Alyssa’s School Talks & Workshops

Safe Space — Empowering Voices, Creating Change

Inspiring young hearts and minds to find power in identity, challenge racism, and build belonging.

Looking for a meaningful and impactful speaker for your school? My Safe Space school talks and workshops empower students to recognise and challenge racism, embrace their cultural identities, and foster a more inclusive and connected school community. Through personal storytelling, open conversations, and practical advice, I help students navigate identity, belonging, and allyship in a way that resonates deeply.

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MISSION

Alyssa Huynh envisions Safe Space as a platform for high school students to feel empowered in recognising and addressing racism and discrimination. Through personal storytelling and meaningful dialogue, Safe Space encourages students to embrace their own and each other’s cultural identities, fostering a deeper appreciation for diversity and multiculturalism. By providing young people with a sense of belonging and the awareness and strength to stand against injustice, Safe Space strives to cultivate a more inclusive, empathetic, compassionate, and connected community.

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Black and white photo of a woman speaking on stage in front of a school audience.

Keynote Presentation

A powerful and thought-provoking keynote where Alyssa shares her personal experiences with racism, identity, and belonging, inspiring students to reflect on their role in fostering inclusivity. This session explores:

  • How racism manifests and its impact on young people.

  • Navigating cultural identity and belonging.

  • What to do if you experience or witness racism.

  • How to be an ally and support those affected by racism.

  • The role we all play in creating a safe and inclusive community.

Available in three formats:

  • 40-minute keynote – Ideal for assemblies, single year levels, or shorter sessions

  • 60-minute keynote – In-depth exploration with room for audience engagement

  • 90-minute keynote – Extended session with interactive discussion and Q&A

Sessions can be delivered to single year levels, select cohorts, or the entire school and can be tailored to suit the school's needs.

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Black and white photo of two woman speaking on stage in front of an audience.

Workshops

For schools wanting a more interactive approach, Alyssa offers workshops designed to equip students with practical tools for navigating racism, fostering allyship, and strengthening their cultural identity and sense of belonging.

These sessions include:

  • Gaining a deeper understanding of racism, its many forms, and its impact on young people today.

  • Providing support and strategies for students facing racism, empowering them with tools to respond and seek help.

  • Exploring the role of an ally — why it matters, and how we can all step up to make a difference.

  • Learning language and approaches that enable respectful, constructive conversations about racism, both when we challenge and are challenged.

  • Celebrating diversity and multiculturalism, recognising how they enrich our lives and our communities.

  • Fostering a sense of advocacy, unity, and the belief in our collective power to inspire meaningful change.

Workshops are highly insightful and engaging and can be customised to align with the school’s needs, curriculum, and budget.

Every session is designed to meet schools where they are — whether it’s an introductory discussion or a deep dive into themes such as advocacy. Alyssa will work closely with your school to create an experience that resonates with your students and community.

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What Else Alyssa Offers:

Author Talks & Book Week Events

  • Share the inspiration behind Safe Space and connect with students on the themes of identity and belonging. Tailored to different age groups, these talks inspire empathy, creativity, and self-reflection.

Interactive Q&A Sessions

  • Engage directly with students through a dynamic Q&A, where I share insights into the writing process, the challenges of sharing personal stories, and the importance of inclusion.

Book Readings & Discussions

  • A live reading from Safe Space, followed by a discussion that encourages students to explore key themes and connect with their own experiences.

Creative Writing Workshops

  • I provide prompts to spark creativity, helping students explore their own stories and express themselves through writing.

The Writing & Editing Process

  • Students will gain insights into the process behind Safe Space, from the initial concept to the final published book, highlighting the dedication required to shape a manuscript into a finished work.

Journey to Getting Published

  • Hear about my journey to publishing with Simon & Schuster and building a strong personal brand and online platform, offering insights into the publishing world and the power of storytelling.

Testimonials

Vito Milana, Director of School Improvement & Innovation and VCE English teacher at Marian College

Alyssa Huynh is an ex-student of Marian College who excelled in her studies. During her time at the College, she was an energetic and vibrant writer who demonstrated unwavering strength and commitment in English. Since leaving Marian College, Alyssa has been advocating for anti-racism, drawing upon her experiences she faced as and Vietnamese Australian woman.

Alyssa recently visited Marian College as the Guest Speaker and workshop facilitator for the school’s Marian Celebration Day. Her presentation was breathtaking and raw, and she unpacked themes and reflections in her recently published Safe Space: My Experience of Racism in Australia and How I Found Hope Through Community. In a tone both inspirational and unflinching, Alyssa explored the ways we navigate racism in modern Australia and how to challenge these through the lens of hope. We look forward to Alyssa return to Marian College in the future.”

Bernadette Casey, Assistant to the Principal at Marian College

“We invited our keynote speaker, Alumnae, Author and Anti-Racism activist Alyssa Huynh to address the College in what was a courageous and inspiring insight into her life journey. Alyssa spoke to the challenges she has faced and overcome as an Australian / Vietnamese women, detailing how each experience along the way has helped shaped her into the person she is today, with the strength to stand up for what is right in the face of adversity, and speak truth to power. Alyssa's speech resonated with everyone in attendance, with many of us being able to relate, and concluded with roaring applause.”

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Black and white photo of two women speaking in a book store in front of an audience.

  • I speak on racism, cultural identity, belonging, allyship, and taking meaningful action. My talks explore how racism shows up in schools and everyday life, the impact it has, and what students can do to challenge it. I also share my personal journey of navigating identity and belonging as a Vietnamese-Australian woman. Each talk is designed to be insightful, empowering, and interactive, and I can tailor sessions to your school’s specific needs.

  • My talks and workshops are designed for high school students (Years 7–12), and are particularly relevant for student leadership groups, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and general year-level assemblies. I am open to visiting primary schools, please enquire within.

  • Absolutely. My talks are designed to be accessible, engaging, and meaningful for all students, whether they have personally experienced racism or want to learn how to be better allies. Every student benefits from deeper conversations about identity, respect, and inclusion.

  • I am based in Melbourne, Australia, but I am available to travel throughout Victoria and interstate for in-person school visits. If you’re outside of Victoria, I’d love to discuss travel options or potentially arrange a virtual session.

  • Pricing varies depending on factors such as format, session length, audience numbers, location and more. I offer flexible pricing options for schools and can discuss a tailored package that suits your budget. Please get in touch for a quote.

  • Students will walk away with:

    • A deeper understanding of racism and its impact

    • Confidence to speak up against discrimination and be an ally

    • A stronger sense of self and pride in their cultural identity

    • An understanding of how to heal from, and deal with, racism they experience. I want to empower them to use their voice and advocate for themselves.

    • Practical steps to create a more inclusive and respectful school environment

  • This can certainly be arranged. If interested, please raise this with me. I also offer schools the option to purchase bulk copies of my book, Safe Space, at a discounted rate for their students, staff and/or library.

Ready to book?