Keynote Speaker · Author · Arts Advocate
"There is greatness in every child — through the arts."
Championing arts education, cultural excellence, and the transformative power of creativity in every child, classroom, and community.
"There is greatness in every child — through the arts."
— Rory PullensAbout Rory
Rory Pullens is a celebrated cultural architect and passionate advocate for arts education — a writer, speaker, and educational leader who has spent his career proving that the arts are not a luxury, but a necessity for every child's development. Currently serving as Chief Learning Officer at Soapbox, Rory brings his extraordinary background to the mission of elevating learning through creativity.
As former CEO of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC — one of the nation's premier arts high schools — Rory led one of America's most storied institutions dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artists, thinkers, and leaders.
His leadership legacy extends further as the former Senior Executive Director of the Arts for LAUSD — the second-largest school district in the United States — where he shaped arts education policy and programming for hundreds of thousands of students across Los Angeles. As former President of the Arts Schools Network, a national organization connecting arts-focused schools across America, Rory championed the transformative power of arts education at the highest levels. In 2025, the Arts Schools Network honored him with their prestigious Founders Award.
Beyond education, Rory is the co-author of the upcoming memoir Rhythm & Fire, chronicling Ralph Johnson's 50-year journey with Earth, Wind & Fire, and a celebrated writer on NBC's iconic A Different World.
Career Highlights
Soapbox Education
Leading the learning strategy and educational vision at Soapbox, bringing decades of arts education expertise to transform how students engage with knowledge and creativity.
Duke Ellington School of the Arts · Washington, DC
Led one of America's most prestigious performing and visual arts high schools, championing the next generation of artists while stewarding an institution that has produced some of the country's greatest creative talents.
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
Directed arts education for the 2nd-largest school district in the United States, creating and implementing arts programs that touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of students across Los Angeles.
Arts Schools Network (National)
Led the national organization connecting and supporting arts-focused schools across the US, advocating at the highest levels for arts education policy, funding, and the irreplaceable role of the arts in K-12 learning.
Arts Schools Network
Honored by the Arts Schools Network in 2025 with their prestigious Founders Award, recognizing Rory's lifetime of commitment to championing arts education and his lasting impact on arts schools nationally.
A Different World · NBC
Wrote for one of America's most culturally significant television series — a show credited with dramatically increasing HBCU enrollment and reshaping America's image of Black intellectual life and higher education.
Current Role
Rory currently serves as Chief Learning Officer at SoapboxEdu — an innovative education platform using AR/VR technology whose mission is to elevate learning through the power of engagement, creativity, and student-centered experiences.
At Soapbox Education, Rory brings his unmatched expertise in arts education, curriculum development, and transformative leadership to help shape the future of learning for students, educators, and institutions nationwide. He is the strategic visionary behind Soapbox's educational holographic experiences, ensuring every curriculum, program, and partnership is rooted in the belief that creativity is the engine of human potential.
Under Rory's leadership vision: "Every student deserves an arts education that speaks to who they are — that sees, honors, and ignites the greatness within them."
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What Rory Speaks About
Rory tailors each presentation to your audience — weaving cultural history, personal narrative, and actionable insight into an unforgettable experience.
A passionate, research-backed keynote making the case that arts education is fundamental to academic achievement, social-emotional development, and preparing students for the 21st century.
Drawing on the 50-year legacy of Earth, Wind & Fire and Rory's own journey, this keynote explores how rhythm — in music and in life — sustains us through adversity and drives us toward greatness.
From stage plays to TV Sitcoms to the TED stage, Rory illuminates why authentic storytelling is the most powerful tool for building inclusive cultures, inspiring teams, and driving lasting change.
Drawing from leading LAUSD's arts programs, the Duke Ellington School, and the Arts Schools Network, Rory delivers a masterclass in purpose-driven educational leadership.
Rory's signature keynote — a celebration and call to action around the belief that every child carries greatness within them, and that it is art, creativity, and inspired educators who bring it forward.
Bridging entertainment and education, Rory shows how creative thinking — the same force that built cultural empires — can transform any classroom, school, or organization.
Ready to bring Rory to your next event?
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Experience why Rory Pullens is one of the most captivating voices on the speaker circuit today.
In this compelling talk, Rory shares his vision for arts education as a transformative force in young people's lives — drawing from his extraordinary career spanning LAUSD, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, and beyond.
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Rory delivers his signature message on the irreplaceable role of the arts in K-12 education, the power of creativity to unlock potential, and why every child deserves access to the arts.
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What People Are Saying
"Rory Pullens doesn't just speak — he conducts. Every word, every pause, every story is orchestrated to move you somewhere you didn't expect to go. Our audience gave him a standing ovation before he even finished."
"Rory understands — deeply and viscerally — that the arts are not decorative. They are fundamental. His leadership at Duke Ellington transformed what was possible for thousands of students who might never have had access to the arts."
"Working with Rory was like taking a masterclass in purposeful storytelling every single day. He brought a depth of humanity to every scene that made the show what it was."
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Whether you're planning a corporate keynote, a university convocation, a K-12 event, or a media appearance, Rory delivers an experience your audience will never forget.
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