The child of drug-addicted parents who routinely ate from dumpsters and sought refuge at all-night subway stations to survive, Liz Murray was homeless at age 15—and fending for her life. Determined not to be defined by her circumstances, she recognized education as the key to a fresh beginning and a whole new way of living. She earned her high school diploma in just two years and won a scholarship to Harvard University that would turn her bleak circumstances into a future filled with limitless possibility. With sincerity, maturity and graciousness, Murray takes audiences along on her personal journey from street smarts to classroom triumphs, instantly becoming an inspiration to both student groups and business audiences alike in need of the motivation to overcome their own obstacles. The subject of Lifetime Television’s Emmy-nominated original film Homeless to Harvard, Murray completed her degree at Harvard and recently released her memoir Breaking Night, which made The New York Times Best-seller List in its first week of release.

Dr. Venus Opal Reese delivers authentic, high-impact, customized success strategies for entrepreneurs and business owners. Dr. Reese’s strategies, systems and services will unleash an individual’s heart-center to make big money, a big difference, and be profoundly respected for both!

Once upon a time, Dr. Reese was a walking statistic. She was living on the streets by the age of 16 amidst violence, drugs, and prostitution. The predictable outcome was welfare, addiction, and ultimately death. However, 14 years later she graduated with a 2nd Masters Degree and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. Dr. Reese knows what it takes to breakthrough through inner barriers.  

Dr. Venus Opal Reese is a tenured professor, a published author, and an award-winning theatre artist. She has been featured on ABC News, CBS News, in Glamour magazine, Diversity Inc. and the Associated Press. Her solo performance work was produced off-Broadway and earned an ADELCO (the Black Tony Awards) nomination.Dr. Reese is the author of Street Smarts: Surviving Threat and Creating New Realities tele-series, Street Smarts Strategic Visioning for Staff, VPs, and CEOs Corporate Consulting, You for You 1:1 Bootcamp, Net-worth through Self-Worth: Breaking the Inner Glass Ceiling! tele-series, and Breaking the Inner Glass Ceiling Mentorship.