Erin Gruwell Keynote Speaker

  • Educator & Founder, The Freedom Writers Foundation
  • NY Times Bestselling Author, The Freedom Writers Diary
  • Winner, The Spirit Of Anne Frank Award

Erin Gruwell's Biography

Erin Gruwell is a keynote speaker, teacher, author, and activist who has been fighting for social justice for over two decades. She first gained national attention in 1998 when she and her 150 students appeared on an ABC special–PrimeTime Live–with Connie Chung.

Erin’s students – affectionately called the Freedom Writers – came from backgrounds of poverty, gangs, and violence, and many were at-risk of dropping out of school due to the school-to-prison pipeline. But, under Erin’s guidance, all 150 Freedom Writers graduated from high school and pursued higher education.

In 1999, Erin and the Freedom Writers published their book, The Freedom Writers Diary, which detailed their unique journey from hardship to hope. The book became a #1 New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a major motion picture, Freedom Writers, starring two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank as Erin. The film brought Erin’s work to an even wider audience, and she has since used her platform to continue her fight for equity and inclusion with her non-profit, the Freedom Writers Foundation.

Erin’s work has been recognized with several humanitarian awards, including the prestigious Spirit of Anne Frank Award. Erin and the Freedom Writers have appeared on multiple television shows to promote educational reform, including OprahThe ViewGood Morning America, and NBC’s TODAY. They have also been featured on National Public Radio, numerous newspapers, and national magazines, such as People. In 2019, Erin and the Freedom Writers were the subjects of the Emmy Award-winning PBS documentary Freedom Writers: Stories from the Heart. Erin also hosts The Freedom Writers Podcast with guests who are authors, activists and civil rights icons.

In 2022, Erin and the Freedom Writers Foundation released their latest book, Dear Freedom Writer. This critically acclaimed book combines heartfelt letters written by the next generation of student authors with deeply personal responses from the original Freedom Writers.

Be it in the classroom, or otherwise, Erin’s powerful message of hope and possibility is sure to resonate with any audience, whom she encourages “to stand up, speak up, and speak out.”

Read More

Erin Gruwell's Speaking Topics

  • Achieving the Impossible: Become a Catalyst for Change

Erin Gruwell found herself the teacher for a troubled group of students who had been dubbed “unteachable.” The tale of how this first-year teacher encouraged these wayward inner-city kids to redirect their lives, forego rampant drugs and the violence that pervaded their neighborhoods is the story recounted in the best-selling The Freedom Writers Diary.

From the stark reality of one seemingly innocuous event in the classroom, she sparked a chord in the students that led the class to name themselves the “Freedom Writers.” Over the course of a few months, Gruwell empowered the class to re-chart their future and go on to become college students, published writers and citizens for change. In a powerful presentation that leaves audiences cheering, Gruwell parlays her story into ways the audience can improve their performance and productivity by asking “what can I do to make a difference?” Gruwell speaks to the authenticity and stamina needed to fuel change. An emotional connection with your work and life goals is a powerful force that can produce an unstoppable vision against all odds. Gruwell speaks from her heart, customizing every speech to her audience and shares ;

  • How even little events can fuel transformational change
  • H0w to develop an environment of trust and communication
  • Ways that individuals can become catalysts for change in their own lives
  • How to harness your own personal power and determination to accomplish success that others may not think is possible.
    • Teaching Tolerance

    In a scene from the hit movie Freedom Writers, a film based on Erin Gruwell’s experiences as an English teacher to inner-city Los Angeles youth, a Latino student is drawing a derogatory picture of a fellow black student. Intercepting the racial correspondence, Gruwell is reminded of a caricature she had seen from the Museum of Tolerance—Holocaust propaganda of a Jew made to look like a rat. Drawing parallels between her students’ ignorance and the prejudice of the Nazis, Gruwell captures the attention of her class by pointing out the seriousness of their actions and the implications that can follow.

    In a thought-provoking presentation, Gruwell explores the very situations that have led us towards conflict in the past and how tolerance and understanding could have prevented such negative outcomes. A true proponent that one person can make an extraordinary difference, Gruwell inspires us all to embrace the concept of changing lives by teaching tolerance.

    Read More

    Videos of Erin Gruwell

    Becoming a Catalyst for Change: Erin Gruwell at TEDxChapmanU
    Becoming a Catalyst for Change: Erin Gruwell at TEDxChapmanU
    She Never Gave Up on Her Students | Erin Gruwell | Goalcast
    She Never Gave Up on Her Students | Erin Gruwell | Goalcast
    TEDxConejo - Erin Gruwell - The Freedom Writers
    TEDxConejo - Erin Gruwell - The Freedom Writers

    Books by Erin Gruwell

    The Freedom Writers Diary
    Teach With Your Heart
    Teaching Hope

    Comments & Testimonials

    I cannot tell you how fantastic Erin Gruwell was! She will be remembered as one of our top speakers in the 12-year history of this series. She packed the theater, connected with the audience so effectively and students stood up and talked about their struggles academically in trying to earn their degree. She was encouraging and inspiring!
    Delta College
    Erin got two standing ovations-she was fabulous and everyone at the event was raving about her story. Erin is such a gracious and lovely person.
    North Texas Area United Way
    Erin Gruwell absolutely brought the house down. The feedback was universally positive, starting with a standing ovation after her introduction followed by another standing ovation at the conclusion of her remarks.
    Quebec English School Boards Association

    Check Erin Gruwell's speaking fees and availability

      Sending your message…

      Please wait, this can take a moment

      Message sent…

      Close

      Please provide your details and we’ll get in touch as soon as possible.

      We can only respond to requests for professional speaking engagements. We are unable to respond to requests for autographs, shoutouts and personalized messages.

      Discover other speakers

      Dr. Robert Plomin Speaker
      Exclusive
      Dr. Robert Plomin
      Professor in Behavioural Genetics​ at KCL
      Pia Lauritzen Speaker
      Exclusive
      Pia Lauritzen
      Danish philosopher and tech entrepreneur, Founder of Qvest
      Meghan Cox Gurdon Speaker
      Exclusive
      Meghan Cox Gurdon
      Children's Book Reviewer, The Wall Street Journal
      Ben Rawlence Speaker
      Exclusive
      Ben Rawlence
      Sustainability activist and award-winning author