Biography

Husband, father, collegiate athlete, entrepreneur and author, Inky Johnson is one of the most highly sought after speakers in the world. For over a decade, executives, professional sports teams, business owners and people all over have benefited from the  raw energy of his thought provoking and inspirational presentations. Whether the topic  is leadership, teamwork, excelling in the midst of adversity, embracing change, mental agility or perseverance, Inky’s message is effective and efficient.

Inky’s gift of being an effective communicator has allowed him to crossover into different industries. He is a leader called upon by leaders. A partial list of his clients include Chick-fil-A, Dell Technologies, Aflac Insurance, Cooks Pest Control, State Farm, AT&T  Comcast, Coca Cola, Bank of America, Stryker, The University Of Alabama, The University of Texas, The University of Oregon. UCLA, Clemson University, Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, The New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, New York Knicks, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves.

Inky earned his Master’s Degree in Sports Psychology from The University of Tennessee. He was a three year letterman and two year Captain on the Football team, where he started as a cornerback. In his junior year he was projected as a top 30 draft pick. Unfortunately, on September 9th, 2006, he sustained a life threatening, career ending injury that paralyzed his right arm and hand. From that day to present day Inky has had a burning desire to use his situation and experiences to add value to  people’s lives.

Inky’s words have resonated all over the world— “The one thing we all have in common  is that we will encounter adversity, but we have to decide how we respond to it. My arm  and my hand are paralyzed but my heart isn’t, my mind isn’t, my dedication isn’t, my work ethic isn’t, my commitment isn’t.” Inky is on a mission to serve and is someone that  takes tremendous pride in what he does.

Inky is the podcast host of ‘Serendipity with Inky Johnson.’ He devotes time to mentoring athletes and underprivileged youth and is one of the founders of The Inky and Allison Johnson Foundation. Inky and his wife, Allison, live in Atlanta, Georgia with their two children, Jada and Inky Jr.

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Videos

INKY JOHNSON : CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES

Inky Johnson // 3WEDS

INKY JOHNSON'S INKSPIRATIONS - Aflac in Dallas, Texas

INKY JOHNSON - PREPARE FOR GLORY (TAMPA BAY BUCS)

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Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Choices

We have a choice of how we will live our lives.

Honor and Legacy

Despite what we go through we must always keep two things in mind-honor and legacy. Honor the ones that came before and leave a legacy for the ones coming behind you.

Empty the Bucket

You must give everything you have to everything you are involved in all aspects of life.

Process over Product

The process is about what you become on your journey. The personal growth you achieve during the process is way more significant than the product (outcome, goal, dream aspirations, etc).

If you focus solely on the goal you wish you meet, if you give yourself permission only to celebrate your accomplishments, you'll completely miss out on one of the most amazing things about this whole process: your personal growth.

Each step of the way, every hurdle and every success is an opportunity to reflect, to celebrate and to revise your process accordingly. By putting all of your attention on the end result, you'll forget to take a look at all of the changes that are occurring as you're finding your way.

Living On Purpose: The Art of Purpose-Driven Excellence

Join Inky Johnson on a motivational journey into the heart of purpose-driven living in "Living On Purpose." In this keynote, Inky explores the profound impact of aligning individual actions with a sense of purpose. Gain valuable insights into the transformative power of purpose in fostering resilience, igniting passion, and driving sustained excellence.

Learn how living on purpose enhances adaptability, fuels personal growth, and creates a life of meaning and fulfillment. This keynote is an inspiring call to action for individuals seeking a roadmap to unlock their purpose, break free from the ordinary, and lead a life marked by purpose-driven excellence.

Testimonials

Inky Johnson has been one of the best motivational speakers for our associates and we have had him speak multiple times. His testimony has inspired our teams to embrace the challenges in our business and keep going when times get difficult. Inky has become a dear friend of mine and he encourages me on a daily basis.
– Aaron Walters, Co-Founder, Chairman, CEO of Altar’d State
The messages of dealing with adversity, building character and having faith could not have been more timely. Throughout 2020 I was always able to refer back to the message that Inky conveyed as the people of Smithereen navigated an uncertain and challenging time. I truly believe that Inky played a key role in my company's continued success.
– Jack Jennings, President, Smithereen Pest Management

Booksby Inquoris “Inky” Johnson

Inky: An Amazing Story of Faith and Perserverance

Blog Posts

The One Life Question That Separates Victims From Victors

One powerful question changed how keynote speaker John O'Leary chose to live his life. Discover the victim-or-victor framework that works for any challenge.

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Insights from Ross Bernstein on What Champions Do When Nobody’s Watching

Learn how champions think differently and build winning habits that transform teams from talented to unstoppable with peak performance speaker Ross Bernstein.

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7 Year-End Lessons From Keynote Speaker Every Event Planner Needs Before 2026

Learn 7 powerful year-end lessons from top keynote speakers to transform your event planning strategy and personal growth in 2026.

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The Event Budget Mistake Most Planners Make

Learn with Scott Bloom why smart event planners invest in professional emcees instead of expensive keynotes to create unforgettable multi-day event experiences.

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Analog Strategies That Reduce Digital Anxiety (From a Former White House CIO)

Learn how to calm digital anxiety with proven analog strategies from former White House CIO Theresa Payton that can help you restore your human connections.

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How Elite Teams Prevent Catastrophic Failures Before They Happen (Teamwork Lessons From a Fighter Pilot)

Navy fighter pilot Jack Becker reveals how elite teams catch errors fast, protect blind spots, and perform under pressure using proven teamwork strategies.

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