Haben Girma
Haben Girma on Disability Driving Innovation
Haben Girma
Keynote Speaker
Disability Rights Lawyer; Author; First Deafblind Graduate of Harvard Law School
Haben Girma, the first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School, is a human rights lawyer who advocates for disability justice. She sees disability as a catalyst for innovation, educating organizations on the importance of inclusion, and has garnered international recognition for her transformative work.
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Haben Girma'S SPEAKING FEE $25K - $40K
The first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, Haben Girma has made her mark as an advocate for disability justice. Recognized as a White House Champion of Change by President Obama, her accolades also include the Helen Keller Achievement Award, a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and selection for the TIME100 Talks. International leaders like President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Chancellor Angela Merkel have all honored Haben. She champions the idea that disability should be seen as a catalyst for innovation and educates organizations on the importance of inclusion. The New York Times, Oprah Magazine, and TODAY Show have featured her memoir, Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law.
Haben was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she currently lives. Her memoir takes readers on adventures around the world, including her parents’ homes in Eritrea and Ethiopia, building a school under the scorching Saharan sun, training with a guide dog in New Jersey, climbing an iceberg in Alaska, fighting for blind readers at a courthouse in Vermont, and talking with President Obama at The White House. Her book is not just a record of her resilience; it’s a heartfelt, humorous, reflective, and uplifting account that stands as a tribute to her relentless quest for human connection.
Featured Videos
Haben Girma
Haben Girma on Choosing Inclusion
Haben Girma
Haben Girma on Becoming a Lawyer
Haben Girma
Haben Girma on Making News Articles Inclusive
Haben Girma
Haben Girma on Disability Driving Innovation
Haben Girma’s Speech Topics
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Leadership & Advocacy
The daughter of refugees, a Black woman, and disabled, Haben developed a powerful path to success, rooted in her belief that inclusion is a choice. We all have the power to advocate for positive change. Becoming a leader begins by role-modeling the change we need in this world. Haben provides valuable insights that help people become better leaders.
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Communication Strategies for a Winning Story
Powerful stories drive successful businesses. Compelling stories communicate what sets an organization apart and how that difference serves as an advantage. Haben Girma is a talented storyteller who helps people frame differences as an asset. Born Deafblind, Haben fought off low expectations, choosing to create her own pioneering story that has led to international acclaim. Through an engaging presentation, Haben provides participants with communication strategies for developing a winning story.
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Disability & Innovation: The Universal Benefits of Inclusive Design
People with disabilities represent the largest minority group, numbering one billion worldwide. Reaching a group of this scale creates value for everyone. Organizations that prioritize accessibility benefit by gaining access to a much larger user base, improving the experience for both disabled and non-disabled users, and facilitating further innovation.
Works by Haben Girma
Speaker Topics & Types
- Activist Speakers
- Authors
- Black Female Speakers
- Black History Month Speakers
- Black Motivational Speakers
- Disability Speakers
- Diversity & Inclusion Speakers
- Keynote Speakers
- Leadership Speakers
- New WSB Speakers
- Overcoming Adversity Speakers
- Public Speakers
- Resilience Speakers
- Virtual Speakers
- Motivational Women Speakers
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