Donald H. Whitehead Jr.

Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless

Washington, DC, USA
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info
Addiction & Recovery, Anti-Racism, Black Heritage, Civil Rights, DEI, Executive Leadership, Government, Mental Health, Non-Profit, Overcoming Adversity, Social Activism, Social Justice, Storytelling, Veterans
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Donald H. Whitehead Jr. Biography

Donald H. Whitehead Jr. is recognized as one of the nation’s foremost authorities on homelessness, substance abuse and racial equity. He is the executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless and co-founder of Racial Equity Partners. Whitehead serves as a member of the Homeless Veterans Advisory Committee for the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Over the course of 28 years, his professional journey has encompassed all aspects of homeless service, ranging from direct outreach to executive leadership.

Whitehead has held numerous board positions, including two terms as president of the National Coalition for the Homeless, and roles on the boards of Faces and Voices of Recovery and the Georgetown Center for Cultural Competency. His public service includes appointments to the State of Maryland Drug and Alcohol Policy Council and participation in the Baltimore Ten-Year Planning Committee to End Homelessness. He has testified before committees during the 107th and 108th Congresses and has submitted written testimony on various occasions. In collaboration with congressional staff and the National Coalition for the Homeless, Whitehead was instrumental in the development and introduction of the "Bringing America Home Act," considered the most comprehensive legislative effort to address homelessness in the United States.

Whitehead’s dedication has been recognized with a Distinguished Service Award from the Congressional Black Caucus and a Special Recognition Award from Congress in 2008. He presented verbal testimony to the United Nations in 2020. Among his achievements are supporting the housing of 300 chronically homeless individuals in central Florida in 2016 and directly assisting over 200 unsheltered individuals in Prince George’s County, Maryland, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whitehead’s insights have been featured on national platforms such as CBS News, ABC News, Fox, CNN, MSNBC, C-SPAN and NBC, and on numerous local stations, as well as on radio programs including NPR, "The Tavis Smiley Show," and "The Tom Joyner Morning Show," and on international outlets in Great Britain, Germany, Canada and Mexico. He has appeared on "Dr. Phil" and participated in interviews across diverse media formats. Notably, Whitehead has been a guest of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

With academic credentials in communications and African American studies from the City College of Chicago, the University of Cincinnati and Union College and University in Ohio, Whitehead served as a journalist in the United States Navy. In addition to his advocacy work, he is active as a stand-up comedian and actor, having performed in six films, various commercials, stage productions and television shows, and earning a regional Emmy for one of his performances.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 02/13/2026.

Donald H. Whitehead Jr. Speaking Topics

  • Overcoming Obstacles to Success

    Before Donald H. Whitehead Jr was Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, he was a man trying to survive homelessness myself. He remembers the feeling vividly — like being trapped in a jar, watching the world go on just beyond the glass. He could see people laughing, working, living — but he couldn’t reach them. He could see opportunity out there, but couldn’t climb out to get to it. He could hear life happening — but he was sealed inside by poverty, stigma, and systems that didn’t see me a human.

    And then, someone reached in. Not an agency. Not a politician. A person.

    A volunteer who saw his humanity. A worker who remembered Donald's name. Someone who said, “Donald, you matter.”

    That didn’t fix everything overnight, but it loosened the lid. And with time, faith, and the help of people who cared, Donald climbed out. So when he talks about swimming upstream — he's not talking about theory. He's talking about life. Because he has been carried by the current — and fought his way back against it.

  • Ending Homeless in America

    This speech addresses the current challenges facing Permanent Supportive Housing programs in the United States. Donald H. Whitehead Jr. openly criticizes leaders and agencies who claim to pursue housing innovation and flexibility, arguing that these efforts often mask budget cuts and the reduction of proven programs. The speech highlights how the focus on financial considerations and public image—"budgets and optics”takes priority over the needs of those experiencing homelessness. It calls out policymakers for treating homelessness as a political issue rather than a human crisis, urges continued advocacy, and warns against both funding cuts and increased criminalization of homelessness. The overall message is a passionate defense of Permanent Supportive Housing as an evidence-based solution that saves lives and money.

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  • How do I book Donald H. Whitehead Jr. to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Donald H. Whitehead Jr.

    Speaking fees for Donald H. Whitehead Jr., or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Donald H. Whitehead Jr. are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Donald H. Whitehead Jr., click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Donald H. Whitehead Jr. speak about?

    Donald H. Whitehead Jr. is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Addiction & Recovery, Anti-Racism, Black Heritage, Civil Rights, DEI, Executive Leadership, Government, Mental Health, Non-Profit, Overcoming Adversity, Social Activism, Social Justice, Storytelling, Veterans

  • Where does Donald H. Whitehead Jr. travel from?

    Donald H. Whitehead Jr. generally travels from Washington, DC, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Donald H. Whitehead Jr. for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Donald H. Whitehead Jr. for your next private or corporate function.

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Donald H. Whitehead Jr. is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Overcoming Obstacles to Success, Ending Homeless in America, Undressing Homeless, Poverty -vs -Pathology and Homeless Among African Americans. The estimated speaking fee range to book Donald H. Whitehead Jr. for your event is available upon request. Donald H. Whitehead Jr. generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Michael Ellison, Maurice Mitchell, Shavar Jeffries, Audra Wilson and George Clayton Fatheree III. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Donald H. Whitehead Jr. for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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