# The Black Speakers Network Brand Story

In 2016, Baltimore native Brian J. Olds transformed his own journey from reluctant speaker to sought-after professional into a powerful vision: Black professional voices needed a dedicated space to thrive and amplify their impact on global stages. Having experienced firsthand the journey from nervous beginner at Morgan State University's Toastmasters Club in 2006 to advancing to the semi-finals of the World Championship of Public Speaking, Brian understood both the challenges and potential that existed.

What began as Brian's passion for speaking, diversity, and relationship-building has evolved into a transformative movement. For too long, Black professionals with powerful messages and expert knowledge found themselves underrepresented on stages and disconnected from essential resources.

Black Speakers Network became the bridge—connecting extraordinary Black talent with global opportunities while providing the tools, training, and community needed to excel. We didn't just want to fill stages; we wanted to transform them.

From Brian's personal mission to help new and emerging speakers grow their businesses, BSN has exploded into a global community of over 90,000 professional speakers, creators, podcasters, event planners, visionaries, and entrepreneurs—the largest and most accessible speaker development community dedicated to amplifying Black professional voices worldwide.

Today, we deliver daily speaking opportunities, maintain the premier Online Speaker's Directory for event planners, and provide an ecosystem of trusted Platform Partners helping our community build sustainable, profitable speaking businesses.

Our mission remains clear: equip, connect, and inspire the next generation of Black professional speakers. We envision a future where Black voices are not just heard, but celebrated and sought after on every stage that matters.

Speak Up! Your Audience Awaits...