Keynote Speaker

Emmy-nominated Storyteller, Producer, and Thought Leader, Los Angeles, CA

Baratunde Thurston is an Emmy-nominated storyteller, producer, and thought leader weaving stories of interdependence across our relationships with nature, humans, and technology. As the host of PBS's America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston and the creator of the acclaimed How To Citizen podcast, Baratunde has redefined citizenship as a practice of active participation, responsibility, and community building. His newest podcast, Life with Machines, produced in partnership with Lenovo, explores the human side of the AI revolution by asking, "How can these machines help us become more human?"

As a keynote speaker, Baratunde is transformative, blending humor, intellect, and actionable insights that resonate deeply with audiences across industries. With a focus on the power of "citizenship as a verb," he invites audiences to explore how they can contribute meaningfully to their workplaces, communities, and society. Baratunde unpacks complex societal issues with empathy and a call to action. From the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and the rising importance of environmental stewardship to the significance of racial equity and inclusive leadership, his talks inspire audiences to think critically, act responsibly, and lead purposefully. By offering practical tools and frameworks, Baratunde equips audiences to build a future where technology enhances humanity, diversity drives progress, and citizenship becomes an active, collective pursuit.

A New York Times best-selling author of How To Be Black and a TED speaker praised by MSNBC's Brian Williams as "one of the greatest of all time," Baratunde connects dots between culture, climate, politics, and technology in ways that empower and enlighten. A board member of BUILD.org and the Brooklyn Public Library, he continues to inspire through his work and commitment to a more connected, compassionate world.

https://www.baratunde.com/

GENERAL SESSION KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Baratunde Thurston will present their Keynote Address at the General Session on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 8:45am-9:45am in the Palm Springs Convention Center. 

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Keynote Meet & Greet and Book Signing

Baratunde Thurston will also be participating in our Keynote Meet & Greet and Book Signing event on Wednesday, April 29, at the BOOST Collaborative Booth in the Exhibit Hall. You can pre-purchase their book in your online account. If you have pre-purchased a book, you can pick it up at the BOOST Booth. There will also be a limited supply of books to purchase. We cannot guarantee the availability of books on-site and we recommend that you pre-order this book in your registration account.

How To Be Black

In this satirical guide to race issues, Baratunde Thurston shares his 30-plus years of expertise in being black, with essays like “How to Be the Black Friend,” “How to Speak for All Black People,” “How To Celebrate Black History Month,” and more. Audacious, cunning, and razor-sharp, How to Be Black exposes the mass-media’s insidiously racist, monochromatic portrayal of black culture’s richness and variety. Fans of Stuff White People Like, This Week in Blackness, and Ending Racism in About an Hour will be captivated, uplifted, incensed, and inspired by this hilarious and powerful attack on America’s blacklisting of black culture.

Click here to add this book to your registration. 

EDUCATE YOUR TEAM ON Baratunde thurston

BOOST is proud to bring prominent experts, researchers, and leaders to our General Sessions. We have created a useful guide to support your learning prior to attending the BOOST Conference. Download our guide on How to Educate Your Team About Baratunde Thurston and share these with your team so you know what to expect from our 2026 BOOST Conference Keynote Speaker.

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Please note: Name badges are required to attend all BOOST Conference events, including all meals and all workshops.