Opening Key Note Speaker: Lauren Book on Lauren's Kids

NSU Fort Lauderdale's Don Taft University Center: South Auxiliary Court on the 2nd floor

Lauren Book, M.S. Ed, is an internationally respected and renowned child advocate, former classroom teacher and best-selling author. She is also one of 42 million survivors of child sexual abuse living in the U.S. today. Armed with the knowledge that 95 percent of child sexual abuse is preventable through education and awareness, Ms. Book is using her personal experience as a vehicle to create change. She has worked alongside developmental psychologists and career educators to create the country's first-ever Pre-K through grade 12 child sexual abuse prevention curriculum. Each year for the past seven, Book has laced up her sneakers to walk 1,500 miles across Florida to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and empower survivors, as well as advocate for the passage of laws to protect children and serve survivors. Ms. Book has been named a PEOPLE All-Star Among Us, L’Oreal Woman of Worth and is the recipient of a Congressional Medal of Merit for her tireless work to protect childhood. She is an EMMY nominee and Gracie Award-winning television producer and has been featured by national media outlets including Newsweek, Cosmopolitan Magazine, the Huffington Post, USA Today and many more. Ms. Book lives in South Florida where she serves as founder and CEO of the Lauren's Kids foundation.