Biography

Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, has served as President of UMBC (The University of Maryland, Baltimore County) since May, 1992.  His research and publications focus on science and math education, with special emphasis on minority participation and performance.

He serves as a consultant to the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the National Academies, and universities and school systems nationally.  He also sits on several corporate and civic boards.  Examples include the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Constellation Energy Group, the France-Merrick Foundation, Marguerite Casey Foundation (Chair), McCormick & Company, Inc., and the Urban Institute.

Examples of recent awards or honors include election to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the American Philosophical Society; receiving the prestigious McGraw Prize in Education, the U.S. Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring, and the Columbia University Teachers College Medal for Distinguished Service; being named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Marylander of the Year by the editors of the Baltimore Sun; and being listed among Fast Company magazine’s first “Fast 50 Champions of Innovation” in business and technology.  He also holds a number of honorary degrees, including most recently from Haverford College, Princeton University, Duke University, the University of Illinois, the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Gallaudet University, Goucher College, the Medical University of South Carolina, and Binghamton University.

He has authored numerous articles and co-authored two books, Beating the Odds and Overcoming the Odds (Oxford University Press), focusing on parenting and high-achieving African American males and females in science.  Both books are used by universities, school systems, and community groups around the country.

A child-leader in the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Hrabowski was prominently featured in Spike Lee’s 1997 documentary, Four Little Girls, on the racially motivated bombing in 1963 of Birmingham’s Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.

Born in 1950 in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Hrabowski graduated at 19 from Hampton Institute with highest honors in mathematics.  At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he received his M.A. (mathematics) and four years later his Ph.D. (higher education administration/statistics) at age 24.

Read More

Videos

Request Availability

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Beating the Odds: Raising Academically Successful African-American Males

Today, young Black men are more likely to be killed or sent to prison than to graduate from college. Yet, despite all the obstacles, some are achieving at the highest academic and professional levels. Freeman Hrabowski shares remarkable stories and shows audiences what African-American families have done to raise
academically successful sons, sons who are among the top two percent of African-American males in terms of SAT scores and grades. He will show precisely how young African-American men can succeed despite the roadblocks of racism, the
temptations of crime and drugs, and a popular culture that values being "cool" over
being educated. This presentation offers insight, guidance, and hope for anyone concerned about the plight of young African-American men and the society they live in.

Overcoming the Odds: Raising Academically Successful African-American Young Women

Statistics indicate that African-American females, as a group, fare poorly in the United States. Many live in single-parent households-either as the single-parent mother or as the daughter. Many face severe economic hurdles. Yet despite these obstacles, some are performing at exceptional levels academically. Freeman Hrabowski provides a wealth of information about how and why they have succeeded--what motivates them, how their backgrounds and family relationships have shaped them, even how it feels to be a high academic achiever. He offers specific and inspiring examples of the practices, attitudes, and parenting strategies that have enabled these women to persevere and triumph. This presentation is an invaluable guide on creating the
conditions that lead to academic-and lifelong-success.

Booksby Freeman A. Hrabowski, III

The Empowered University: Shared Leadership, Culture Change, and Academic Success

Holding Fast to Dreams: Empowering Youth from the Civil Rights Crusade to STEM Achievement (Race, Education, and Democracy)

Beating the Odds: Raising Academically Successful African American Males

Overcoming the Odds: Raising Academically Successful African American Young Women

Blog Posts

https://thekeynotecurators.com/wp-content/themes/thekeynotecurators

Top Personal Development Speakers to Inspire Growth, Confidence, and Success

Why are personal development speakers in such demand? In today’s ever-evolving workplace, technical skills get your foot in the door but it’s personal growth that keeps you thriving. The most successful leaders and organizations have...

Read More

How Embracing Regret Can Transform Your Life with Daniel Pink

In this podcast episode, learn how regret can be a strategic tool for success with insights from keynote speaker and bestselling author Daniel Pink.

Read More

Sports Motivational Speakers: Mindset Lessons from the World’s Best Athletes

Why are sports motivational speakers such a slam dunk for today’s corporate and conference audiences? Because no one understands the link between mindset, pressure, and performance like athletes do. Whether they’re training for gold, climbing...

Read More

Keep Climbing: Resilience and Grit in the Face of Adversity

In this newsletter, learn how intentional growth, resilience, and grit empower you to keep climbing despite adversity.

Read More

Mastering Negotiation To Get Anything You Want with Alexandra Carter

Learn negotiation strategies, how to use emotional intelligence to ask the right questions and create win-win outcomes with keynote speaker Alexandra Carter.

Read More

Top Keynote Speakers on Building Resilience: Expert Strategies to Overcome Challenges and Thrive

Why are speakers on building resilience so important? Well, did you know only 19% of leaders feel equipped to manage unexpected disruptions effectively? In today’s volatile world, resilience isn't just desirable—it's essential. From economic uncertainty...

Read More

Related Speakers

Reviews & Ratings

Here's how toHit the mark with the perfect speaker!

1. Schedule a call

We’ll connect so we understand your needs to curate a selection of great speakers.

2. Book your speaker

We’ll manage all the details so you will be confident with your choice.

3. Wow your audience

Inform & educate your participants to ideas that transform their work & personal life.

Schedule a Call

Blog Posts

 
https://thekeynotecurators.com/wp-content/themes/thekeynotecurators

Top Personal Development Speakers to Inspire Growth, Confidence, and Success

Why are personal development speakers in such demand? In today’s ever-evolving workplace, technical skills get...

Read More

How Embracing Regret Can Transform Your Life with Daniel Pink

Regret isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom in disguise. In our fast-paced, often unpredictable world, regret can be...

Read More

Sports Motivational Speakers: Mindset Lessons from the World’s Best Athletes

Why are sports motivational speakers such a slam dunk for today’s corporate and conference audiences?...

Read More

Keep Climbing: Resilience and Grit in the Face of Adversity

There’s a moment in every climb when the summit seems too far, the air too...

Read More

Mastering Negotiation To Get Anything You Want with Alexandra Carter

Negotiation isn’t about winning—it’s about understanding. In a world where meaningful communication and true empowerment...

Read More

Top Keynote Speakers on Building Resilience: Expert Strategies to Overcome Challenges and Thrive

Why are speakers on building resilience so important? Well, did you know only 19% of...

Read More