Ashley Rhodes-Courter
Since her first National Keynote at age 14, Ashley Rhodes-Courter has shared her story with thousands in the United States and abroad in over seven countries.
Fee Range: $ $10,000 - $15,000
FEATURED VIDEOS
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Since her first National Keynote at age 14, Ashley Rhodes-Courter has shared her story with thousands in the United States and in over 7 countries.
Ashley Rhodes-Courter, MSW, is the quintessential American success story. Born in 1985 to a single teen mother, by the age of 3 she was in Florida’s foster care system where she spent almost ten years being shuttled between 14 homes—some quite abusive—before being adopted from a Children’s Home at the age of twelve.
Despite her ordeal, she excelled in school because she believed that, “my education was the one thing nobody could take from me.” Early in her life she felt compelled to advocate for herself and the other children she lived with, particularly in the abusive foster homes.
Her efforts and academic achievements landed her Eckerd College’s Trustee Scholarship where she graduated with honors and ahead of schedule earning a double major in Communications and Theater and a double minor in Political Science and Psychology. Ashley then went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.
During her undergraduate studies, she was one of 20 college students selected for the USA Today All-USA Academic Team and was named one of GLAMOUR Magazine’s Top Ten College Women. She was also selected as one of the four Golden BR!CK Award winners for outstanding advocacy for community change by DoSomething!. As part of their campaign, she was featured on 25 million bags of Cool Ranch Doritos.
By the age of 22, Ashley had become a New York Times Bestselling Author. Her first book, “Three Little Words” is now an International Bestseller and has been published in at least 4 countries. Her second book, “Three More Words” debuted at #1 on Amazon Bestseller’s List. Both books are used in classrooms across the country in various community and First Year Experience Collegiate programs.
Ashley has received State, local, and National awards for her speaking, advocacy, and philanthropy. She has spoken on Capitol Hill and has been invited to the White House twice. “Three Little Words” is now a major motion picture.
Since her first National Keynote at age 14, Ashley Rhodes-Courter has shared her story with thousands in the United States and in over 7 countries.
Ashley Rhodes-Courter, MSW, is the quintessential American success story. Born in 1985 to a single teen mother, by the age of 3 she was in Florida’s foster care system where she spent almost ten years being shuttled between 14 homes—some quite abusive—before being adopted from a Children’s Home at the age of twelve.
Despite her ordeal, she excelled in school because she believed that, “my education was the one thing nobody could take from me.” Early in her life she felt compelled to advocate for herself and the other children she lived with, particularly in the abusive foster homes.
Her efforts and academic achievements landed her Eckerd College’s Trustee Scholarship where she graduated with honors and ahead of schedule earning a double major in Communications and Theater and a double minor in Political Science and Psychology. Ashley then went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.
During her undergraduate studies, she was one of 20 college students selected for the USA Today All-USA Academic Team and was named one of GLAMOUR Magazine’s Top Ten College Women. She was also selected as one of the four Golden BR!CK Award winners for outstanding advocacy for community change by DoSomething!. As part of their campaign, she was featured on 25 million bags of Cool Ranch Doritos.
By the age of 22, Ashley had become a New York Times Bestselling Author. Her first book, “Three Little Words” is now an International Bestseller and has been published in at least 4 countries. Her second book, “Three More Words” debuted at #1 on Amazon Bestseller’s List. Both books are used in classrooms across the country in various community and First Year Experience Collegiate programs.
Ashley has received State, local, and National awards for her speaking, advocacy, and philanthropy. She has spoken on Capitol Hill and has been invited to the White House twice. “Three Little Words” is now being made into a major motion picture.
IN THE MEDIA
ASHLEY’S ACHIEVEMENTS
- New York Times Magazine publishes Three Little Words Essay
- Youth Advocate of the Year, North American Council on Adoptable Children
- Kids to Kids National Service Award, Child Welfare League of America
- Two Angels in Adoption Awards from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption
- Eckerd College Trustee Scholarship
- USA Today All-USA Academic Team
- Awarded 1 of 4 Golden Brick Awards for Advocacy by DoSomething!
- Top Ten College Women by Glamour Magazine
- Graduated with Honors, Eckerd College
- Three Little Words memoir becomes New York Times & International Bestseller
- Featured on Good Morning American with Diane Sawyer
- Ambassador, Levi’s Shape What’s To Come Campaign
- Master’s Degree in Social Work, University of Southern California
- International Woman of the Year, St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce
- Named Community Hero from Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team
- Ran for Florida State Senate at age 26
- Three More Words published in 2015
- 2018 Top 100 Women that Inspire Us Award Winner
Ashley Rhodes-Courter's Programs
Three Little Words – Motivational Keynote
Motivating Change in Three Little Words
(Based on her award-winning International and New York Times Bestselling memoir, Three Little Words)
Born in 1985 to a single teen mother Ashley was placed in foster care at the age of 3. Most of her 14 placements were abusive and overcrowded. In one home, 16 people lived in a small trailer where the children were regularly beaten, neglected, verbally assaulted, and starved. Another foster parent became a convicted pedophile. At one point, she was also placed with an alcoholic relative that was shot twice in front of her.
