Book Joel to Speak at Your Event

I will need to know why you are calling for my services now. Is your call a proactive move, or is it a reactive response to something crazy that has happened within your organization? It does not matter which it is, but knowing what has sponsored your request for my services at this time will help me better serve your organization’s current needs. Video clips, bios, references, and conversations over the phone all help to provide the kind of picture you need to determine if there is the right chemistry and the right fit.

What’s my typical process for working with a new client?

Chemistry, timing and fit are all needed to create a win/win/win result.

Let’s talk…410.991.9718. We can then determine the next steps.

I will need to know why you are calling for my services at this time. Is your call a proactive move or is it a reactive response to something crazy that has happened within your organization? It does not matter which it is, but knowing what has sponsored your request for my services at this time will help me better serve your organization’s real needs. Video clips, bio, references and conversations over the phone all help to provide the kind of picture you need to determine if there is the right chemistry and the right fit.

What education and/or training do I have that relates to my work?

• Ph.D. in psychology.
• Have written 9 books that are currently in 28 foreign translations.
• As a young man, I hitchhiked thousands of miles around North America.
•  After visiting 55+ countries around the world, I still continue to travel, along with leading annual educational group tours of Israel and Greece.
•  Own a comprehensive collection of African American historic documents and artifacts (3,000+) that have been showcased at the United Nations, White House Communications, Secret Service, Clinton Presidential Library, FBI and more. Oldest item is dated 1553.
•  Read widely on all types of topics…and attend relevant seminars periodically to sharpen my skills.
•  Curious about many things, which has informed what I am passionate about: Leadership.  Black History.  Rosetta Stone history.  Archaeology.  The psyche of professional athletes.  Real-world problem solving.  Conflict resolution.  Travel.  Entrepreneurship.  Emotional intelligence.  Comparative religions.  Cross cultural competence.  And so much more.

It’s what we learn after we think we know it all that really counts. And I am learning new things all the time. Always a student…

What I love:

• Helping to solve problem situations for organizations.
• Enhancing creativity, productivity and purposeful communication.
• Providing skills and tools for better customer service (both internal and external).
• Watching the “lights go on” in people’s eyes.
• It’s all about the “words” (content) and the “music” (passion)
• Making audiences laugh.
• Travel.
• Meeting new people.
• Helping teams communicate better.
• Cross-cultural relationships.

MBTI: ENFP
DISC: I/D
Gallup StrengthsFinder 2.0 Themes: Positivity | Strategic | Self-Assurance | Connectedness | Belief

How did I get started doing this type of work?

For 20 seasons I served in player development for the NBA Washington Bullets/Wizards (1978-‘98). Schools, companies, government agencies, churches, and community-based organizations all started calling me to come and speak. That’s what launched my company. As organizations requested different topics, I was forced to become a student of each topic. The more I spoke, the more I was in demand throughout North America and internationally. The rest is history…

What types of events and clients have I worked with over the past 25+ years?

CLIENTS:

My work has received enthusiastic, rave reviews from the Prime Minister of Grenada and senior officials of Barbados to the White House Communications (WHCA), Frostburg State University, 8th Army (Korea), E! Entertainment Television, International Monetary Fund (IMF), North East Foods, NASA, VA, NTSB, ATF, HUD, Ikea, GE, National Security Agency, Reliable Contractors, US Bankruptcy Courts, European Council of International Schools (ECIS), Billboard Music Group, EMI, US Sentencing Commission, Giant Foods, Indian Health Services, Federal Judiciary, Baltimore City Department of Education, Tuscan Dairy Farms, Black Public Relations Society, many pro athletes, and others around the globe, including a number of urban youth initiatives. We have a ton of references – corporate, government, international, non-profit, white collar/blue collar.

In August 2002, all of the Kings and Queens of Africa were invited to attend a Pan African Conference in Benin, West Africa. I participated as an invited speaker/facilitator at this event as we addressed ways to prevent conflict and tribal warfare. I presented at the US Bankruptcy Court Clerks Conference, early 2000. The Federal Judicial Center broadcasted an edited 6 minute segment via satellite during May 2000.

