ACTFL is excited to announce Sheryl Lee Ralph and Blessing Offor as the Opening and Closing Keynote speakers, respectively for the 2024 Annual Convention and World Languages Expo.
On Friday, November 22, Emmy-Award© winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph will keynote the opening general session of the 2024 ACTFL Convention. Ralph can currently be seen starring on ABC’s hit comedy series “Abbott Elementary,” a role that earned her the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2022 and was nominated for a second time in 2023. A veteran of television, movies, and Broadway, Ralph has also found success behind the camera. Last year, she produced the documentary short Unexpected which premiered at the 2023 Essence Film Festival and was recently nominated Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Special. She was raised between Jamaica and New York and became the youngest woman to graduate from Rutgers University. Off screen, Ralph is a passionate health advocate, honored AIDS activist, and the founder of The Diva Foundation.
This year’s Closing Keynote speaker, Blessing Offor, is a Nigerian-born, Nashville-based singer/songwriter and reality TV star. Born with glaucoma in his left eye, he lost complete sight at age ten. He doesn’t believe his blindness is a hindrance; rather, he considers it a gift that affords him a heightened sense of attunement to the world around him. Offor will share his distinctive point of view and joyful personality during the closing general session on Sunday, November 24.
“We are delighted to introduce Sheryl Lee Ralph and Blessing Offor as our 2024 ACTFL Annual Convention keynoters.” said Marty Abbott, interim executive director of ACTFL. “Their remarkable journeys of perseverance and belief will enchant our attendees in Philadelphia.”
The ACTFL 2024 Annual Convention and World Languages Expo will take place November 22-24 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, in Philadelphia, PA.