After finishing my Ph.D., when I found myself grappling with life’s great questions, when everything did not work out the way I planned in my head, and bewilderment was all around me, I found the resolve to begin the process of writing a book. Through each season of pain, I have found the agency to manifest prosperity.

Speaking about relationships, life, and the myriad truths which shape our being, I attempt to embrace the pain, the awareness, and the love. It is a journey of shared experiences which I am grateful to be part of. My story and this book are not shared to boast, but rather are offered as a testimony, that through each of life’s test, can come the opportunity to harness our own greatness.

The Invitation to Love is a compilation of short stories each illustrating the power of love if we are willing to accept it. The book is tied together in three tenets that frame my daily practice for living powerfully: to live in my truth, to persevere, and to have a healthy disregard for the impossible.

The book was conceived in love, prayed over with love, and offered to the reader with all that love in total. May that same energy that conceived The Invitation to Love be with you from this point forward.

“Darren uses humor and benevolence to capture his audience. His incredible energy and personality allows him to share his personal journey in a way that is relatable and engaging, while also challenging and reflective. I sincerely enjoyed listening to Darren speak on his ‘truth’ and was encouraged to examine my own conceptions of understanding.”

Darren speaks on a variety of topics within the scope of his research. He welcomes the opportunity to work with the event coordinators, to customize his talks on any of the following topics:

Leadership
Spirituality
Integrity
Vision/Purpose
Education
Higher Education
Motivation/Encouragement

Darren has spoken at a number of prestigious institutions nationwide, like:

· Barton Malow
· ACUHO-I
· Wingate University
· University of Georgia
· Saint Louis University
· Northwestern University
· University of Maryland
· Northern Illinois University

Speaking rates:

$7,500 (USA)
$10,000 (International)

Schedule Darren to speak at your event.

Darren’s research interest focus on a wide array of topics.

·     College Student Leadership Development
·     Organizational Leadership
·     Human Development
·     Critical Perspectives in Higher Education

Current research projects:

·     The experiences of Black women in medical school
·     Queer women of color
·     Leadership development within college residence halls
·     Coming out experiences of gay men

Click here to learn more about Darren’s work and research interests or download his CV.

“It’s refreshing to read a book that speaks to your life! I thank Darren Pierre for being vulnerable enough to share his experiences with his audience including me. His transparency about his truth, brings to light what others like me have been suffering in silence. I connected so well with his pain, resentment, and self-esteem issues through the various short stories of his experiences. What this book shows is that our past negative experiences can alter our own perspectives most times in negative ways. It also teaches us that we must channel our inner selves to change our perspective and outlook on life for the better. We can reflect on the past and acknowledge the wrong doings, but we do not have to endorse it. Forgiving yourself and others is a freeing experience that everybody should embrace, and I have to thank Darren for helping me see the beauty in it.”

The Invitation to Love is a compilation of short stories each illustrating the power of love.

Darren has also been a frequent contributor to some of the leading publications, like:

· Huffington Post
· AskMen
· Bustle

“Honest and inspiring, this gem of a book can change your perspective attitude, and feelings about yourself and others It awakens the heart to receiving and giving love”

– Susan Friedman, Best Selling author, Riches in Niches: How to Make It Big in a Small Market

“No other read has motivated me so much to look inward and consider my own insecurities both about love and life.  As a person who too often suppresses the pain, complications and worry, The Invitation to Love opened my heart to the opportunity of self-reflection, and in that the unfolding of emotion, like to bud in spring. Darren’s gift lies in his ability to speak so close to his own soul, a voice so pronounced as you read from chapter to chapter, you feel that he is seated beside you. This book will inspire you”

– Michael Anthony Villasenor, Creative Director, New York Times

Every Now and then an event happens that makes you realize the true meaning of life. This book can be “that event” which will completely change your entire perspective. This soon-to-be classic will remind you that love, in its purest sense, is truly a privilege and should always be honored cherished and kept sacred. Get ready for your future to be forever altered as your relationships will never be the same!”

– Patrick Snow, Publishing Coach and International Best Selling Author, Creating Your Own Destiny

“This book is a treasure! It uses stories and personal and examples to illustrate an extraordinary view of life and the relationships that make it worth living. When you practice the perspectives offered in this book, you will find your life greatly enriched”

– Tracy Maxwell, Author, Being Single, with Cancer

Read more about The Invitation to Love.

“Dr. Darren Pierre is the most dynamic, dedicated, and revolutionary professors/educators that I have ever had stand in front of me in a classroom. He holds his students to a very high standard, has high expectations, but it will elicit the best results to allow us to be fully prepared and dynamic student affairs professionals ourselves.”

"Darren is an amazing human being, and an inspiring teacher."

"Darren is an empathetic, passionate and vulnerable professor"

"One of the BEST professors I've ever had. He brought life to the subject matter,"