Baratunde Thurston Speaker Biography
Emmy-Nominated Producer, Comedian, Author, Entrepreneur, & Storyteller
Baratunde Thurston is an Emmy-nominated producer, comedian, bestselling author, and entrepreneur known for blending humor, technology, and social impact into unforgettable keynote experiences. A trusted voice at the intersection of culture, politics, media, and innovation, Baratunde helps organizations navigate change with empathy, creativity, and courage. He is widely recognized for his sharp cultural commentary and ability to translate complex societal shifts into actionable insights for leaders. As a keynote speaker, Baratunde Thurston delivers high-energy presentations that challenge audiences to rethink community, democracy, and connection in a rapidly evolving world. His work bridges business, civic engagement, and storytelling, making him a sought-after speaker for corporate conferences, universities, and global leadership events.
Emmy-Nominated Storytelling & Media Leadership
Baratunde is the creator and host of the PBS television series America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston, which earned Emmy recognition for its innovative storytelling about people, place, and belonging. The series explores how Americans connect with the outdoors and one another, reflecting his broader mission of fostering shared understanding across differences. He also hosts the podcast How To Citizen with Baratunde, where he engages changemakers and thought leaders in conversations about participatory democracy and civic action. Previously, Baratunde served as Director of Digital at The Onion, where he expanded the brand’s digital footprint and sharpened its cultural relevance. His background in media innovation and digital strategy gives him unique credibility when speaking about the future of communication, technology disruption, and community building.
Viral TED Talk & Thought Leadership on Reimagining Community
Baratunde expanded his global influence with his TED Talk, Baratunde Thurston: How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time, which explores how media narratives shape our understanding of race, power, and belonging. In this widely viewed presentation, he uses humor, personal storytelling, and sharp cultural analysis to demonstrate how small shifts in perspective can create meaningful societal change. The talk exemplifies his signature keynote style—thought-provoking yet accessible, serious yet deeply human—and reinforces his reputation as a leading voice on inclusive leadership and social innovation. Frequently referenced by educators, executives, and diversity leaders, the TED platform has amplified Baratunde Thurston’s message to a global audience and further established him as a sought-after keynote speaker on culture, media literacy, and the future of community.
Bestselling Author & Cultural Commentator
Baratunde is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Be Black, a memoir and social commentary that combines humor with incisive observations on race, identity, and American life. The book became a cultural touchstone and established him as a leading voice in modern social discourse. His writing has appeared in outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Vanity Fair, further solidifying his reputation as a thoughtful and engaging commentator. Baratunde’s work consistently balances levity with depth, enabling audiences to explore challenging topics in constructive, solutions-oriented ways. This blend of comedy and insight makes his keynote speeches both memorable and transformative.
Education, Entrepreneurship & Current Focus
A graduate of Harvard University, Baratunde holds a degree in government, grounding his expertise in civic systems and public leadership. He is also a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of civic engagement platforms designed to strengthen democratic participation. Today, his keynote speaking focuses on belonging, community building, climate resilience, digital transformation, and the future of democracy. Baratunde Thurston equips leaders with practical frameworks for fostering innovation, inclusive culture, and authentic connection in times of rapid change. Event planners consistently praise his ability to combine strategic foresight, humor, and heartfelt storytelling into impactful keynote presentations that inspire action long after the event concludes.
Baratunde Thurston Speaking Topics
Life with Machines — AI and the Future of Everything
AI is everywhere. How real is it? Can we control it? What even is it? Is your toaster planning a coup? Baratunde Thurston doesn't have all the answers, but in realizing that the new rules for this new world are still being written, he sees incredible opportunity. In this talk, Baratunde shares his long personal history with tech (his mother was a coder in the early 1980s) and offers helpful frameworks for deciding if and how to use this new wave of AI tools. He also shares useful, specific, and entertaining examples of how he's used AI to enhance his writing, grow his brand, boost productivity, improve collaboration, and even become a better mixologist and husband. Rather than simple fear or dismissal, he shares ways of thoughtfully and responsibly engaging with these technologies. We can prompt AI to do all sorts of things for us, but if engaged responsibly, it can also prompt us to be more human.
From Me to We, A Story of Interdependence
There are too many crises: climatological, technological, democratilogical? Even the use of the word crisis has reached crisis levels. While there are policies and investments and direct actions needed in response, there is also a story. What we tell ourselves about ourselves shapes how we show up in these times. Baratunde has been finding stories across our relationships with the natural world, with our fellow humans, and even with the machines that provide strong hints of where we need to go and how to get there. From traditional indigenous worldviews to A.I., a new story is being born based on values of interdependence, which is actually the oldest story of them all.
How To Citizen With Nature
In this uplifting and eye-opening talk, Baratunde Thurston takes you on a journey across America’s outdoor spaces, sharing powerful stories from his PBS series America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston as well as his projects with the National Forest Foundation and outdoor-friendly brands. Through humor, heart, and lived experience, he explores how nature can serve as common ground in a divided nation, offering a path to connection, economic opportunity, and healing. More than just an environmental issue, our relationship with nature shapes our democracy, our communities, and our future. Baratunde challenges us to see ourselves as part of nature, not apart from it, and reveals why conservation is not only a moral imperative but also an economic powerhouse. Whether it’s climate justice, access to green spaces, or the untapped potential of sustainable industries, this talk will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to step outside—with purpose.
Let's Deconstruct Racism and Write A Better Future for Us All
As we discuss America’s racial reckoning alongside issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, we shouldn't just think in terms of quotas or grievances. Instead, we should think about stories — the ones we tell ourselves about “us” and the ones we tell ourselves about “them.” Baratunde sees an opportunity to tell a story of “we” instead. This talk is inspired by his TED talk, but goes much further, offering a State of the Union from Baratunde’s perspective and prescriptions for a better future. Through his own story, examples from the real world, and the strategic integration of humor, Baratunde invites audiences to build businesses, organizations, and societies that recognize the value of us all.
Baratunde Thurston Books
How to Be Black
Purchase BookBaratunde Thurston Videos
Baratunde Thurston Speaker Testimonials
"He was absolutely awesome. I can't tell you how much we appreciated you moving heaven and earth to get him there for the end of our day. Please tell him we are overjoyed, he is wonderful."
- Ford Foundation | Senior Program Officer Media Rights & Access
"He is one of the smartest, most real, most creative people I have met. A++++"
- GM | AOL Original Video
"The event was a HUGE success. Thanks to CAA for helping bring it all to life. He was wonderful, charismatic, engaging and comical. Everyone was very pleased and he received fabulous reviews. It was perfect for our team especially given his experience in the industry and the way he connected his business challenges to his personal pursuits."
- VP Creative | Viacom
"The feedback we've gotten from Beam employees has been extremely positive. We so appreciate you coming to Chicago to share your expertise and humor with everyone. Your presentation was fantastic. It was engaging, funny, and compelling. The social media teams really loved the content and gave them a lot to think about. Thanks for being a part of our session. "
- | Beam Inc.