Another arena of expertise has to do with coaching. I am available to be kept on retainer for what could be called Confidential (Critical) Incident Debriefings (CID). This is a proven individualized and confidential 10-hour program, spanning almost three months, especially designed for key employees who have exhibited racial insensitivity, inappropriate sexual advances and/or anger problems in the workplace.

TYPES OF EVENTS:

Keynotes. Seminars. Breakout sessions during a conference. Lectures. Motivational speaking. Helping organizations and teams develop a Code of Conduct. Executive coaching. Critical Incident Debriefing. Helping them develop a Diversity initiative. Helping them develop a mentoring program.

ARENAS OF EXPERTISE:

Staff Development. Leadership. Diversity. Teamwork. Entrepreneurial Creativity. Brainstorming. Change Management. Black History. Executive Coaching. Stress Management. Emotional Intelligence. Anger Management. Sales. Cross-Cultural Competence. Conference Keynote Addresses…

What advice would I give a client looking to hire a motivational speaker and/or trainer?

You get what you pay for.

Clients tend to focus on the amount of time they want me to speak at the event (60-90 minutes or more). Some clients may not readily understand that I am giving up an entire day to do a 1-2 hour event for them. Add that to all the prep work, interviews and drive/fly time…and you then begin to get a better picture of what’s involved when a speaker is as dedicated as I am to delivering the kind of impact that hits the bulls-eye.

How do I customize my presentation to your event?

Off-the-shelf training? No way! It’s much more exciting for everyone, to customize training by asking to interview at least 2-3 people — prior to the event — to get a better sense of what I will present to the group. Each presentation centers around the implementation of the mission and vision of every organization I work with. I refuse to pull something off the shelf for an event.

I always customize each event to each audience. That takes extra time and energy. Couple that with time spent in preparation, drive time (to and from the event), gas, tolls, wear and tear on the automobile…it’s far more than what meets the eye.

You will not only hear the words, but also the music (passion, sincerity, enthusiasm and joy). I LOVE what I do and it shows…

What about my pricing?

Most of my work is with corporations, government agencies, and multinational companies. I have a clause in my agreement with my agent that permits me to deal directly with you. But if you want work directly with my agent, I will gladly send you to him. Let me know what you are thinking.

CREATIVE THINKING: Some organizations have a part of their budget set aside for an honorarium, along with another part of their budget set aside for educational materials. I have great workbook materials and other books I have written that will add value to the participants. In other words, we can structure payment for my services through an honorarium, along with a cost per participant for educational materials.

Some educational or non-profit organizations may ask a local corporation to fund the cost for my services. We can arrange a great win/win sponsorship opportunity and experience for that corporation.

Foundation to Foundation

You may be a Foundation and will probably tell me that you have a limited budget. I understand. But please know that the lion’s share of the honorarium you provide will be put toward projects I am passionate about through my Foundation. In this manner I will leverage my talents to greatly benefit your organization, along with financially helping with my own Foundation work. That allows me to say, “The more you pay for my services, the happier it makes me.”

Most introductions of Dr. Freeman at events include some of the following elements:

• Mentor/Chaplain to the NBA Washington Bullets/Wizards team for 20 seasons (survived 6 coaching changes).
• Prolific writer with 7 bestselling books…currently in 28 foreign translation editions — endorsed by the likes of Steve Forbes, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Ken Blanchard, Les Brown, Cathy Hughes, Billy Graham, Brian Tracy and more…
• Co-creator of an award-winning film, Return To Glory (with French, Portuguese, Spanish and English subtitles).
• Owns a comprehensive Black History collection of over 3,000 genuine documents and artifacts (oldest piece dated 1553).
• Co-authoring a ground-breaking K-12 Black History curriculum, designed for all 15,000 school districts throughout America.
• Creator of the the world’s first 1:1, full-size, 3-D replica of the famous Rosetta Stone (used to crack the code to hieroglyphics in 1822).
• Multiculturally astute, with travels to well over 55 countries around the world.
• Leads annual educational tours to both Israel and Greece.
• Devoted husband and father…married to Shirley, with four grown children. Resides in Severn, MD.
• Easily mesmerized by street performers and musicians.
• Off-key singer and extremely bad dancer.