---
title: Client Event Kit | Dr. Manny Scott
description: Bios, introduction script, headshot, rider and promotion copy for hosts of Dr. Manny Scott.
---

Client Event Kit

# Dr. Manny Scott

Thank you for booking Dr. Scott. Everything your team needs to promote the event and prepare the room is here: approved bios, the introduction script, his headshot, his rider, and ready-to-use promotion copy. Please use these versions; older ones online may be out of date.

[Bios](https://www.mannyscott.com/event-kit#bios)[Introduction](https://www.mannyscott.com/event-kit#intro)[Headshot](https://www.mannyscott.com/event-kit#headshot)[In-person rider](https://www.mannyscott.com/event-kit#inperson)[Virtual rider](https://www.mannyscott.com/event-kit#virtual)[Promotion](https://www.mannyscott.com/event-kit#promo)[What happens next](https://www.mannyscott.com/event-kit#next)

## Bios

Use the full bio for programs and websites, the short bio for flyers and registration pages, and the 50-word bio or one-liner where space is tight.

### Full bio (about 380 words)

Copy

By 16, Dr. Manny Scott's life was hanging by a thread. He had dropped out of school at 14. His father was in prison. His best friend had just been murdered. He had lived in 26 different places and was missing 60 to 90 days of school a year. Sitting alone on a park bench, angry and out of hope, he was headed down a road that would have destroyed him.

Then a few people refused to give up on him. They helped him turn the page, and he found his way to the back row of Erin Gruwell's English class, the students the world would come to know as the Freedom Writers, whose story inspired the hit film *Freedom Writers*.

He became the first person in his family to graduate from high school. He went on to earn a B.A. in Rhetoric and Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Trinity, where his research examined how cultural self-awareness shapes our ability to connect across cultures.

For more than 25 years, Dr. Scott has carried one message into schools, districts, conferences, and organizations: the Power of One. One teacher, one leader, one caring adult can change the direction of a life. He has delivered more than 2,500 keynotes and presentations to roughly 2.5 million people in 49 states and on six continents, and has twice spoken at ASCD. He has helped more than 2,000 schools and organizations strengthen student achievement, teacher efficacy, and intercultural competence, and his story has helped prevent thousands of suicides.

Today his work also looks ahead. Through BRIDGE to the Future, he helps educators and leaders navigate artificial intelligence and rapid change without losing what matters most. His conviction is simple: technology is changing the future, but people still change lives.

Dr. Scott is the author of several books, including *Even on Your Worst Day You Can Be a Student's Best Hope* and his memoir, *Turning the Page*. He is also a pilot, ordained minister, mentor, and content creator. He and his wife, Alice, have three children, and the Scott family has explored 49 states and more than 50 countries and territories together.

### Short bio (about 130 words)

Copy

Dr. Manny Scott is an original Freedom Writer whose story inspired the hit film *Freedom Writers*. A high school dropout at 14, he became the first in his family to graduate from high school and went on to earn degrees from UC Berkeley and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, including a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies.

For more than 25 years, he has delivered 2,500+ keynotes to roughly 2.5 million people in 49 states and on six continents. His signature message, the Power of One, reminds educators and leaders that one person can change the direction of a life. His newest work, BRIDGE to the Future, helps them lead through AI and rapid change. He is the author of *Even on Your Worst Day You Can Be a Student's Best Hope* and the memoir *Turning the Page*.

### 50-word bio

Copy

Dr. Manny Scott is an original Freedom Writer, a former high school dropout who earned a Ph.D. and has inspired roughly 2.5 million people in 49 states and on six continents. His Power of One message reminds educators and leaders that one person can change the direction of a life.

### One-liner

Copy

Dr. Manny Scott, original Freedom Writer and author, has inspired 2.5 million educators, students, and leaders with one message: people still change lives.

### Title line for programs

Copy

Dr. Manny Scott | Speaker, Author, Original Freedom Writer

## Introduction script

Please read this word for word; it runs about 75 seconds. Pause at each line break. Right after the introduction, play the Freedom Writers trailer (we'll send the file). Dim the lights when it starts and bring the house lights back up full when it ends; then Dr. Scott begins.

Copy

> At 14, our next speaker dropped out of school. By 16, his father was in prison, his best friend had been murdered, and he had lived in 26 different places.
> 
> Then a few people refused to give up on him. One of them was an English teacher named Erin Gruwell. He became one of her original Freedom Writers, whose story you may know from the film *Freedom Writers*.
> 
> He became the first person in his family to graduate from high school, and he went on to UC Berkeley and, eventually, a Ph.D.
> 
> For more than 25 years, he has spoken to roughly 2.5 million people in 49 states and on six continents, with one message: one person can change the direction of a life.
> 
> He is an author, a pilot, a husband, and a father of three. Please help me welcome Dr. Manny Scott!

