BOOK Mia Henry

Need a Speaker who Educates & Inspires?

Mia Henry is a force. Such a grand way to kick off the conference. This was my first time attending Back in Circulation and Mia's keynote made me look forward to everything else.

– conference ATTENDEE, University of WIsconsin-Madison School of Information

“

A Featured Speaker for

Recent Podcast Appearances

Mia’s Story

★★★★★

"Mia, the keynote speaker, was hands-down the best part of the day! Her presentation was very engaging."

— conference attendee

LMia in conversation with friends

The Shared Power Podcast

The Shared Power Podcast is about how people can lead collectively in spaces designed to support equity and advance justice.

Book MIA on your show

Official Bio

Mia Henry is the founder and CEO of Freedom Lifted, which offers leadership development through online learning, training, and facilitation. With her unique and approachable style, Mia has created educational spaces and practical tools to support just and ethical leadership for hundreds of organizations and more than 10,000 individuals.

Mia has deep experience leading organizations committed to promoting justice and equity, previously serving as Executive Director of the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College and founding director of the Chicago Freedom School. From 2011 - 2022, she also designed and led 29 educational travel tours to Civil Rights sites in the Deep South.

A graduate of Rutgers University and the University of Pennsylvania, Mia has also been educated by the family dinner table, her parents' bookshelves, her Black ancestors who resisted, and people working for justice and demanding dignity around the world. 

ABOUT Mia

A lifelong educator who's all about helping you understand power and advance justice, one relationship at a time.

Popular Speaking Topics and Workshops

Connecting Identity + Power

A look at how we define power, how we gain it, and how we use it. This talk is designed to illuminate how power shows up in all of our lives. The workshop includes an in-depth discussion of our version of the Power Flower.

Questions, Not Answers: How to Engage Others in Advancing Equity

An exploration of how we can engage in difficult conversations with people about issues related to justice and equity. This includes identifying and addressing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral blocks that can undermine, slow, or halt progress in our work.

How To Bring Power to Patrons

Designed specifically for public libraries, this includes a discussion defining and debunking myths around power and five ways to apply a shared power lens to the work we do for the communities libraries serve.

How To Center Justice in Our Work

A look at how to go beyond diversity, equity, and inclusion to apply a true justice and equity lens to your field. This includes a discussion debunking myths around power and how to apply a shared power lens to everything we do.

Work with Mia

Keynotes

Empower everyone with a renewed sense of purpose and motivation to drive meaningful change.

Standard Keynotes Include:

  • A pre-engagement call

  • A virtual or in-person talk (up to 90 minutes)

  • An unlimited number of seats

  • An optional Q&A

Workshops and Retreats

Learn skills or explore concepts in a group setting where everyone rises together.

Workshops and Retreats Include:

  • Two planning calls

  • A virtual or in-person workshop or retreat

  • 5 - 100 seats (depending on event)

  • Digital resources or notes for attendees

for press

The official bio and headshots

Why Mia Henry is the Ideal Choice for Your Leadership Development Event

Mia invests in understanding the specific needs and desires of groups and audiences. Her work is:

INSPIRATIONAL

Mia doesn't just spark excitement in the room; she takes attendees through personal and historical journeys that remind leaders of the past and inspire hope for the future.

ENGAGING

Mia deeply connects with her audience. Her mix of humor, real-life anecdotes, and interactive segments ensures a memorable and lively presentation.

TAILORED

Mia takes the time to familiarize herself with your organization’s context, culture, and goals, ensuring her message hits home in a way that's most impactful for your team.

PRACTICAL

Following Mia’s sessions, attendees are not only motivated but also equipped with clear, practical strategies they can implement.

Mia Henry interviews Stacey Abrams at 2020 PLA National Conference

In the press

Mia Henry has been featured in The Boston Globe’s Emancipator where she co-wrote Six Ways to Resist, how Black Americans have historically embraced a liberation mindset. She has also contributed an op-ed to the Chicago Tribune entitled Why Every 8th Grade Class Should Go to Alabama, emphasizing the importance of understanding the Civil Rights Movement to grasp the full story of American democracy.

Work with Mia