Speaking/Training (& Consulting)
If anyone had ever told Mr. Player, my high school speech communications teacher, that I would one day become an international public speaker and trainer/consultant, I think he would have probably laughed in your face…and I know that I would have! I’m an extreme introvert aside from being a person with a disability in social communication. But life is funny like that sometimes…and here I am. I regularly give presentations and/or develop and provide training for (both in-person and virtual) universities, organizations, libraries, parent groups, schools, researchers, etc. The topics as well as the type of presentation varies from keynote addresses, speeches, panels, individual or group workshops, webinars, podcasts, video conferencing, etc. (Scroll down for a listing of my speaking engagements!)
In the spirit of transparency, I am not a person who follows “conventional” public speaking “rules.” Whether I am speaking in front of ten people or a thousand, I speak from the heart. And whether I’m a guest speaker for a classroom in a local school district or a keynote for an international conference, I’m going to be me. Which means that though I am devoted to giving you my best work and ensuring that it is accurate, credible, “evidence-informed” (when possible/appropriate), and hopefully also engaging, I still have to be authentic Morénike while I’m on stage (or on a podcast, interview, or whatever).
So that means I might incorporate one of my special interests into my material; or I might wear noise canceling headphones and/or sunglasses while presenting; I might cosplay (unless explicitly asked not to); I will most likely have some sort of stimming tool/fidget device with me (it might be a discreet, small one embedded in my fist that’s invisible to the audience…or it might be something wearable that I will only touch as needed); I will probably use fillers such as “um,” or “like,” or “you know,” while speaking; I might not make eye contact with your audience…etc. (as you can see in this short Project Mistag clip of me HERE.).
Although I personalize my content and delivery for each audience, there are certain areas where I have a depth of knowledge/experience/interest, so those tend to make up the bulk of my presentations/keynotes/workshops. Some of the main topics that I present on are autism, disability, HIV, community engagement, intersectionality, adoption, neurodiversity, education, race, gender, research and treatment advocacy, parenting, intimate partner violence, mental health, trauma, multiculturalism, attachment, advocacy, and leadership, but I am open to other topics…try me!
If I don’t feel that I am well-suited for what you are requesting, I will be candid about that – and will most likely recommend another colleague that might be a better choice; I will not accept an invitation to present if I don’t think I will be able to do a good job. (If you’re interested in booking me, please fill out the contact form!)
In the tabs below you will find a listing of several of my upcoming and past speaking engagements. Also, if you’d like, you can find a few short snippets of me speaking on my (mostly neglected, but technically existing) YouTube channel HERE.
Speaking Engagements, Trainings and/or Appearances
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
January 2021
Guest, Not an Autism Mom/Ausome Book Club
Co-Guest Presenter (Parenting with COVID-19), National Center for Parents with Disabilities
Presenter, Neurodiversity at Work
Panelist, (Families as Teachers) UT Health Houston’s Lone Star LEND Program
February 2021
Guest Presenter, Uniquely Human Podcast
Guest Presenter, (A Special Community) KFM Making a Difference
Presenter, Felicity House
Guest Presenter, Rise Above COVID
March 2021
Co-Panelist, DCU Neurodiversity Society
Guest Co-Presenter, Sister’s Time/Women Speak Broadcast on WRFG Radio
Guest Presenter, Autism in Real Life Podcast/Spectrum Strategy Group
Guest Co-Presenter, Positive Women’s Network of Greater Houston
Presenter, Breakthroughs Conference
Panelist, Biomedical Prevention Summit
Panelist, International Symposium on Cognitive Research & Disorders Summit
Panelist, Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network & New Jersey Autism Center for Excellence
April 2021
Panelist, UT Health Houston’s Lone Star LEND Program
Keynote Presenter, Autism in Black Inaugural Conference
Keynote Presenter, Duke University Annual Autism Acceptance Month
Guest Presenter, La Hora de Cafecito Autismo
Co-Guest Presenter, Neurodiversity Podcast
(Tentative) Co-Presenter, National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Guest Presenter, 23 & Me
Panelist, Felicity House
Panelist, New Jersey Autism Center for Excellence & Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network
Presenter, Panelist, Moderator, Neurodiversity Matters Conference
Keynote Presenter, USF Center for Autism & Related Disparities
Presenter, YAI Conference
Panelist, Interagency Autism Coordinating Center
Keynote Presenter, Brooklyn Inclusive
Keynote, Autism Connections Conference
Guest Presenter, NYL
Moderator, Reeds Fund Leadership Summit
Keynote Presenter, Jersey City Library Services
May 2021
Co-Presenter, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Center
Presenter, Star Institute Sensory Processing Summit
June 2021
Keynote Presenter, Milestones National Conference
(Tentative) Guest Presenter, (Autistics Speaking Day) Autism Society of America
(Tentative) Moderator, National HIV Testing Day
August 2021
Guest Presenter, National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
September 2021
(Tentative) Student Leadership Symposium
October 2021
Accessibility Committee, Gender Infinity