Pronunciation: MAN-ee SCOTT. Please use "Dr. Manny Scott" on screens, in programs, and from the stage.

## Headshot

![Dr. Manny Scott headshot](https://www.mannyscott.com/hubfs/Dr.%20Manny%20Scott%20Headshot%202026.jpeg)

This is Dr. Scott's approved headshot. Please use it for programs, flyers, websites, screens and social posts instead of images found online.

- Please don't stretch, filter, or crop below the shoulders.
- Need a print-resolution file or a different size? Email [events@mannyscott.com](mailto:events@mannyscott.com).

[Download headshot](https://www.mannyscott.com/hubfs/Dr.%20Manny%20Scott%20Headshot%202026.jpeg?hsLang=en)

## Rider: in-person events

These guidelines help your audience get the full benefit of Dr. Scott's presentation. If anything here is hard to arrange, email us at events@mannyscott.com and we'll find a way.

### Before the event

1. **Promotion.** Please use only the approved bio, headshot and introduction in this kit. Need a custom flyer or a sample press release? Just ask.
2. **Travel.** Our office books Dr. Scott's flights, hotel and ground transportation. We'll email you his arrival time.
3. **Preparation.** About 8 weeks before the event, we'll send a short pre-event questionnaire (due 5 weeks before), then an Event Plan that confirms the details in one place. Please include the names and titles of anyone you'd like him to recognize.
4. **Press.** Dr. Scott is glad to do interviews before event day when his schedule allows. On event day, interviews happen after his session. Please send media requests in writing in advance.
5. **Recording, livestream and photos.** Requests must be in writing at least 30 days before the event. If approved, please return the Audio and Video Release Form 30 days before and send us a copy of the recording within 30 days after. Approved recordings may not be broadcast or posted online. Still photos near the stage are welcome during the first 5 minutes; after that, please keep photographers out of the audience's and speaker's way. You may share photos on social media; any other commercial use needs our written approval.
6. **Meals and receptions.** Please confirm any reception or meal he's invited to when the contract is signed. For a seated meal, send a seating chart for his table 14 days before, with names, titles and a line about each guest. If Mrs. Alice Scott is traveling with him, please seat them side by side.

### The room

| Item | What we ask |
| --- | --- |
| Microphone | Lavalier preferred (Sennheiser EW 100 G3 or Shure PGXD14/93); otherwise a wireless handheld |
| Screen and projector | Large and bright enough for the whole room to see video clearly |
| Laptop | Dr. Scott brings his laptop and adapters; please provide an HDMI connection at the stage |
| Sound | Laptop audio patched into the house sound, or speakers loud enough for the room (he plays one video) |
| Stage monitor | Helpful, not required |
| Stage | One chair and one bench for the Power of One presentation (a folding chair for others), and an uncluttered stage he can move across |
| Lighting | House lights up full so he can see and connect with the audience; no spotlight unless necessary |
| Water | One unopened, room-temperature bottle (not cold) on or near the podium |
| Seating | Theater or auditorium style. In a gym, seat everyone on one side; if both sides are needed, use a U shape with chairs filling the middle. If seats outnumber people, please have the emcee invite the back rows forward |
| Book table | Two covered 30 x 72 inch tables near the main exit; line ropes for audiences over 1,000 |

### Event day

1. **Arrival.** Dr. Scott arrives one hour before he speaks to set up and test AV. Afterward he prefers quiet time to center himself and pray rather than eating or socializing, and he'll be near the stage 10 to 15 minutes before he begins.
2. **Order of program.** Your introducer reads the introduction in this kit, then the Freedom Writers trailer plays (lights dimmed), then house lights come back up full and Dr. Scott begins.
3. **Meals.** Dr. Scott does not speak while the audience is eating or after alcohol has been served. Please clear plates before he begins or wait until he finishes.
4. **Q&A.** If your program includes Q&A, a moderator can call on questions, or Dr. Scott can lead it himself. Your choice.
5. **After the session.** To protect his voice and schedule, especially from July to September, Dr. Scott keeps one-on-one time after sessions brief. When lines are long, please help keep them moving.
6. **Security.** Please assign one person to stay near Dr. Scott as he greets the audience afterward.
7. **Student assemblies.** Student assemblies are led by Matt, who travels with Dr. Scott; Dr. Scott's keynotes are for adult audiences. Morning assemblies work best, so students and staff have time to talk through what they heard; please avoid end-of-day assemblies. Student sessions run 45 to 60 minutes.

