Now in its 11th season, The Frederick Speaker Series has developed a reputation for bringing world-class speakers to the Frederick area. The goal is to engage our community through enlightening discourse and meaningful topics.  As a result of the Series, Frederick’s reputation as an intellectual hub continues to grow, drawing audiences from D.C., Baltimore, and beyond.

From inspirational topics to sensational perspectives, you’ll find it all in the 2024 Frederick Speaker Series!

All Events will be ASL Interpreted.

Each Speaker also has a MEET & GREET opportunity associated with the performance, purchased in addition to the ticket to the Event itself.  For an additional $75, you can engage with these incredible Speakers for a photo opportunity, a signing opportunity (whenever possible), and light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. The proceeds of this Meet & Greet benefit children’s programming at Frederick County Public Libraries.

2024 SPEAKERS

MONICA LEWINSKY

Thursday, January 18, 2024 | 7:30 PM

Monica Lewinsky is a producer, social activist, global public speaker, and a Contributing Editor to Vanity Fair. Her focus is on storytelling that moves the conversation forward – around shame, reclaiming identities, and justice for women.  As an activist, Lewinsky advocates for a safer social media environment and addresses such topics as digital resilience, privacy, and cultivating compassion online. She was a speaker at the 2015 TED Conference in Vancouver. Her speech, “The Price of Shame,” has been viewed over 21 million times. She has also spoken at the Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit and delivered the Ogilvy + Inspire Lecture at the Cannes Lions Festival.

SHANNON BREAM

Thursday, February 15, 2024 | 7:30 PM

Sponsored by:

Shannon Bream is the anchor of FOX News Sunday and chief legal correspondent for FOX News Channel. She has covered numerous political campaigns, landmark Supreme Court decisions, and Washington scandals. Before entering the world of media, she was a labor and employment attorney who specialized in race discrimination and sexual harassment cases. Bream’s accomplishments also include three faith-based New York Times bestsellers and the innate ability to engage audiences.

JAMES COMEY

Thursday, March 21, 2024 | 7:30 PM

James Comey led the FBI from 2013 to 2017, appointed to the post by President Barack Obama. His tenure was tested by new forces within and outside America’s borders: foreign intelligence operations, mass shootings, questionable police responses, ISIS’s surge, cyber threats, and more. Related to his dealings with these explosive issues, Comey shares behind-the-scenes insight and intriguing accounts, along with his personal take on “truth, lies and leadership.”

CHUCK D

Thursday, April 18, 2024 | 7:30 PM

Sponsored by:

Leader and co-founder of legendary group Public Enemy and part of the supergroup Prophets of Rage, Chuck D is a social activist, author, film producer and digital music pioneer.  He first rose to acclaim in the 1980’s with a string of critically lauded and commercially successful albums that addressed weighty issues about race, rage and inequality with a jolting combination of intelligence and eloquence never seen before. The New York Times has named Public Enemy’s music to their list of the “25 Most Significant Albums of the Last Century” and in 2005 The Library of Congress added Fear of a Black Planet to their National Recording Registry. Chuck D is also a visual artist whose work has been shown in galleries nationwide, a best-selling author (including 2017’s 300-page “This Day In Rap and Hip Hop History”), a highly-sought after speaker on the college lecture circuit, and has been a prominent member of music industry non-profit organizations MusicCares and Rock The Vote.

CHERYL STRAYED

Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 7:30 PM

Sponsored by:

Cheryl Strayed is a highly acclaimed author known for her bestselling memoir Wild and other successful books like Tiny Beautiful Things and Brave Enough. Her works have been translated into numerous languages and adapted for both the big screen and stage. The film adaptation of Wild received an Oscar nomination and starred Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern. Strayed is also the host of popular podcasts like Sugar Calling and Dear Sugars. Her essays have been featured in prestigious publications such as The New York Times and Vogue. and debuted at #3 on The New York Times best sellers list.

These distinguished guests will join the likes of past speakers that include Neil Gaiman, George Takei, Bill Nye, Bob Woodward, Dr. Michio Kaku, Cal Ripken Jr., General Colin Powell, Tom Brokaw, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, Laverne Cox, LeVar Burton, Bryan Stevenson, Dr. Temple Grandin, Ronan Farrow, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Henry Winkler, Ted Koppel, Marlee Matlin, Elizabeth Smart, Dave Barry, and Mitch Albom.