Speaking + Training

There is nothing that pierces the hearts and ignites the souls of your audience more than an authentic, heart-centered story. Stories bring us together. They open us up to deeper connections and help to shape our consciousness. Stories engage us, move us to action and drive change. And there are few who obsess over developing and delivering ovation-worthy stories, as much as me (insert hashtag “word nerd”)

Thank you so much for stopping by and considering me. I am honored! As an event planner and professional communicator, I know how much the success of an event can be dependent upon the quality of the speaker. And as I am sure you have discovered, there is a difference between those who know their “stuff” and those who know how to share it in a way that connects to, and engages with, the audience.

My top three strengths from the Strengthsfinder Assessment are: communication, connection and belief. This means that I have the perfect compliment of skills to connect deeply with your audience, to inspire them to believe in the seemingly impossible, and to communicate with them in way that is empowering, informative, entertaining, but most of all, transformative!

Ilesha is awesome!! She made a great impression when presenting the “Planting SEEDS” workshop at the Gila River Indian Community Teacher In-Service event. She connected with the audience by having them participate in a way that was warm and inviting. They walked away with examples and tools to use in the classroom and community. I look forward to using what I learned in my next community event.

Nicole Berkebile

Speaker Bio

There is nothing that pierces the hearts and ignites the souls of your audience more than an authentic, heart-centered story. And there are few who can develop and deliver an ovation-worthy story, as well as, Ilesha (pronounced E-lay-sha).

If you’re looking to bring in a speaker who can connect, inspire and transform your audience or if you are looking to transform the culture of your organization through the power of collective stories, then you’ve come to the right place.

A highly sought after international speaker and women’s leadership consultant, Ilesha “CoCo” Graham impacts audiences around the globe with her humor, transparency, and heart-centered brand of speaking. Individuals, education institutions, and corporations have been impacted by her powerful storytelling and message of “no limit” living. With her unique background in education and presentation, Ilesha has the rare skill of both inspiring and educating her audience – which is what ultimately leads to transformation in thinking and behavior. Ilesha’s unique ability to engage and motivate her audience, has inspired thousands of women and men around the world to live bigger, bolder, and better lives.

Ilesha has been featured on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX40 News, Yahoo News, TVOne, HuffingtonPost, Mashable and multiple other media outlets.

Please scroll down to review my most popular talks and training. Most can be customized for keynotes, workshops, and multi-day events.

BOOK ILESHA TO SPEAK

Ilesha is a professional speaker and master trainer with almost two decades of experience in bringing dynamic, engaging, highly interactive and transformative talks and presentation to audiences all across the country. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Check out her speaker highlight reel and see for yourself.

Signature Programs

Education and Corporate Talks

Ilesha is a top rated educator, speaker and trainer who has been working in the field since 1996. She is dual credentialed in both general education and special education and has been a teacher and site administrator at all levels. During her time as an elementary principal, she achieved high levels of success in closing the academic achievement gap for her campus’ most at-risk students. She also was recognized for improving school culture, engaging the local community and building sustainable programs.

Ilesha is available to provide keynote speeches, as well as, more in depth training on a variety of topics. She has spoken at district trainings, education-focused conferences, site professional development meetings, and fundraising events for education non-profits.

One thing to note about diversity training . . . one common mistake that many trainers and organizations make in their diversity efforts is inadvertently creating a win-lose atmosphere. This can translate into creating a more divided team and will certainly prevent any forward progress with inclusion efforts.

With that said, more than ever, proper diversity training is critical to our success whether we are running a business or teaching the next generation of world changers. As leaders (and we are all leaders), we must develop the knowledge and skill to effectively work alongside, and communicate with, others.

Since 2002, Ilesha has shared her knowledge and inspired her audiences through story telling, practical examples, and experiential exercises. Her ability to tackle tough topics with compassion, sensitivity and humor is what separates her from other diversity speakers.

A partial list of programs is listed below

The Potential is in the SEED

Seeking Engagement, Equity and Diversity

Through experiential, interactive exercises and facilitated story telling audience members are guided through a process to better understand issues of diversity, equity and cultural competency. They will also gain strategies for building rapport, creating strong relationships, improving organizational culture and engaging all stakeholders. (This program can be adapted for school and district leaders, business organizations, students and church leadership).

The Power of Education

The triumphant story of Ilesha’s journey from being a homeless teen to leading one of the top urban schools in her city and the difference educators made in her tale of transformation. Audience members will be inspired and encouraged in their own journey as educators. (This inspirational keynote is perfect for in-service and pre-service meetings, education conferences, and teacher appreciation celebrations)

The Power of Story Telling

Using stories for connection + collaboration

Storytelling is a critical leadership skill, and not one most of us have learned. Ilesha brings practical examples and frameworks to your organization to teach leaders how to effectively use story to inspire and motivate employees and clients.

