Proximity changes everything.

Step into the room.

Since 1986, Steward Speakers has brought nationally recognized leaders to the people of Indianapolis. This isn’t your average keynote. Our speakers see you, answer your questions, and inspire you to reach for more. We are more than just talk.

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Our Indianapolis community partners

Logo of Lilly Endowment Inc., a private foundation established in 1937
The logo of the indie rock band LCD Soundsystem with the band name in stylized white text on a black background.
The word 'Wabash' written in bold, white letters against a black background.
Logo of the Indianapolis Foundation, featuring a black circle and black and white text
Indiana University Indianapolis logo
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Logo of the Madam Walker Legacy Center in black and white.
Logo of the Eiteljorg Museum featuring a circular emblem and text.
Bold, black and white logo with the letters 'A', 'Q', and 'L' stacked vertically.
Logo with large letters WRTV and the ABC network logo on a black background.
CantarPoint Energy logo with a stylized sphere and the text 'CantarPoint Energy'
Close-up of the word 'Anthem' with a plus symbol and a shield icon in white on a black background.
A black and white logo with the word 'Mays' and a stylized design element resembling a flag or pennant.
Citizens Energy Group logo with a black and white design
Lumia Foundation logo with a stylized circular design and the text 'Lumia Foundation' in white on a black background.
Radio station logo for 106.7 WLTL
Marion County Public Health Department logo with a stylized figure and shield design.
Close-up of the OneAmerica logo in white lettering on a black background.

Our Next Speaker

Kelsey Mitchell &
Aliyah Boston

Indiana Fever

Poster for Steward Speakers 2026 Gala & Awards Ceremony with a theme 'Building Back Better,' featuring two young women athletes, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston, in Indiana jerseys, smiling at the camera.

April 17, 2026

7:00 PM

JW Marriott

10 S West Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

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The Problem

Two women on stage at a conference or event, with one woman smiling and the other holding a microphone. Behind them is a large screen displaying an image of a woman and text including "Erika Alexander" and a website link.

You’ve Seen Greatness on a Screen. But You’ve Never Been in the Same Room.

A man with gray hair and beard, wearing a gray blazer and black shirt, sitting on a black chair, holding a microphone, and gesturing with his right hand.

Every summit, conference, and gala keeps leaders at a distance. VIP access costs a fortune. The rope line never moves.

“Maybe that level of success isn’t for someone with my background, my zip code, my story.”

The gap between where you are and where you want to be feels abstract, almost theoretical.

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No one should have to dream smaller because they never got to stand next to someone who dreamed big and made it.

Access to real human connection with excellence should not be a privilege.

The Solution

A woman with glasses and dreadlocks speaking into a microphone at an indoor event, surrounded by seated audience members.

We Built This Because We’ve Been Where You Are.

A young man with glasses and dreadlocks, dressed in a suit, is speaking at a podium with a microphone. There is a woman in a black dress in the background, and a sign on the podium reads 'Steward Speakers' and includes a logo of a face with makeup and the slogan 'More Than Just Talk!'

We know what it feels like to see greatness from a distance and wonder if it’s meant for you. We’ve been in those rooms where the speaker leaves, and you never get close. So we built something different because we believe proximity changes everything.

Four women taking a selfie together at a Steward Speakers event, standing in front of a branded backdrop.

Since 1986, we’ve brought nationally recognized leaders to the people of Indianapolis, impacted thousands of students through daytime education programs, and inspired young people to launch careers.

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Previous Speakers Include…

  • A woman with long dark brown hair, wearing a red top, smiling, in front of a window with an urban cityscape background.

    Soledad O'Brien

  • Deion Sanders

  • Erika Alexander

  • D'Ondre Whitfield

  • A portrait of a woman with long black hair, wearing earrings and a pearl necklace, against a neutral background.

    Nia Long

  • Michael Eric Dyson

  • Fawn Weaver

  • Dr. William Barber

  • Amanda Seales

  • Shannon Sharpe

  • A woman with long black hair, smiling, wearing a blue blazer and a silver necklace against a gray background.

    Olivia Sedwick

  • A smiling man with dark skin, glasses, short gray hair, and a gray beard, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and striped tie, against a brown background.

    Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr.

  • A woman with glasses and hoop earrings smiling in an indoor setting with a blurred background containing bright lights and signs.

    Alicia Garza

  • A man with a thoughtful expression, resting his head on his hand. He is wearing colorful clothing and a ring, with a blurred background that includes an American flag.

    Roland Martin

  • Black and white photo of a man wearing a cap, with a beard and mustache, looking at the camera.

    9th Wonder

  • Smiling man with glasses and earrings at a professional event, standing in front of a Stewarkers backdrop.

