LeVar Burton

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5 out of 5

Literacy Advocate, Author & Actor Known for "Roots," "Star Trek" & "Reading Rainbow"

Travels From Travels From:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
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LeVar Burton Biography

LeVar Burton launched his acting career while still a student at the University of Southern California. At 19, he found himself on the cover of Time Magazine, after landing the groundbreaking role of Kunta Kinte in the landmark television series "Roots." A seemingly impossible act to follow, Burton achieved further global acclaim as Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge in the iconic "Star Trek: The Next Generation" television series – a role he reprised in "Star Trek: Picard" in 2023. However, it has been his role as host and executive producer of the beloved PBS children’s series "Reading Rainbow" of which he is most proud. Airing from 1983 to 2009, it was not only one of the longest-running children’s television shows in history, but also one of the most acclaimed, earning over 200 awards including multiple Emmys and a Peabody.

As a lifelong literacy advocate, Burton has dedicated decades to encouraging children to read. In 2017, long-standing literacy non-profit Reading is Fundamental acquired Burton’s Skybrary reading app in order to provide access to millions of children both at home and at school. Always committed to improving children’s education through the latest pioneering technologies, Burton partnered with Osmo’s Reading Adventure, an innovative technology that uses speech recognition and digital storytelling to teach children to read. In 2023, Burton premiered his first documentary, "The Right to Read," a film that positions the literacy crisis in America as a civil rights issue. "The Right to Read" was an official selection at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and SXSW Edu.

Most recently, Burton launched LeVar Burton Entertainment (LBE) with a mission to create content that fosters empathy, champions diversity, and builds community. Under this banner, Burton develops projects in the film, television, podcasting, and publishing space. Now in its 11th season, the enormously popular LeVar Burton Reads podcast has over 175 episodes in its catalog, boasting 25 million downloads. LBE’s first Kids & Family podcast, Sound Detectives, debuted on Stitcher in 2023.

Burton continued to exercise his passion for storytelling as the award-winning author of "Aftermath," "The Rhino who Swallowed a Storm," and "A Kids Book About Imagination." A modern-day griot, Burton launched his first book club with Fable, a digital book club community. In his partnership with Masterclass, Burton shared the power of storytelling by offering insights into his own life and the importance of authenticity, and dynamic expression.

As the honored recipient of six NAACP Awards, a Peabody, a Grammy, and 15 Emmys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Inaugural Children’s & Family Emmys, Burton has demonstrated that he can do it all. He is often invited as a keynote speaker at leading education and technology events, including NASA, ISTE, The National Education Association, FAST COMPANY’s Innovation Series, and many more. In 2022, Burton was selected as the Tournament Of Roses Grand Marshal, ushering in the new year with the theme of “Dream. Believe. Achieve.”

With over four million social media followers, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a dedicated park in his hometown of Sacramento, this pop culture icon has the unique ability to reach across all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic groups -- communicating to a large fan base that is highly engaged and motivated to embrace his message.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/05/2024.

LeVar Burton Speaking Topics

  • On Reaching One's Full Potential

  • The Power of Imagination

  • The Influence of the Media in Education

  • The Importance of Literacy

  • Technology & Storytelling: Making a Difference in the Digital Age

    Join LeVar Burton as he shares the powerful impact that his mentors, technology, storytelling, and science fiction have had on his life and how each has helped shape his incredible life's work. Be there as he concludes the session with a personal demonstration of how he employs today's latest technologies in his efforts to educate and enlighten—a world premier peek at his latest project, the Reading Rainbow App.

  • "An Evening With LeVar Burton"

LeVar Burton Videos

  • LeVar Burton - Growing Up Reading & His Dreams of Hosting “Jeopardy!”
    LeVar Burton recounts his early experiences reading with his mom that led to his love of books, shares the only book he didn’t finish and discusses...
  • LeVar Burton Wants to Revolutionize Storytelling with Screens
    While some people are wary of storytelling through screens, insisting that books above all else are the only way to exercise our imagination, LeVar...
  • Mica Burton Interviews LeVar Burton
    Mica Burton interviews LeVar Burton about how he got in to gaming through her.

LeVar Burton Books

  • A Kids Book About Imagination
    A Kids Book About Imagination
  • Aftermath
    Aftermath
  • The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm
    The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm

Speaker Lists Featuring LeVar Burton

FAQs on booking LeVar Burton

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  • What topics does LeVar Burton speak about?

  • Where does LeVar Burton travel from?

    LeVar Burton generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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LeVar Burton is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as On Reaching One's Full Potential, The Power of Imagination, The Influence of the Media in Education, The Importance of Literacy, Technology & Storytelling: Making a Difference in the Digital Age and "An Evening With LeVar Burton". The estimated speaking fee range to book LeVar Burton for your event is $100,000 - $200,000. LeVar Burton generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Hill Harper, Daymond John, Common, Mayim Bialik and Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling LeVar Burton for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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