Program

Lori Pace, CEO of Changing Paces International is a captivating keynote speaker originally from Jamaica and seamlessly embodies the spirit of #OneLove. She migrated from Jamaica to America and identifies as a JAmerican.

An award-winning business and leadership strategist, Lori draws on her extensive background in Real Estate, Urban Planning, and Community Development, and Entrepreneurship to skillfully unite people and places.

Renowned for her prowess as an expert connector, Lori not only brings people together but ignites inspiration, urging audiences to take impactful actions by CURATING CONNECTIONS THROUGH CURIOSITY, and making a lasting difference in the world and emerging global workplace.

Her dynamic presence has graced numerous stages such as TedX, solidifying her status as a sought-after keynote speaker and leadership strategist, while her insights have been featured in various esteemed publications and the media.

Lori Pace, a catalyst for Changing Paces, continues to leave an indelible mark on both individuals and communities alike and shares the Jamaican Optimism and philosophy of "No Problem" and the American idea of the "Melting Pot"

Brave leaders come about in all shapes and sizes, but most importantly with voices that find a way to be heard in a way that transforms others.

Speech Thomas is a shining example of someone who broke the mold and boldly embraced a path that many would not take. Growing up in Milwaukee, one of the most statistically difficult places for black youth, Speech began "going against the grain," allowing his challenges to fuel his positive impact. The speech focused on that spirit as he and his bandmates took Arrested Development from humble and rural beginnings in Georgia to becoming a pioneering force in the music world. Pushing against all trends at the time, their vulnerable and uplifting song Tennessee became their first hit single as well as being awarded BEST RAP SONG at the Grammys and was named one of the "500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Today, he uses that same spirit to help audiences understand how to carve their own path of Brave Leadership in business and life.

In 1995, the group disbanded, and Speech signed a solo record deal with EMI. His first single Like Marvin Gaye Said shot to #1 on the Japanese Tokyo 100 charts for 7 consecutive weeks. His albums 1998 Hoopla and Spiritual People (2000) were certified gold, while Spiritual People was awarded the Best black music album of the year 2000 by the acclaimed ADLIB magazine.

In 2020 Speech partnered with Resonant Pictures and Pipeline Entertainment to release the full-length documentary 16 Bars where Speech goes into a maximum-security jail to write music with inmates. This stirring documentary has won numerous film festival awards and is now available through Lightyear Entertainment on streaming platforms worldwide. Speech continues to change lives through his keynotes and music.