Welcome to Richard Celestin Consulting Group
“KIDS DON’T CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE”
Richard Celestin Consulting Group, LLC was created in 2009 with the specific purpose of developing and implementing skill development, youth and adult empowerment and college and career readiness programs and workshops in elementary, middle, and high schools throughout New York City.
As a product of the public school system, and someone with extensive experience working with young people, Richard Celestin, Esq. provides unique insights and experiences aimed at empowering and motivating young people to seek and strive for their true greatness. This may be accomplished through participating in the Young Debaters Program, a skill-development program aimed at teaching debate and advocacy; or through one of many powerful and relevant workshops or school assemblies offered that focus on critical areas of importance for this young population. Richard Celestin Consulting Group, LLC aims to cover a wide array of support programs and services that can meet the needs, demands, and attention of any type of student!
Despite its name, soft skills are increasingly becoming the hard skills of today’s professional world…
What is a real man? What are the characteristics of a real man? What are the skills needed as a young boy…
My personal journey with adversity has presented some of my most challenging moments in life as well as…
Grant Recipient, President Barack Obama’s Race to the Top Education Initiative
Over 100 school participants throughout New York City, Long Island and New Jersey!
• Multiple Award Recipient – CUNY School of Law Black Law
• Student Association At-Risk Youth Advocacy Award, CUNY
• School of Law Distinguished Public Interest Award, CUNY
• School of Law Black Law Student Association Urban Youth
• Advocacy Award
Over twelve years experience providing educational, motivational, and counseling workshops and speaking engagements
In addition to working with youth involved in the juvenile and criminal justice systems, Mr. Celestin created a limited liability corporation, Richard Celestin Consulting Group, LLC, for the purposes of developing and providing legal skill development, self-awareness, youth empowerment, and consequential thinking programs to elementary, middle and high school students in NYC, Long Island and New Jersey, particularly with youth of color. Under the LLC, Richard operates the Young Debaters Program, which has been implemented in over 100 schools and focuses on teaching students the skills behind debate and oral advocacy.
As a motivational speaker, Richard has over 12 years experience providing relevant, passionate and empowering workshops and speeches to youth, young adults, and professionals. Ranging from small, intimate workshops or professional development sessions to large graduations, Richard brings a unique perspective and unmatched energy to his speaking engagements. The key to Richard’s success is that he speaks from personal experience, sharing stories of success and failure that he has lived as opposed to reading about from other sources, which develops trust and respect from the audience.
Mr. Celestin published his first book entitled “The Hard Facts About Soft Skills” in 2019. Targeting pre- and young professionals, the book focuses on the soft skills needed in order to successfully navigate the professional world. These skills include networking, resume development, personal branding and professional handshakes. He hopes to publish additional books in the future. Since publishing his first book he has self-published an e-book entitled “Embracing Adversity: Finding Power and Strength in Life’s Most Challenging Times” in 2020 and was a contributing author in an anthology called “Our Stories, Our Voices: Black Men Speak Their Truth”. His most recent self-published book is entitled “Evolving into Manhood- How to Think, Act and Grow into a Successful Man”, which focuses on replacing negative influences and thought processes with positive and empowering ones for young men.
To learn more about my self-published book, “The Hard Facts About Soft Skills”, which focuses on the critical soft skills necessary to be successful in the professional world, please visit: www.TheHardFactsAboutSoftSkills.com.
To learn about my passion and work as an inspirational speaker, or to learn more about booking me for a motivational session, please visit: www.TheInspirationalLawyer.com.
Richard Celestin Consulting Group LLC was created in 2009.
I have been a vendor with the Department of Education since 2009. I have a Vendor Identification Number, which is included on all invoices.
The YDP is implemented as two programs through the school year: a Fall Program, which runs from September to December (with a debate competition scheduled for December); and a Spring Program, which runs from January or February to May or June (with a debate competition scheduled for May or June). Workshops are implemented as needed.
The YDP officially begins with a professional development for those teachers that will be implementing the program. During the PD, the teachers are trained on the curriculum and participate in mock lessons. The training can take place at any agreed upon time by the teachers and typically runs for 45-60 minutes.
The debate competition, which is the culminating event for the program, is included in the cost of the program. The competition, all administrative work behind the competition, as well as any gifts and services provided to the students on the day of the competition are included in the package price.
The cost of the program varies based on several factors: (1) whether a school elects to participate in a Fall or Spring Program; (2) whether a school elects to just participate in a competition as opposed to participating in the curriculum lessons; or (3) participating in the 6-week program, which entails six lessons as well as an opportunity for students to compete at the debate competition. For more information about cost, please contact me.
Yes. The YDP has been implemented in community centers, alternative-to-detention and incarceration programs, and independent after-school programs. Please contact me to discuss how we can make it work at your organization.
The length of workshops depends on the amount of sessions for the workshop as well as the size of the audience. A workshop can range from a single session to a 6, 8, or 12 week cycle. On average, a workshop lasts 60 minutes.
Yes. I have conducted workshops with parents during PTA meetings that focus on the needs of their children as well as how parents can empower themselves and become more involved in their children’s life.
Yes. Workshops are presented for a reasonable fee. Fees can be paid through school funds, PTA funds or Title I funds.
It truly is an honor to speak to the graduating class and impart words of insight and wisdom. Please contact me with the date and time and, provided I am available, I will gladly attend and deliver the keynote speech. There is no fee for this service.
Through experience, I have discovered that the grades most suitable for most of the programs developed range from 5th grade and up. Programs are also available for adults as well.
If you are interested in bringing the YDP into your school OR schedule a workshop, please have a school administrator contact me. I can also present to the PTA and navigate into the school through parent support.
The program is designed to be as flexible as possible so that it can meet the needs of the Principal and teachers involved. With that said, I have seen the program implemented as a before-school program, after-school program, Saturday program, or as a replacement for a class during the day. I defer to the discretion of the school when discussing implementation during the school day.
Once again, I defer to the discretion of the Principal and the teachers involved in implementing the program. In addition, the scheduling is based on the availability of the teachers. I have seen the program implemented once a week for one period, two or more times for one period at a time, or once a week for multiple hours.
Young Debaters Program Debate Competitions take place at either at CUNY School of Law or St. John’s School of Law, based on availability of the space in the schools on the date of the competitions.
At the moment, the Young Debaters Program is only offered through schools. However, there is a goal of providing one-on-one sessions in the near future for both students as well as parents.
Workshops typically fall into one of three categories- Law Based, Skill Development and Social-Emotional. Topics can range from Know Your Rights, Soft Skill Development and Mastery, Resilience Building, Emotional Intelligence and more.
Workshops would take place on-site at your location at a time that is most convenient for you and the audience.
Workshops can take place in schools, community centers, churches, organizations- anywhere that there is a need and an audience I can accommodate.
I love participating in Career Days. Please contact me with the date and time and, provided I am available, I will gladly attend and support your school.
~Nelson Mandela
Please complete and submit the form to book me for a public speaking engagement, workshop, or large or small presentation.
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I have absolutely loved my experience as a judge for the Young Debaters Program debate competition. The way the students present their arguments demonstrates the hard work and dedication that they have put into their debate preparation. Each time a new group gave their oral argument, I was awed and amazed at how articulate the students were. Even when they were nervous, they pulled through, each sentence giving them more confidence to continue with their argument. I’m so proud of the students!
Adriana Lima, Esq. Young Debaters Program Judge