NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS, NO MATTER WHAT!
Award winning journalist Lawayne Orlando Childrey has endured some of the most horrific trauma imaginable, including childhood sexual abuse, a crack cocaine addiction and an HIV diagnosis.
He beat all the odds, returned to college at the age of 40 to pursue his childhood dream of a news reporter. His work with Mississippi Public Broadcasting has earned him dozens of awards including
an Edward R. Murrow award for journalistic excellence.
Childrey is currently in demand as a speaker, inspiring many different kinds of audiences with discussions of his compelling new memoir, Peeling Back the Layers: A Story of Trauma, Grace and Triumph.
4 reviews
Kanitha P.
September 23, 2015Mr. Childrey provided an awesome message at our event! The strength in his story captivated the audience, and left them with something to remember!
Hired as: Motivational Speaker
Julia H.
May 21, 2015Mr. Childrey is a talented speaker with an incredible story; our audience was moved by his words. His story of personal hardship was recounted in a way that allowed audience members from all walks of life to identify with his messages of resilience and the human ability to overcome adversity. He spoke in a way that honored the individuals who were awarded that day; the event at which he spoke was an awards ceremony for individuals in the Jackson community who were leading the fight against HIV/AIDS. Audience members showed their appreciation. By midway through the event, he had sold out all the copies of his book!
In addition, Mr. Childrey was a pleasure to work with. We hope to work with him again in the future!
Hired as: Motivational Speaker
Jamie W.
April 24, 2015Lawayne spoke at the 30th Anniversary Gala for Birmingham AIDS Outreach in March 2015. He was an absolutely pleasure to work with. The event would not have been complete without him. I highly recommend Lawayne and his book.
Hired as: Leadership/Success Speaker, Motivational Speaker, Storyteller
Mauda M.
April 15, 2015Mr. Childrey was a guest speaker for us at our 2014 HIV Health Disparities Conference. We found Mr. Childrey to be professional from beginning to end. I found him to be articulate, well spoken and timely, as we had only given him 45 minutes to tell his story. His story was personable, moving, educational and informative. He was able to walk the audience thru his experiences from his most vulnerable points in life, to his most recent triumphs. Before it was over, nearly the entire room was moved to various emotions, including tears. It wasn't that we felt sorry, but we were moved by the fact that all he had gone thru..he had overcome.
Price range: $1,200 and up
Languages: English
Gig length: 20 - 90 minutes
Lawayne delivers a powerful testimony that demonstrates his ability to persevere during times of immense struggle by relying on the faith that was instilled in him as a child.
He highlights how everyday, millions of people lose sight of their dreams when life's curve balls knock them off their feet and out of the game. With the grace of God, that was not the case for Childrey, who has endured some of the most horrific trauma imaginable, including childhood sexual abuse, depression, a crack cocaine addiction and an HIV diagnosis. Childrey beat all the odds to become an award-winning and respected news journalist, a dream he has had since childhood. In his autobiography, Peeling Back the Layers Childrey demonstrates how he turned his pain into power and his tragedies into triumphs.
Birmingham, Alabama native, Lawayne Childrey is a national Edward R. Murrow award winning journalist. He has won numerous Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters awards. In 2014 the Alabama Community College System named Childrey as one of its most outstanding alumnus in the institutions fifty year history. As a result, the ACCS awarded a $5,000 scholarship in Childrey's name to a deserving Alabama high school senior. During the same year, Childrey was named as alumnus of the year for Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham. He Currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee and serves as a national Voice Over artist, HIV/AIDS activist and motivational and keynote speaker. Childrey is also a member of the Nashville Ryan White Funding Planning Council.
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