Caliph Assagai - Youth Speaker

Hi, I'm Caliph.

I help upper elementary students understand themselves, make better choices, and build the confidence they need to show up as their best selves.

These years are incredibly important. Students are becoming more aware of how they fit in, how others see them, and how their actions impact the people around them. They’re also navigating friendships, emotions, and new environments—often without fully understanding what they’re feeling or how to respond.

I remember how challenging this time can be—because I lived it.

During 4th through 6th grade, I changed schools each year, while dealing with sibling abuse and my parents' violent divorce and custody battle at home. I struggled to fit in and with my self-worth, didn’t always understand my emotions, and sometimes made choices that didn’t reflect who I wanted to be. I didn’t yet have the tools to process what I was going through or respond in a positive way.

That experience shapes how I connect with students today.

Those early childhood traumas, plus many that came later in life, put me on the path to addiction and mental health challenges that I was finally able to address as an adult. Through my healing, I’ve learned how important it is to develop confidence, self-awareness, and positive habits early. I now bring those lessons to students in a way that is relatable, engaging, and age-appropriate.

Through my presentations, I help students understand that:

Their choices matter
Their words and actions have impact
And they have the ability to grow, improve, and become the person they want to be

My goal is simple: to give students the tools and awareness they need now—so they can build strong character, healthy relationships, and a positive foundation for the future.

Trusted By Districts Across California!

Selected districts I've had the privilege of serving throughout my speaking career.

See Caliph In Action!

Below are a few clips that demonstrate Caliph's presentation style and his character framework, and shares part of his personal story.

Which Character Are You?

Watch Caliph's framework for teaching students about character and their ability to "choose" what character they want to be in their life story.

Caliph's Childhood Story

Caliph explains the challenging home life that caused him to act out in school, causing harm to himself and others.

Bring Caliph To Your Campus!

Give your students an engaging, meaningful experience that helps them build confidence, make better choices, and treat others with respect.

Request Caliph!

How I Help Students

Upper elementary is a critical time when students begin to understand who they are, how they fit in, and how their actions impact others.

I help students build the awareness and skills they need to navigate their emotions, make better choices, and treat themselves and others with respect.

💬 Understand Their Emotions
Students learn to recognize what they’re feeling and how their emotions influence their behavior.

🤝 Build Positive Relationships
Students develop empathy, kindness, and the ability to treat others with respect—even in difficult situations.

🧠 Make Better Choices
Students begin to understand that their thoughts, words, and actions are choices—and that they have the power to choose differently.

🌱 Build Confidence and Self-Belief
Students learn how to develop a positive inner voice and believe in their ability to grow and improve.

How I Work With Students

🎯 Keynote Presentations

Engaging assemblies that help students build confidence, make better choices, and treat others with respect

Through interactive, relatable presentations, students learn how their thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected—and how the choices they make affect how they treat themselves and others.

These assemblies give students simple, practical ways to understand their emotions, respond positively, and build strong habits they can use every day at school and at home.

Choosing Character
Helping students understand how their words and actions impact others

In this engaging keynote, students explore how their internal dialogue, emotions, and experiences influence how they treat themselves and others. Through relatable stories and real-life examples, they begin to recognize their power to make better choices—even in difficult moments.

Students leave with:

A stronger understanding of how their behavior impacts others
Tools to build a more positive inner voice
A clearer standard for treating themselves and others with respect

I Know I Can
Helping students build confidence and believe in themselves

While Choosing Character helps students understand how their choices and behavior impact themselves and others, I Know I Can focuses on helping students develop the confidence, mindset, and self-belief needed to pursue their goals and reach their full potential.

Through engaging stories and relatable examples, students discover that success isn't reserved for a select few—it's built through confidence, perseverance, and the willingness to keep growing. They leave believing that who they become is shaped not by where they start, but by the choices they make and the effort they're willing to give.

Students leave with:

Greater confidence in their ability to learn, grow, and overcome challenges
A stronger belief that effort, perseverance, and resilience lead to success
A healthier self-image and more positive inner dialogue
Inspiration to dream bigger, work harder, and become the best version of themselves