## Rider: virtual events

For virtual sessions, promotion, press and preparation work the same way as above. These items are specific to virtual events.

1. **Allow our emails.** School and district spam filters often block outside mail. Please ask IT to allow mannyscott.com so materials and follow-ups reach you and your attendees.
2. **Access.** We'll send you a Zoom webinar link to share with attendees. No pre-registration is needed, but each attendee enters a name and email to join. Please ask everyone to log in 15 minutes early.
3. **Attendee setup.** Share these tips ahead of time: install Zoom from zoom.us; check that the connection is at least 5 Mbps (speedtest.net); keep laptops plugged in; for group viewing on a big screen, connect the room's sound system or loud speakers.
4. **Be fully present.** Ask attendees to silence phones, close email and other tabs, and find a quiet space where they won't be interrupted.
5. **Order of program.** Your host joins as a panelist 60 minutes early for a quick run-through. At start time, the host welcomes everyone, introduces Dr. Scott using the script in this kit, and he begins. Your Event Plan will confirm who closes the session.
6. **Recording.** Dr. Scott records the session for his records only; it is not distributed. Attendees and hosts may not record any part of it. You're welcome to show the live session on large screens for groups watching together.
7. **Q&A.** Questions come through Zoom's Q&A feature when the program includes time for them.
8. **Books.** Attendees can order Dr. Scott's books, shipped directly to them. We share the link during the session and in a follow-up email.

## Promotion

Copy and paste these as written; replace the bracketed details with yours.

### Event announcement (website or registration page)

Copy

We are honored to welcome Dr. Manny Scott to \[event name\] on \[date\]. An original Freedom Writer whose story inspired the film *Freedom Writers*, Dr. Scott went from high school dropout to Ph.D. and has spoken to roughly 2.5 million people in 49 states and on six continents. His message, the Power of One, will remind every person in the room why their work matters, and how one person can change the direction of a life.

### Staff email or newsletter

Copy

**Subject:** You won't want to miss \[date\]

This \[month\], Dr. Manny Scott joins us for \[event name\]. He dropped out of school at 14. By 16, his father was in prison and his best friend had just been murdered. A few educators refused to give up on him, and he became one of Erin Gruwell's original Freedom Writers. Today he holds a Ph.D. and has spent 25 years reminding educators that they are often the difference in a student's life. Bring a colleague. Bring a tissue.

### Social post 1

Copy

At 14, he was a high school dropout.  
Today he's Dr. Manny Scott, an original Freedom Writer.

He's joining us on \[date\] for \[event name\], and we can't wait. \[link\]

### Social post 2

Copy

One teacher. One coach. One caring adult.  
That's sometimes all it takes.

Dr. Manny Scott knows because it happened to him. Hear his story at \[event name\] on \[date\]. \[link\]

### Social post 3 (day of)

Copy

Today's the day. Dr. Manny Scott takes the stage at \[time\].

If you're here, find us after and tell us what stuck with you. Tag @\[your handle\] and #PowerOfOne.

### Books for every attendee

Many hosts give every attendee a signed copy of *Even on Your Worst Day You Can Be a Student's Best Hope* or *Turning the Page*. Ask us about bulk pricing at least 30 days before the event so books can ship to your venue.

## What happens next

1. **This week:** we confirm Dr. Scott's travel and send his arrival details.
2. **Once a month until 8 weeks out:** a short note and ideas from Dr. Scott to help get your people ready.
3. **About 8 weeks before:** a short pre-event questionnaire. We've already filled in what we know.
4. **Within 2 business days of your answers:** your Event Plan, with everything in one place and a tailored introduction script. Just reply "Confirmed."
5. **30 days before:** last call for recording requests and book orders.
6. **10 days before:** final confirmation of times, AV and contacts.
7. **3 days before:** an introduction to Matt, who travels with Dr. Scott and is your contact through event day.

## Questions?

Anything about the event or this kit: [events@mannyscott.com](mailto:events@mannyscott.com). Contract or general questions: [info@mannyscott.com](mailto:info@mannyscott.com) or (678) 421-4825.

© Ink International, Inc. · P.O. Box 464868, Lawrenceville, GA 30042 · www.MannyScott.com