    Cullen Jones

Three Steps. One Room That Changes Everything.

01

SHOW UP

Choose an evening experience, a daytime youth program, or both. Pick the event that speaks to you.

02

BE SEEN

This is not a stadium concert. You will be in the room with leaders who sit with you, talk to you & see you.

03

LEAVE CHANGED

Walk out with a new standard for what’s possible, and often, a real connection that didn’t exist before.

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  • “…Thank you, Steward Speakers for bringing the amazing Erika Alexander to Indianapolis to convey in her most authentic and true voice her own career journey from Arizona, to landing this iconic role, and her impressive career afterwards. It was really awesome to meet and hear from her. Representation absolutely still matters.”

    —Angela F.
    Law Firm Partner & Podcast Host

  • “Working with Steward Speakers has been an amazing experience! I’ve had the honor interviewing incredible voices like Soledad O’Brien, Erika Alexander, Jackie Joyner Kersee and Tamika Catchings. Truly meaningful conversations. I can’t wait to keep building and growing!”

    —Lamont S.
    Speak On It Media

  • "Yesterday, you came and spoke to my class after connecting us with Soledad O’Brien! That opportunity was such a privilege and I want to thank you so much!"

    —Kamya W.
    Student, IU Indianapolis

  • "Hearing Shannon Sharpe talk about his life experiences was truly a powerful experience for our entire family. His authenticity and encouragement made a lasting impression on my entire family and sparked meaningful conversations long after the event. It was more than an evening—it was a moment that brought us closer and reminded us of the impact of purpose and possibility."

    —Jill B.
    Attorney & Mother

  • "From U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and EGOT winner Viola Davis. These are just a few of the amazing powerhouse achievers that Steward Speakers has brought to Indianapolis. Because of the events, my family has had the opportunity to see and hear [how] real people are making a real impact in the world. These experiences have been both inspiring and affirming, showing what is possible through excellence, leadership, and perseverance."

    —Noell A.
    Federal Administrative Law Judge 

Three men in suits and glasses posing for a photo at an indoor event.
Two women posing for a photo indoors, one wearing a black dress with leopard print accents and the other in a yellow and white patterned blouse with yellow pants, standing in front of a poster that reads 'The Street Lights Are On!'
women engaging in conversation at a social gathering, with some wearing patterned clothing and accessories.
A man and a woman smiling and posing together indoors during an event, with badges around their necks, others in the background, and large windows showing a city street outside.
A woman in a plaid blazer speaks into a microphone at a podium.
Two women standing together, one holding an orange purse, in an indoor setting near glass doors, smiling for the camera.
People sitting in an auditorium, with two individuals in the front row smiling at the camera. The man wears a black blazer and cap, and the woman wears glasses and a red top. Other audience members sit behind them.

Your Future

Without Access, the Ceiling Stays in Place.

  • Students keep scrolling past excellence on their phones without ever sitting across from it.

  • Professionals keep climbing without ever hearing someone at the top say, “I know exactly how hard this is.”

  • The inspiration stays locked behind screens, ticket prices, and institutions that were never built for this kind of closeness.

  • People keep adjusting their dreams downward because no one ever showed them, in person, that the full height was reachable.

What Happens When You Step Into the Room.

People don’t just attend Steward Speakers events. They leave different.

  • A college freshman interviews a Hall of Famer and sees herself as a real journalist for the first time.

  • A ten-year-old meets someone who overcame the worst odds and decides failure is not the end of the story.

  • An attorney stands in the same room as the fictional character who made her believe she could do it — and the circle closes.

  • People stop wondering “Is that possible for me?” and start asking “What’s my next move?”

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Two women smiling at a desk with laptops in an indoor setting.
Group of eight women standing together in a lobby, smiling at the camera.
Group of nine men dressed in formal attire, standing together in an indoor event space. Most are wearing suits, and some have bow ties or ties. The background shows stadium seating and dim lighting.
Two men smiling and posing together indoors, one wearing a black jacket and colorful African-style shirt, the other wearing a black beanie, glasses, and a black shirt and apron. A woman is visible in the background, standing near a window.
Three women standing together smiling at an indoor event, with one woman in a white dress and orange blazer in the center, and two women in black and pink outfits on either side.
Three people, two women and one man, standing together smiling at an indoor event. The man is holding a book titled "Love & Whiskey" by Fawn Weaver. The woman on the left is wearing a red dress with a colorful scarf wrapped around her shoulders, and the woman on the right is dressed in a sleeveless red top and black pants.
A woman with curly hair wearing a black top and gold jewelry, speaking into a microphone while holding her phone.

Your Next Room Is Waiting.

You don’t need to know the speaker personally. You don’t need to be a VIP. Every person in the room gets the same access. That’s by design.

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