Steve brings your company and your team face to face with one of America's most successful practical visionaries. Thomas Jefferson adapted and developed his most effective leadership techniques with the committment and risk of a decades-long political career, but Steve offers your business a shortcut to Jefferson's secrets of great achievement. With the perspective of our 3d President's entire life in view, Steve's presentations cut to the core lessons that Jefferson has to teach anyone who wishes not only to lead, but to revolutionize.
Each presentation is crafted to fit the specific needs of your colleagues and clients in order to create an unforgettable, high-impact presentation. Steve works closely with your company to tailor a keynote that is relevant, entertaining, and inspiring.
Below are some ideas drawn from previous Thomas Jefferson keynotes and seminars:
Jefferson stands today as one of the greatest leaders our country has ever known. Steve's presentations use Jefferson's monumental accomplishments to exemplify the traits and skills that build successful teams and businesses today. Jefferson's ringing words in the Declaration of Independence sold the Revolutionary War to a doubting American populace, inspiring countless everyday people to buy into his vision of America so thoroughly that they would risk everything for its attainment. The conflict between Hamilton and Jefferson seemed to end in complete victory for Hamilton, until Jefferson reinvented himself and rallied thousands to his standard, founding the first dissenting political party and changing the direction of the entire nation while winning the highest office in the land. As President he skillfully negotiated seemingly overwhelming international obstacles until he created his opportunity to double the size of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase. The astounding success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was based on the foundation of Jefferson's supreme ability to delegate wisely and to manage the development of a wide ranging, high risk plan of expansion.
Those are only a few of the topics available for keynotes, closing sessions, and luncheons that will move your audiences to rave about the great time they had and to ask when they can attend your next event.
School Programs
From the Declaration of Independence, to his epic battles with Hamilton over what the Constitution means, to his ascendency as 3d President and his establishment of the "wall of separation between church and state", Jefferson's life guides students through many of the key moments in America's formation.
The content and form of Steve's presentations varies according to the ages, developmental levels, grades, and sizes of his audiences. The shape of the shows can adapt to fit any school schedule. Interaction and participation are an essential part of the shows, which are designed to fit into the curriculum of each audience. With grade schoolers (4th grade and older) the students are up out of their seats and on the stage, taking part in the presentation. Steve uses 18th Century toys as well as images from Jefferson's own metaphors to solidify the theories and ideals at the heart of American identity. In the case of middle school through high school, the shows focus on discussion and debate, challenging students to challenge Mr. Jefferson and engage history as a living, complex part of who they are. No matter what the age of the students, Steve first provides the audience with the knowledge to inform their own judgement, and then he gives them the chance to exercise that judgement.
"Steve did an excellent job of engaging the students and explaining Jefferson's ideas in a way that they could understand. The hands-on experience really brought history to life for them!" - Samara Birkey, 8th grade teacher, San Gabriel, California.
Steve applies 8 years studying Jefferson and walking in his shoes to tailor presentations with respect for course reading lists and curriculum. Scholars develop and sharpen their own ideas by pitting them against, or teaming them with the original articulator of so much of the American Identity. Previous themes and presentations have included "The 1st Ammendment and Jefferson's Wall of Separation", "A Wolf By the Ears: The Reality of Slavery and Inequality in the Growing American Visioni", and "All Men Are Created Equal: The Philosophical Roots of the Declaration of Independence". Steve works with colleges and professors to focus individual shows on themes and subject matter appropriate to class needs.
"Mr. Edenbo did a remarkable job for us. He was more than happy to accomodate us and is adept at tailoring each performance to each audience. Mr. Edenbo is so immensely knowledgeable about Thomas Jefferson in all of his subtleties and complexities that he delighted the audience members of all ages from the elementary-school aged homeschool students to the college professors. We could not be happier with what Steve did here at Des Moines Area Community College, and the only thing we are left wanting is to be able to have him come again and bring Jefferson to life for more of our students! He is highly recommended, without reservation!" - Rita Davenport, Counselor - Boone Campus, Des Moines Area Community College
One -Man
Shows, including presentation followed by Q&A, at historical sites,
libraries, civic associations, Chautauquas, and other community events.
"I felt I must drop a note to compliment the wonderful portrayal of Thomas Jefferson enacted by Steven Edenbo. The program was one of the best we have had in the series. He was informative and entertaining, but also very nice - He stayed throughout the program to speak with our guests and pose for pictures. He was among the last people leaving the library. We truly enjoyed his visit. Please extend our sincere thanks to him." - Phyllis Scelsa, VP. Lyndhurst Historical Society
"I felt I must drop a note to compliment the wonderful portrayal of Thomas Jefferson enacted by Steven Edenbo. The program was one of the best we have had in the series. He was informative and entertaining, but also very nice - He stayed throughout the program to speak with our guests and pose for pictures. He was among the last people leaving the library. We truly enjoyed his visit. Please extend our sincere thanks to him." - Phyllis Scelsa, VP. Lyndhurst Historical Society
Meet & Greet and Guest of Honor
At banquets, social events, grand-openings, celebrations. This includes themed speeches and toasts as requested.
Lewis & Clark
Steve also
studies and portrays another famous redhead, William Clark. Along
with Merriwether Lewis, portrayed by actor-historian Doug Thomas, they
enthrall audiences with stories of danger, bravery, and adventure from
the Lewis and Clark Expedition. As with the Thomas Jefferson
presentations, Doug and Steve tailor the Lewis and Clark shows to fit
the needs of individual audiences, from school children to adults,
including lively Q&A sessions.
Jefferson -vs- Hamilton
Thomas Jefferson "descends into the pit like a gladiator", as he described his battles with Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton. Pitted against Jefferson is the indomitable Alexander Hamilton, portrayed by scholar and 1st person interpreter Ian Rose. The sparks fly and the Constitution rumbles as these two titans struggle to control the future of the new nation. In these shows, the Q&A usually involves a lot of disagreement about what the correct answer ought to be on many issues, since Hamilton and Jefferson still can't seem to agree on a direction for America.
For more information, or to
schedule your event, please contact Steven Edenbo at
steve@yourthomasjefferson.com or (215) 514-1927 .
steve@yourthomasjefferson.com or (215) 514-1927 .