Sekou Andrews | House of Lier
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Sekou Andrews

Grammy-Nominated Spoken Word Poet Award-Winning Entrepreneur Inventor of “Poetic Voice” HBO Def Poetry & BET Lyric Café Alum

Just trust us.

Hard to describe. Watch the video and you’ll thank us later. Sekou is the only Grammy-nominated spoken word poet building keynotes for Apple, Google, Salesforce, and the Obama Foundation.

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Sekou Andrews, Grammy-Nominated Spoken Word Poet
GrammyNominated, 2019
HBODef Poetry Alum
BETLyric Café Alum
Inventor“Poetic Voice”
The Expert

Not just keynotes. The art of poetic voice.

“He’d rather show you what he does than tell you. Watch the reel, you’ll understand instantly.”

Sekou Andrews is a Grammy-nominated spoken word poet, entrepreneur, and the inventor of “Poetic Voice”, a category-defining performance style that blends keynote presentation with the rhythm, surprise, and emotion of spoken word poetry.

After early national visibility on HBO’s Def Poetry and BET’s Lyric Café, Sekou took his work into the corporate world, delivering custom spoken-word performances at conferences, leadership summits, and arts events for organizations like Apple, Google, Salesforce, and the Obama Foundation. Forbes described his style as “a blend of artistry and practical inspiration.”

In 2019, his orchestral album Sekou Andrews & The String Theory was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album, competing against Michelle Obama. His work has been recognized by ABC News, the LA Times, the Washington Post, and the Helen Hayes Awards.

The simplest way to understand what Sekou does is to watch him do it. Just trust us, the reel speaks louder than any biography.

Signature Keynotes

Two talks. One conviction.

Every keynote is built on the same truth: the most powerful intelligence often isn’t found in a spreadsheet, it’s found within. Each runs 45 to 75 minutes and can be tailored to your audience.

Keynote, Inspiration & Vision

Poetic Voice

A New Category of Keynote

Most keynotes inform. Some inspire. Almost none make a room feel something they’ve never felt at a business event before.

The art: Poetic Voice fuses the rhythm, surprise, and emotional resonance of spoken word poetry with the strategic clarity of a corporate keynote. It’s the only style of its kind, and Sekou invented it.
Don’t take our word for it. Watch the reel.

What the Audience Experiences

  • A keynote that moves, rhythmically, intellectually, and emotionally, in ways no slide deck can.
  • Memorable language and metaphor that lives in the room long after the lights come up.
  • Standing ovations that aren’t reflexive, they’re earned.
  • A shared sense of purpose, often described as a “turning point” for the team.

Perfect For

  • Opening keynotes & closing finales
  • Annual kickoffs & vision events
  • Brand launches & cultural moments
  • Audiences hungry for something they’ve never seen
Performance, Tailored Spoken Word

Custom Spoken Word

A Bespoke Piece Crafted for Your Event

Sekou can be commissioned to craft an entirely original spoken word piece for your organization, your launch, your moment, written and performed with the precision of a custom keynote and the impact of a closing anthem.

The promise: A bespoke piece that captures your company’s story, your team’s mission, or your event’s theme, performed live with the artistry that earned Sekou his Grammy nomination.
A keynote you’ll never forget. Literally.

Ideal Moments

  • A product launch that needs more than a slide deck.
  • An anniversary or major milestone deserving of a poem, not a speech.
  • A culture shift requiring a moment that bonds the team.
  • An award ceremony, founder tribute, or executive retreat.
  • The closing performance of a multi-day conference.

Perfect For

  • Brand launches & campaigns
  • Anniversaries & milestones
  • Award ceremonies & galas
  • C-suite retreats

Speaking Topics

Leadership Innovation AI Future of Work Communication Storytelling Spoken Word Poetry Creativity Change Management Organizational Culture Employee Engagement Customer Experience Healthcare Human Connection Teamwork Motivation Mental Health Wellbeing Resilience Psychological Safety Purpose Belonging Disruption Experiential Learning Inspiration Leadership Development
Watch

See Sekou on stage.

Forget the bio. Forget the credentials. The fastest way to understand what Sekou does is to press play.

In Their Words

Proof in the room.

Book Sekou

Move the room with the language of poetry.

Inquire about availability, fees, and tailoring the keynote to your audience. We’ll get back to you within one business day.