The best motivational speakers have an incredible story of inspiration and Derek Clark’s underdog story is one of resilience and redemption. Derek spent thirteen years in the foster care system. Before entering foster care, Derek suffered unthinkable child abuse, abandonment and emotional distress. Derek knows first hand on how to cope with adversity and overcoming hardship. His past reflects a life of humiliation, aggression, emotional distress and overwhelming anxiety. He has experienced the life of rejection, fear, suffered atrocious abuse from his biological parents and endured endless grief. Despite years of rage and fractured relationships, Derek grew up to become a successful businessman, motivational speaker and is highly committed to his wife and four children.
Motivational speaker Derek Clark’s inspirational speeches have rejuvenated the hearts of audiences worldwide. He has delivered inspiring conference keynote speeches to:
Derek’s Presentations are intended to provide education and inspiration for:
As a popular and engaging conference keynote speaker, he has been hired by many federal, state and county agencies to rejuvenate and train employees, educators, social workers, foster parents, child welfare workers, judges, attorneys, teachers, juvenile justice, non profits and many more organizations.
Summary of Derek Clark’s Uniquely Inspiring Keynote:
Derek Clark offers professionals involved with kids in the foster care system hope, stamina and the courage to improve ‘the system’. Derek trains and inspires professionals with this purpose; to make sure that each child feels important, to help them to reclaim their dignity, to feel secure, and to know that their past does not have to infect their future. Derek’s inspiring presentations are sure to touch the heart of every foster parent and child welfare professional.
When Derek speaks, it is from his passionate soul. He brings along his music to sing the journals of his life. He believes that music is one of the purest ways to touch and communicate with the hearts of the audience. His audience will be ignited with passion and have the courage to make a difference in the life of a grieving child. He will inspire and teach you to push yourself beyond your perceived limits.
The story of Derek’s life is truly amazing. Even against unbelievable odds, Derek never gave up. Derek’s presentations have an informative message of hope, change and perseverance. His mission is to help others find strength and solutions for their own lives.
Derek’s motivational keynote speeches are designed to implement positive change by presenting startling facts based on Derek’s personal experience from surviving severe child abuse and being misdiagnosed mentally handicapped throughout the first 8 years of his life. He also talks about how he survived abuse, rejection and loss and became a positive statistic in the world of foster care. He shares his feelings on how he felt his mothers “conditional love” as she dropped him off at the county shelter, yet kept his brother and sister. Derek takes you down his road of hate, anger, mistrust in adults, violent tendencies, rejection, lack of love, child abuse and the memories that haunted his life. He believes that by changing the way you look at a child or youth, you can significantly impact their life. Your actions will speak louder than your words but your words are so powerful to a child. Your words can either be used to build up a child or defeat a child.
He teaches on the subject matter, “You cannot think negative thoughts about a child and expect them to live a positive life.” He teaches you how to commit and build upon your strengths when encouraging youth to have hope. He also teaches you how to overcome negative thinking towards a specific foster child or troubled youth. Social workers and foster parents need to know that they do make a difference if they put their heart into it.By setting the good example of personal strength and by having courageous and insightful thoughts, you and your foster child will prevail.
As an inspiring motivational speaker, Derek’s keynote speeches take you on a journey through his life sharing a collection of thoughts, case histories, poems, journal entries and hard lessons that he has learned. His vulnerabilities and triumphs are a great way to connect with the audience’s heart.
Before Derek’s Speech:
After Derek’s Speech:
Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month. Updates and news about all categories will send to you.