Kwame Osei

Kwame Osei

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Toronto, Ontario

Former CFL Player - Leadership, Resilience, Change, Mental Health, Diversity & Inclusion Expert

Kwame Osei is a dynamic professional host & keynote speaker for seminars, corporate & school events, youth & charitable events & non-profit organizations. Kwame Osei was awarded a Queen's Platinum Jubilee pin for his significant contribution as a teacher and mentor to inmates of maximum security in his community by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Kwame Osei's presentations focus on inspiring change, action and growth, pushing people to broaden their perspective and take control of their personal growth. After being exposed to the street culture of Rexdale, Toronto, Kwame used the power of sport and the sports mindset to overcome all obstacles to become a CFL player, teacher, football coach, entrepreneur and community leader. Kwame Osei is a dynamic keynote speaker who teaches fundamental tools he learned throughout his life to empower others through a diverse lens.

KWAME OSEI BIOGRAPHY

Kwame Osei was born in Ghana West Africa. He came to Canada at the age of 4 and resided in Toronto with his parents and sister. They all lived in Rexdale where he grew up and later attended high school at Father Henry Carr. Living in Rexdale Kwame Osei was susceptible to street culture and embraced a perspective on life that resulted in having low expectations of himself. As a result, in his first year of high school, Kwame Osei failed almost all of his classes and had a few conflicts with the law.

Kwame Osei began to lose childhood friends due to gun violence and he too was once held at gunpoint and lost many of his friends to live a high-risk lifestyle.  After a series of life-threatening experiences, Kwame Osei decided to turn his life around and make a change. Kwame Osei attended St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and played football for the X-Men, he was voted team captain for 3 seasons. During his last year of University, he achieved Academic All-Canadian honours. Kwame earned two degrees from St-FX and became the first member of his family to earn a university degree.

After university Kwame Osei had a brief professional football career with the Toronto Argonauts. He then moved to Fort McMurray Alberta and began his career as a teacher and football coach. Kwame Osei helped start a football program that produced various post-secondary student-athletes. Kwame Osei also coached provincially for Team Alberta and for the Alberta Summer Games. Kwame Osei is now a coach for Queen’s University in Ontario. Always staying true to his purpose Kwame Osei also currently teaches and supports inmates at a maximum federal penitentiary in Kingston. Kwame has found a way to be a positive impact on his students who are on their journey towards rehabilitation.

In August 2022, Kwame Osei was recognized and awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee award. The award is a symbolic statement of the enduring relationship between Canada and the Crown, as personified by Her Majesty the Queen, Canada’s Head of State. those who have made a significant contribution to their community. Kwame was recognized for his achievements as a teacher and mentor to incarcerated individuals in maximum security at Millhaven Institution in Kingston.

Additionally, he is the co-owner of the athletic apparel company, Triumph Elite and co-founder of the non-profit, Northern Elite Football. Kwame is also a part of a mentorship trio called Perspective on Mentoring, which aims to bridge the gap between adults and youth. In 2018, he took to the screen as a cast member of The Amazing Race Canada: Hero’s Edition.

Kwame has been featured in various TV commercials and has perfected the mastery of event hosting. Recently, Kwame has taken to more public speaking engagements, where he “plants seeds” to help others grow and succeed. Kwame Osei has a passion for motivating, educating, empowering and transforming individuals through a term he refers to as “seed planting”.

He has had speaking engagements with teams, schools, corporate teams, non-profit organizations and charities. Kwame’s goal is to inspire change and growth in every individual he meets, he does this through sharing his life experiences and incorporating metaphors as means of helping to create a perspective shift for his audience.

Videos

Podcasts

Play

Brand New View

SBC

Fundamentals & Football
Play

Doctor or An Embarrassment

SBC

Those Who Don't, DO Coach ft. Kwame Osei

Kwame Osei Topic Presentations

equity diversity inclusion and belonging: unleashing the power of belonging

  • Virtual PresentationKeynote PresentationWorkshop SessionHalf Day TrainingFull Day Training
  • Embark on an inspiring journey with Kwame Osei as he shares personal stories that shed light on the transformative influence of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. With authenticity and passion, Kwame recounts his own experiences of facing the damaging effects caused by a lack of diversity and inclusion, illustrating the profound impact it had on his mental, social, and emotional well-being. In this captivating presentation, Kwame delves into the essence of an inclusive workspace, providing a comprehensive understanding of what it entails and why it is crucial. Drawing from his own insights and experiences, he equips the audience with practical knowledge and actionable steps to foster a diverse workplace culture & workforce that cultivates cultural competence and understanding.

