Eddie Francis
Email: eddie@greekuniversity.orgOffice: 203-58-GREEK
To book Eddie for your campus or conference: bookings@greekuniversity.org
Eddie Francis' Bio
• The leader-follower relationship and followership
• Personal leadership
• Personal branding and career preparation
• Leadership through philanthropy
• National Pan-Hellenic Council members’ leadership development
Well-versed in leadership studies, Eddie addresses fraternity and sorority leadership on his podcast “Ethocast”.
The New Orleans native has spoken for such institutions and organizations as the Northeast Greek Leadership Association, the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV), the Big XII Conference on Black Student Government, the American Marketing Association, and numerous colleges and universities.
Eddie has contributed to the Greek University books From Letters to Leaders: The Legacy of Service and From Letters to Leaders: Perseverance and How to Be a Great Fraternity or Sorority Alumnus. He has written for Watch the Yard, AFLV Connections, HBCU Lifestyle, and The Huffington Post. Eddie has also commented about Greek life for Al Jazeera America.
A passionate NPHC speaker, Eddie began his leadership journey as president of his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity chapter at Loyola University New Orleans, where he was also vice president of the Interfraternity Council. Because of his leadership, Eddie earned the Spirit of Loyola Award for Racial Understanding. He even choreographed a step routine that won second place at the ever-popular Bayou Classic Battle of the Bands and Greek Show! Eddie later served as an alumni chapter president and campus chapter advisor.
Professionally, Eddie is a consultant who led marketing and communications at Southern University at New Orleans, Paul Quinn College, Dillard University, and Talladega College. He is an adjunct instructor for Southern New Hampshire University who has also taught at Tulane University and Dallas College. Additionally, Eddie’s diverse professional background includes mass media and talent acquisition.
Among Eddie’s honors are New Orleans Magazine’s “30 People to Watch,” the Press Club of New Orleans’ Best Radio Entertainment Feature, and two nominations for the AMA Foundation’s Higher Education Marketer of the Year.
Eddie earned his master’s degree in strategic leadership from Tennessee State University. He is a member of the International Leadership Association, the Press Club of New Orleans, and the American Marketing Association. Eddie is the proud husband of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. member, Dr. Halima Leak Francis, and the proud father of Stevie.
PRESENTATION: Followership to Leadership and F2L: The Black Greek Success Program
- How the leader-follower relationship works. Delve into the dynamics of this critical relationship, exploring followership and how it is impacted by leadership.
- The “Five Follower Types” found in every organization. Discover the different personalities in your group, from the enthusiastic go-getters to the quiet contributors and how each type responds to leadership.
- How to navigate group dynamics. Using Eddie’s “Gumbo Theory” framework, explore how the follower types mix and navigate differences while also learning the process of forming and maintaining a team.
Book the customized “Divine 9” version for your NPHC Greeks!
“I found (Followership to Leadership) enjoyable as Mr. Francis was very passionate about the topics he presented on. Throughout the presentation he told a few stories and told numerous jokes which helped keep the audience engaged which I personally enjoyed.”
“(Followership to Leadership is) engaging, thought-provoking, and worthwhile.”
Give 'Til It's Built
- How to begin their philanthropic journeys. We will demystify philanthropy as something only for “rich people” by defining philanthropy, helping students focus on the cause they care most about, and where to start making a difference.
- How philanthropy builds leadership skills. This is where teamwork actually makes the dream work! Students learn how to start moving the needle through communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation.
- Models and strategies for effective giving and service. Students learn how to identify resources, sustainable solutions, and how to analyze the results of their efforts.
"(Give 'Til It's Built) was an amazing session, and I can’t wait to take these ideas back to my community."
PRESENTATION: Lectures to Livelihood
- What employers want. Students gain an advantage by decoding the skills and qualities that hiring managers are looking for from internship and job candidates before they finish school.
- The anatomy of a winning resume. Having reviewed up to 200 resumes per week as a recruiter, Eddie shows students the elements that stand out to recruiters and hiring managers while dispelling common resume myths.
- How to build an attractive personal brand NOW. Yes, students have personal brands! Students learn how to form and communicate their unique value propositions based on who they are, their skills, and talents.
Time is built in for an expert Q&A!
“(Lectures to Livelihood) is an informational personal branding talk that is energetic and keeps you engaged. (Eddie) has great insight on what to put on your resume and how to word that information for the best possible outcome.”
PRESENTATION: Lead by Leading You
- The importance and impact of self-awareness. Learn why the bedrock of personal leadership is knowing oneself–understanding our strengths, weaknesses, values and biases to act authentically and meaningfully.
