Monty Burks Speaking Event

Bridging faith, leadership, and second chances to create a better future.

Meet Dr. Monty Burks

Dr. Monty Burks is a national leader, speaker, and strategist whose life is living proof that purpose can rise from pain. Once entangled in addiction and incarceration, Monty chose not just to rebuild—but to rise—and help others do the same. From the justice system to a Ph.D. and government service, his journey inspires others to believe in second chances. Today, he helps communities build new visions of what's possible.

His Breakthrough Moment

Turning Barriers Into Blueprints for Change

Monty’s journey began by helping others reenter society post-prison. That first act sparked a mission. Drawing from his lived experience with addiction, incarceration, and recovery, Monty rose to become a college professor and Deputy Director of Tennessee’s Faith-Based Initiative. Every step forward became a blueprint for others.

What He Does Today

Where Lived Experience Becomes Leadership

As founder of MNDBX Consulting, Dr. Burks travels the country coaching, training, and speaking to help build systems of opportunity. From mentorship to national strategy, he transforms how we view reentry and justice-involved individuals. His message: Lived experience isn’t a liability—it’s leadership.

Dr. Burks belongs to several professional organizations including:

Tennessee Supreme Court:

Access to Justice Commission Faith Based Chair

Rx and Illicit Drug Summit

Advisory Board

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Advisory Board

Tennessee State University Criminal Justice Faculty Advisory Committee

Dr. Monty Burks: National Speaker, Strategist, and Advocate for Change

Dr. Monty Burks delivers powerful transformation rooted in real experience, inspiring individuals and organizations to turn barriers into breakthroughs through faith and proven results.

Speaking Topics

1. Purpose After Prison:

Monty’s powerful story of transformation is more than inspiration—it’s instruction. He speaks to how adversity can be the first step to purpose.

Audiences will learn:

  • How to reframe failure as fuel for your purpose

  • Practical tools for building beyond shame and stigma

  • Why second chances create powerful leadership

2. Faith as Framework:

This talk is a call to action for faith-based organizations to lead in healing and reform. Monty shows how spiritual communities can be powerful systems of support.

Audiences will learn:

  • Why faith communities are essential for reform and reentry

  • How to use spiritual assets in recovery and public health

  • The balance between compassion and accountability

3. From System-Impacted to System-Changer:

Monty speaks directly to those with justice involvement—and to those who serve them. He shows how experience can become the foundation of leadership.

Audiences will learn:

  • How to turn your story into your strategy

  • How to build systems that include lived eXperience authentically

  • The MNDBX Blueprint: Manage, Navigate, Deconstruct, Build, eXperience

4. Mentorship That Matters:

Monty dives into the role of trauma-informed mentorship, bridging gaps between hopelessness and healing for the forgotten and overlooked.

Audiences will learn:

  • How to design trauma-informed mentorship programs

  • How to lead with empathy, structure, and accountability

  • How mentorship changes generational outcomes

5. Leadership Through Adversity:

This session is for anyone leading through hardship. Monty shares how to stay grounded in faith and lead with grit through seasons of personal and professional storms.

Audiences will learn:

  • How to build resilience through crisis or loss

  • How transparency makes stronger leaders

  • The mindset that drives transformation in adversity

6. Redemption in Real Time:

Ideal for leaders in justice, education, or behavioral health, this session challenges stigma and showcases real stories of redemption.

Audiences will learn:

  • What makes reentry programs successful

  • The power of structure and hope in long-term change

  • Stories of second chances that worked

We all make mistakes – I know I do! But I am thankful that our greatest obstacles can become our biggest opportunities. When mistakes and mishaps happen, I look for what I can learn from them. One thing I’ve learned is that mishaps often expose blind spots, but I truly believe that turning mistakes into teaching moments and uncovering those blind spots can change everything. When we learn from our mistakes and give ourselves a break (and some grace through the process!), it gives us the opportunity to grow in wisdom and articulate that experience with others. How awesome that our “mess” can bless someone else! It can be easy to complain about the situation, but that doesn’t change anything and doesn’t help you – let alone anyone else. Even though you’ve made a mistake, don’t beat yourself up! I know that can be easy to do. Something that’s helped me tremendously is practicing positive self-talk. To reach victory, I tell myself: “Monty, you are not a victim! You are a survivor with a testimony that can help others!” We are all survivors! If you don’t already have a practice of positive self-talk as part of your routine, I encourage you to give it a try.

To Thine Own Self Be True: The Power of Positive Self-Talk

By Dr. Monty Burks

Ready to Change Lives? Let’s Get Started.

Don’t just book a speaker—bring in a story that moves hearts, shifts mindsets, and sparks lasting change. Dr. Monty Burks turns pain into purpose and systems into solutions. Whether you’re leading a school, church, nonprofit, or government agency—this message belongs in your space.

Take action now. Inspire your audience. Transform your community.