Meet Frank Velásquez Jr.

Meet Frank Velásquez Jr. (he/him): Storyteller Extraordinaire, Social Justice Warrior, and Master of Relations! In relentless pursuit of racial and gender equity, Frank’s warmth brings folks together to talk through the tough stuff. And whether he’s delivering a keynote on leadership, language, or equity, or chatting one-on-one with a close friend or new connection, his real-talk energy remains powerful and generous. Because here's the thing – to Frank, each person’s story matters and connects, like each essential ingredient in a yummy bowl of gumbo.

From major conferences like the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference, AFP ICON, and AFP Lead to training rooms everywhere from Walt Disney World to the MGM Grand Las Vegas, Frank has reached thousands of folks with narratives that just hit different, leaving each group invigorated with his unique blend of storytelling magic, quick wit, and social justice fire!

As the Founder of 4 Da Hood and the visionary behind the Ascending Leaders in Color leadership program, Frank forges pathways for Peeps of Color to step into their power - authentically, courageously, and with unapologetic joy. Because for Frank, advancing equity isn’t just a job - it's about thriving in a world our ancestors dreamed for us, a world where communities of color have equal access and opportunity to build their generational wealth. 

And he's doing it one connection, one story, one courageous conversation at a time.

Frank delivers powerful keynote presentations that challenge organizations to reimagine their approach to leadership, language, and equity. Below is a small sample of keynote offerings:

Healing Separately to Lead Collectively

Drawing from his own experiences, Frank advocates for dedicated spaces where leaders of color can authentically be real, reconnect with other leaders of color, and reclaim every part of who they are to empower them to lead with more authenticity, courage, and joy. He also creates spaces for white folks to reflect, relearn, and reemerge stronger allies. In this keynote, he invites attendees to share their stories as a means to building towards collective leadership. He demonstrates how distinct spaces build trust, foster innovation, and create environments where peeps can bring their whole selves to work.

The Power of Language

Language can carry such powerful weight – and Frank reveals how certain words and phrases either create barriers or build bridges. In this keynote, through real-world examples and attendee engagement, he illustrates how asset-based language transforms organizational culture, strengthens community, and creates spaces where every voice matters.

Why “Agreeing to Disagree” Isn’t Enough

In this interactive keynote presentation, Frank challenges the easy out of "agreeing to disagree" and introduces a more meaningful framework to engage in difficult conversations. Drawing from restorative circle practices, participants will experience firsthand how to create and maintain an environment where authentic dialogue can flourish. Frank illustrates how moving beyond surface-level conflict resolution keeps the door open to new possibilities for genuine understanding and connection. Participants will learn how to establish circle agreements that prioritize being heard over finding consensus, leading to deeper engagement and more meaningful outcomes.

Frank delivers powerful corporate training workshops that challenge organizations to reimagine their approach to internal and external stakeholders. Below is a small sample of corporate training offerings:

The Power of Curiosity

In this electrifying workshop, participants will spark connections as they explore how the art of asking powerful questions can energize workplace relationships and generate meaningful conversations. Participants will discover how curiosity acts as a catalyst for understanding, innovation, and collaboration that brightens every interaction.

From Ick to Slick

In this intensive 3-hour workshop, participants take a client’s story, written from a deficit-framed perspective, and rewrite it using an asset-based approach. They will learn how focus on strengths, lead with client hopes and aspirations, connect disparities to their root causes, and honor the client while addressing their needs. They will use asset-based language to create compelling and ethical narratives, developing authentic stories that resonate with stakeholders and uplift communities.