Mr. Benjamin McAfee presented at my school after a multiple number of presenters did as well, and I can confidently say his presentation was the most impactful. He found a unique way to relate to the audience and there was definitely a strong connection that I felt to him and his story after listening to his speech. Numerous amounts of students expressed their absolute gratitude for his speech. The way in which he captivated the students attention was personable and ingenious. .

Benjamin spoke with our middle and high school students as a part of our mental health education program. The feedback from students was amazing–they felt like Benjamin really understood and connected with them. Sharing his journey and stories with our community helped our students understand the human side of these experiences, as well as the practical details of getting help for yourself or a friend or family member. We are so grateful for Benjamin’s authenticity and willingness to jump right into our community!

Mr. McAfee has demonstrated a history of excellence as it pertains to his ability to engage an audience, particularly around issues regarding mental health and cultural competence. He was invited to speak with Loyola University Maryland students, ranging from undergraduate to doctoral students. Mr. McAfee offered captivating, authentic narrative of his journey. He not only left a long lasting impression on attendees, but also challenged and inspired us to continue navigating conversation around intersectionality. It would be a privilege and honor to have him for future presentations.

I wanted to express my appreciation for the outstanding presentation by Ben McAfee to my Adult Psychopathology course.  Ben is an exceptional speaker and his presentation was extremely interesting, informative and well-received by the students.  Further he was very open about his experiences and the challenges he has faced. The students were, however, particularly impressed by Ben’s resiliency and achievements.  He also was open to their questions and answered in a very thorough and thoughtful manner. Please extend our thanks and appreciation to Ben.

Ben served on a panel discussion at Georgetown University and addressed his own struggles and challenges in managing his medical condition, attending classes and keeping up with his studies. As an audience member, I observed the reactions of students who found his story compelling and personal. It takes courage to be open about one’s identity, and Ben possesses the fortitude and compassion to shatter myths and stereotypes of what it means to have a mental health issue. Ben’s narrative can be instrumental in helping fellow students who are experiencing similar issues.

Benjamin has a gift for powerfully speaking to young people and communicating notions on issues impacting the next generation. His articles and online TV show with RIZZARR garnered significant traction for the platform, proving what an incredible Millennial leader he is, especially when it comes to taking away the shame surrounding mental health.