Speech Topics

Author and Writer

Barber’s debut self-help book “Pretty Ugly Lessons” is a self care, self love and self improvement book that is filled with life stories, life lessons and strategies to overcoming adversity. Through practical guidance, inspiring stories, and soul-nurturing exercises, you will learn how to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.

This book is a gentle companion that will hold your hand as you navigate the ups and downs of my life’s lessons, providing you with the tools and insights to transcend self-doubt, fear, and insecurities. It is a testament to the incredible potential that lies within each of us to rewrite our stories and embrace a life of authenticity, purpose, and unconditional self-love.

These are a few of the speaking programs and topics that organizations bring Deshauna Barber to share

The Courage to Care

Company Culture & Transformative Leadership

True leadership extends beyond decision-making—it’s about genuinely caring for and uplifting those you lead. Deshauna Barber, an accomplished trailblazer and leader, draws on her journey as the youngest and only Black female company commander in her battalion in 2014. Faced with rebuilding a fractured unit, she transformed it into the top-performing team through compassion and empathy. As the youngest President of the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), Deshauna continued to redefine leadership by prioritizing care, resilience, and collaboration. This inspiring talk demonstrates how fostering a caring environment can drive meaningful change in any organization. Deshauna’s story challenges audiences to embrace empathy as a powerful leadership tool in the workplace and beyond.

Forged by Fire

Overcoming Adversity & Life’s Curve Balls

Deshauna Barber’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and turning pain into purpose. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse and bullying, she overcame early challenges to build confidence and make history as the first soldier crowned Miss USA. During her reign, she faced further hardship with the loss of her mother to lung cancer, an experience that deepened her understanding of strength through struggle. This speech inspires audiences to shift their perspective on adversity, recognizing life’s toughest moments as opportunities for growth. With personal stories and practical tools, Deshauna equips audiences to build mental and emotional resilience. Her message empowers individuals to confront challenges courageously and transform their pain into a catalyst for triumph.

Fail Forward

Empowering The Road To Success

What if failure was the key to success? Deshauna Barber, the first soldier crowned Miss USA, shares her journey of turning rejection, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt into opportunities for growth. Her experiences of overcoming countless “Noes” shaped her resilience and prepared her for success as a motivational speaker and advocate. In this talk, Deshauna provides practical strategies for reframing failure as a stepping stone toward achieving goals. She encourages audiences to embrace rejection, silence self-doubt, and confidently pursue their dreams. Perfect for professionals facing career challenges, this speech inspires individuals to turn setbacks into setups for success.

100 Noes Before A Single Yes

A Young Professionals Resilience Roadmap

Deshauna Barber’s journey proves that perseverance is the foundation of a successful career. After earning her business degree, she faced over 100 rejections before breaking through, eventually becoming a six-figure motivational speaker, Army veteran, and nonprofit leader. In this speech, Deshauna addresses the challenges young professionals face when transitioning into the workforce, emphasizing the value of grit and adaptability. She shares personal stories and actionable strategies to turn rejection into a tool for growth. With her inspiring message, she empowers recent graduates to overcome self-doubt, embrace resilience, and persevere in the face of adversity. This talk equips young professionals with the mindset needed to navigate career challenges and achieve greatness.

The Future is Female

Empowering Women & Taking Up Space

Deshauna Barber has broken barriers across male-dominated fields, from the military to nonprofit leadership and public speaking. As the youngest President of SWAN and a trailblazer in her career, she inspires women to claim their rightful place in spaces historically not designed for them. In this empowering talk, Deshauna shares her journey of navigating bias, breaking glass ceilings, and leading with authenticity. She challenges systemic barriers women face, offering actionable strategies to overcome them and turn obstacles into opportunities. Her message is a rallying cry for women to lead boldly and unapologetically, paving the way for future generations. By the end of this talk, attendees will feel empowered to embrace their voices and drive meaningful change.

Beyond the Checkbox

Advancing Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Diversity is not a checkbox—it’s the foundation for belonging and innovation. As a Black woman in male-dominated industries, Deshauna Barber brings an authentic perspective to addressing workplace inequities. Drawing on her journey as an Army officer, IT analyst, and Cornell-certified DEI professional, she shares actionable strategies for creating inclusive workplaces. Deshauna highlights systemic barriers faced by minorities and offers practical solutions to foster equity and belonging. Her talk challenges leaders to go beyond performative gestures, creating environments where everyone feels empowered to contribute. Audiences will leave inspired to embrace diversity as a catalyst for meaningful organizational change.

Beyond the Battlefield

Transforming Corporate Support for Veterans

Deshauna Barber’s life is a testament to resilience and advocacy for the military community. As an Army officer, company commander, and the youngest CEO of SWAN, she has worked tirelessly to elevate service members, especially women veterans. In this talk, she shares personal stories of leadership and the challenges veterans face, including PTSD and reintegration. Deshauna calls on corporations to move beyond slogans and implement meaningful programs that honor and support veterans. Her message inspires businesses to embrace their role in empowering military families and creating opportunities for their success. This talk provides a blueprint for building impactful systems that genuinely support those who have served.

The Country That Unites Us

Finding Common Ground in a Divided World

Deshauna Barber’s experiences as an Army officer taught her the power of unity beyond differences. In the military, soldiers are not defined by race or background but by a shared mission and the “heart of the camo.” Drawing on this perspective, Deshauna addresses the divisions seen in today’s society and offers a call to action for finding common ground. Through personal stories and insights, she emphasizes the importance of love and understanding over hate and division. Her talk challenges audiences to embrace compassion and build bridges across political and cultural divides. By choosing unity, we can create communities that thrive and foster hope for a better future.