Globally Recognized Resilience Expert; Bestselling Author, How to Be Free
Shaka Senghor: Biography at a Glance
- Shaka Senghor is a globally recognized resilience expert, bestselling author, and thought leader who overcame 19 years of incarceration to become a leading voice on personal transformation.
- Since his release in 2010, he has helped individuals and organizations break free from emotional and psychological barriers, turning resilience into actionable practice.
- As President and Creative Director of Shaka Senghor, Inc., and former VP of Corporate Communications at Navan, he has advised top companies like Apple, Google, Meta, and Airbnb. He has been honored with Oprah Winfrey’s SuperSoul 100, Ebony Magazine’s Power 100, and the NAACP’s Great Expectations Award.
- His memoir, Writing My Wrongs, became a New York Times bestseller, followed by Letters to the Sons of Society and his upcoming book, How to Be Free.
- In How to Be Free, Shaka draws from the profound lessons learned along his remarkable journey from solitary to the C-suite, and he provides more than inspiration—he delivers a proven roadmap for transformation.
- A sought-after speaker, Shaka delivers powerful insights on resilience, overcoming adversity, and unlocking potential at universities, conferences, and corporate events.
Videos
Biography
Shaka Senghor is a globally recognized resilience expert, bestselling author, and transformative thought leader whose journey from incarceration to inspiration has empowered executives, entrepreneurs, elite athletes, and audiences around the world. Born in Detroit amid economic hardship, Shaka overcame immense adversity—including 19 years in prison—to become a leading authority on resilience, grit, and personal transformation.
Since his release in 2010, Shaka has guided individuals and organizations to break free from their hidden emotional and psychological prisons, turning resilience from theory into actionable practice. As President and Creative Director of Shaka Senghor, Inc., and former Vice President of Corporate Communications at Navan (TripActions), he has advised and inspired leaders at global organizations including Apple, Google, Meta, Airbnb, Clio, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), and Slauson & Co. Shaka’s acclaimed memoir, Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison, became a New York Times bestseller, followed by Letters to the Sons of Society, a two-time Porchlight bestseller. His forthcoming book, How to Be Free: A Proven Guide to Escaping Life's Hidden Prisons, offers powerful insights into achieving true freedom and personal success. His inspiring TED Talk has reached over 1.8 million viewers, further cementing his reputation as a dynamic communicator.
A sought-after speaker at universities, conferences, and summits worldwide, Shaka has received numerous honors, including Oprah Winfrey’s SuperSoul 100, Ebony Magazine’s Power 100, and the NAACP’s Great Expectations Award. His message resonates deeply with those committed to overcoming obstacles, unlocking potential, and achieving extraordinary results.
Topics
How to Be Free: The Power of Resilience to Overcome Life's Biggest Obstacles
Shaka Senghor’s journey—from 19 years in prison, including seven in solitary confinement, to becoming a leading voice in resilience—proves that freedom isn’t just about physical walls; it’s about the mindset we choose. In this compelling talk, Shaka shares how unseen prisons—self-doubt, fear, imposter syndrome, and past mistakes—hold us back just as much as physical ones.
Through powerful storytelling and practical tools like strategic mindfulness, emotional regulation, and boundary-setting, he reveals a blueprint for breaking free from life's constraints. Audiences will walk away with actionable strategies to cultivate resilience, reclaim their personal power, and move forward with confidence. Shaka’s message is clear: you don’t have to wait to be free—you can embrace resilience and transformation right now.
