Available to book
Niani Tolbert
Diversity and Inclusion
Workplace Culture
Transform workplace diversity with Niani Tolbert, speaker and founder of #HIREBLACK. Niani works with major corporations to advance Black womxn in corporate America through DEI initiatives and career development, recognized by Forbes, ESSENCE, and NAACP for empowering over 15,000 professionals.


Inspirational Female
Black History Month
Juneteenth
MLK Day
Women in Business
Niani is a remarkable individual who has made significant strides in her career. She began as a marketer, transitioned into a tech recruiter, and eventually became the founder of the #HIREBLACK initiative. What initially started as a viral LinkedIn post requesting assistance in providing resume feedback to 19 Black womxn on Juneteenth has now evolved into a powerful movement.
The primary objective of #HIREBLACK is to assist 10,000 Black womxn in obtaining training, employment, and promotions in corporate roles. Impressively, #HIREBLACK has amassed a network of over 15,000 individuals and has been featured in reputable publications such as Forbes, ESSENCE, CNBC, Business Insider, LinkedIn News, theSkimm, and more. This recognition is a testament to the impact and influence of #HIREBLACK.
Throughout its existence, #HIREBLACK has collaborated with prominent companies such as Amazon, Disney, Conde Nast, Niantic, Spotify, Uber, and many others. The resources provided by #HIREBLACK have resulted in a reported increase of over $2 million in total compensation for its members.
Niani's expertise and dedication have been acknowledged through various accolades. In 2022, she was awarded the prestigious NAACP Powershift Grant, highlighting her exceptional work with #HIREBLACK. Additionally, in 2021, Niani emerged victorious in the Essence x Pine-Sol Build Your Legacy Contest. Her remarkable achievements continued in 2020, as she secured the Future of Work grant by Create & Cultivate and was honored with the Future is Female award by Advertising Week. Furthermore, Niani received the Diversity and Inclusion Award from the Women's Empowerment Institute in the same year.
Niani's impact reaches beyond her role as a founder. She has also served as a workshop leader at esteemed events such as Advertising Week, the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, and NYU Stern School of Business. Her willingness to share her knowledge and expertise is testament to her commitment to empowering others.
Niani's journey is an inspiration to all. Her dedication to creating opportunities for Black womxn in the corporate world through #HIREBLACK is making a tangible difference and reshaping the landscape of diversity and inclusion.
Niani offers your team insights into diversity, inclusion, and empowerment. Her proven track record with #HIREBLACK, collaborations with top companies, and numerous accolades ensure actionable strategies for enhancing corporate culture and driving meaningful change. Elevate your business with Niani's expertise and inspirational success story.
often considered together

Morgan Matthews
Leadership Development
Company Culture
Behavioural Science

Perky Noah-Effik
Diversity and Inclusion
Workplace Culture

Nancy LaMons
Diversity and Inclusion
Workplace Culture
Transformational Leadership
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email niani.tolbert@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 Niani's 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.
Niani Tolbert delivers content through workshop-style sessions, drawing on her direct experience building the #HIREBLACK initiative to provide practical guidance on career advancement, recruitment, and diversity in corporate settings.
Niani Tolbert speaks on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, career advancement for Black women in corporate roles, and the intersection of recruitment, equity, and organisational culture. She is the founder of #HIREBLACK, a movement that has grown to over 15,000 members and reported more than $2 million in total compensation increases, recognised with the 2022 NAACP Powershift Grant.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
To get the sharpest shortlist, share your event date, audience, format, key objectives, and budget. A rough idea is enough to start. The more context PepTalk has, the more precisely the team can match a speaker to your brief. Send it via getapeptalk.com.
There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.
Booking a speaker with PepTalk starts with a short brief: your event, audience, date, budget, and format. Send it through getapeptalk.com or hello@getapeptalk.com and you'll get a shortlist within 24 hours. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, fees, travel, and logistics end to end.
Yes. PepTalk regularly handles last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, host, or comedian quickly, often within days. Availability narrows as the date nears, so get in touch as early as you can. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.
Speaker fees vary by profile, format, and location. In the UK and Europe, virtual keynotes typically start around GBP 2,000, with top in-person speakers reaching GBP 25,000+; in the US, fees run from about USD 5,000 to USD 100,000+. Share your budget at getapeptalk.com and we'll shortlist to fit.
Yes. If a speaker isn't listed, tell PepTalk their name and the team will approach them for you. The network extends well beyond the public roster, and PepTalk regularly books speakers who don't appear on the site. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with the name.
You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.
Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.
Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.
A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.
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.
When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.
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.
Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.
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.
Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.
Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
Get the right person
Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll match you with the talent your audience won’t stop talking about.