Rashad Rayford

MOTH Story Hour Grand Slam Champion and Poet, Seamlessly Combining Masterful Storytelling, Spoken Word Poetry, And Actionable Business Insights to Inspire Transformative Connections and Unforgettable Experiences

Topics: Storytelling, Business Leadership, Innovation, Corporate Culture, Creativity, Thought Leadership, Healthcare & Healthcare Policy, Strategy, Entertainment, Communication, Professional Development, Employee Engagement, Music, Resilience, TED Speakers

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Biography

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Rashad Rayford is a dynamic thought leader, award-winning actor, poet, and speaker known for blending storytelling, spoken word, and business acumen to inspire audiences across industries.

As the founder of Elevate Your Vibe, Rashad Rayford has revolutionized the corporate speaking landscape with his intuitive and energetic approach, helping businesses craft compelling stories that drive engagement and authentic connections.

With a client roster that includes Tractor Supply Co., Best Buy, Vulcan Materials, Nashville Electric Service, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Rashad has traveled the country delivering high-impact keynotes and workshops.

His signature style combines artistry and strategy, empowering organizations to see themselves as the inspiration for their teams and clients.

Rashad Rayford’s work has been featured at TEDx, on NPR, and in The Wall Street Journal, HuffPost, and USA Today.

He is a MOTH Story Hour GRANDslam champion, recognized for his ability to captivate and transform any audience. Whether addressing Fortune 500 companies, educators, or emerging leaders, Rashad uses storytelling to elevate both mindset and performance.

Rashad Rayford’s self-development book, Elevate Your Vibe: Ten Ways to Grow You, offers practical steps for individuals to reach their highest potential. As an expert in storytelling and communication, Rashad emphasizes the power of narrative to inspire action and cultivate authenticity in both personal and professional realms.

Beyond speaking, Rashad’s career is a testament to versatility and creativity. As an artist, he has released 15 albums spanning spoken word and hip-hop, and his performances have graced stages such as the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, TPAC, and Nashville International Airport. He has opened for legends like Big Boi (Outkast), Talib Kweli, and Robert Glasper, showcasing a unique blend of jazz, soul, and hip-hop.

Rashad’s commitment to community and education is evident in his workshops for organizations like the National Museum of African American Music and his mentorship with Southern Word, where he uses spoken word to teach literacy and inspire the next generation.

Whether leading corporate workshops, delivering keynotes, or performing on stage, Rashad brings unmatched energy, creativity, and expertise. His mission is clear: to elevate every audience, helping them unlock the power of their stories and achieve lasting transformation.

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Videos

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

The Sound of Leadership: How Listening Fuels Innovation

In a world where everyone’s vying to be heard, true leaders know that the most powerful tool in their arsenal isn’t their voice, it’s their ability to listen. The Sound of Leadership: How Listening Fuels Innovation explores the often-overlooked art of listening and how it can transform not only the way leaders engage but how they inspire game-changing ideas.

The Heartbeat of belonging: Why people seek, why people stay

Explore the human side of employee retention in this impactful keynote. Rashad reveals how empathy, team building, and personal responsibility create a workplace culture where people feel valued and connected. Through engaging stories and actionable strategies, attendees will learn how to foster genuine belonging, build stronger teams, and inspire loyalty that lasts.

Lead with your story! Crafting Narratives that inspire Career Growth

Unlock the transformative power of personal storytelling in this engaging keynote. Rashad demonstrates how authentic narratives can inspire career growth, motivate teams, and drive success at every level. Attendees will gain practical tools to craft compelling stories that connect, communicate, and lead with impact, turning their personal experiences into powerful leadership assets.

InKNOWvation NOW!

This keynote is about transforming knowledge into actionable innovation.

Rashad explores how to leverage what you know and what you don't to fuel creativity and growth.

Focus Areas:
Know Your People: Understand team and customer needs deeply.
Bridge Knowledge Gaps: Proactively identify and fill information gaps.
Act NOW: Use the knowledge you have to innovate with speed and confidence.

True innovation is about innovating yourself. Using knowledge boldly understanding, connecting, and acting quickly to create impactful breakthroughs.

Testimonials

Rashad was fantastic, his style is unique engaging inspiring and informative. He tailored his speech to our business while still delivering a thought provoking message.

– Hal Lawton CEO Tractor Supply Company

We have two ears and one mouth, in his leadership talk he brought home how important It is to use those proportionally. We are grateful for what he left with our leadership team.

– Juan Williams Commissioner Dept of Human Resources State of TN

Rashad is a charismatic storyteller who has the ability to embed a message and make it entertaining and easy to listen to. Our employees are still talking about Rashad, two months after that presentation.

– Simone Feldman CEO GovPlace

Rashad didn’t just elevate our vibe, he redefined how we approach storytelling in sales.

– 6AM City

Rashad wasn’t just memorable, he was unforgettable.

– Navvis Healthcare

Rashad is the best at what he does.

– AmeriBen

We have two ears and one mouth, in his leadership talk he brought home how important It is to use those proportionally. We are grateful for what he left with our leadership team.

– Juan Williams Commissioner Dept of Human Resources State of TN