Shamichael Hallman

Author | Speaker | Strategist

Hi, I’m Shamichael Hallman, a passionate advocate for civic health, social impact, and community transformation. With a focus on creating spaces that foster connection and collaboration, I work to reimagine how we engage with one another to address today’s most pressing challenges. As a seasoned speaker who has delivered talks at conferences, universities, and public forums across the country—including a widely recognized TEDx talk—I share insights on the power of civic infrastructure, like libraries and other public spaces, to strengthen communities, spark dialogue, and drive social innovation. My mission is to inspire new ways of thinking about civic engagement and to empower individuals and organizations to create lasting impact.

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© Cayce Pollard. All rights reserved.

About

I’m passionate about building bridges across divides, creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. With an MS in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and a Loeb Fellowship from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, I’ve dedicated my career to connecting people and fostering innovation.Throughout my journey, I’ve led initiatives at the intersection of community building, innovation, and leadership. I’ve served as the Chief Strategy Officer for a megachurch in Memphis, Tennessee, guiding strategic growth for a 5,000-member congregation, and as a global lead for Code for the Kingdom, a movement uniting technologists, creatives, and entrepreneurs to tackle major challenges through technology and faith-inspired innovation. As a teaching fellow at the Center for Social Impact Strategy, I’ve worked with nonprofit and government leaders to design creative solutions for complex societal issues.Whether through writing, speaking, or leading initiatives, I remain committed to empowering communities to imagine and achieve a more connected and equitable future.Currently, I’m building a North American conversation about how public libraries lead civic engagement, strengthen our democracies, inform anti-racism efforts, and drive stronger collective community action. My book, Meet Me at the Library, invites readers to rediscover libraries as vibrant hubs of democracy, dialogue, and civic engagement. Through my work, I aim to highlight the transformative power of public spaces to bridge divides, strengthen communities, and promote equity.Pick up a copy of Meet Me at the Library or find it in a library near you.

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Work

I’ve built my career at the intersection of libraries, civic health, and community engagement. As the Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity at the Urban Libraries Council, I lead initiatives that position libraries as essential infrastructure for cities and counties. My work focuses on fostering racial equity, strengthening democracy, and creating economic opportunities for diverse communities.Before this role, I served as the Senior Library Manager of the historic Cossitt Library in Memphis, where I oversaw a transformative, multi-million-dollar renovation. During my tenure, Memphis Public Libraries earned the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service and was recognized as the Nation’s Most Innovative Public Library by Smithsonian Magazine.Over the years, I’ve partnered with organizations across the country to develop programs that emphasize creativity, collaboration, and equity. My TEDx talk, Reimagining the Public Library to Reconnect the Community, gained international attention, highlighting my vision for how libraries can bridge divides and strengthen communities.Explore my current projects and initiatives to see how I’m working to empower communities and create meaningful change.

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Speaking

Are you looking for an inspiring speaker for your next event? I bring a wealth of experience and a passion for creating connection to every stage. My talks focus on:
- The transformative role of libraries in democracy and civic engagement.
- Building community through equity, dialogue, and shared public spaces.
- Leadership lessons I’ve learned while bridging divides in diverse communities.I’ve had the privilege of delivering keynote speeches and workshops for organizations like Harvard University, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and TEDx. My goal is always to leave audiences with practical insights, fresh perspectives, and inspiration to act.Upcoming Events
Check back here for updates on my upcoming speaking engagements.Feb. 17-20 | Knight Foundation Library Leaders/Media Forum
Mar. 10 | Graduate School of Design at Harvard University
Mar. 11 - 14 | EDGE Conference
April 7 | Enoch Pratt LibraryBook Me
If you’d like me to speak at your event, please use the contact form to get in touch. I’d love to learn more about your needs and how I can contribute to your event’s success.

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