Speech Thomas
Transform workplace culture with Speech Thomas, speaker, Grammy-winning hip-hop pioneer. Speech works with organisations to inspire authentic leadership, social activism, and creative resilience, delivering powerful musical keynotes backed by global recognition and philanthropic impact.
Georgia, United States
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Raised in Milwaukee across two contrasting environments - an inner-city neighbourhood and a middle-class suburb - Speech learned to reconcile hardship and privilege, using both as inspiration. Personal tragedy marked his early years with the loss of close family members, but instead of being silenced by grief, he channelled his emotions into what he calls “life music.” His breakout single “Tennessee,” dedicated to his grandmother and brother, won Best Rap Song at the Grammys and was later recognised by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 songs that shaped the genre.
As the frontman of Arrested Development, he became a defining voice for positivity and social awareness within hip-hop. When the group disbanded, Speech launched a successful solo career, achieving multiple chart-topping singles and gold-certified albums abroad. He has performed alongside iconic names and toured globally, sharing stages with everyone from James Brown to Hillary Clinton.
Beyond music, Speech is a dedicated philanthropist. He co-founded the Terrence Thomas Scholarship, which has raised over a million dollars to support young Black students. His work on the award-winning documentary 16 Bars, where he collaborated with inmates to create music from within prison, further highlights his commitment to social impact through art.
Speech’s talks are a fusion of message and music, energising audiences with a clear and actionable call to embrace bold, creative and compassionate leadership. His personal story resonates deeply, illustrating that anyone, regardless of background, can lead with courage and purpose.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
Speech Thomas explores what it means to lead with courage during times of uncertainty, challenge and change. Blending personal storytelling with live music, Speech draws from his journey as a Grammy-winning artist and social disruptor to challenge conventional ideas of leadership. He invites audiences to rethink success, embrace vulnerability and use creativity as a catalyst for impact. Through his unique delivery, Speech empowers people to recognise their own potential and take bold steps towards meaningful, lasting change.
Looking for a custom keynote or workshop designed around your company’s goals and culture? The expert will create a tailored, interactive session that aligns with your objectives, values, and strategic priorities. From leadership and innovation to wellbeing and collaboration, each experience is built from the ground up to deliver measurable impact and lasting change.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking an expert speaker, facilitator, host or entertainment for your event.
- If you'd like to book one of our expert speakers, email us at hello@peptalk.com, send us a chat message or give us a call, and we’ll help you out.
- We’ll take your event details — topic, audience, budget, date, and location — and create a custom speaker proposal for you within 48 hours.
- If you already have someone in mind, that’s okay too; just let us know their name! Even if they aren't listed publicly on our website, we have a huge network and work with almost everyone.
- Once you've reviewed our speaker propsal and have selected and expert shortlist, we'll double check availability and fees with your chosen expert.
- You're welcome to have a chemistry call with the speaker before making the final decision, too.
- Next, we'll send out contracts to confirm the booking. One of our experienced event producers will liase with both you and the talent on the finer details, and arrange travel if necessary, taking the stress off your plate.
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. 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.
We do not accommodate requests for birthday messages or any other personal, non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
We work with speakers across a variety of fee ranges, giving you the flexibility to choose someone who fits your event's needs. Virtual keynote fees in the UK and Europe typically start at £2,000, while in-person top-tier speakers can reach £25,000. In the US, virtual in-person fees range from $5,000 to over $100,000, depending on the speaker and format, such as after-dinner talks, conference keynotes, Q&As, or podcasts. Comedians generally start at £1,500 or $2,000 for a 20-minute set.
Our goal is to help you find the speaker who best matches your event’s goals and budget. We take the time to understand your event, objectives, and audience to recommend the right fit. The most expensive option isn’t always the best one, and our priority is finding the ideal speaker or expert for your needs; not the highest-priced one.
Reach out for personalised recommendations and detailed information on specific speaker fees. We’re here to offer a tailored service and are always happy to discuss your unique requirements!
There’s no additional cost for our services beyond the speaker fee — simply contact us to find the right speaker for your next business or team event. We can also work with your corporate procurement team to negotiate favourable long-term rates, simply email hello@getapeptalk.com for more information.
Partnering with PepTalk means elevating your events with our curated roster of top motivational speakers, industry experts, delivering punchy keynotes that leave a lasting impact. From talent selection, to contracts and logistics, we handle it all. We have global expert network, with over 3000 speakers from over 33 countries on our line-up.
We also provide a full range of talent, from event hosts and moderators to interviewers and corporate entertainment, ensuring your event’s success from start to finish.
PepTalk workshops are interactive learning experiences for leaders at all levels, blending theory with practical insights from industry experts. These programs, led by experienced facilitators, are designed to drive real mindset changes and equip participants with actionable skills. Workshops can be customised to meet your organisation's specific needs. Explore our workshop examples and contact us today to learn how your team can benefit.
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.