Our next-gen speakers bureau is live, and here’s why it matters to you

We’re adding new voices to the Future Ancestors Services roster every month. But what does this really mean for you? And how are we doing things differently?

You need someone to come in for a speech or training that meets the needs of your event and audience, and who will deliver their information and story in an engaging and accessible way. What do you do next?

According to the Diversity & Inclusion Industry Survey in 2023, over 60% or organizations will go to social media to find them, and 75% of them will struggle to find the right speaker.

But, what if you're a non-profit, student group, or grassroots collective with a limited budget - where do you find the right Speaker with ethical pricing?

You could go to a traditional Speakers Bureau. What you may find difficult to find, though, are Speaker rates and options that are considerate of smaller budgets.

Say it's also important to you that the Speaker carries lived experiences that inform their qualification and perspective to speak on a certain topic. You're struggling to find these Speakers through a Google search, or you may be uncomfortable with all the 'diverse' Speakers being siloed to the DEI section of a speakers bureau. What now?

Canada experienced a 25.5% increase in companies subjected to social and environmental activism, the fastest growth rate globally, as found in the 2024 Diligent Shareholder Activism Annual Review. Clients are increasingly seeking the perspectives of activists and community leaders on critical issues like systemic racism and climate justice. But, many speakers bureaus lack the networks and represented talent to connect clients with these voices.

The lack of diversity in speaker bureau leadership and representation is hindering innovation in the industry. Diverse speakers are looking for representation that reflects them and their communities - and they're not finding it in Canada's speakers bureaus.

It's time for a next-generation speakers bureau.

Future Ancestors Services is the speakers bureau bridging the gap. We provide a speakers bureau that connects non-profits, public institutions, and corporate audiences with diverse expert speakers that tackle systemic change through innovative practice.

We seek to fundamentally shift speaker bureau standards by reimagining speaker qualifications, offering ethical and accessible pricing, and fostering a collaborative Speaker ecosystem.

"After providing speaking, training, and research services across Canada for several years, I saw a glaring need: clients who wanted to hire diverse Speakers had few resources to find them. It's become clear that the traditional competitive business models don't serve our collective goals," explains Larissa Crawford, our Founder. "Instead of seeing other diverse service providers as competition, we see them as partners, working collaboratively and amplifying each others' work and impact."

"This is social innovation in the interest of the well-being of our future generations and Mother Earth." - Larissa Crawford, Founder

Our Speakers themselves feel the impact of this approach. Adebayo Chris Katiiti (Mwami/Sebo/He/They), one of our represented voices, shares, "I have gained 3k plus followers since you shared my work. I don't take that for granted... I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to you, esteemed ancestor of the future, for your visibility, support, and the thoughtful manner in which you have shared my profile."

Cassie Ayoungman (she/her), another cherished Speaker in our bureau, remarked during her onboarding, "I am just going through the onboarding process that you have created and wanted to say how amazed I am by your hard work and dedication... I am in awe of all the incredible work you’ve done for your organization."

The Speakers you'll find here are making provenly innovative impact, everyday.

The voices you'll find in our Speakers Bureau, like Jordyn Burnouf (she/her), are making systemic change through the work they do everyday. (Photo: GLOBE SERIES)

How do you define innovation?

However you define it, most of us can at least recognize that fundamentally, the quality and effectiveness of our innovation is borne from the voices we open our minds and spaces to.

We connect you with experts who might be overlooked by mainstream agencies or a Google search who bring fresh, crucial perspectives and innovative ideas rooted in the work and impact they're making every day.

From tackling climate change and advocating for social justice to driving technological innovations and pushing the boundaries of medical science, their work is deeply rooted in personal experience. These are voices your audience haven't likely heard before, delivering unique and impactful experiences that can transform your spaces.

This unique approach allows our Speakers to connect with their audiences on a more profound level. Their presentations go beyond traditional lectures, offering interactive, engaging, and profoundly personal insights that resonate long after the event has ended. We've witnessed this intimately through the established relationships we have with any Speaker we represent.

We also choose to represent people who are consciously moving forward with ancestral accountability. They acknowledge that through their work, they're shaping realities present and future generations are inheriting, and they allow that to shape the actions they take.

TIKA (she/her), a Represented Speaker, captures this beautifully:

"Whether through my art, my advocacy, or my dedication to mental and emotional healing, I’m creating a ripple effect that will continue to impact the world long after my time. Acting as a future ancestor means living with intention, knowing that the love, wisdom, and change I create now will shape the future in ways I might never fully see, but will always feel."

For us, innovation is more than technological advancement. How we define innovation includes (and even prioritizes) the application of traditional and ancestral knowledge to our contemporary realities, and we like to think that that in itself is innovative.

Our pivot allows us to scale our impact.

Our creation story began from the need for healthier, accessible work that is sustainable and grounded in Community and ancestral wisdom. We were founded in January 2020 by Larissa Crawford (she/elle), who transitioned from her corporate, government, and non-profit roles due to experiences with racism, ageism, and ableism.

At 25, using her personal savings, Larissa leveraged over a decade of experience as a public speaker and consultant to create an organization that addressed the gaps she encountered in the industry.

Starting as a remote subcontractor consulting firm, we quickly expanded with the surge in demand for virtual services during the COVID-19 pandemic and even piloted a speakers bureau as a secondary offering in 2020. In 2024, we transitioned to a speakers bureau model as our primary service, enabling greater scalability and impact.

"My organization is also going into strategic planning mode to change our operational model into something that I am hoping is more mentally sustainable for me. Seeing Future Ancestors' evolution was sort of the 'permission' I needed to take the leap and I'm so glad my team and I are trying something new."

Since 2020, we've served over 400 clients and provided over $100,000 in pro-bono services in response to financial barriers BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, disabled, and youth-led organizations face in accessing high-quality services. In partnership with our expanded administrative support and roster of Speakers, we're set to scale this impact exponentially.

Learn more about our creation story. and what's next here.

Miranda Baksh (she/her) is an Environmental Communications Expert, Award-Winning Social Entrepreneur, and Founder. (Photo: Supplied by Miranda)

You can book your next speaker today.

So, looking to book a Speaker? You don’t need a specific Speaker in mind to start the conversation. Just reach out with your needs, and we'll tailor suggestions that align with your vision and goals. For any queries or to discuss your event requirements, you can contact us at speakers@futureancestors.ca.

Additionally, explore our in-house services led by Larissa Crawford (she/elle), offering bespoke speaking, training, and consulting tailored to foster change and inspire action.