After spending almost ten years in the system, Ashley was finally adopted from a group home when she was twelve. Instead of seeing herself as a victim, Ashley has used her experience to find the strength to accomplish incredible things. She became a New York Times Bestselling author by age 22, holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work, ran for Florida State Senate at age 26, created and heads a non-profit organization, and she has been a foster parent to more than 20 children. In this inspiring keynote, Ashley will show audiences how to overcome their own personal and professional challenges to accomplish more than they ever thought possible. She delivers her story with humor and grace, and attendees will leave energized and ready to take on the world!
Partial List of Takeaways:
- Decode several key elements of resilience like: Accountability, optimism and openness, identifying constructive influences, and accepting and giving help
- Becoming a successful life strategist and overcoming fears or “failures”
- Impact positive thinking and introspection by turning set-backs into successes
- Give hope, inspiration, and motivation through a personal story of perseverance and determination
- Encourage community engagement
EDUCATION SPEAKER
Ashley Rhodes-Courter, MSW, has spoken in almost all 50 States and many countries to students, colleges, educators, social workers, youth groups, Resident Advisor and Student Life organizations, and other community groups. She is the New York Times and International Bestselling Author of, “Three Little Words” and “Three More Words.” These titles have been used around the country as part of many curriculums, and are frequently used at the middle, high school, and collegiate levels. “Three Little Words” is one of the most requested and award-winning titles for First Year Experience (FYE) programs nationally.
Ashley’s commencement speeches, lecture series, workshops and events inspire students and professionals in profound ways. Education was one of her keys to surviving in foster care and she learned that “my education was something no one could take from me.”
Available Keynote Presentations Designed for Educational Organizations:
The Keys to the Kingdom: School as Sanctuary
Ashley talks about the importance of recognizing strengths, engaging students and youth, and reminds us that school may be the only sanctuary some students have.
Keynote, Commencement, and Workshop options are individualized for each group. Areas of expertise for Youth and Professionals can include information from the following topics:
- Tips for teaching through tough times or connecting with troubled or difficult students
- Explore why some students act the way they do: the impact of coming from a broken home
- How to engage beyond the textbooks
- Provide potential assessment tools
- Helping Students succeed and transition
- The ACEs Decoded: Working through Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Trauma Informed Classrooms
- LGBTQ+ issues and understanding
- How to create safer, more inclusive schools
- Embracing Diversity
- Transitioning to College and Collegiate Success
Personalized Student and Educator programs are available upon request. CEU’s available.
NON-PROFIT SPEAKER
Ashley gave her first National keynote address at the age of 14. Since then, her story has touched countless youth, families, schools, non-profits, and community groups. Ashley spent nearly a decade in foster care, being shuffled around to 14 placements. Despite her trauma and abusive situations, Ashley went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work became a New York Times Bestselling Author by the age of 22. She is the founder and Executive Director of a non-profit, The Foundation for Sustainable Families (www.SustainableFamiliesFoundation.org). Her story has helped raised millions of dollars for various organizations.
Ashley’s keynotes and workshops are touching, humorous, informative, and motivating. She is the ideal speaker for your next fundraiser, conference, lecture series, or community event. Ashley regularly does media and promotional work for groups prior, during, and after events which allow for increased exposure to your work and programming.
Available Keynote Presentations Designed for Non-Profit Organizations:
Power of One Person and Making a Difference: How One Person Can Change the Life of Another
It only takes one person to change the life of another and Ashley’s story serves as a passionate example of triumph and inspiration. With a life coach you can be ready, Life coaching is a synergistic relationship between an accredited life coach and a client designed to tap into your full potential, and the use of Diversity speaking which includes unconscious bias, cultural competence, inclusive leadership, women’s advancement, authentic leadership, and ally ship. Just as Olympic athletes wouldn’t think of training without the added insight, objective perspective and enthusiastic support of an athletic coach, many of today’s most successful business leaders, professionals, executives, entrepreneurs and CEOs use the services of a life coach to take their lives, careers, or businesses to the next level.
Partial List of Takeaways:
- How to reengage or recruit employees, workers, or volunteers
- Top 10 tips on engaging the local community
- How to successfully raise funds for a non-profit organization or cause
- Turn personal pain or tragedies into a powerful voice for others
- How to help another while maintaining self-care and avoiding debilitating transference
Three More Words: Coming Full Circle
Based on her life experiences and #1 Bestselling memoir, Three More Words, Ashley Rhodes-Courter, MSW, works with organizations to personalize presentations to meet their specific needs and objectives. Ashley is a foster child who came full circle to become a social worker, volunteer, AND foster/adoptive parent. Ashley and her husband have cared for more than 25 children and their eldest of three children was adopted from foster care. Her unparalleled, multi-faceted experiences give audiences a deeper understanding of the various traditionally underrepresented populations many non-profits serve. Ashley leaves audiences having seen a true story of resiliency in the face of extreme adversity, and the healing power of service to others.
Takeaways and Objectives may include:
- Raising funds for charitable groups by personifying their work
- How to give and receive help
- Creating Positive Influences and Setting Goals
- Becoming, or helping others become, a successful life strategist
- Making a positive impact by turning Pain into Power
- Give hope, inspiration, and motivation through a personal story of perseverance and determination
- Encourage community engagement
- Volunteer, Donor, and Member Retention
