Each year on November 8th, First-Generation College Celebration Day shines a spotlight on the resilience, determination, and triumphs of students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education. For many campuses, this day is an opportunity to honor first-generation students, reflect on their journeys, and foster community and encouragement.
At Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau, we are proud to represent powerful voices whose stories resonate deeply with the first-generation experience. These speakers inspire with personal narratives of perseverance, creativity, and leadership—making them ideal for First-Generation College Celebration Day events.
Dan-el Padilla Peralta
A Princeton University professor and Columbia University Fellow, Dan-el Padilla Peralta’s story is one of remarkable persistence. In his memoir Undocumented, and through his lectures, he shares his journey from growing up as an undocumented immigrant in New York City to excelling at Princeton. His reflections on education, identity, and the immigrant experience offer a compelling reminder of what it means to succeed against the odds.
Dan-el Padilla Peralta
Princeton University professor and author of Undocumented
Ocean Vuong
Poet and novelist Ocean Vuong’s works—including The Emperor of Gladness, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and Time is a Mother—have made him one of the most celebrated literary voices of his generation. As a first-generation college graduate himself, Vuong speaks about family, language, and the themes behind his works. His thoughtful and engaging events resonate with students navigating similar paths.
Ocean Vuong
MacArthur Fellow and New York Times-bestselling author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and Oprah’s Book Club pick The Emperor of Gladness
Abdi Nor Iftin
From surviving civil war in Somalia to immigrating to the U.S., Abdi Nor Iftin’s life story exemplifies perseverance and courage. Now a naturalized American citizen and author of Call Me American, he brings a global perspective to conversations about identity, opportunity, and the promise of education. His storytelling offers first-generation students a broader lens on what it means to dream and achieve in America.
Alora Young
At just 22, Alora Young has already made her mark as a poet, performer, and author of Walking Gentry Home: A Memoir of My Foremothers in Verse. A recent graduate and former Youth Poet Laureate of the Southern U.S., Young speaks with authenticity about navigating higher education, identity, and creativity as a young Black neurodivergent woman. She is an advocate and very passionate about speaking on autism awareness. Her dynamic performances and talks inspire students to embrace their voices and histories.
Brittany K. Barnett
Attorney, author, and advocate Brittany K. Barnett is a first-generation college and law school graduate whose life changed course after working on her first criminal justice case. Her memoir A Knock at Midnight chronicles her journey and commitment to reforming America’s justice system. Through her advocacy and nonprofit work, she offers first-generation students a powerful example of how education can drive meaningful change.
Brittany K. Barnett
Award-winning attorney, entrepreneur, and author of A Knock at Midnight
Each of these speakers brings a unique perspective on ambition, perseverance, and the power of education. Their stories resonate with first-generation students navigating new territory—and with the faculty, staff, and peers supporting them along the way.
Hosting one of these speakers on November 8th (or during a campus event series) creates space for inspiration, honest dialogue, and connection that first-generation students will carry far beyond their college years.