Damon DiMarco

If the coronavirus were here for our good, what lesson would it be trying to teach us? Americans asked this question after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The answer, it turns out, is the same. When a crisis affects one of us, it affects us all. This happens because we are connected to each other in ways we cannot possibly comprehend. Ways that only become revealed to us when our very survival is at stake. When we elevate each other, we are, in fact, elevating ourselves. History shows us time and again that the values of diversity, inclusivity, and respect are the keystones to resilience for communities of any scale regardless of what challenges they face. But many still cling to alikeness, exclusivity, blaming the Other. Even those with the best intentions sometimes fall into this trap. Author and 9/11 historian Damon DiMarco presents this rousing lecture aimed at student bodies, leadership teams, and those who search for meaning when meaning seems to be lost.

It’s been nearly 20 years since the terrorist attacks of 9/11 ... and what have we learned? Our economy shot up, collapsed, shot up again, and collapsed again. War continues in the Middle East. Advances in technology have brought us together while pushing us farther apart. Americans are now more polarized than ever along political, economic, and sociological lines. This is our post 9/11 world. So what the hell was 9/11 for? NBC’s Today Show called DiMarco’s book, Tower Stories: an Oral History of 9/11, "Arguably the most successful attempt at capturing the enormity of of the events of 9/11 … DiMarco's sprawling oral history [presents] human stories . . .with a raw candor a thousand times more affecting than any cold statistic offered by a commission ... a riveting and disarmingly emotional read." In this presentation, the author of Tower Stories reminds us that the tragedy of 9/11 is obvious. But an even greater tragedy would be to miss its silver lining.

Every creative person Gets Stuck. Writers call this writer’s block. Some actors call it actors block. Painters, dancers, musicians, sculptors … every creative person knows what Getting Stuck feels like. If creating something is Heaven, Getting Stuck is surely hell. In this presentation, Damon DiMarco outlines his eight ‘Be Attitudes’ for getting Unstuck. Material from this presentation is sourced from Damon’s forthcoming book The Artist’s Master Key to Success. It’s the perfect keynote speech for any institute or university program in the arts -- writing, dance, theatre arts, filmmaking, music, fine arts, and sculpture. Since the essence of leadership and entrepreneurialism is creativity, this material is also valid for MBAs, leadership institutes, government training and urban planning programs, or any curriculum where problem solving is highlighted.