Michel Chikwanine
Michel Chikwanine is a humanitarian, motivational speaker, and advocate for youth empowerment whose life story embodies resilience, hope, and the power of purpose. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Michel was abducted at age five and forced to become a child soldier during the Great War of Africa – conflict that claimed more than 5.8 million lives, including his father’s, who was assassinated for his human rights work. From those unimaginable beginnings, Michel has become a global voice for peace, education, and ethical leadership.
A United Nations Fellow for People of African Descent and award-winning author of Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War, Michel has inspired over 800,000 people globally through his keynotes and advocacy work. He has shared stages with luminaries including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr., Magic Johnson, and Martin Sheen. Michel was also featured on Oprah Winfrey’s “O Ambassadors: Roots of Action” tour, where he helped empower students in underserved schools to become agents of change in their own communities.
Speaking topics
- The Other Side of Fear
An inspiring story about survival, resilience, and growth — from child soldier to speaker, this keynote explores how fear can be a teacher rather than a barrier, and how courage is built through community, purpose, and action.
- From the Battlefield to the Basketball Court: The Power of Purpose
Blending personal story with insight from working at the NBA Academy, this talk highlights how mentorship, structure, and belief can help young people — no matter where they come from — find direction and thrive.
- You Belong in the Story: Identity, Resilience & Self-Leadership
A deeply personal and uplifting keynote about reclaiming identity, finding strength in difference, and becoming the author of your own story. Tailored for youth, educators, or professional groups navigating change.
- Seeds of Change: Growing Community in Unexpected Places
From building gardens in refugee camps to leading cross-cultural learning trips through JAMII, this talk focuses on grassroots leadership, empathy, and the small acts that transform lives.
- Workshop: Storytelling for Impact
Learn the art of personal storytelling to move hearts, shift minds, and inspire action. Ideal for student leaders, educators, or young professionals.
(60–90 minutes)
- Workshop: Fear, Resilience, and the Plan: Building Mental Toughness
A practical and reflective workshop that helps participants understand fear, build resilience, and craft their own personal “Plan of Purpose.”
(60–90 minutes)
- Workshop: Courageous Conversations: Cross-Cultural Leadership & Awareness
Built from my experience navigating multiple cultures, this session explores identity, belonging, and building bridges through listening and leadership.
(60–90 minutes)
- Workshop: Leadership in Action: From Vision to Community Impact
This workshop helps young leaders go from ideas to real-world action, using my South Kivu and NBA experience to walk you through the process of launching meaningful initiatives.
(60–90 minutes)
Video clips
Speaker testimonials
Absolutely loved having you at Kennesaw State tonight. You inspired so many people and Facebook pages are going crazy tonight about people wanting to make a change in the world! Thank you so much for coming!
Your presentation at the Faith Meets Pedagogy was so inspiring! I have watched you online before, but seeing you in person was a completely different experience! Your story is so courageous and I know today you inspired myself and so many other kids! Thank you so much for coming! ♥ 🙂
Hi Michel my name is Ricci I had the privilege of meeting you today, I’m not sure if you will remember me as you met so many other people today. I just needed to say how much newfound strength your story gave me, it is something that is truly close to my heart. and that you have an amazing heart and soul and so very much to show and teach the world. It is people like you that are keeping this generation empowered and inspired. I hope dearly that I get to see you again. 🙂
Michel you’re probably one of the most inspiring people I have ever heard speak and not speak (vow of silence speech) your cause is probably one of the biggest callings I felt for anything.
Hi Michel! Your absolutely amazing and I hope one day I get to meet you! I have to write a journal for my English class about a hero in our own lives and I immediately thought of you 🙂 when you spoke at my school you moved so many people and your an amazing inspiration 🙂
Michel, thank you so much for coming to Minot State and sharing your story with us. I was moved and inspired by your courage and faithfulness to carry on your father’s legacy. God bless you as you continue your journey and I’m so happy that you and your family have been reunited.
Thanks so much for coming to visit us today. You are truly a very strong person and an amazing speaker! You certainly put things back into perspective, which all of us need from time to time. I am so very moved by your story. Stay strong and keep inspiring!
Michel, I heard you speaking at Friends University in Wichita, Ks. Tuesday evening and want to thank you and encourage you to continue with your speaking engagements. Not only is your story heart breaking, it is reality that needs to change. God Bless you and your family Michel.
All it takes is one second, one person, one night to inspire someone for the rest of their life. Thanks for the inspiration your spreading around the world and to me.
Michel you are a true inspiration to both children and adults. You’ve taken a traumatized event and have made it something positive by what you do. Thank you for being a beautiful person. May you, and your family, always be blessed. You’re an amazing human being!