Keynote Speaker
“From The White House to Broadway, to performing for four consecutive U.S. Presidents and world leaders, Mary shares her American dream story of how a small-town, Midwestern, preacher’s daughter became one of the most celebrated and beloved voices across the world. With grace, humor, and a little singing, Mary shares invaluable life lessons from “backstages and backrooms” with U.S Presidents and heads of state, and inspires audiences to use their authentic voice to impact the world.”
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I was just a child when I first grasped the power of liberty to uplift the human spirit. As a preacher’s daughter, sitting in Sunday morning service, watching my mother every Sunday lead worship as the music pastor of our church. Seeing how atmospheres of worship and music transformed people into a different realm. Seeing people set free. Then as Student Body President at the University of Oklahoma, I saw education’s power to free young minds. Segregation and racial discrimination have long histories in Oklahoma. Governing and representing the voices of over 30,000 diverse students, as only the second African American Student Body President in the University’s history, taught me justice is won through unified struggle. Family and teachers lit a fire in me, a yearning to lift every voice through the power of music and art.
Professionally, my start began at The White House, serving President George W. Bush by day, singing at presidential events by night. There I saw how songs of freedom inspire and uplift. Singing America’s National Anthem and now global anthems has been my profession, for close to 15 years, for 4 consecutive U.S. Presidents, world leaders, and patriots all over the world. In uncertain times, these songs anchor us. In defining moments, they light the way. These songs unify us and remind us we are one earth, one family, one future.
These songs of freedom guided me across borders and seas where I was given a microphone to sing and speak truth. There is no greater sense of joy than seeing a room or stadium filled with diverse faces, religions, diverse communities, stop and unite under the banner of liberty, freedom, and love of country.
In these challenging times, I aim to remind humanity of the “who we are together” perspective. Together, we are the greatest and most courageous force on the planet. That’s what our patriotic songs do. They remind us of courage and greatness through strength. Singing together, we are stronger together.
Just as God made us.
Global Leadership
Mary’s journey, from her humble beginnings to international stardom, serves as a beacon of inspiration globally. Her leadership is an active tool for strengthening bilateral relations between the United States and the world. From advising foreign governments, to encouraging international youth, Mary shares how to become, as an individual, a creative ecosystem within any nation.
September 2023, Mary addressed the 2023 G20 Summit virtually in New Delhi, India hosted by His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside President Joe Biden in attendance. Mary is formally recognized as a United States State Department cultural envoy and regarded as a cultural ambassador across the world for her effective leadership in cultural diplomacy, interfaith dialogue, and advocacy for global inclusion. Now with a vast brand in India following performances viewed by millions in India, Mary is a noted cultural ambassador in U.S.-India relations, and works within her intimate relationship with American politics, Washington, D.C., and the bipartisan leadership of the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives to strengthen the U.S.-India relationship.
Global Harmony
Mary’s artistry symbolizes the unity and inclusiveness needed in the world today. As a valued international artist with a deep understanding of international culture, Mary reinforces ways to embrace diverse perspectives in order to foster cultural harmony on a global scale. Mary shares effective methods to champion cross-cultural understanding and presents culture as a real solution for innovation and economic growth.
China Daily hosts Mary in a global interview about the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, her days living as an exchange student in China, performing the Chinese National Anthem, and her role as a cultural ambassador in U.S.-China relations. Mary made history performing for the 40th Anniversary of U.S.-China Student Exchanges at The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Washington, D.C. - becoming the first American and African American artist to perform the American National Anthem and the Chinese National Anthem (in Chinese) on American and Chinese soil. Hosted by The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in coordination with The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Global Patriotism
For Mary, Singing The Star-Spangled Banner, America’s National Anthem, and global anthems is more than just a performance moment for Mary. It is a career spanning close to 15 years of honoring the heroes who serve and promoting freedom. Mary shares the importance of patriotism in community building, nation building, and building infrastructures of free enterprise. Mary empowers audiences to elevate freedom – through their voice, their vote, and their faith.
As Mary approaches the 20-year mark as a global singer/actress, she has dedicated her career to elevating patriotism in America and across the world. Mary's life mandate is to remember, honor, and pay tribute to the courageous men and men in uniform, active-duty troops, veterans, fallen soldiers, Gold Star families, and military spouses who have and continue to sacrifice for freedom. Overall, Mary is a singer who will make you love your country again. Her rousing arrangements of America’s patriotic music and global performances of international anthems evoke emotional response and stir patriotism universally. Mary has mastered cross-over appeal to more broad and cultural demographics and gained worldwide recognition for her captivating vocal prowess and stirring performances of global national anthems and patriotic songs of the United States, Africa, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and specifically India, China, Brazil, UAE, and Israel.