The Avengers Experience

Courage, Brain, Integrity + Teamwork

Ilesha uses the iconic Avenger characters as a metaphor for audiences to learn how to lead with courage, integrity, brains, and team work.

LET'S GET TO BOOKING

Corporate Programs

Ilesha is a sought after provider of customized, client-centered leadership development services. Through well-researched, well-planned presentations and programs, she delivers practical and immediately implementable solutions to meet client needs.

Ilesha can provide keynote and more in depth training on leadership, team cohesion, communication, and creating culturally responsive environments.

A partial list of programs is listed below

The Potential is in the SEED

Seeking Engagement, Equity and Diversity

The Power of Story Telling

Using stories for connection + collaboration

The Avengers Experience

Courage, Brain, Integrity + Teamwork

Ilesha uses the iconic Avenger characters as a metaphor for audiences to learn how to lead with courage, integrity, brains, and team work.

Faith + Empowerment Talks

Ilesha is committed to providing highly engaging, well planned presentations, whether one hour messages, half day workshops, or multi-day retreats.

Ilesha is a top rated speaker and trainer who has been speaking in churches and at women's empowerment events since 2008. She shares her knowledge and inspires her audience through story telling, practical examples, and experiential exercises. Her ability to tackle tough topics with compassion, sensitivity and humor is what separates her from other speakers in her field.

A partial list of programs is listed below

Going Deeper

(Perfect for Brunches, Teas, Conference Sessions + Retreats)

We often hear the phrase “Bloom where you are planted,” but before we can bear fruit, we must go deeper in our relationship with Jesus Christ, the Root. Whether we are dealing with complacent Christianity or are weathering a difficult storm, the solution is the same – Go Deeper.

God's Wonder Woman

(Perfect for Brunches, Teas + Conference Sessions)

This workshop is for those who have a desire to thrive, and not just survive, in your current assignment. We’ll explore the wonder that you are as God’s precious daughters - perfectly equipped to be more than just a conqueror in Christ.

Balancing Act

(Perfect for Brunches, Teas, Conference Sessions + Retreats)

As busy 21st Century women, we are often pulled into a million different directions. We spend much of our day trying to balance all the roles that we are so precariously holding onto. With a good dose of humor and practical tips, Ilesha helps busy women to live a life that pleases God by creating healthy balance & boundaries, accomplishing more in less time, eliminating stress, finding joy in all the roles that women play and putting first things first.

There's Purpose In Your Pain

(Perfect for Brunches, Teas, Conference Sessions + Retreats)

Wouldn’t it be nice if life always went according to our easy and pain-free plans? But that’s not how life is. We encounter hardships, disappointments, loss, and pain. In the midst of those situations, it’s easy to feel that God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11 does not apply to us. Through the Biblical stories of women who experienced heart-wrenching hardships, we see that God is at work even in our painful situations and that there is purpose in everything that we go through.

LET'S GET TO BOOKING

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DOWNLOAD PHOTOS

I strongly encourage everyone one who was unable to attend in person to listen to this recording. Having a non-affiliated speaker like Ilesha Graham come to discuss D+I broke through the barriers that often make these discussions a challenge to initiate between coworkers. For those who might find they need more “windows” but struggle on how to go about making change, consider starting with personal circles in non-work environments. Having real D+I in our personal support group outside of work can make it easier for us to have the more difficult discussions and it will aid us greatly in making that transformation to our professional circles

Presentation Attendee

Franklin Templeton

Speaker Request Form

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We really enjoyed having Ilesha as one of our speakers for the “Ending Violence Against the Girl Child” twitter conference. We selected her because of her voice and advocacy for women and girls. We felt she had a message and expertise that our audience needed to hear. She provided solid information and resources for fighting against this international issue. Many in our twitter audience were not aware of the devastating impact of girl violence and Ilesha helped to educate them and call them into the fight. If you’re looking for someone who is real, engaging and inspiring, I highly recommend that you hire Ilesha

Graciella

The Graciella Initiative

I asked Ilesha to come to speak to my women at Family Community Church for our annual Women’s Tea. I had heard Ilesha speak at a women’s conference the year before and thought she would be a good fit to come and speak to our women. Ilesha touched the hearts of the women and challenged them to be strong in their conflicts and struggles. She inspired them with her message and life story of being crushed but not broken. She encouraged us to pick up the pieces of our lives and rebuild with God’s help. I think of her story often and it still inspires me today to keep on going no matter how difficult life becomes. Little did I know that a few weeks later I would lose my beloved Father-in-Law and then 3 months later, my beloved Mother-in-Law. Her words of inspiration helped me to persevere through one of the most difficult years of my life. God uses our circumstances to help others through theirs. Thank you Ilesha for being so vulnerable and sharing from your heart.

Melody Buchholz

Women’s Ministry Director, Family Community Church