About Julinda LeDee
A Voice Forged by Experience
Motivational speaker, author, poet, and advocate — turning lived experience into lasting impact.
Her Story
From Foster Care to the Stage
Julinda LeDee's journey began in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and took root in San José, California — where she navigated foster care, four high schools, and single motherhood before earning her Associate degree, her Bachelor's from San José State University, and her Master's in Public Administration from the University of San Francisco.
For 26 years, Julinda built community from the inside out — spending a decade developing curriculum and facilitating professional trainings for faculty, launching poetry potlucks, a student food table, and Kandice's Korner bookshelf of donated books, reestablishing the Classified Senate from the ground up, while becoming a fierce advocate for foster youth, students experiencing hardship, and anyone who needed someone in their corner. It was there she began as an invited speaker to college students — a calling that would grow far beyond any campus.
Today, Julinda channels every chapter of her story into her work as a motivational speaker, author, and Human Rights Commissioner — proving that your voice is your most powerful tool.
Work With UsMission
Speak Boldly. Impact Deeply.
Julinda's mission is to empower individuals — especially foster youth, women, and underserved communities — to find their voice, own their narrative, and lead with purpose.
Culturally Responsive
Every engagement is grounded in cultural awareness and trauma-informed care, meeting people where they are.
Youth-Centered
Highly adaptable programming for foster youth, students, and emerging leaders finding their voice.
Authentically Human
Julinda shares her own story — foster care, single motherhood, perseverance — so others know they are not alone.
Purpose-Driven
Every keynote, workshop, and summit is designed to move people from inspiration to action.
Community & Board Service
- Human Rights Commission, Santa Clara County
- Human Rights Social Equity Chair — 2024–2026
- Classified Senate President, San José City College — 2015–2018
- Foster Youth Advocate, Santa Clara County
- CSEA Union Steward — 2023–2026
Education
- Master of Public Administration — University of San Francisco
- Bachelor of Sociology / African American Studies — San José State University
- Certificate in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace — University of South Florida
Selected Speaking Engagements
- National Coalition of 100 Black Women - Silicon Valley Chapter — Advocacy to Action — 2026
- Visionaries, Leaders & Fathers: A Tribute to Black Men — 2026
- Entrepreneurship Meet-Up Series — January–April 2026
- San José City College — Foster & Former Foster Youth, Student Empowerment — 2010–2026
- Bill Wilson Center - Empowerment Workshops — 2026
- Sacred Heart - Motivational Employment Workshop — 2025
- Cabrillo College, Financial Aid — 2025
- WelBe Health, Seniors — 2025
- Sonnet Senior Living — 2025
- Santa Clara County Black Infant Health — 2024
- Ujima Family & Adult Services, Poetry Facilitator — 2024
- SJCC – African American Class, College Wellness — 2024
- UFCW Local 5 – Wellness in the Workplace — 2024
- Gentlemen Health & Wellness Event — 2023
- SJCC – Mentorship Presentation — 2023
- ILP/HUB – Empowerment Presentation — 2023
- AWO Center – Poetry Reading — 2023
- Becton Healthcare Resources – Keynote Speaker — 2022
- Women and Writing – Women's History Month — 2022
- Author's Panel – Black History Month — 2022
- Maldow Senior Living – Black History Presentation — 2022
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – College Prep, Boys — 2021
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – College Prep, Girls — 2020 & 2022
- San José State University – How to Self-Publish — 2020
- AAUW – Women in Leadership (Facilitator) — 2017
- Buffalo Soldier South Bay – Presenter — 2015
- Politics of Black Hair – Presenter/MC, Tenaya Byrd Production — 2015
- A2MEND Conference (Education Network) – Presenter — 2014
Community Outreach
- Giving Back — Toiletry Bags, St. James Park — 2019–2022
- California Classified Leadership Institute — Presenter — 2017
- Middle College, San Jose Unified District — Author Literary Forum, The Seeds of Writing — 2016
- SJCC Leadership Conference — Presenter — 2016
- Broadway High School — Presenter, Career Day — 2014
- SJCC — Mentor to College Students — 2014–2020
- MCTV 26 — Milpitas Community TV26 — 2011
- Parkview Apartments — Educational Outreach — 2011, 2008, 2005, 2001
What We Deliver
Top Takeaways for Your Team
- Enhanced emotional intelligence for stronger interpersonal connections
- Sharper communication skills that foster clarity and collaboration
- Tools to navigate and manage difficult personalities effectively
- Boosted confidence and self-awareness in the workplace
- A more unified and empowered team culture
Ready to Bring Julinda to Your Stage?
Whether it's a keynote, workshop, or summit — let's create an experience your audience will never forget.
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