Julia Garcia
By age 20, Julia Garcia, had already set out on her mission to create safe spaces for students to feel seen, heard and be truly connected. After losing people close to her from drugs and violence, Garcia was determined to be the voice she wished she had growing up. Her grasp of such a wide range of social economic challenges whether they be manifested by, childhood, hopelessness, self-esteem, or assault is staggering. Recently, Garcia helped coach inmates for the first TEDx event in a women’s prison, where she was also a featured speaker. She is the creator of an award winning social impact campaign as well as a mission-based mobile app to improve social health on social media. As a published author whose spoken word videos have garnered over 60,000 views, she uniquely leverages art, education and technology to connect with students. Her commitment to support causes that create social impact in the community has also led her to become a certified trainer for advocacy and educational organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League’s No Place for Hate Movement and Kids at Hope. Julia Garcia admits that she never set out to be a speaker, she just set out to speak up… Now she is leading the next generation of voices!
Johan Khalilan
Johan has established a reputation as an inspiring motivational speaker with a straightforward and entertaining, yet deeply provocative message. A product of Humboldt Park Chicago, an area known for it’s gang violence and crime, Johan was able to move past the obstacles and traps that ensnared so many of his peers and live a life that was far from ordinary. His dreams, choices and determination took him from inner city of Chicago to a national speaker who uses his life story to help people of all ages believe in the power of their dreams and the impact their life can make in the world around them. Johan’s ability to connect with the audience is a rare gift and is one you don’t want your audience to miss. Johan is a TEDx speaker and he’s been on TV and Radio shows, like The Tyra Banks Show, WLS Radio, The Today Show and Jane The Virgin. He is also one of the lead counselors and educator for the CANDO program in Chicago.