Testimonials

Feedback from Independent Schools | Feedback from Colleges & Universities | Feedback from Companies, Libraries and Other Organizations

Independent Schools

K. Beckwith, New Britain High School, New Britain, CT
Diana, I have spoken with several classes already this morning and the response to Mark's presentation on Friday is amazing! Our students are so grateful for Mark's kind words and honesty. So many of them were impressed that, although his story is extremely heartbreaking, he did not (as they put it) "try to make us feel bad for him, but encouraged us to be thankful for what we do have and to pursue our dreams." One girl in particular seems particularly impacted by his plea to the students to follow their dreams and not to let anything stand in their way. Other students told me that they went home after school and thanked their parents for everything they've given to them and still others said that they went home and simply looked around their house, some of them seeing the objects within it "for the first time." What an experience!

From Mary Sidell, Brentwood School, Los Angeles, CA
I want to thank you once again for your wonderful presentation to our students on Tuesday. They are still  talking about it! It was a pleasure to have the privilege of hearing you speak once again.

Bradley E. Lyman, Head, Kentucky Country Day School
"I have had the pleasure of hearing Mark speak in a variety of settings, from classroom discussions to addresses to large groups. Simply put, he is one of the finest and most compelling speakers I've ever heard, and his message of empathy and love resonates well, especially in these times. He has the rare gift of connecting deeply and personally with his audiences.

In fact, the last two times I've heard him speak, several people in the audience were so moved that they were brought to tears. He is the perfect person to address students, educators, and parents because academic excellence without love, compassion and hope is a hollow education."

Jennie Hale, The Bullis School
We are still talking about Mark coming and speaking.  A group of us went to lunch for Admin. Professionals day, and we really heard about the students talking to thier parents about not being so shallow, getting involved, etc.

It did my heart good to hear that the message found it's place among the kids, and that it has motivated them. You all are doing a wonderful thing in speaking to the youth - it really is "the errand of Angels".

Matthew Horan, Eagle Hill School, Hardwick, MA
"I cannot express the amount of gratitude that I have for Mark's very powerful speech - it has inspired many of our students. Currently, I am trying to keep the message of Mark's words alive by organizing a fundraiser for a local homeless shelter...Please extend my deep appreciation and gratitude to Mark for his time spent here and for the words that he has given us." 

From Steve Bileca, The Branson School, Ross, California
"There really aren't words to express how grateful we all are for your visit with us yesterday.  You are a deeply moving speaker and have inspired our students to become better human beings.  Thank you."

From Barbara Kennedy, The Baylor School, Chattanooga
"Just wanted to let you know that Mark was wonderful and incredibly gracious.  His speech was great - many people I've talked to today say this was the best Martin Luther King Day we've had yet (we've been doing this for ten years).  His message was perfect and inspiring." 

From Bob Boelte, Memphis University School
“I have been scheduling Friday chapels for about 34 years, and I sincerely believe that Mark Mathabane’s presentation was the best that we have ever had. His delivery was excellent. He held the attention of the audience, mesmerized them with his autobiographical anecdotes, and piqued their consciences."

Kelly, Head of the Island School, Seattle
"Thank you. Your visit has been a gift we will keep opening for a long, long time."

Patsy Howard, Head, Greenwich Academy
“It is a week later, and throughout the school we continue to feel the effects of your profound and moving words. In my 30 years of school work, I can’t remember an occasion in which words spoken so softly and earnestly have had such a powerful influence on young people. I was among the dozens of people who left your talk last week determined to view the world in a different way and live my life with greater commitment to the values and goals that you outlined for us. Your presence here at the Academy was a great honor and an inspiring experience.”  

Richard Malley, Former Head, Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Massachusetts
"...Through your written work, you have had a profound influence on many of our seniors. Your physical presence and your moving speech touched the lives of our students and faculty...You have a powerful message to deliver, and I wish you all the best. Should you ever need a reference as a speaker, please do not hesitate to call upon me. I would be very happy to speak to anyone considering having you as a speaker."

Shawn Samuelson, Charlotte Country Day:
“The impression you left on the faculty and students is truly unprecedented. We are honored by your coming. We are breathless in your wake. The effect you had on our students is amazing. They are anxious to begin a project to supply schools and families in South Africa with clothing and books.”

Mary Lou Leipheimer, Head, Foxcroft School
“The Foxcroft community continues to talk about Mark Mathabane and about the issues he raises. Your words, your wisdom, and your caring—all remain fresh and powerful in our memories...I think you might appreciate some of the comments I have heard: “He has refocused my priorities. I studied again for the exam.” “I have not appreciated the library. I’ll do better.” “He is so eloquently articulate. Even his spontaneous responses are poetry.” “For the first time in four years, the auditorium was totally silent.” “I glimpsed the universality of humanity. I like the vision.” “He’s such a role model of a pure spirit and a clean heart —no bitterness, wow!” “Can he come again?”