    Kwame unveils strategies and practices that promote an inclusive culture, allowing individuals to flourish and contribute their unique strengths. Through his engaging delivery, Kwame empowers participants to embrace diversity, dismantle barriers and foster a sense of belonging for all. Kwame Osei shares his enlightening journey and learns how to create a culture that celebrates differences and welcomes everyone. Discover the immense value of building an inclusive environment that boosts productivity, creativity, and empathy. Unlock the potential of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging within your organization, fostering an atmosphere where every individual thrives and achieves remarkable success through an inclusive, diverse & accepting environment.

empowering bipoc excellence: embrace your power, create change

rising together: empowering black excellence and embracing canadian black history

conquering the obstacles: unleashing triumphs

mastering the art of perception: embracing change for success

embracing change: unveiling opportunities on the path to success

the power of choice: little decisions for big impact

breaking the silence: prioritizing mental health

the power of empathy and compassion: building stronger connections and transforming lives

it just takes one person: mentorship, leadership & power of role models

embracing the unconventional learner

elevate your event experience with kwame osei: your charismatic host and master of ceremonies"

Testimonials

North Island College had the pleasure of hosting Kwame for a virtual talk where he shared his thoughts and experiences related to the Power of Choice. Kwame’s outgoing and energetic presence made for an engaging event and provided the NIC community with a much needed boost of hope during these uncertain times. Kwame’s use of storytelling to convey his message of adapting to change is captivating.

Dean Martin, M.Ed

Manager
Student Life North Island College

Kwame spoke to employees of Library and Archives Canada on Diversity and Inclusion in March 2021. From our first meeting, I notice that he was invested in the subject and easy to work with in order to plan and ensure the success of our conference. He is sincere, humble and approachable. Kwame captivated our audience with his inspiring words and stories, as well as his passion and energy. We could have listened to him all day! Thank you Kwame!

Rachel Amyot

Senior HR Advisor
Library and Archives Canada

My club, the Queen’s University Black Academic Society, had the absolute privilege of booking and being blessed to learn of and reflect on the motivational stories and messages that Kwame had to share, at an annual conference that we hold at the University. Every head in the building was locked on Kwame for the entire message, and every eyeball in the room grew wider and wider with focus and anticipation for the gems that he would drop next. Even at his young age, Kwame has lived an extremely interesting life and has both failed, been challenged, and overcame a number of times.

Rasheed Tucker 

Queen’s Black Academic Society

Had the pleasure of working with Kwame Osei as our Emcee for the Keyano College Gala 2018.  He brought his energy and enthusiasm to all aspects of the project.  Kwame was very good at reading the audience.  He used his humour and a jovial approach to maintain guest attention during key program moments. I have received many compliments on just how well the formal stage program was executed and how we were very lucky to have Kwame join us as Emcee for our event.  I look forward to the next opportunity I have to work with him again!

Lauren Thomas 

Events Coordinator

Kwame Osei was a speaker at our Youth Symposium held in Nov 2017, themed ‘Champions of Tomorrow’. It was organized to bring local youths together, to inspire, elevate and guide positive life choices. Kwame’s tailored message to the audience was spot-on! With his interactive, genuine, relatable message of overcoming hurdles and building perseverance. Kwame’s professionalism showed, both on and off the stage, where he spent time and interacted with other attendees even before he began his talk. We were looking for a speaker who would be able to connect, be an expert on his message and leave a lasting impression. Kwame delivered all that and more!  It was great working with him.

Abena Twumasi-Smith

Program Manager

We had the pleasure of having Kwame Osei speak at the Black History Youth Social Event. We received a lot of feed back from the youth expressing how much they loved their encounter with Kwame. He was very engaging with the youth and very relatable. Kwame talked about his own struggles as a young black man and how he was able to over come his struggles and turn them in achievements. He reminded the youth how important it is to be proud of your culture and embrace who you are. On behalf of the Rehoboth Alliance, we would like to sincerely thank Kwame Osei for his positive words of encouragement to the youth. We wish him all the best and hope to have him again in the future.

Anita Awuakye

Rehoboth Alliance

Articles & Media

Author Kwame Osei on the importance of affirmations for kids

Global News - The Morning Show

View
CityNews

SBC

Author hopes his children’s book will help promote self-confidence
View
Global News

Video

Author Kwame Osei on the importance of affirmations for kids
View

Books

If Not Me, Then Who?
If Not Me, Then Who?
You are not a product of your environment. Choose to make your environment a product of who you are. When you are able to do this, you will be able to soar high in life just like the Eagle, strong, bold and fearless.

