3x Emmy®-Nominated Artist | Keynote Speaker | The Voice of the "Other Kid from Akron."

Kofi B is a 3x Emmy®-nominated artist, keynote speaker, and the 2022 Grand Finale Winner of Amateur Night at the Apollo. Renowned as "The Other Kid from Akron," Kofi fuses world-class piano virtuosity with high-impact storytelling to inspire resilience and purpose. From being the youngest Black pianist in the University of Akron’s jazz program to serving as a Kennedy Center Ambassador, his "Made in Akron" journey empowers audiences to "Create Their Own Lane." Kofi’s experiential keynotes transform stages into masterclasses on leadership, innovation, and the Apollo Mindset.

Kofi B’s Signature Keynote Topics:

- Best for: Educational Summits, Youth Leadership, Personal Development.
- Key Takeaway: Identifying your core strengths to navigate a path where no blueprint exists.
- Best for: Corporate Culture, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation Conferences.
- Key Takeaway: Leveraging your roots to disrupt industry standards.
- Best for: Sales Kickoffs, High-Performance Teams, Creative Entrepreneurs.
- Key Takeaway: Mastering the art of preparation and resilience in high-pressure environments.

The Apollo Mindset: Thriving Under High Stakes

Drawing from his historic win and hosting role at the legendary Apollo Theater. The Apollo’s motto is "Be Good or Be Gone." Kofi breaks down the psychological and technical preparation required to perform under pressure. He demonstrates, through the keys, how to manage "The Sandman" (internal doubt) and win over the "toughest audience in the world."

Beyond The Keys: Finding Your Unique Language

Based on Kofi’s flagship youth and corporate program. In this keynote, Kofi shares his journey from a kid in Akron who "didn’t fit the mold" to the youngest Black pianist at the University of Akron. He explores how finding a "language"—whether it be music, coding, or leadership—is the key to unlocking purpose.

The "Other Kid" Mentality: Innovation from the Outside In

Rooted in his "Made in Akron" documentary and branding. Kofi discusses the grit required to compete on world stages (like the Kennedy Center and Hollywood) when coming from an underrepresented background. He teaches audiences how to turn "outsider status" into a competitive advantage by embracing the "Other Kid from Akron" mindset.

National Impact & Storytelling

From his life-changing address at the NAACP to telling his story on National TV with the Tamron Hall Show, witness the moments that have made Kofi B. a premier voice for motivation and resilience.

Distinguished Accolades & Social Proof

3x Emmy® Award Nominee: Recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) for Musical Composition, Arrangement, and Production (2019, 2022, 2025).
Apollo Theater Grand Finale Winner: Crowned the $20,000 Grand Prize Winner of Amateur Night at the Apollo (2022) and currently serves as the first-ever winner-turned-host.
Kennedy Center Ambassador: Serving as the Ambassador of Engagement for the 47th Kennedy Center Honors, representing the pinnacle of American cultural excellence.
Featured Keynote Speaker: Closing Keynote for the 11th Annual Deeper Learning Conference (DL24) in San Diego, addressing a global audience of educators and leaders.
National Television & Media: Featured on The Tamron Hall Show and starred in national commercial campaigns for major brands including Fanatics and Dunkin' Donuts.
Film & Acting: Cast in the major motion picture Whitney Houston biopic, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” and creator of the Emmy-nominated documentary “Kofi: Made in Akron.”
NAACP National Silver Medalist: 2018 NAACP ACT-SO National Competition Silver Medalist for Contemporary Piano.
White House Recognition: Recipient of the White House Excellence Award (2014) for academic and artistic achievement.
Cultural Innovator: Founder of BlaBoak Ventures, an independent media company dedicated to bridging generational gaps through storytelling and musical reimagining.