It’s not a secret that Rusty Johnson is as natural of a speaker as he is a musician. Through Rusty’s early years on stage as a musician he was also perfecting his craft as a motivational speaker. Rusty’s work as a solo saxophonist started in the Church and as the demand for his music climbed, bringing him from church to church, the word spread fast that he had quite the testimony to share. Those who listened to Rusty speak early on might not have noticed how unusual it was for him to hold his saxophone, yet never play a note while speaking. Since Rusty was usually asked to speak before or after performing, his saxophone was in close reach and simply holding it was about the only way to get him to speak, that is, not speaking through his saxophone.
Rusty as the keynote speaker for National Adoption Day
Rusty Johnson soon found another passion, and one he was really good at. As the venues grew, so did the demand for Rusty to speak. Rusty eventually gained enough confidence to leave his saxophone on its stand, take the microphone off its stand, and move around the stage. Now when Rusty speaks, it is next to impossible to keep him in one place! “Mr. Johnson is the most truly motivating, engaging, energetic, and remarkable speaker I have heard!” (survey comments, keynote address, 2008)
Although Rusty continues speaking in many Churches of various denominations, sizes, and locations, he has accepted countless invitations to a wide variety of events. Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Rusty’s speeches is his testimony, which was nurtured by the Churches. When speaking about his past Rusty hides little, if anything. Rusty believes that the more he shares, the more the possibility someone can and will relate. Thousands who have listened to Rusty Johnson have connected, bringing those thousands tears, laughs, hope, and new level of inspiration. “A level above powerful …Absolutely inspiring, he connects …he has put me on a mission!” (conference evaluation, keynote address, 2007)
Within the past couple of years, Rusty Johnson has given keynotes* and/or speeches to organizations or events/festivities throughout the United States, including: the CARE Coalition Conference, *the Greater Area of Houston’s Youth Project, Elevate State Conference, the Foster & Adoptive Parent Associations, *National Adoption Day, *the Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice’s Summit on Child Welfare, *Texas Women’s University & University of North Texas Child Welfare Conference, *North Texas Light of Hope, *Educational Talent Search & Upward Bound, *University of Texas Welfare Conference, Transition Resource Action Center of Dallas, *Washington D.C. National Leadership Conference, North Mahaska High School (motivational address to student body), Links, Texas Youth Connection, *Dallas Juvenile Justice Program, Texas Department of Family & Protective Services, *Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and more. (* keynote address or featured guest speaker)
With each and every address, Rusty tailors his speech with his audience in mind. Inspiring and educating foster youth, parents, case and social workers, community members, schools, and others, Rusty speaks from his heart and encourages others to use a team mentality to raise today’s youth, help youth discover and nurture their gifts, use creative and innovative methods to raise foster youth, and not to give up. By believing in a youth, you can give them the power to believe in themselves. |