Related Speakers

Keren Taylor-Hughes

Keren Taylor-Hughes

Former CEO - Agile Change Advisor & Transformation Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Alliances & Partnerships
  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Growth
  • Business Leadership
  • Business Management
  • Business Technology
  • Business Transitions
Keren Taylor-Hughes is an agile change advisor & business leadership strategist with a passion for implementing sustainable organizational change....
Dr. James Makokis

Dr. James Makokis

Two Spirit Doctor - LGBTQ2S+, Indigenous, Diversity & Inclusion Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Mental Health
  • Health & Wellness
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Resilience & Adversity
  • LGBTQ2S+
  • Indigenous
  • Personal Growth
  • Leadership
  • Work Life Balance
Dr. James A. Makokis is a Nehiyô (Plains Cree) Family Physician from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in northeastern Alberta and the recent winner of...
Anthony Johnson

Anthony Johnson

LGBTQ2S+, Two-Spirit and Diversity Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Accessibility
  • Addictions & Substance Abuse
  • Bullying At Work
  • Communications
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Employee Engagement
Anthony Johnson is a Two-Spirit Keynote Speaker, LGBTQ2S+ Advocate & ED&I Expert. Through his powerful story to bring awareness for LGBTQ &...
Deri Latimer

Deri Latimer

Neuro-Leadership | Positive Psychology | Mindfulness | Resilience, Change Health & Wellness Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Alliances & Partnerships
  • Burnout Prevention
  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Leadership
  • Business Management
  • Business Transitions
  • Change Management
Deri Latimer is a TEDx speaker, author, and organizational consultant who combines positive psychology, neuroscience, and emotional intelligence to...
Devon Clunis

Devon Clunis

Former Winnipeg Chief of Police - Leadership, Workplace Culture, Diversity & Inclusion Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Ethics & Values
  • Business Leadership
  • Business Management
  • Change Management
  • Collaboration
  • Cultural Diversity
Devon Clunis is an international business and leadership consultant with extensive Executive Leadership experience. He was Chief of Police for the...
Bailey Parnell

Bailey Parnell

Future of Work, Leadership, Corporate Culture, AI, Change Management, Social Media and Mental Health

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Addictions & Substance Abuse
  • Bullying At Work
  • Burnout Prevention
  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Growth
  • Business Transitions
  • Change Management
Bailey Parnell is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and thought leader who was named one of Canada's Top Most Powerful Women. She is a 2x TED...
Antonio Michael Downing

Antonio Michael Downing

Best Selling Author - Anti Racism & Oppression - Diversity and Inclusion Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Addictions & Substance Abuse
  • Bullying At Work
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Employee Management
  • Gender Equality
  • Genrational Differences
  • HR & Corporate Culture
Antonio Michael Downing is a Musician Writer & Best Selling Author, Anti Racism & Oppression Activist, Diversity and Inclusion Expert. He grew up in...
Aren Bahia

Aren Bahia

Entrepreneur & Philanthropist - Connection, Purpose, Mental Health & Wellbeing Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Addictions & Substance Abuse
  • Business Growth
  • Business Leadership
  • Change Management
  • Consumer Behaviour & Retail
  • Customer service
  • Digital marketing
Aren Bahia is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, philanthropist, business & wellness coach who connects others to their true self to find their...
Benoit Huot

Benoit Huot

Olympic Gold Medalist - Leadership, Adversity, Teamwork and Disability Inclusion Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Burnout Prevention
  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Leadership
  • Business Management
  • Collaboration
  • Disability
  • Diversity & Inclusion
Paralympic swimmer, Benoit Huot's biggest dream is to help others look beyond their own boundaries and motivate anyone who aims to realize their...
Beth Hanishewski

Beth Hanishewski

Relationships Expert - Resilience, Wellness, Trust & Relationships in the Workplace

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Adaptability & Agility
  • Burnout Prevention
  • Change Management
  • Collaboration
  • Communications
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Emotional Intelligence
Beth Hanishewski is an engaging keynote speaker, trainer & coach on leadership, resilience, teamwork, handling pressure and managing workplace...
Bill Williams

Bill Williams

Corporate Emcee - Authentic Leadership, Purposeful Work & Peak Performance Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Leadership
  • Business Management
  • Change Management
  • Collaboration
  • Corporate Responsibility (CSR)
  • Employee Engagement
  • Employee Management
Bill Williams is a highly accomplished professional with a wealth of expertise in leadership and personal development. With a career spanning over...
Bob Wilkie

Bob Wilkie

NHL Hockey Player - Mental Health & Peak Performance Expert

Featured

Speaker Topics

  • Addictions & Substance Abuse
  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Leadership
  • Business Management
  • Change Management
  • Collaboration
  • Employee Engagement
  • Employee Management
After enduring years of mental health challenges as a result of a tragedy, Bob shares the importance for all of us to double down on our commitment...

How to book Kwame Osei for an event?

