MEET EJ GULLEY
Meet EJ Gulley, an award-winning professional speaker, author, and life coach whose dedication to inspiring others has impacted countless lives. With a dynamic background in youth leadership and motivational speaking, EJ brings a unique perspective to his engagements. As a former youth member of Optimus International, a global youth organization with over 80,000 members across 3,000 clubs in 20 countries, he gained invaluable experience connecting with young people from diverse backgrounds. Today, EJ is an active member of Toastmasters, a worldwide network of clubs dedicated to public speaking and leadership development. Toastmasters, with over 280,000 members across 14,700 clubs, has provided EJ with a platform to refine his craft and continue growing as a speaker.
EJ’s journey to becoming a sought-after motivational speaker wasn’t without challenges. Growing up in Southern California, he faced obstacles like peer pressure, complex environments, and the struggle to find his place. These experiences fueled EJ’s passion for helping students overcome adversity and achieve their dreams. As a proud father of four accomplished adult children, EJ deeply understands the importance of support, resilience, and positive role models, which he brings into every presentation.
Building positive school cultures and overcoming obstacles is at the heart of EJ's work. He believes the foundation of a thriving educational environment lies in the relationships between students, teachers, and parents. Through storytelling and life coaching, EJ helps his audience understand the value of teamwork, personal responsibility, and empathy. He inspires students to navigate their unique journeys with confidence while encouraging educators to foster environments that promote growth and inclusivity.
In addition to school culture, EJ is passionate about helping students develop tools to overcome obstacles. He emphasizes resilience, self-belief, and emotional intelligence, offering practical strategies for young people to thrive. His presentations leave a lasting impact, equipping students with the confidence to make informed decisions and pursue their goals.
EJ’s speaking topics are carefully tailored to resonate with students and educators. He stresses the importance of shared values—defining and communicating a school’s core values and aligning them with the vision set by school leadership. EJ aims to create a dynamic learning environment through engaging workshops and presentations where students feel empowered, and teachers are inspired to refine their craft.
EJ also believes strong communication between parents and teachers is essential for student success. When students feel connected with their teachers and see their parents actively involved in their education, they’re more likely to complete homework, earn higher test scores, and maintain a positive attitude. Research shows that active parental involvement benefits the student and enhances the experience for educators and parents alike.
Ej was headed in the wrong direction as a youth living in the intercity who faced obstacle after obstacle in a rough and challenging environment in Compton, CA—the same city as notorious rappers Dr. Dre and Ice Cub around the same era. Ej faced all of the same struggles as any other intercity kid: gangs, drugs, alcohol, and high crime. With help, and encouragement from teachers, Ms Guy , Ms Scott, Ms Royal , Mr Johnson And his Principal Mr Herbert L Nealy And Optimus International Ej was able to overcome these obstacles. Their encouragement played a crucial role in his journey, reminding him of the powerful impact of a supportive school environment.
In his book, EJ shares this powerful quote: “Establish clear values; define and communicate your school’s core values. Ensure all students clearly understand the vision, goals, and standards your principal has set. This will put your school on the fast track to a positive school culture. In EJ’s book, he shares this powerful quote: “Establish clear values; define and communicate your school's core values. Ensure all students clearly understand the vision, goals, and standards your principal has put forth. This will put your school on the fast track to a positive school culture!”