Andre was born in inner-city Boston to a father who had spent time in prison for drug dealing; his step-father also spent time in prison for bank robbery. Illiteracy, an absent father figure and lack of role models led Andre down the path taken by so many urban black men - criminality and incarceration. Convictions for armed robbery and armed home invasion put him behind bars for 14 years, in both state and federal prisons.

As an inmate in the Massachusetts penal system, Andre Norman rose to the top of the prison's largest gang before deciding to take charge of his life and apply his talents to creating something positive. His fifteen year odyssey from gang leader to lecturer at Harvard University, featured speaker of the London Business School and nationally recognized youth advocate is testimony to the fact that the extraordinary is possible. We are all united by the human condition. Regardless of race, gender, nationality, or economic status, all of us struggle at some point with feelings of hopeless, failure, isolation and loneliness. At some point, we all need someone to whom we can relate. We need to hear and experience the stories of people who have faced failure and insurmountable odds, yet have somehow managed to overcome.

Now, as an international speaker, Andre shares insights from his incredible experience to show business audiences how Focus, Purpose, Resilience and a Plan can overcome even the most daunting challenges. He has helped develop the leadership teams of clients such as:

• Bovis Lend Lease (AUS) Board of Directors
• Prudential Insurance (UK) Board of Directors & CEO
• Deutsche Bank (Germany)
• British Petroleum (UK)
• Ericsson (Sweden)
• Danone (France)
• World Presidents Organization (USA)
• Young Presidents Organization (USA)
• Major League Baseball (USA)
• Mass Institute of Technology MIT (USA)
• Harvard University (USA)
• Tufts University (USA)
• London Business School (UK)
• Executives without Borders (USA)
• Gathering of the Titans (USA)

Andre was surprised to discover that many of the lessons he learned on the wrong side of the law - about human nature, about personal limits, about persistence and the importance of a compelling vision - are valid in business. Armed with this knowledge, Andre joined with the London Business School to design unique Experiential Learning Labs for some of its top clients over the past seven years. Andre has lectured at Harvard University, including the School of Law, the John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Harvard Divinity School. He has been a featured speaker at MIT's Department of Urban Studies and Planning, as well as the London Business School's Sloan Fellowship. In the 2005-2006 academic years, Andre was hired as a visiting lecturer at Tufts University. His story inspires audiences and helps them see how the impossible can become the possible in personal and professional relationships and in the business world.

Andre's advocacy for youth is built on his core belief that every child can make it if given the proper motivation, support and guidance. Andre has worked around the country for city, state and federal agencies designing and teaching programs to curb youth violence, truancy and gang activity. He speaks to youth audiences in schools, prisons, juvenile detention centers on how to "break the cycle" of violence and underachievement and to seek out opportunities and overcome obstacles

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