Daniel Mora
	Add Daniel Mora on Facebook

Overcoming Conflict:

Making Healthy Decisions for a Positive Change 

Daniel Mora begins his presentation with a poem that responds to the derogatory names he was called throughout his youth. He then gives a description of his life as a child to immigrant parents from Mexico who migrated to the United States in search for the American Dream, only to find themselves in the inner-city housing projects; a place where violence, prostitution, school dropouts and gangs were rampant. After sharing his experience of surviving the life in the projects, the funerals, the high homicide rates, and his own dysfunctional family, he illustrates the change that occurred to him as he was in a cell at Juvenile Hall.

Daniel’s testimony gives a message of hope, and brings the audience into the experience of gang violence, school dropout, and dealing with self-conflict. His message is focused on preventing At-Risk youth from experiencing those obstacles of his own, as well as to inform those youth who may be curious to the potential negative consequences. He encourages his audience to think critically and question their values, individual characteristics, and ways of life.

Daniel Mora describes how he became transformational; from a school drop out to an enrolled UC Berkeley student; from giving up to taking responsibility. His message ends with a poem titled “I am somebody” highlighting his position as a leader, Hip-Hop artist, friend and student. Daniel believes that it is never late to make positive changes, “If I can make it, so can you”.

Topics addressed in Daniel Mora’s presentation include:

• Violence Prevention
• Overcoming Conflict
• Identify Healthy vs. Unhealthy outlets

Credentials

• B.A Ethnic Studies UC Berkeley
• A.A Social Behavioral Science
• A.A Liberal Arts

Recent Keynote Speakings

• San Joaquin, CA. Delta College. November 2010
• UC Merced. April 2011.
• Boston, Massachusetts, Fenway High School. March 2011
• Yakima, Washington, High School. August 2011.
• Bakersfield CA, OctoberNorthEastern University, Fight the Power Youth conference, October 2008
• Rockers Island Prison, N.Y, October 2008
• Merritt College Latino Student Transfer Day, December 2008
• Treasure Island Job Corps Graduation, June 2006
• Washington High School. San Francisco CA. January 2009
• Los Angeles JobCorps. Los Angeles, CA. February, 2009
• Port Isabel High School. Port Isabel, Texas. March 2009
• Parlier High School, Fresno CA. April 2009
• Fowler High School, Fresno CA. April 2009
• Sutter Middle School, Fresno CA. April 2009
• West Fresno Middle School, Fresno CA. April 2009

Honors & Awards

• Chancellor’s Award for Public Service: Civic engagement by an undergraduate student 2008 UCB
• Xican@ Poetry prize winner 2008 UCB
• Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition: Hispanic community affairs council scholarship recipient 2007
• Merritt College Puente Program: Presenter at the First Annual Cesar Chavez celebration 2007
• Women in community service certificate of appreciation 2007
• Recognition from California State Senator Ellen Corbett: academic achievement, community service and outstanding leadership in the community 2007
• Featured in the Winter 2006 Newsletter: Youth Alive
• Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition: In recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community 2005
• AmeriCorps spirit Award 2006
• Educational Alternatives Program series: Intensive Internship in Political Theory and Organizing skills training 2006
• Roca: In recognition of participating in the peacemaking circles learning process, Creating places where change can happen 2005
• Project Yes: Honoring Youth Leadership and community transformation 2004
• Youth recognition Day: Honoring excellence and commitment to improving the City of Oakland 2004

Articles & Editorials

• YOUTH ALIVE
  Prevention and Intervention: Working together to change lives (PDF) »
  
  
• DANNY MORA
  Eduacator (PDF) »

Testimonials

Daniel Mora aka Big Dan

(Ghetto Cuauhtémoc)

Daniel Mora recalls his earliest outlet as a child was writing, recording and performing rap songs about his own rough childhood growing up as a child to Mexican
immigrants who migrated to the inner city projects of Oakland, California in the mid 1980's. “I speak on the many day to day struggles and realities of life that many people can relate to” says the charismatic 25 year old executive producer of BRWN BFLO. Daniel Mora always had a passion to pursue higher education and mentor youth which comes from his own experience of being in and out of Juvenile Hall several times and wanting others to learn from his mistakes. The strength of his community and dedication to its improvement gave Daniel Mora the drive to rise above his circumstances and go on to earn a degree in Ethnic Studies from the University of California Berkeley.

A truly well rounded emcee, Big Dan isn't afraid to take risks in the recording booth or on stage. Blending his Spanglish, West Coast slang and unheard-of flow with an education that spans the classroom to the street, Big Dan has created an original style all his own. He has shared the stage with artists such as Ice Cube, B.O.B. and Immortal Technique.

When not on stage, emcee Big Dan can be found in his community working as a case manager for Oakland's at risk teenagers, a testimonial speaker at youth centers, detention facilities and academic institutions all over the country and preparing him for the next chapter in
his already career.

Emcee Big Dan's highly anticipated solo release album ALL OR NONE is out now and features Chingo Bling, Los Rakas, Deuce Eclipse, Ise Lyfe, Los Novillos Del Norte and more. The project is a candid look at the commonalities in our struggles and for Big Dan, a chance to reveal all of him.

 officialbigdan.com

Be the Change

Presentation Pictures

Photos from Overcoming Conflict presentation