- Challenges that every leader must conquer. Eddie reveals the top five obstacles that leaders must overcome in order to lead people effectively.
- How to get the most out of others. Learn what it means to engage in high-quality exchanges and how followership works to gain buy-in for a high-functioning student organization.
“(Eddie was) very lively, he was super interactive, and very personable.”
"The Black Greek Success Program was very helpful to our fraternity and sorority community. This conversation sparked ideas about civility, collaboration, and creativity!"
Meet Eddie!
“Insightful, meaningful, and purposeful.”
“I thought (Lectures to Livelihood) was so relevant, especially for college students, and gave great insights that we don’t normally hear when it comes to resumes and personal branding!”
“I would say (Give ‘Til It’s Built) is amazing.”
“Engaging and extremely energetic!”
“The Black Greek Success Program really helped our NPHC members to truly examine the challenges facing their organizations and to discover that the solution to these challenges lies no further away than a constant dedication to each organization's guiding principles."
"The Black Greek Success Program was not only beneficial to those involved in BGLOs, but it was an inspiration to those aspiring to be Greek and take on leadership roles.”
“(Eddie) was very insightful and deep. He asked questions that made me think on a deeper level and really connect and come to terms with myself and the goals I have. Also, he was very interactive with us and encouraged us to give feedback.”
“I would describe Mr. Eddie’s session as very informative and engaging. He instantly pulls your attention upon taking the stage with his keen sense of humor and charisma. Throughout the presentation, he was confident and asked the crowd interesting questions to keep the audience engaged and thinking. I walked away learning a lot from Mr. Eddie, and am super thrilled that I was able to hear what he had to say.”
“(Eddie) was very interesting and fun. Very different from other speakers I’ve seen in the past. Highly recommended!”
“If I had to describe (the Black Greek Success Program) to a friend or colleague, I would say that Mr. Eddie is informative, funny, and very intelligent. If you are interested in Greek life and you don’t know what to do, go to Mr. Eddie.”
“Eddie Francis combines humor with real life stories that we can all relate to. He offers hope and pride for the future while delivering powerful messages of our personal responsibilities as Greeks.”
“Very valuable information not just for marketing students. As a Construction Management major I connected and learned some valuable skills during (Lectures to Livelihood)!”
“If I had to describe (Lectures to Livelihood), it was inspiring. I loved how raw and real (Eddie) kept his message, while having a fun and funny element to it.”
He had a lot of valuable insight. I really enjoyed his resume tips from a recruiter perspective. He gave a lot of great tips on personal branding.”
“I thought (Lectures to Livelihood) was so relevant, especially for college students, and gave great insights that we don’t normally hear when it comes to resumes and personal branding!”
FAQ
Eddie's overall framework is Leadership for Good backed mostly by the theoretical framework of the Leader-Member Exchange Theory. He wants to inspire today's college students to be ethical leaders while also employing ethical leadership practices that will last for years to come whether he is presenting about the leader-follower relationship, personal leadership, career advancement, or philanthropy.
Energetic and interactive. Eddie moves around and uses vocal dynamics with a spoonful of humor (he actually did stand-up comedy at one point--no seriously). Eddie loves to interact with students by asking them questions and giving them opportunities to respond to real-world scenarios. He also throws in exercises, especially for workshops and seminars.
One thing that's for sure is Eddie doesn't try to "wear a cape." He speaks frankly about his foibles and vulnerabilities. Students want to know that we professionals are human, too. But he balances that with lessons learned, expertise, and success stories. Eddie also leans into sincere eye contact with his audience while being brutally honest, yet optimistic. As one of his nephews once told him, Eddie has a "cool uncle" vibe.
Yes! Eddie Francis has been a campus administrator, and he served on a presidential cabinet. Eddie gets it. In speaking to student leaders, especially fraternity and sorority members, he mentions to them that they have an obligation to their colleges and universities. When Eddie has calls with campus reps, he ties to get an understanding of their area's goals in addition to the institution's goals for their students to thrive as leaders.
Absolutely! Eddie has spoken to student government associations, student athletes, NIC members, NPC members, MGC members, and other student organizations. His programs about the leader-follower relationship, personal leadership, career advancement and philanthropy apply to all students.
First and foremost, Eddie wants students to learn that leadership is a process and that it's important to be adaptable. Second, he wants students to understand that leadership is most effective when the leader invests in their personal growth and development. Third, he wants students to walk away understanding that effective leadership doesn't happen in a vacuum; it relies heavily on how they interact with their peers.
Yes! Eddie has spoken in over half the states across the country! He absolutely books virtual engagements.