Testimonials
“I had the pleasure of coaching Jake for his TEDx talk in 2025. Jake was a thoughtful collaborator, a natural storyteller, and he made my job as his coach easy. He’s exceptionally self-aware, artfully articulate, and showed up every day ready to put in the work. In the end, it paid off. His inspiring talk about first impressions brought the audience to laughter, to tears, and to their feet for a much-deserved standing ovation. It’s safe to say Jake left the audience—and me—better than he found us.”
— Carley Barton, TEDx Coach
“I’ve worked with Jake April since he was three years old, who was born with cerebral palsy affecting his right side, and it has been a privilege to watch him grow into the driven, resilient adult he is today. He developed strong self-advocacy skills early on, building the confidence and independence that shaped his passion for storytelling and sports journalism.
Jake became the first physically challenged student in his specialized program at Mitchell College and later earned his Master’s in Journalism from Hofstra University. Today, he is a sports journalist and TEDx speaker whose journey continues to inspire many.”
— Todd Faude, MS, OTR/L
“I had the privilege of working with Jake for a TEDx event in 2025, and oh boy, did I feel lucky to be in his presence. His talk was heartfelt, unique to him and so very powerful for anyone who’s ever been underestimated. If you ever get the chance to hire or work alongside Jake, do it. You can thank me later.”
— Spenser Hensel, Speaker Lead & Coach, TEDxAmoskeagMillyard
“Jake April fulfilled a big dream recently, delivering a TEDx talk at TEDxAmoskeagMillyard in Manchester, New Hampshire. His talk was so well received, earning a standing ovation from attendees. It should be noted that none of this happened by chance. Jake put in the work over many months on his talk, in collaboration with his speaker coach, to bring his words to life in an eloquent, thoughtful way that resonated strongly with the audience. I had an opportunity to engage with Jake throughout the experience and he is focused, and a pleasure to have on board for an event such as TEDxAmoskeagMillyard.”
— Pamme Boutselis, Co-Lead Organizer and Speaker Coach, TEDxAmoskeagMillyard
“Jake April is an outstanding individual and one of my best students at Hofstra University. He is intelligent, determined and resilient. I worked with Jake for three years. We met at least twice a month and concentrated on various aspects of his presentation. He took what I said to heart and kept improving. Jake is one of those people who is respectful as well as respected by all. His work is exemplary. I give him my highest recommendation.”
— Pete Silverman, Professional in Residence, WRHU, Hofstra University
“I had the privilege of being in the audience for Jake April's debut TEDx talk, 'First Impressions,' and all I can say is: he absolutely crushed it. From the moment Jake took the stage, his presence was magnetic—confident, authentic, and deeply human. As a speaker, disability advocate, and master storyteller, Jake wove personal experiences with powerful insights in a way that left the entire room spellbound.
You could feel that he had trained relentlessly for this moment: every pause was purposeful, every story landed perfectly, and his message about the power of first impressions—and how we can reshape them with empathy and courage—resonated long after the applause died down.
Jake didn’t just deliver a talk; he created a shared experience that moved people to laughter, tears, and reflection. It was one of those rare TEDx moments where you walk out feeling changed. If you ever get the chance to see Jake April speak, do not miss it. He’s not just a speaker—he’s a force. If you’re looking for a speaker who combines authenticity, impact, and unforgettable storytelling, Jake April is your person. He’s only getting started.”
— Frank Ioivne, International Speaker