The 黑料老司机 (AGS) and Gemological Institute of America (GIA) are excited to announce that Sekou Andrews鈥攁n award-winning poet and entrepreneur who blends inspirational speaking with spoken word poetry鈥攚ill deliver the closing keynote at Converge 2025. His performance will be on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. PT at the Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, California.
Sekou Andrews is one of the most successful spoken word poets in the world. A former schoolteacher-turned-innovator, Andrews has created a revolutionary speaking style鈥斺�淧oetic Voice鈥濃�攖hat fuses inspirational speaking with spoken word poetry, blending elements of theater, comedy, strategic storytelling, and thought leadership. His signature style has been described as 鈥淗amilton meets TED,鈥� delivering a powerful, unforgettable experience for audiences across the globe.
“Ending Converge 2025 with Sekou is a reflection of the creative energy and forward-thinking spirit we鈥檙e bringing to this event,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of the 黑料老司机. “He will move, inspire, and challenge us in a way that鈥檚 unlike any traditional keynote. Sekou鈥檚 ability to turn ideas into emotion鈥攁nd emotion into action.”
A GRAMMY-nominated artist with two National Poetry Slam championships, multiple CLIO awards, founder and CEO of SekouWorld, Inc., and an ABA 鈥淓ntrepreneur of the Year鈥� award, Sekou is a sought-after voice in health, business, and culture. His performances brought audiences to their feet at Fortune 500 companies like Google, Nike, and GE, and at organizations such as TEDMED, the Mayo Clinic, and the American Medical Association.
鈥淪ekou鈥檚 unique artistry connects deeply with people from every walk of life,鈥� said Susan Jacques, President and CEO of GIA. 鈥淗is closing keynote will leave attendees feeling energized, empowered, and reminded of the transformative power of storytelling. We couldn鈥檛 imagine a better way to end Converge.鈥�
As a performer who has shared the stage with legends like Stevie Wonder, John Legend, and Kendrick Lamar, Sekou Andrews brings world-class talent and a message of innovation鈥攁 theme that runs throughout Converge.
We are pleased to announce that the Converge education session schedule is now live, featuring timely and relevant sessions on gemology, business management, legal issues, sales, and marketing鈥攇iving attendees the critical tools and insights they need to navigate today鈥檚 dynamic landscape. To view the schedule, .
Jewelers Mutual庐 Group is the presenting sponsor of Converge.
This is an event that you can’t afford to miss! To learn more and register, visit .