Growing up in Chicago, Curtis quickly drifted into a life of violence and crime and quickly rose to become one of the city’s most recognizable and notorious gang members. But, while dealing drugs earned him a six-figure per month bankroll, it cost him everything when he witnessed the cold-blooded murder of his best friend and came face-to-face with the immense suffering it caused in his community Consequently, Curtis turned to education to springboard his street smarts into solid business acumen. After earning four degrees, including a Master of Arts in Teaching, an M.ED in Administration and Supervision, and he holds a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma, Curtis now travels the globe working with corporations, associations, and organizations to Create A Culture Of Belonging™ to maximize people, profits and productivity. In addition, his unique way of communicating complex issues like race and division with humor and humanity keeps audiences engaged with laughter while they learn. From a virtual or physical stage, Curtis delivers messages to senior leaders, HR professionals, sales professionals, service providers, and educators with high energy, purposeful passion, and solid strategies that create a long-lasting and significant difference in their personal and professional lives. Curtis considers himself a recovering educator who left teaching inside the classroom to teach the nation.