Andre Norman is an author and motivational speaker who turned his life around whilst in prison, making him the #1 prison success story in the world according to many. Having indulged in less than moral activities in his youth, a victim of poverty and illiteracy, Andre was sentenced to over 100 years in prison. While the first few years didn’t seem to bring much change in Andre, he decided to change his life’s trajectory, ultimately leading to him being released on parole in 1999. Now available to share his unique story – one that only a few people would be willing to tell honestly, Andre is an excellent speaker to hire for your next event.
Two of Andre’s fourteen years in prison were spent in solitary confinement as a result of his heavy involvement in prison culture and a hunt for status, power, and recognition within it. However, those two years were pivotal to Andre’s life as it was then that he decided to make some serious changes. His dream was to go to Harvard – a dream as close to impossible as can be. However, an extremely determined Andre worked every day for the next eight years to teach himself to read, study the law, and work on his anger management. His dream was realized in 2015 when he was awarded a Research Fellowship from Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice at the Harvard University Law School. He has also delivered TEDx Talks like How to Fix the American Prison System and Radical Extremists Recruit American Prisoners.
Addressed as an Ambassador of Hope, he wrote a book called “Ambassador of Hope: Turning Poverty and Prison into a Purpose-Driven Life”, telling his story and proving that against all odds a positive outcome is possible. Andre is also the Founder of the Academy of Hope – a violence reduction programme, that mentors prison influencers and leaders, conducts community outreach to youth who need assistance, provides training for correctional staff, and provides a Pep Talk Program. He has also used his experience as a reformed felon to help over 600,000 ex-convicts to transition back into society each year through his Re-Entry programs. Having lectured at Harvard University and been a Visiting Lecturer at Tufts University from 2005-2006, Andre has also done exceptional work as a motivational speaker and trainer. He has delivered 1230 speeches, spoken in over 30 countries, and worked with clients like Prudential Insurance, Bovis Lend Lease, Deutsche Bank, British Petroleum, Ericsson, Danone, KPMG: World Presidents Organisation, YPO, Major League Baseball, London Business School, and the White House.
A Community Development Workshop Leader at Genius Network, and an International Outreach Worker at YPO, Andre is determined to help people improve their lives, no matter how difficult it may seem. He wants people to know that focus, perseverance, purpose, and a plan of action is enough to overcome adversity. The man with the #1 prison success story, Andre Norman is available to hire as a speaker at a range of events and discuss his unique life story and the learnings he has gathered along the way. Hire him today!
