Michael Franklin serves as the Executive Director of Speechwriters of Color, a global community of expert and aspiring communicators founded in 2020. Not all of us have the word speechwriter in our job title, but we all believe in the power of writing to make a difference.  Michael is also the Founder and Chief Thought Leadership Officer of Words Normalize Behavior LLC (WNB), a Black and Gen Z-owned and certified LGBT Business Enterprise by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). Michael is also a Contributor on Policy, Politics, and Culture for The Contrarian, one of the fastest-growing Substacks in the world. A proud graduate of Howard University, and award-winning communicator named as a 2024 “Mover & Shaker” by Washington Life Magazine and a 2024 “Excellence in Communications” honoree by the Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ), Michael has established himself as a credible leader in executive communications and strategic engagement. Michael’s keen eye for developing strategies that wed traditional media approaches with innovative outreach and engagement plans is especially prescient in a world where justice, equity, and democracy are under attack. In a constantly shifting media environment where leaders want to make a positive impact, Michael’s thought partnership is vital for advancing effective thought leadership. Michael’s thought leadership and perspective can be found in the NY Times, Washington Post, Financial Times, Newsweek, CNN, Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien, Axios, LA Times, BBC News, ABC News, PR News, and more.