"As a speaker Melba Beals both intrigues
and inspires audiences!"
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Inspirational keynote
speaker |
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At age 12, when Melba Pattillo read about the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, she was hopeful her life would change. She had grown up drinking from a water fountain marked "colored," riding in the back of the bus and attending separate and inferior Black schools. She daydreamed about attending the all-white Central High with its massive building covering two square blocks and standing six stories high. She wanted to avail herself of the opportunities rumored to exist within the castle-like structure.
In 1957, while most teenage girls were listening to Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue," watching Elvis gyrate and collecting crinoline slips, a 15-year-old Melba Pattillo and 8 other black students faced the wrath of segragionists and the Govenor of Arkansas to become the first black students to enter Central High School. The civil rights battle which erupted rocked this country, put the world on edge and set Melba's life forever on a different course. She faced angry, rampant killer mobs and renegade police who forced then-President Eisenhower to send combat-ready soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division to protect the lives of the nine students.
At seventeen, Melba began writing articles for major newspapers and magazines. She later earned a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University and worked as a news reporter for San Francisco's public television station, KQED, and for the NBC affiliate, KRON-TV. She has written numerous articles for periodicals including People, Essence and the San Francisco Examiner.
Her best-selling books that chronicle her experiences, WARRIORS DON'T CRY: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock Central High School and its sequel WHITE IS A STATE OF MIND: Freedom is Yours to Choose; have provided inspirational reading for millions. Her best-selling primer on public relations, EXPOSE YOURSELF: Using The Power of Public Relations to Promote Your Business and Yourself, is an acknowledged industry reference.
In 1998, for their courage and self-sacrifice, the Congress of the United States awarded the Little Rock Nine America's top civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal. Other recipients of this rarely given honor - just over 300 in the history of the nation - include President George Washington, the Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, Bob Hope, Walt Disney, President Harry S. Truman, General Colin Powell and Mother Teresa.
Melba Beals is a much sought after keynote speaker for vast and varied audiences who stand and applaud her informative, dynamic, inspirational, humorous and life-changing speeches. Her diversity seminar, The Spirit of Diversity: Seeing Equal - Being Equal, are aimed at quelling the fires of conflict due to the difference in one's race, creed or color.
If you want an inspirational
keynote speaker or diversity
seminar guaranteed to deliver call 415-464-0718.
What Audiences Say about Melba Beals Speeches
How to Schedule a Speech with Melba Beals
Melcon Communications
P.O. Box 2237
Sausalito, CA 94966
Phone: (415) 464-0718
Fax: (415) 464-0781
