Lift Off

Donovan Livingston is dedicated to sparking the joy of learning in young minds, and when he took the podium to give the convocation address at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, he shared a powerful message of hope and hard truths. In emotionally charged spoken word, Donovan declares that education can only become an equalizer if we first acknowledge the inequality and racial divides holding back America’s future.

Years ago, his seventh-grade teacher saw a rambunctious child, and instead of silencing him, encouraged his voice, telling him that our stories are ladders that enable us to touch the stars. Donovan now continues the work of helping every young person reach their celestial potential. He calls on us all to lift our voices on behalf of every child, as their brighter futures can light up our own.

Donovan’s speech has touched the lives of millions, and now for the first time his words are bound between book covers, to be shared in a beautiful package with graduates and educators today and with generations to come.

About the Author

Donovan Livingston is an award-winning educator and public speaker whose convocation address for the Harvard Graduate School of Education went viral, reaching more than thirteen million views. Livingston and his speech have been featured on CNN, NPR, BBC, and in outlets across Europe, Australia, India, and South Africa. He holds master's degrees from Columbia and Harvard universities and has now returned to his home state as a doctoral candidate studying education at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.