Award-Winning Creative Entrepreneur & Storytelling Expert; Founder & CEO of The Professional Storyteller; Acclaimed Choreographer & Author
Mark Travis Rivera Biography
Telling stories is at the core of Mark Travis Rivera’s purpose in life. He is an award-winning creative entrepreneur and the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of The Professional Storyteller, where he embraces the power of story to create a more inclusive world.
As a writer, Rivera’s bylines include The Bergen Record, Herald News, The Star-Ledger, Fox News Latino, and The Huffington Post. He was also a contributing author in the anthology, "Crisis and Care: Queer Activist Responses to a Global Pandemic" (PM Press, 2022), edited by Adrian Shanker. His debut collection, "Drafts: An Imperfect Collection of Writing," was published in August 2017. He was also a contributing writer for Imagining: A Gibney Journal, where he shared his experience as a disabled choreographer and dancer.
As a stubborn and determined 17-year-old, Rivera founded marked dance project (2009-2019), becoming the youngest person in the United States to create and lead an integrated dance company for disabled and non-disabled dancers. Inspired by his desire to dance as a person with cerebral palsy, he would go on to help disabled and non-disabled dancers alike find their voice as artists. As a Puerto Rican queer man, he was also one of just a handful of artistic directors of color in the disability dance field in the United States. As an independent disabled choreographer, Mark is determined to build a bridge between the main dance field and disability dance. More recently, Mark was selected to participate in Ballet Hispanico’s Instituto Coreográfico program, becoming the first physically disabled Latinx choreographer to do the Instituto.
As a speaker, he has addressed audiences at various institutions of higher learning, including Harvard, MIT, Rutgers, and NYU. As a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultan and facilitator, he has spoken to corporate audiences virtually in the UK, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Israel, China, and India, just to name a few. His TEDx Talk, “Embracing Yourself, Embracing Your Potential,” was a smash in 2014 at Bergen Community College.
A first-generation high school and college graduate, Rivera earned his bachelor’s degree in women’s & gender studies with a minor in public relations from William Paterson University of New Jersey. In 2013, he was honored with the Campus Pride National Voice & Action Award for his work with the LGBTQ community. More recently, he won the Audre Lorde Award for Social Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Lavender Legacy Award from William Paterson.
He is a member of the WE CREATE SPACE global collective of LGBTQ+ leaders. He also serves as a Senior Consultant for Unlock Creative. He is a proud Tio (uncle) to five nieces and two nephews. He was born in Miami, raised in New Jersey, and lived in New York City and the Bay Area, but now calls Atlanta, GA, home.
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Mark Travis Rivera Speaking Topics
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Step Off the Pedestal: Mark's Warning to Young Leaders
By the completion of his third year in college, Mark Travis Rivera had received the Lifetime Achievement Award and was one of the top student leaders at his university. From the university's president to vice presidents, associate provosts, deans, directors, faculty, and staff, he quickly became the “go-to” student when looking for students who could get things done well. This keynote address aims to serve as a warning to young leaders not to allow themselves to become consumed by the politics, social expectations, and pressures that come from being a leader.
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Authenticity is a Superpower: Be Seen & Heard for Who You Are
As a professional storyteller, Mark Travis Rivera has spoken to people of all backgrounds worldwide. One of the greatest assets in his career has been his willingness to show up and be seen and heard for who he is. An imperfect human trying to make the world a better place. Authenticity is his superpower; anyone can learn to harness the power of authenticity if they are willing to be seen and heard for who they are.
Mark Travis Rivera Videos
Embracing yourself, embracing your potential: Mark Travis Rivera at TEDxBergenCommunityCollege
Mark Travis Rivera is an award-winning LGBTQA activist, choreographer, and published writer who devotes his talents to bringing awareness to social...
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Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Mark Travis Rivera for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Mark Travis Rivera, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Mark Travis Rivera or any other speaker of your choice. -
What are the speaker fees for Mark Travis Rivera
Speaking fees for Mark Travis Rivera, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Mark Travis Rivera are under $10,000 for live events and under $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Mark Travis Rivera, 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 Mark Travis Rivera speak about?
Mark Travis Rivera is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Civil Rights, DEI, Disability, Disruptive Thinking, Diversity & Inclusion, Hispanic Heritage, Leadership, LGBTQ, Performing Arts, Podcast Host, Social Activism, Storytelling, Thought Leadership -
Where does Mark Travis Rivera travel from?
Mark Travis Rivera generally travels from Atlanta, GA, 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. -
Who is Mark Travis Rivera’s agent?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Mark Travis Rivera 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 Mark Travis Rivera for your next private or corporate function. -
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Mark Travis Rivera is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Step Off the Pedestal: Mark's Warning to Young Leaders, Authenticity is a Superpower: Be Seen & Heard for Who You Are and Trainings: Workplaces . The estimated speaking fee range to book Mark Travis Rivera for your event is available upon request. Mark Travis Rivera generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Dr. Steve Yacovelli, Fabrice Houdart, Chella Man, Arlan Hamilton and James Barnes. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Mark Travis Rivera for an upcoming live or virtual event.
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