Ashley Rhodes-Courter

International NYT Best-Selling Author – Overcoming Odds – Transforming Attitudes – Emotional Intelligence – Inspiring Action

Expert on

  • Mental Health
  • Motivation
  • Education
  • Best-Selling Author
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Personal Development

Fee Range

$20,000–$20,000

Travels from

FL, US

Biography

Ashley Rhodes-Courter, MSW is the quintessential American success story. Born to a single teen mother, by the age of 3 Ashley was in Florida’s foster care system where she spent almost ten years being shuttled between 14 homes—some quite abusive—before being adopted from a Children’s Home at the age of twelve.

Despite her ordeal, she excelled in school because she believed that, “my education was the one thing nobody could take from me.” Early in her life she felt compelled to advocate for herself and the other children she lived with, particularly in the abusive foster homes.

Her efforts and academic achievements landed her Eckerd College’s Trustee Scholarship—the school’s most prestigious full-tuition award. She graduated with honors and ahead of schedule earning a double major in Communications and Theater and a double minor in Political Science and Psychology. Ashley then went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.

During her undergraduate studies, she was one of 20 college students selected for the USA Today All-USA Academic Team and was named one of GLAMOUR Magazine’s Top Ten College Women. Ashley was also chosen as one of the four Golden BR!CK Award winners for outstanding advocacy for community change by the national organization, Do Something. As part of their campaign, she was featured on 25 million bags of Cool Ranch Doritos. Her accomplishments advocating for children and families won her the Youth Advocate of the Year for the North American Council on Adoptable Children, the Kids to Kids National Service Award from the Child Welfare League of America, and two Angels in Adoption Awards from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption.

How It All Started…
On June 1, 2003, the New York Times Magazine published her grand prize winning essay about her adoption day. She expanded her essay into a memoir, Three Little Words, which was published by Simon & Schuster in January 2008 and quickly became a New York Times, then International bestseller. Her memoir is currently being made into a major motion picture. The book has been adopted by schools and communities as part of One School, One Book; and collegiate First Year Experience initiatives across the country. Ashley’s second book, Three More Words, debuted as a #1 Bestseller.

THREE LITTLE WORDS

Three Little Words: What three little words could change your life? In her most-requested Keynote, Ashley Rhodes-Courter, LCSW, shares her personal story of survival, breaking barriers, and beating the odds. Ashley spent nearly a decade in the foster care system as a child and experienced extreme child abuse and neglect. Today, she is an award-winning New York Times Bestselling Author and CEO. Laugh, cry, and be motivated by her first-hand experiences and unique expertise.

Helping the Helpers: preventing burnout, techniques to help with stress, anxiety, tragedies, and disappointments. What is and isn’t self-care, advocating for yourself and others, perfect for those whose jobs or volunteer work directly serves others. It only takes ONE person to change the life of another.

Schools as Sanctuaries: School was a sanctuary for Ashley where she was protected and encouraged by teachers and faculty. These unspoken heroes often do not receive the credit they deserve. Ashley’s trainings and keynotes provide content that help educators identify abuse, neglect, bullying, and explore complicated family dynamics. Audiences leave with useful tools and a renewed sense of purpose and passion.

Power of Perspective: Exploring Growth mindset; tapping into potential; what’s a big problem vs little problem; understanding ourselves and how we process the world; practical tips for developing a more optimistic outlook; learning lessons; and encourage audiences to focus on solutions rather than problems. When audiences reframe their circumstances, they will gain skills necessary to navigate challenges with confidence, embrace new opportunities and challenges, learn effective communication strategies, and tips to tackling imposters syndrome.

Be The Change: Adversity, or even trauma, can be a catalyst for growth and transformation. Change is inevitable. Stay relevant and succeed in the workplace and in your home life. You may find yourself leading during pandemics, political volatility, and personal challenges. Ashley helps audiences stay flexible and open-minded during emergencies and shifting cultures. Two devastating plane crashes in Ashley’s family system are just two examples used to help demonstrate how we can turn tragedies into purposeful triumphs.