Schools across the country are investing in speakers, programs, initiatives, technology, incentives, assemblies, and countless other strategies designed to increase student engagement. Yet many educators continue to ask the same question: Why aren’t students...
For years, educators, administrators, and conference attendees have watched Carlos Ojeda Jr. connect with students and create moments that seem almost impossible to explain. Many have called it magic. In his upcoming book, Being Cool & Making It HIP, Chu...
At CoolSpeak, we believe the most impactful speakers are the ones who do more than inspire; they help people better understand themselves and what they’re capable of becoming. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our newest CoolSpeakers through a special Q&A...
Introduction: What Students Really Mean When They Say “Be Real” “Yo… I appreciate you for being real.” That’s one of the best compliments I can get after speaking. Not because it’s flashy, but because it tells me the message actually connected. I’ve spoken in a lot of...
For Financial Literacy Month, we sat down with MJ Bridges, founder of Young & Debt Free, following a recent community event in Racine that brought his work to life in a powerful way. In collaboration with a weekly karaoke night at Kings Kitchen & Cocktail, MJ...
A CoolSpeaker using art, identity, and storytelling to reshape how young people define success. On October 23, 2025, leaders, creators, and changemakers from across Houston gathered for the annual Night of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, hosted by AAF-Houston. This...
