Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Social Impact Entrepreneur

Mawi has inspired thousands of audiences through his uplifting presentations at educational conferences, professional development sessions, and corporate keynotes. Find out why Oprah Winfrey calls him “Amazing” and Harvard Magazine calls him “Magnetic.”

Mawi’s Speaking Clients Include:

In 2023, Mawi founded Inner Heroes Universe, a media company that helps kids build inner strength and mental health skills through epic books and adventures. With the help of the Inner Heroes, kids can turn on their power, turn up their confidence, and conquer any challenge that comes their way.

Learn more about the Inner Heroes Universe.

Mawi’s journey from Ethiopian refugee to Harvard graduate and pioneering social entrepreneur has inspired millions.

Mawi Asgedom fled Ethiopia as a child, spending three years in a refugee camp before being resettled in the US. Language barriers, financial struggles, and personal tragedy created obstacle after obstacle in his life.

With the help of educators, mentors and some social emotional learning (SEL) training, Mawi gained confidence and grew in both his academics and his sense of self. He eventually got a scholarship to Harvard University, where he gave the commencement address to an audience of 30,000 people at his own graduation.

To this day, Mawi continues to believe in the power of SEL training to change lives, just as it changed his own, as told in his bestselling book Of Beetles and Angels. Since graduating from Harvard, Mawi has spoken to over one million people. Mawi’s ability to inspire led Oprah Winfrey to call her interview with him one of her top twenty moments in twenty years.

In 1999, Mawi founded Mawi Learning, an organization that unlocks human potential through evidence-based social emotional learning. Under Mawi’s leadership, Mawi Learning won the prestigious CODiE award for excellence and innovation in educational technology, and achieved CASEL-designation for evidence-based Social Emotional Learning. In 2019, after serving millions of students by leveraging technology, Mawi Learning was acquired by the global non-profit ACT.

In 2023, Mawi launched his newest venture to help youth unlock their potential: Inner Heroes Universe, a media company that helps parents, educators, and therapists equip kids with crucial mental health and social emotional skills.

Mawi is available for speaking engagements to education, non-profit, and corporate audiences and is often booked for conferences, staff convenings, and professional development events. Contact us to schedule a presentation.

 

You can learn more about Mawi’s personal story through the articles below from Oprah, ESSENCE, and Harvard Magazine.

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