Speaking Reel
ABOUT DAN
Dan's mission is to inspire nonprofits, social entrepreneurs
and college students to do what matters.
He inspires people to bring their ideas to life and tackle the injustices that break their heart so they can change the world, live a great story and train others along the way. Dan utilizes his rare personal experiences of surviving a deadly plane crash in Kenya, traveling the world living on $1.25/day and experiencing lots of disappointment (and success) as an entrepreneur to bring his message to his audience. His conversational style, humor and passion make him a speaker that can relate to nearly any audience.
Dan Parris is a keynote speaker, award-winning filmmaker and entrepreneur. As a keynote speaker, he’s spoken to audiences nationwide on the ability regular people have to make a huge difference in the world. He’s spoken at TEDx, SXSW EDU, NCAN & NSPA National Conferences, and 10 NACA Lecture Showcases. He’s spoken at over a hundred universities nationwide. He’s also the director of the feature length documentaries Show Me Democracy, What Matters? and When the Saints. He is a co-founder/director at Speak Up Studios which focuses on non-profit video storytelling.
Dan loves Jesus, pickleball, Hip Hop, craft beer flights, small cutting boards and big ideas. He lives in St. Louis, MO with his wife and 4 kids.
"I've had quite a bit of feedback from faculty, staff, and students about how pleased and INSPIRED they were."
LIZ
Alfred State, Director of Multicultural Affairs
SPEAKING TOPICS
CAN I REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
A GAME PLAN TO IDENTIFY & PURSUE YOUR PURPOSE
We all want to pursue our purpose and want to change the world in the process. The trouble is figuring out how to start, overcome doubt, connect with a mentor, push through struggles that are bound to come and ultimately, leave the world better than you found it.
TAKE AWAY
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your two questions that will help you identify your purpose
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the Ladder - A 3 stage visual that helps breaks down the major social injustices of our time
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the 3 T’s and how they apply to pursuing your purpose
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the 5 Stages you will face as a changemaker
DEAR FELLOW WHITE CHRISTIAN
White privilege, white silence, white supremacy, white guilt...the list goes on. “White” is the new adjective and let’s be honest, most “white” folks (well any folks for that matter) don’t like a negative word coming after their people group. However, as white Christians, we know that God not only cares about our relationship with Him but our relationships with our fellow humans (remember that Golden Rule?) The thing is many of our Black brothers and sisters aren’t so sure how much we care about them and for good reason.
CONTEMPLATE
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what us White Christians have to recognize about systemic racism
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how systemic racism applies to so much more than police violence
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what us White Christians don’t also have to agree with to fight systemic racism
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what us White Christians should do about systemic racism
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SPECTACULAR
LESSONS LEARNED FROM A PLANE CRASH
Mr. Rogers said “You don’t have to do anything spectacular to be loved.” When I was 25, my friends & I traveled the world on $1/day making a documentary to help end extreme poverty in the world. However, my journey was cut short by a deadly plane crash that left me badly injured and feeling lost about my purpose and identity. When I first heard that quote by Mr. Rogers, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Had my pursuit of success with that project (and every major project since) been at its core an attempt to prove I am worthy to be loved?
LEARN
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how where our identity lies guides all our endeavors
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why the internal battle is always greater than the external battle
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about the rat race of success and how it's offset by the mundane
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why the most successful people rest and the theory of 12
"One of our event programmers said it was one of the BEST they had seen so far. It was very well attended."
ELISA
Spokane Falls Community College
FILM ENDEAVORS
Using my voice to tell stories and inspire audiences
beyond the microphone and behind the camera.
"Dan was WARM AND HONEST while speckling humor into the conversation in a way the kept the students comfortable . . . I would recommend him to any school!"
LAUREN
Teacher at Westminister Christian Acadmey
PAST SPEAKING CLIENTS
"You do it in a way that is so UNIQUE that actually makes a difference . . . (an) amazing combination of being hilarious but then so INSIGHTFUL at the same time."
KENDRA
Student Program Advisor, Bridgewater State
CONNECT WITH ME
