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Available to book

Speaker & KKK bridge-builder

Daryl Davis

Transform racial divides with Daryl Davis, speaker and bridge-builder. Daryl works with organizations to overcome prejudice through dialogue and conflict resolution, delivering TEDx-featured insights from his 40-year journey converting KKK members.

Trusted by TEDx

Daryl Davis, Speaker | Blues Musician & Race Relations Expert

Book Daryl

Baltimore, United States

Starting from

$11k–25k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire Daryl Now

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Daryl Davis's biography

At a glance

  • Blues musician who played piano for Chuck Berry
  • Transforms racial hatred through meaningful conversation
  • Convinced KKK members to renounce their beliefs
Daryl Davis is a blues and rock musician who transforms racial hatred through conversation. As Chuck Berry's pianist for 32 years, he channelled his musical talent alongside a remarkable mission: building bridges with those who initially despised him because of his race, including Ku Klux Klan members. Davis's credentials include authoring "Klan-Destine Relationships" and "The Klan Whisperer," documenting his four-decade journey engaging white supremacists. His work features in the award-winning documentary "Accidental Courtesy," and his TEDx talk has garnered nearly 13 million views, establishing him as a respected voice in race relations. Through patient listening rather than confrontation, Davis helps organizations navigate complex conflicts by demonstrating how genuine dialogue creates understanding across seemingly insurmountable divides. His approach has led numerous Klan leaders to renounce their beliefs and surrender their robes—powerful evidence that conversation can dismantle entrenched hatred and build unexpected alliances in polarized environments. Audiences leave Davis's presentations with practical communication strategies to overcome prejudice, recognize shared humanity despite differences, and transform adversarial relationships into productive ones. His methodology provides actionable frameworks for defusing tension in workplaces, communities, and personal relationships. Book Daryl Davis to give your audience more than inspiration, provide them with proven techniques to build bridges across today's most challenging divides.

Daryl's showreel and videos

Why we recommend booking Daryl

Daryl Davis, renowned blues musician and racial reconciliation expert, transforms organizational conflict through his proven methodology of dialogue that has convinced numerous KKK members to surrender their robes and renounce hatred. Book Daryl to equip your team with practical communication strategies that bridge seemingly impossible divides and create understanding in today's polarized environment.

Testimonials

Daryl was outstanding! He was a fantastic presenter and our audience really appreciated his message.

Sr. Marketing Event Manager

You are being hailed as the 'best speaker' that we've had over the past decade! We are still receiving incredibly positive feedback about your remarks. Your message was timely, and hopefully it will inspire many in Indy to be more courageous and to seek the engagement, dialogue, and understanding necessary to better unify our city and region in the face of a re-energized white supremacy movement.

President & CEO

Our team has received many positive comments from attendees, both virtual and in-person. They were particularly impressed with Daryl's insights about how we can cultivate community and understanding through conversation, even if we disagree. I am confident that his talk will have a lasting impact on the Rutgers community members who were in attendance.

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Featured Projects

KLAN-DESTINE Relationships
Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & America
Case For Kindness

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Daryl Davis for my next event?
Email daryl.davis@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Daryl Davis for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Daryl Davis's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Daryl Davis directly.
What is Daryl Davis's speaking style like?
Daryl delivers with calm authority, using patient listening and real-life stories to foster understanding. His sessions equip audiences with practical tools to bridge divides and transform difficult conversations.
What topics does Daryl Davis specialise in?
Email daryl.davis@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Daryl Davis for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Daryl Davis's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Daryl Davis directly.
What does the 'starting from' fee mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'starting from' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a speaker booking?

Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.

How can I report an issue or make changes to an expert profile?

If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, feel free to email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.

Can I book podcast guests through PepTalk?

Yes. PepTalk books commercial podcast guests every week of the year. A high-profile voice can boost your podcast's reach and deliver ideas to your audience at scale. Fees typically start from £1,200 / $1,500, depending on the expert. Our network includes bestselling authors, industry leaders, and cultural figures who have appeared on leading global podcasts — and many host their own. Whether you want bold insights, candid stories, or deep expertise, we'll help you find the right guest to elevate your show. Contact us today to book your next podcast guest.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.