:56
Rapping Dad Video
Time 02:09
Own Your Greatness!
Time 03:58

Derek Clark
Featured Keynote Programs

Never Limit Your Life
From Personal to Professional

Corporate Motivational Speaker Derek Clark knows how to inspire employees, sales managers and sales staff to push themselves beyond their self perceived limits. Reserve Derek Clark now to boost employee morale and increase sales.

Derek Clark is an inspiring motivational speaker and author of Never Limit Your Life: From Personal to Professional, and the critically acclaimed I Will Never Give Up book series. His keynotes, books and music have inspired audiences across North America and Canada with the will to never give up.

As the founder of several successful corporations, Derek knows that each member’s leadership, teamwork, and motivational capabilities play critical roles in the success of the organization as a whole. When individuals push themselves beyond their limits, everyone around them grows in strength and character. Hope and positivity are not only contagious, but the keys to higher productivity. Personal and professional success begins, first and foremost, with our attitude. By cultivating drive, focus, and fearlessness, employees will find their professional and personal lives opening up to new promise and fresh opportunities.

Derek’s programs inspire people to discover the resources within themselves to overcome any obstacle, no matter how daunting. His focus is on motivating employees to change their perspective and cultivate respect in the workplace. A happy employee is a successful employee. With the right attitude, customer service becomes exceptional and professional relationships more rewarding. He demonstrates that everyone has the power to take leadership through personal accountability and vision. Combining his business expertise with a triumphant personal history, Derek has shown audiences that they too can thrive in their organizations by reaching beyond self-imposed limitations.

Derek knows first-hand the power of attitude in coping with adversity and overcoming hardship. His story is one of resilience and redemption. At five years of age, Derek’s mother and stepfather (his biological father was in prison) turned him over to the California foster care system, where he would spend the next thirteen years of his life, contending with rejection, humiliation, emotional distress and overwhelming anxiety. Yet through it all, Derek never gave up, and went from victim to victor by defying the artificial limitations imposed on him. His dark past has never held him back from accomplishing whatever he has set his mind to.

Derek captures the heart of the employee on an emotional level, where professional change really happens. He believes that if he can touch the human spirit, it will create a lasting positive impact on both the personal and professional lives of his audience. Everybody can relate to some part of Derek’s story, whether it is his personal struggle, professional accomplishments, or his beliefs on how we best achieve happiness and financial success. From owning a million dollar corporation to having a family, his maxim is to make no excuses.

From Victim to Victor

An Inspirational Foster Care Success Story of Surviving Brutal Child Abuse, Overcoming Mental, Emotional & Behavioral Issues & Finding His Place in this World

Labels take on a life of their own as the words we speak and write have great power to build up, define or defeat a child. These labels have the ability to follow children for the rest of their lives and can shape their attitude, self-esteem, relationships and professional life. Derek Clark will give you insight into his personal childhood journey of being wrongfully labeled in the foster care system for thirteen years, and the key reasons on how he did not turn out addicted, incarcerated, or dead. Derek will challenge many of the accepted practices of the child welfare system and provide alternative ways to understand why kids behave in the ways that they do. This understanding will generate hope and restore dignity to the young people as well as restore humanness and compassion in the hearts of educators.

Connection and Correction

Derek Clark’s inspiring program provides insight and specific tools that will assist educators in connecting with vulnerable and grieving youth. Professionals will gain understanding and knowledge about childhood responses to traumatic experiences, how to ask questions that build trust and shape futures. Every professional working with challenging youth has a purpose; to build a relationship of trust, to help them to reclaim their dignity and self value, and to know that their past mistakes do not have to infect their future.

Derek will give you insight into his personal childhood journey of thirteen years in the foster care system, and the key reasons why he did not turn out an addict, incarcerated, or dead. He takes you down his road of hate, anger, mistrust in adults, violent tendencies, rejection, lack of love, child abuse and the memories that haunted his life. He believes that by changing the way you look at a youth, you can significantly impact their life. Your actions will speak louder than your words.

He teaches on the subject matter, “You cannot think negative thoughts about a youth and expect them to live a positive life.” Consequences don’t change youth, relationships change youth. He shares with you how to commit and build upon your strengths when encouraging youth to have hope and the belief that their best days are still ahead of them.

The Spirit of a Child

You Cannot Think Negative About a Child and Expect a Positive Outcome


Derek teaches how to commit and build upon your strengths when encouraging children and youth to have hope. He also teaches you how to overcome negative thinking towards a specific child or troubled youth. The leaders need to know that they do make a difference if they put their heart into it.

Labels take on a life of their own as the words we speak and write have great power to build up, define or defeat a child. These labels have the ability to follow children for the rest of their lives and can shape their attitude, self esteem, relationships and professional life. Derek Clark will give you insight into his personal childhood journey of being wrongfully labeled in the foster care system for thirteen years, and the key reasons on how he did not turn out an addict, incarcerated, or dead. Derek will challenge many of the accepted practices of the child welfare system and provide alternative ways to understand why kids behave in the ways that they do. This understanding will generate hope and restore dignity to the young people as well as restore humanness and compassion in the hearts of educators.

How Do You Choose the BEST Speaker for Your Event?

We’ve had 30 years and 40,000 events to perfect the process—and we’ll do it for free.
Get more details and availability

Derek Clark

Share some basic details about you and your upcoming event, and one of our experts will be in touch with you quickly regarding pricing and availability.
Event Details
Your Details
Cancel
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.