Cole Speaks Keynote Speaker from Grand Rapids, MI

Who is Cole Speaks? Cole Williams is the CEO and Founder of "The Delta Project" as well as “Son To A Father” and "The Fatherhood®" Cole is also a professional Speaker & CEO for his Company “Cole Speaks”, a program that works to empower and restore relationships between teens and their parents using lived experiences. For the past 15 years, Cole Williams has successfully walked alongside youth, families, and systems to pave the way towards improved outcomes for all. Cole Williams understands the impact that shared language and understanding can have on youth, families, systems and communities. Cole Williams currently works directly with family services systems from across the state (juvenile justice, child welfare, etc.) to provide parenting education, youth empowerment opportunities, youth/family engagement strategies, cultural responsibility across systems, and other training and support for youth, families and those that serve them. Cole Williams also provides high level, sought after workshops and trainings that are rooted in a culture of care for system-serving professions who engage and provide services to system-involved families. Business Professionals Agree Cole Williams is Masterful! Cole Williams is the voice of change we need bridging the gap for youth and parents with adverse backgrounds." Mr. Williams was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2021 to serve on the Michigan Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force and subsequently Cole's recently been appointed and is honored to proudly serve on the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice in 2022-2023. Our Work Cole’s most recent work has been dedicated to providing Fatherhood training, support, and materials for the Michigan Adolescent Pregnancy and Prevention Program (MI-APPP). As well as penetrating the culture of the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center, where he provides life skills and leadership training to incarcerated youth. What are Cole's Attendees Saying? "When Cole Speaks he is more than just a dynamic speaker He is an agent of change that is affecting change on a grand scale." Proactive Partnerships Cole Williams mission is to create proactive partnerships that place parents front and center as the main solution to the challenges their families encounter. Cole believes that through renewed education, meaningful supportive services and advocacy, real change can be achieved – and sustained. Family Engagement As a father, and 15-year professional family consultant, Cole Williams is committed to providing family engagement training and consulting to professionals, in the child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health, and criminal justice systems. Innovative Approaches Cole Williams personally understands the overwhelming challenges that families face as they try to navigate an ever-changing social services landscape. Cole is passionate about finding innovative approaches to societal challenges at the local and national levels. That’s why he believes it’s imperative that system-serving professionals move toward an accessible, culturally responsive, family-centered approach when engaging families with system involvement.