“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the one’s we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” President Barack Obama

Speaking Engagement History

Julian Sanders has presented at numerous events throughout Michigan, including college and high school campuses, black history programs, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day services for over ten years. He has received positive feedback from audiences and organizers over the years and have been asked to return to some areas more than once. His messages have concentrated on hope for the future, the importance of obtaining higher education, civility, and civic engagement, amongst other topics.

Checkout the list of Julian’s prior speaking engagements below:

  • Fifth grade, Mason Elementary Grand Blanc School districts black history event.

    • “I Have A Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Sixth grade, Grand Blanc High School teachers back to school meeting.

    • “Do you believe in me?” speech.

  • Tenth grade, Flint Public Library Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Ceremony

    • “I Have A Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Freshman year, Jackson Public Library, “Restoring the Village” 2019 black history month event.

    • Recited several excerpts from Dr. King and self -written messages.

  • Sophomore year, Grand Valley State University, 2020 Black history month event.

    • Recited several excerpts from Dr. King and self-written messages.

  • Junior year, Grand Valley State University, 35th Annual Dr. King Commemoration virtual 2021 program.

    • Emceed entire online virtual event with nearly 1,400 hundred attendee’s.

      • Introduced four university president’s

      • Introduced scholarship award winners

      • Introduced the keynote speaker and White House correspondent for PBS Newshour.

      • Provided closing remarks.

    • Recited and presented a self-written speech in honor of Dr. King’s legacy and discussed the current state of the country following the police brutalities in 2020.

  • Senior Year, Grand Valley State University

    • Senior Class representative and speaker for the 2021 Convocation.

  • Senior year, the 2021 Progressive/Conservative Summit hosted by the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy at Grand Valley State University.

    • Recited a self-written “Leadership Minute” speech.

  • Madison Academy 2023 High School Graduation

    • Keynote speaker.

  • Wheelhouse Talk: Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy Alumni Panel 2023

    • Moderator.

Madison Academy 2023 Keynote Speech
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Julian Sanders clapping for graduates
Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies Moderated Conversation by Julian Sanders
Panelist for the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies Moderated Conversation by Julian Sanders
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Moderator for MSU Broad College of Business Future Business Leaders Roundtable
Moderator for MSU Broad Future Business Leaders Roundtable Discussion

This is short video provides a snippet of Julian’s various speaking engagements starting from fifth grade to present.

Public Speaking Videos

Progressive/Conservative Leadership Minute

Julian Sanders at the time was a Senior at Grand Valley State University and a Fellow Candidate in the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy. He wrote and recited a leadership minute to kick off the 2021 Progressive/Conservative Summit.

Video Credit: Hauenstein Center/Grand Valley State University

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Program

Grand Valley State University 35th Annual Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Program.

Julian Sanders, student senator and student ambassador to the Office of the President, served as the emcee and student speaker for the program. The speech presentation shared by Julian, is a self-written piece.

Image Credit: Valerie Hendrickson

Video Captured: Grand Valley State University