Workshop Summary

The Tallawah Youth Conference 2026, Kujitambua is pleased to announce Mr. Orlando Bowen as the keynote speaker for the event. Orlando Bowen will start the day with a conversation on Overcoming Adversity and Leading in Community aimed to inspire participants to engage in the:

• power of post traumatic growth,
• overcoming adversity is in serving others, and
• the opportunity of obstacles

Course Objectives

Orlando Bowen’s story powerfully reflects the spirit of Kujitambua — the courageous act of knowing oneself beyond circumstance, trauma, or limitation. After a promising CFL career was cut short due to a violent and unjust incident, Orlando chose not to be defined by adversity. Instead, he reimagined his future, reclaimed his narrative, and transformed pain into purpose.

Through resilience, leadership, and intentional action, Orlando demonstrates that setbacks do not determine destiny — mindset does. His journey from professional athlete to founder of One Voice One Team Youth Leadership Organization exemplifies what it means to step off the sidelines and become a difference-maker in community.

Rooted in storytelling, teamwork, and practical tools for growth, Orlando equips youth and leaders to:

• Reclaim their voice and agency

• Turn obstacles into opportunities

• Lead with integrity and impact

• Create their own roadmap for success

His message aligns seamlessly with Kujitambua’s call to reimagine possibilities and reimagine oneself — not as a reaction to what has happened, but as a declaration of who you choose to become.

About the Speaker

Orlando Bowen is a keynote speaker focused on equipping people to get off the
sidelines and become difference-makers on their teams and in the lives of those around
them. He is a highly sought-after speaker and trainer who works with corporations, small
businesses and non-profits. When it comes to building teams, creating momentum and
employing winning strategies, Orlando is the real deal. He is also passionate about
youth leadership. As a result of that passion, he founded One Voice One Team Youth
Leadership Organization to inspire and to teach resilience, leadership and teamwork to
youth.

Orlando was a linebacker in the CFL from 2000-04. He began his career with the
Toronto Argonauts and ended it while playing for the Hamilton Tigercats. His career was
sadly cut short after a severe concussion suffered at the hands of two corrupt police
officers. In 2004, while waiting to meet friends while in a parking lot, Orlando was
approached by two undercover officers who accused him of dealing drugs. The officers
then physically beat Bowen who suffered significant injuries to the head. Bowen was
acquitted of any wrongdoing, and just one month before the acquittal, one of the officers
was arrested and charged with possessing and trafficking cocaine.

Empowering people to overcome adversity, find their passion and to use their gifts to
serve is the reason Orlando breathes. This gift has placed Orlando on hundreds of
stages, boardrooms and in presentations across North and South America and has
garnered him numerous awards. Orlando Bowen’s story of success and triumph over
tragedy will motivate audiences to pursue their goals by creating their own roadmap for
success. His story-telling, fitness activities and cognitive exercises to teach resilience,
leadership and teamwork to over 300,000 people globally is what fuels his enormous
drive. Audiences will walk away knowing anything is possible and will be equipped with
concepts and tools that will move your company towards success!

Orlando’s mission is to make a difference in the lives of others by motivating people to
take action. His heart for people and his desire to see companies reach their fullest
potential has made him an influential entrepreneur and an inspirational innovator in the
business community. Orlando has used story-telling, fitness activities and cognitive
exercises to teach resilience, leadership and teamwork to over 300,000 people.