Reginald Bates

Background

About Reginald Bates

Reggie Bates prides himself on being a Chicago native! Reggie_SoDope has dedicated his 10+ years of life to motivating and perpetuating all of those he encounters. Growing up in the Englewood area of Chicago and Riverdale Illinois, Reggie was pushed to not become a product of his environment, but instead becomes the one that elevated it. He graduated in 2016 from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. While at Northern, he served as the President of his fraternity, Black Male Initiative (retention-based organization), and Black Theatre Workshop, and served as the Vice-President of the Student Government where he oversaw 300+ student organizations; providing leadership training for executive board members of each organization. Reggie has obtained countless awards such as The Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Leadership Awards, and awarded the prestigious Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges Award. Reggie has dedicated his life to putting mentorship, art, and self-love on the forefront of the hearts and minds of the new generation as well as those that teach them. He’s worked with WE Charities, empowering over students in 20 different states and 2 other countries with hard hitting keynotes, action planning workshops, and team builders. He currently leads poetry/ creative writing workshops for Kenwood Oakland Community Organization. He also served as a Dream Director for The Future Project; mentoring students and staff in Chicago Public Schools to create better school culture and in his spare time he acts as a workforce readiness coach for Luv Institute to keep the young people in Chicago paid! Co-host of #LMTMS’s The Guys Podcast, creator of the soon-to-be streamed Podcast “Psyck Discussion,” and author of Self-Doubt to SoDope: Your Freedom Lies Within (To be released March 2020), Reggie delivers high impact keynotes and workshops aimed at developing competency, character, and confidence!