Kwame Osei keynote speaker is an expert presenter and has a wide range of experience speaking to a wide variety of audiences and organizations. Kwame Osei delivers keynotes, workshops & training sessions. They may also host or emcee events. Hire Kwame Osei from Toronto, Ontario for your event to inspire the audience to take action and make change in their work and their lives. Your workplace will benefit from our keynote speaker and their keynote talks and speeches will shift the mindsets or behaviours for the audience members in Canada. 

Interested in booking Kwame Osei for an event?

Are you looking to hire Kwame Osei for your event? Kwame Osei Toronto, Ontario is a dynamic and engaging speaker that offers audiences researched content paired with expertise and a dynamic speaking ability. Kwame Osei is also a Canadian corporate consultant and coach and facilitates workshops and training sessions for a corporate audience. Kwame Osei is an expert keynote presenter and speaks on wide variety of topics. Hiring a great speaker for your event is important and working with a thought leader like Kwame Osei from Speakers Canada's roster will engage audiences into the content of the presentation to bring awareness and a fresh perspective for their approach to their work and their lives. Book Kwame Osei to educate, motivate and activate the audience through an interactive and entertaining presentation at corporate meetings and gatherings.

Known as a popular key note speaker in Canada, Kwame Osei creates life changing experiences for the participants with practical insights and strategic advice they can implement right after the session. Working with a one our leading expert speaker like Kwame Osei from Toronto, Ontario offers organizations a fresh perspective to assist the people of the organization. No matter if it is a government, association, or business crowd, Kwame Osei is a perfect speaker for your event. Through unique practical insights for trending topics and years experience speaking to different organizations, Kwame Osei focuses on changing individuals to make better decisions at work and their lives. No matter if you are holding an in person or virtual event, having an influential speaker such as Kwame Osei will engage, motivate, and activate the audience to make a change in their lives and inspire action for results to meet organizational goals. Your workforce will benefit from Kwame Osei's presentations and speeches, with measurable results set to shift the people of the organization and core direction of the company. Book Kwame Osei speaker for your annual general meeting, conference, summit, or convention in Canada.

How much does it cost to hire Kwame Osei for a keynote presentation or virtual event?

Kwame Osei is an expert professional key note speaker with a lot of experience speaking and delivering engaging talks to organizations and audiences in Canada. Each of Speaker Bureau Canada's talent have different ways to assess their fees, and Kwame Osei speaker fee ranges depending on the size of the audience, event format (in person or virtual), event location, and if the organization booking them is a non profit, association, government department/government agency or business/corporation. The speakers we work with are flexible with their fees, and it is important for us to learn more about your event before we approach them, as it is our role to work for you, and to help you find a speaker within budget. 

Please contact Speakers Bureau of Canada and provide us with your event details so that we can contact Kwame Osei to check availability or confirm the pricing and associated costs to hire a great speaker like Kwame Osei for your event. As Kwame Osei's agent and as a Canadian top speaker bureau and talent agency for speakers, we are able to propose each event opportunity from each host organization's behalf to try to help you get in touch with Kwame Osei and confirm them for your in person or online meeting/event. We can also provide and advise on the booking process and potentially negotiate their fee. Speakers Canada is a client focused speaker agency, and we work for you in finding good speakers for your team meetings and booking processes.

Kwame Osei Disclaimer

Speakers Bureau Canada assists companies and event planning teams seeking to hire talent like Kwame Osei for speaking engagements, virtual meetings, conference appearances, training sessions and workshops facilitations. Our Canadian speakers bureau does not claim to exclusively represent Kwame Osei, however they are represented by Speakers Canada, and we work with them closely for their Canadian speaking opportunities and bookings. As Canada's top speaker bureau, we represent Canadian motivational keynote speakers and professional guest speakers that will be available on your upcoming events date and location that are withing the budget. Our talented bureau speaker booking agency can help find business speakers or celebrity speakers that aligns with each organization, audience, event theme and the topic themes you hope for the speaker to address in their presentation. 

When SBC receives a request to book Kwame Osei we provide you with their speaker fees, travel costs and check their schedules. We work closely with the host organization's event planning team and the speaker to handle the logistics and to relay or negotiate associated costs. Our talented team members then will work with our talent directly or their agent/manager/assistant to confirm the Canadian speaker fee and travel expenses, so that event planning teams can receive an official quote for the speaker appearing at the event. Speaker fees and travel costs vary per speaker and our role is to contact Kwame Osei about your event, after we have connected with the event organizers to learn all the event details and/or conference program. Each booking request is unique since session durations and audience sizes can vary which may affect the speaker's fees. If you are looking to hire Kwame Osei, we recommend filling out the booking request form so a booking agent from Speakers Bureau Canada can get in touch with our talent to help you coordinate with your team to engage the speaker for a successful event.