Dorian Myers, the Kinkaid School, Houston
"Mark’s visit to Kinkaid definitely lived up to all the accolades in the email. I can't tell you how many students and faculty and parents have stopped by to tell me how touched they were by the presentation. Kids went home and talked to their parents about what they had heard, talked to their teachers in classes and are reading Kaffir Boy all over the school. It was such a pleasure to meet Mark and we do hope that he will always feel like Kinkaid is home."

Rick Goldstein, the Paideia School in Atlanta:
"Thanks so much for setting up Mark's visit to Paideia School today. He was spectacular. The students were talking about it all through the day and even at pick up this afternoon. Personally, I was spellbound by his story.”  

John Fiske, the Chadwick School, California
"After your incredibly moving and inspirational talk, I bought all of your books and have read Kaffir Boy and Kaffir Boy in America so far, finding them to be awesome. Words cannot express the flood of thoughts and emotions you evoke, not only for me but for so many others. Thank you so much."

Karen Glenn, Charlotte Latin School, North Carolina
"Thank you again for your eloquent words last Friday. You made quite an impression on both the faculty and students. My students really enjoyed reading Kaffir Boy and were excited to meet you."

Joyce Ferris, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley, PA
I don't know how to begin to tell you of the profound impact you had on the students, faculty and the entire community of Sewickley Academy...I have never seen students so moved and so influenced by any speaker before and we have had some distinguished ones here. Faculty and students have expressed great thanks for the opportunity to be in your presence, to hear you speak and to experience the benefit of your wisdom...I believe that you have had a lasting effect on the ideas and the approach that students will take to social issues...I can not thank you enough for what you contributed to our community.

Colleges & Universities

From Sandy Chaney, Erskine College in SC:   “Mark was superb!
We were so very pleased with the whole event. So many people have expressed thanks to us for bringing such an engaging speaker to campus. He gave all of us so much to think about.”

From the Univ. of North Carolina-Chapel Hill:
“I would like to thank you for launching our International Festival with your visit and keynote address. The presentation as well as your extemporaneous remarks were uplifting and inspiring.”

Lonnie Calhoun, Director of Multicultural Affairs, Longwood College, Virginia
“I would like to thank you for your presentation at the Martin Luther King Celebration. Your remarks were well received and students are still talking about your reflections on race and ethnicity in South Africa and America. Your remarks were timely and personal. As you know, diversity is a tough issue to talk about. However, you did an excellent job of illustrating the human cost of hate and how people should not lose their humanity.”

From Jennifer Hightower, Director of Student Activities, Yakima Valley Community College, Yakima, WA
“Your lecture had a very positive impact on many people and I am glad that we were able to bring you to our campus in honor of Black History Month. Our office has already received several calls from students and faculty inquiring about viewing a taped version of the lecture. You have made quite an impact.”

From Pinese Harris, Office of Affirmative Action, Ramapo College of New Jersey
"Thank you for the fine presentation you gave...The issues you raised  are necessary and an invaluable tool that must be applied in a global, multicultural society."

Companies, Libraries and Other Organizations

From the Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C.: 
Thank you very much for speaking at our seminar on Workforce Diversity last week. Your discussion of "diversity or divisiveness?" contributed greatly to the success of our seminar. You were terrific. Very compelling.

From Marilyn Lubin, Queens Borough Library:
“The two weeks I spent on vacation immediately following your lectures at our library have not dimmed my memory of that extraordinary event. The huge crowds that came to hear and see you attest to the broad interest your life's journey sparked here in Queens. But the audience’s reaction, their rapt attention and thoughtful questions, indicated how deeply they feel about the problems you discussed, they face, and how eloquently you addressed them.” “A mere ‘thank you’ is so inadequate for the generosity with which you gave of yourself by speaking individually, shaking hands, and writing personal comments in the books of so many of the more than 800 people who attended - not to mention all the photographs for which you posed.”

From Riverside House in Miami:
Please accept this letter as a personal thank you for your participation in the program of our Ninth Annual Banquet. The event was a successful fundraiser for Riverside House and your presence contributed greatly! Your talk was both eloquent and powerful.

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City:
This note is to express our deepest gratitude for your moving sermon...It showed specifically and personally the depths to which inhumanity can sink...It made people see that the Christian life is one of love, including forgiveness.