Dr. Laymon Hicks
Someone Needs You
03:37
Educators & Staff
05:26
Students
04:23
Audiences Include:
Adult, College & Higher Ed Speakers, Educator PD Speakers, Educators & Staff Speakers, GEAR UP & TRIO Speakers, Grade 6-8 Students, Grade 9-12 Students, School Leadership Speakers, Student, Student Leadership Speakers, Support Staff Speakers
Topics Include:
Career Readiness, Conference Keynote Speakers, Funny Speakers, Inspirational Speakers, Leadership Development, Lived Experience Speakers, Professional Learning Sessions, School Assembly Speakers, Workshop Facilitators
Typical Fee: $5K-$6K
- An Electric Storyteller Who Commands the Stage
- Delivers the Raw Truth About Choices & Change
- Empowers Audiences to Own Their Future
From suspension to earning his doctorate, Dr. Laymon Hicks’ message is raw, redemptive, and unforgettable.
He’s lived the challenges many students face today: an absent father, instability, and bad decisions. And he emerged not just resilient, but purpose-driven.
Along the way, he was elected student body president at Florida State University, leading a campus of over 38,000 students and managing a multimillion-dollar budget.
In every message, Dr. Hicks brings the energy of an electric speaker with the insight of a trained educator. His message is rooted in radical ownership—the idea that no matter what you’ve been through, you still have the power to change your story.
Students and staff connect instantly because he doesn’t hold back. Laymon shares the hard truths about failure, self-sabotage, and shame. But he doesn’t stop there. He guides his audience through the mindset shift required to move from excuses to action, from survival to significance.
Dr. Hicks helps audiences:
- See themselves differently
- Take responsibility without being shamed
- Find hope, especially when they feel broken or overlooked
At the heart of every message is this reminder: someone needs you. Maybe more than you know.
His talks are more than motivational. They’re a blueprint for owning your choices, changing your internal narrative, and showing up with purpose.
Speaking Topics
Dr. Hicks will customize any presentation to align with your event goals.
Dr. Hicks delivers a high-energy, no-holds-barred keynote that meets students where they are and moves them forward. Through his own story of setbacks, shame, and ultimately self-leadership, he equips students with the mindset and motivation to own their choices, rewrite their story, and take action.
This isn’t fluff or hype. It’s real talk that helps students stop hiding behind excuses and start showing up with purpose.
Learning Outcomes:
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Remain resilient during challenging times
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Increase performance in and out of the classroom
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Create stronger relationships with peers and adults
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Sustain motivation and personal drive
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Find acceptance in themselves and others
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Overcome bullying and negative labels
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Take full responsibility for their actions
I’ve never brought the same speaker to my school twice—except for Dr. Laymon Hicks. He's so energetic, charismatic, and real. He connects with students in a way that changes them. One student said it was the best day of his life. Laymon creates those moments. And that impact ripples through your whole school culture.
Concord High School • Students
Looking for the spark to re-ignite your staff’s sense of purpose?
Dr. Laymon Hicks delivers a high-energy, heartfelt message that reminds educators why they started—and why they’re still needed. With vulnerability, humor, and hard-won wisdom, he equips your staff to push through burnout, reconnect with their mission, and keep showing up for students who are counting on them.
This is more than motivation. It’s a reminder that someone needs you. Your care, your presence, your belief—now more than ever.
Learning Outcomes:
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Reconnect with your “why” and use it to stay grounded during hard seasons
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Find renewed belief in the work and the lives you impact
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Learn how to lead with purpose, even when energy is low and challenges are high
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Reframe burnout into clarity and forward motion
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Be reminded that your presence matters to someone, even if they never say it
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Leave empowered, refocused, and proud to keep going
Dr. Laymon Hicks was an exceptional speaker who candidly shared personal experiences with our staff to remind us that students need us.
Cairo Unit School District 1 • Educators & Staff
“How did you become the top student leader on a campus of 38,000 students?”
“How did you manage a $10 million student budget?”
Students ask—and Dr. Hicks delivers the real answer: it wasn’t easy. In this high-energy, hands-on workshop, he unpacks key leadership principles that he utilized as student body president at.
With a mix of personal storytelling, interactive activities, and actionable strategies, students walk away with more than inspiration. They leave with a roadmap to lead with purpose, confidence, and integrity—right now, right where they are.
Learning Outcomes:
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Understand what leadership really means and why it matters
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Learn practical strategies for leading with influence and responsibility
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Develop communication, accountability, and conflict resolution skills
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Explore how mindset, vision, and habits shape long-term impact
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Identify personal values and how to lead from them
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Leave equipped to lead by example in school, clubs, and life
content_paste_search Impact Survey Data
Dr. Laymon Hicks was incredibly impactful during our Young Scholars program at NMU. Our entire team was thoroughly impressed by his dynamic energy and the powerful message he delivered. He truly engaged our students by drawing them in with authenticity and emotion. There were even several tears at the end of his presentation, which speaks volumes about the impression he made. We would be thrilled to have Dr. Hicks return next year.
Northern Michigan University • Student Leaders
Decision-Maker Reviews
What other clients say about booking Dr. Hicks.
4.98
202 bookings
I’ve never brought the same speaker to my school twice—except for Dr. Laymon Hicks. He connects with students in a way that changes them. One student said it was the best day of his life. Laymon creates those moments. And that impact ripples through your whole school culture.
Concord High School • Students
Dr. Laymon Hicks made a quick connection with our audience of nearly 2,000 middle and high school students. They laughed and participated. He received a standing ovation at the end of his keynote. I’ll be inviting him back again in the future for sure.
Georgia Technology Student Association • Students
Dr. Laymon Hicks was an exceptional speaker who candidly shared personal experiences with our staff to remind us that students need us.
Cairo Unit School District 1 • Educators & Staff
Dr. Laymon Hicks was the best speaker we’ve ever had, hands down, no question.
Aurora High School • Students & Staff
Audience-Member Reviews
Real feedback from students and staff. See how Dr. Hicks leaves a lasting impact—shifting mindsets, sparking change, and moving audiences to action.
download_for_offline Audience Reviews (PDF)
Upcoming Events
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