Keynote Speaker - LeDerick Horne

Diagnosed with a learning disability in third grade, LeDerick Horne defies labels. He’s a dynamic spoken-word poet. A tireless advocate for all people with disabilities. An inspiring motivational speaker. A bridge-builder between learners and leaders across the U.S. and around the world. An African-American husband and father who serves as a role model for all races, genders, and generations. LeDerick uses his gift for spoken-word poetry as the gateway to larger discussions on equal opportunity, pride, self-determination, and hope for people with disabilities. His workshops, keynote speeches, and performances reach thousands of students, teachers, legislators, policymakers, business leaders, and service providers each year. He regularly addresses an array of academic, government, social, and business groups, including appearances at the White House, the United Nations, Harvard, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, and several state departments of education. From 2003-12, LeDerick served as the Founding Board Chair of Eye to Eye (eyetoeyenational.org), a national nonprofit mentoring program for students labeled with LD/ADHD, and continues to serve on its board. He is also a Steering Committee Member of the IRIS Center for Training Enhancements at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College and Senior Consultant for The Center for School Climate and Learning. In 2016, he and co-author Margo Vreeburg Izzo, PhD, The Ohio State University, released the book Empowering Students with Hidden Disabilities: A Path to Pride and Success, published by Brookes. He has released two spoken-word poetry albums (Rhyme Reason and Song in 2005 and Black and Blue in 2011) and co-created New Street Poets, a spoken-word play about the effect of gentrification on urban culture. The play received considerable acclaim including accolades at the New York City International Fringe Festival and toured extensively across the U.S. LeDerick earned a BA in mathematics with a Fine Arts minor from New Jersey City University. His poetry is available on iTunes and YouTube