Book this speaker: Daryl Davis

About This Speaker: Daryl Davis

Daryl Davis is an internationally acclaimed musician, author, and speaker known as “The Rock’n’Roll Race Reconciliator.” While his professional career revolves around music, performing extensively with legends like Chuck Berry and The Legendary Blues Band, his true obsession is improving race relations.

His extraordinary, and sometimes comical, journey began when a man at one of his performances remarked that he’d never seen a Black man play piano like Jerry Lee Lewis. After an exchange about the Black roots of Rock’n’Roll, the man revealed he was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. This chance meeting led Daryl on a decades-long mission across America, meeting, interviewing, and befriending leaders and members of KKK, neo-Nazi, and Alt-Right groups.

The powerful belief that “communication” is the most effective weapon against ignorance, racism, and hatred guides Daryl Davis’ approach. He enters the lion’s den—attending rallies and meeting with white supremacists at their homes—to engage in dialogue. He believes, “Ignorance breeds fear. If you do not keep that fear in check, that fear will breed hatred… If you do not keep that hatred in check, that hatred in turn will breed destruction.”

His unique method of building relationships with people who initially hate him, simply because of the color of his skin, resulted in Klan members quitting the organization. Many gifted Daryl their robes and hoods as symbols of their transformed beliefs, and became his friends and supporters.

Daryl Davis is the first Black author to write a book on the Klan based on in-person interviews. His highly acclaimed nonfiction book, Klan-Destine Relationships, chronicles his unique experiences. Daryl’s journey is also detailed in the award-winning documentary, Accidental Courtesy, featured on PBS. His next book, The Klan Whisperer, released in 2021.

As a speaker, Daryl’s profound impact is evidenced by his TEDx talk, which has over 11 million views. He has been selected by the U.S. State Department as an expert on race relations and conflict to present programs in various countries. His stories of transforming enemies into friends empower audiences to overcome fear, confront prejudice, appreciate differences, and navigate diversity. Daryl is also an actor and owner of Lyrad Music.

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