KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DEREK JETER

By the time he stepped away from baseball in 2014 after a historic 20-year career, Derek Jeter had established himself as one of the most respected men to ever have played the game. Jeter then established a second career leading a variety of successful business ventures and entrepreneurial investments, while maintaining close ties with baseball.

He served as part-owner and CEO of the Miami Marlins from 2017 to 2022, making history as the first African American to hold this position in MLB. He founded The Players’ Tribune, a platform where athletes share their unique perspectives, and launched Jeter Publishing, which has produced bestsellers like The Contract and Jeter Unfiltered. In 2023, he established Cap 2 Productions, focusing on family-friendly entertainment. 

Driven by his passion for giving back, Jeter founded Turn 2 Foundation in 1996, to support communities in West Michigan, Tampa and New York City, awarding more than $34 million to promote healthy lifestyles among youth.  

In addition to being a five-time World Series champion and member of baseball’s 3,000-hit club, Jeter earned numerous accolades throughout his career, including: World Series MVP (2000); 14 MLB All-Star selections; five Gold Glove Awards; five Silver Slugger Awards; AL Rookie of the Year (1996); Roberto Clemente Award (2009); and Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Award (2009). In 2017, the Yankees retired his No. 2 jersey with a plaque in Monument Park. 

Jeter lives in Miami, FL, with his wife and their three daughters and one son.

SEKOU ANDREWS

Sekou Andrews is the Founder and CEO of SekouWorld, Inc., where he has pioneered the concept of "poetic voice" and established himself as one of the world's leading spoken word poets. With over two decades of experience, Sekou is a multi-talented entertainer who inspires audiences across a wide range of industries and genres. 

After transitioning from a schoolteacher to an entrepreneur, Sekou built a successful seven-figure company and has had the privilege of performing for esteemed figures, such as Maya Angelou, as well as shared stages with musicians, including Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, Maroon 5, John Legend and many others.  

Sekou is also the creator of poetic voice, a cutting-edge speaking category that seamlessly fuses inspirational speaking with spoken word poetry. This blend of storytelling, thought leadership, theater, and comedy makes his content entertaining, moving, and memorable. 

His accolades include the ABA Entrepreneur of the Year award, two Independent Music Awards, two National Poetry Slam championships, and a Grammy nomination for “Best Spoken Word Album.” Recognized by Forbes as a “polymath,” he is sought after by Fortune 500 companies and has appeared on major networks, including ABC and HBO. Sekou has also emerged as a powerful voice for health and wellness events. 

He is also a voiceover artist and actor with several national commercials, four feature films, and a critically-acclaimed, two-man play on his resume.  

He has even returned to the classroom, helping influencers and leaders become dynamic communicators.