Meet Michael Pritchard

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Meet Michael Pritchard

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My name is Michael Pritchard. I travel America and really all over the world sometimes bringing as much joy and laughter from listening to children's hearts. I was a probation officer and I was a parole agent working as a counselor with kids at juvy hall. Then I became a stand up comedian and a child advocate. And then I worked on PBS and have filmed many PBS specials. As a humorist and as an actor I love being a person who teaches art to kids and creativity. That's my main thrust of the work that I do. But listening and helping to prevent the violence, the bullying, and the teasing, and helping to build a sense of self-appreciation, and self-advocacy in kids, regardless of their differences, regardless of their challenges and their learning differences, to teach them to be a person of heart, character, spirit, and kindness. I have a bunch of kids. I have a son who is a sitcom - Connor is a sitcom creator. I have a son who is studying to be a physician. He's in Harlem in medical school. And I have a daughter who I love the most in the whole wide word, because I've nurtured her so much she nurtures me right back. She's a chef and a masseuse and a hair stylist and a musician and a poet and a writer. And her heart is mine. And if I was to tell you anything special it would be to help all the kids out there find family in life. I love my wife very much. She's a cancer survivor. Actually not, she's a cancer prevailer and overcomer. She through the laughter and joy in our home have helped us all. I grew up in a happy family. I created a happy family. And I want them to create happy families. And I guess if I was to tell you the secret of my life that was really to create the most reflection it is that I pray and meditate so much And I stay in those secret moments asking for help. It's quiet. It's private. It's kind of cool in a way. You create that sanctuary in life, could be in a forest or anywhere else. But those moments of silence, you hear what you need to hear. And in the stillness lies in the answer to you becoming stronger at you being you. And going to the university of you inside.
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Michael Pritchard

Humanist & Child Advocate

Michael Pritchard is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker praised by the Wall Street Journal, CNN and Time for his ability to use humor to inspire and educate his audiences on communication skills. Michael Pritchard is a big guy with a warm heart who as one student described him, “truly walks as he talks.”

He began his career on both the comedy stage and as a juvenile counselor in San Francisco’s Youth Guidance Center. In 1980, Michael Pritchard won first place in the San Francisco International Stand Up Comedy Competition as well as winning the prestigious California Probation Officer of the Year.

Michael’s offers from Hollywood rolled in including a guest appearance on an Emmy Award winning episode of “Taxi”. His sensational standup comedy billed him with Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Dana Carvey and Whoopi Goldberg playing venues as Caesar’s, the Comedy Store, Universal Ampitheater and opening for such names as Diana Ross, the Grateful Dead, Kenny Rogers, Mike Mc Donald and Boz Scaggs. But Michael rejected offers from Hollywood to focus on using his comic talents for inspiring youth and adults.

Drawing from his counseling background, Michael Pritchard began using humor to inspire, teach communication skills, anger management, diversity, conflict resolution and overcoming burnout and stress.

His broad base of audience from corporate employees, healthcare workers, government and state officials have honored him with countless standing ovations and numerous awards including: President’s Volunteer Action Award, Commendation - Office of the Attorney General , Paul Harris Fellowship - Rotary International, Toastmaster’s International Speaker, Outstanding Performance - Federal Executive Board , Josephine Duveneck Humanitarian Award and the Key to the City of San Francisco.As a result of his work, Michael Pritchard has been featured on CNN, NBC’s “The Today Show”, “The Tonight Show”, CBS “Sunday Morning” with Charles Kuralt, “Time” magazine and “People” magazine.

His seven educational series for PBS and distribution has been seen by millions and focuses on youth guidance in the areas of violence prevention. “The Power of Choice” “You can Choose”, “Big Changes, Big Choices”.

Forming Heartland Media, he continued with “Red Ribbon Week” and “PeaceTalks” teaching students to make positive choices.“SOS: Saving Our Schools from Hate and Violence”, featured in both Time magazine and on CNN, filmed after the tragic Columbine disaster. His new series: “Lifesteps” builds the social and emotional intelligence in youth and has already received the Parents Choice Award

For his work in promoting nonviolence with youth, Dr. Michael Pritchard was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Hartwick University and winning, 2001 Lewis Hine’s Award for Service to Children & Youth Certificate of Appreciation and the 2002 Marin Community Foundations Beryl Buck Fund Award for achievement in Promoting Nonviolence.

As an extension of Heartland Media, he established Heartland Media Foundation building character and emotional intelligence, violence prevention, inciting motivation and leadership in both youth and adults to improve schools and communities. The foundation provides youth guidance programs, including video, print curriculum, and live presentations by Michael Pritchard to aid in schools and communities where the funding is limited.

In the fund raising capacity, Michael Pritchard has help raise millions of dollars by donating his time and talent to events and various charitable organizations including: Boys and Girls Club – Ronald McDonald House –Salvation Army - Jewish Family Services – SF Giants Community Fund – American Heart Association –Women’s Wellness Forum – Special Olympics - CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates - Bread & Roses – Recreation Center for the Handicapped –– DARE –– Texan’s War on Drugs –– Vietnam Vets of America - Guide Dogs for the Blind

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