A 10-Year-Old Boy Gives Moving Speech on the N-Word

I once drew attention to a 10 year old boy, Dalton Sherman, and his crowd-raising keynote speech in front of 20,000 people. 

I have found another one: a 10 year old boy, Jonathan Emile McCoy, giving a most eloquent and well-structured speech on "The N-Word".  The calm, confident way in which he speaks with tremendous clarify gives a clear message enriched with references.

  

He ends with a great closing, “My name is Jonathan Emile McCoy and I approved this message”. 

Jonathan was also featured on CNN.

Here is one person's feedback on this speech:

1. Message/Power of that Message — It is impossible to miss this young man’s message. From beginning to end he stays on message, there is no confusion, no getting “lost in the weeds” or off message, and no question as to what action he wants his audience to take.

2-3. Presence/Poise – He may be physically small, but he casts a very large shadow.  His suit fits him perfectly, his outfit matches, and his tie is a great fit with his suit.  If he is nervous (and I am sure that he was) it doesn’t show.

4. Body Language – Jonathan is poised, his posture is strong throughout and he begins to use his hand at the 3 minute mark to accentuate points.  Jonathan never slouches and never sways — his small movements are deliberate and strong.

5. Eye Contact — Never wavers and never looks down.  Excellent.

6. Articulate – Easy to understand every word he says.

7-9. Tone/Tempo/Vocal Variety – Emphasizes key words and points.  His tone changes to fit both his words and his message.  His pace is very easy to follow and he pauses appropriately as well.

10-11. Opening/closing – Jonathan simply does not allow anyone to tune him out from the start. “Negro, African American, Mahogany, Ebony, Nubian…” Combined with the factors above, the power is incredible!  Eleven years old!  The power continues throughout, and his closing, “My name is Jonathan Emile McCoy and I approved this message” was great.

An aside – I would not advise putting a song in your speech unless you are an 11 year old wunderkind who can pull it off — the vast majority of individuals, me included, cannot pull it off.

Great job Jonathan – you are a public speaking/messaging role model for children and adults alike!

Source: http://www.matteventoff.com/11-public-speaking-lessons-from-an-eleven-year-old.html

Antonia Harrison is a member of Toastmasters International and helps people overcome the fear of public speaking through powerful Hypnosis and NLP, giving confidence and coaching on effective speaking skills.  Based in Portsmouth, UK, she helps people worldwide face-to-face or over Skype.
Click here to visit her website http://www.AntoniaHarrison.com